I need your help

[jbearmn]

I don't know how to start to tell you my story.

I'm Japanese and an LPN in Minneapolis, MN. I have my LPN license since 2005, but I've never practiced nursing in MN. The reason is that LPN is not qualified for the working visa in the US. (Even though US is having nurse shortage too.) So, I have been working as a medically trained interpreter.

Last October, I had a chance to be an LPN...in Alberta, Canada. I went to the Alberta Health Care Job/Immigration Seminar in Minneapolis. Supposedly, Alberta is having nurse shortage and even LPN is qualified for Canadian Work Permit as long as if you are approved by College of Licensed Practical Nurse of Alberta (CLPNA). I processed my LPN license and I received my LPN license from CLPNA in December 2008 for year 2009. (Now, I have LPN license in 2 countries!)

However, looking for an LPN positions in Alberta is very difficult. I applied several Health Regions, but some are not hiring international LPNs at all; some are totally ignoring my resume and copies of my LPN licenses...never respond. Some health system is blaming the current economy condition so that there is no opening for international nurses. And some are giving me totally unreasonable excuses. My question is "Is Alberta is having nurse shortage really?" Why did the provincial immigration personnel came to Minneapolis and had several recruitment seminars then?

Now, I'm licensed in 2 different countries, but I cannot practice nursing in both the US and Canada. I feel like I shouldn't become or pursue a nurse. Very disappointed. But, the reality is I'm still looking for an LPN job in Alberta every day.... very pathetic.

I would like to get some educational assistant/benefit in order to become RN and Nurse Practitioner once I get a job. So, going back to school is not an option right now. (I really need to work as a nurse.)

What should I do now? Otherwise, I feel like useless.

[OpusNurse]

Have you tried applying directly to hospitals and facilities in Alberta? Alberta is going through a lot of changes with their regions. go to www.albertahealthservices.ca for information and hospital listings.

I know of at least one facility in my area that is hiring foreign workers. Most are trained nurses and until they can be licensed or registered in alberta, they are getting hired as nurses aides.

CLPNA is wonderful for support. Perhaps you can talk to someone there for job hunting support and ideas.

Don't give up. I know Alberta is short of nurses. Maybe you should consider coming to Alberta to spend a couple of weeks applying in person. I've always found that in person is the best way to get an interview.

Good luck. I hope you find something soon.

[LPN234]

a lot of employers are hesitant to hire foreign workers because of additional costs such as sponsoring, paying for moving costs and accommodations. however, there are lots of jobs available for lpns in alberta. especially, where i live in lethbridge.

if you are really interested in working in canada, you should look into getting a work visa.

[Fiona59]

Capital Health had a lot of problems with the IENs they sponsored from the Phillipines. Despite being trained as RNs, they were assessed as only being eduationally the equivalent of a PN trained in Alberta. So, Capital Health spent a minimum of $10K/nurse and wound up having to send them to courses at Norquest on "nursing in Canada". It took a good six months to bring them up to speed as a LPN despite having worked as RNs back home. Skills that AB PNs take for granted were "only done by the Doctors back home".

There is no educational upgrading funds up here. So your desire to advance to NP status will have to be financed by yourself.

I think Alberta Health Services is restructuring and really hesitant to hire nurses as PNs with overseas training when they discovered the hiring disaster of 2008.

[OpusNurse]

But then again, today we found out that some nurses aides and (possibly LPN's) may lose thier positions....but only after they train the next group of Phillipine "RN's" who finish the LPN course.

I wonder if they'll lay off someone overseas to give me a job?

Oh yeah....there's gonna be a fight.

[Fiona59]

Opus:

Can't really see that happening in a unionized facility. Seniority, remember? Last in, first out.

[OpusNurse]

Neither can we, but that's what our NA's have been officially told by our DON, therefore, they have to act on it and quickly. Doubtful they will have anymore meetings without the union present. They have even the toughest nurse manager on thier side.