IEN in BC, Seeking Advice

[lady_bizarre]

Hi everyone!

I am new here in BC, 10 months to be exact. I'm from the Philippines, with an 8 years ER experience - 2 years as a staff nurse and 6 years as head nurse but still with direct patient care. I still haven't started my documents evaluation, which i really regret now, I thought I've already wasted months of doing nothing to pursue my career here. Well, perhaps because of the discouragements I hear from some people that pursuing a nursing career here is not easy. (I need an enlightenment).

I'm planning of registering at NNAS before this month ends, afterwhich, take my English proficiency exam. Can you tell me which is best to take? Is it the IELTS or the CELBAN?

I am currently volunteering at a fraser health facility to earn a canadian experience. I really am not sure if this is relevant but I'm thinking of taking an online HCA course (I badly needed a job) while waiting for my RN licensure processing especially that I know it's a "long term" process.. so maybe, being a volunteer in a facility will be beneficial if I'm already eligible to work as an HCA. Do you think it's a right move for me to be an HCA while waiting?

My main worry is the SEC assessment if I already completed my documents to NNAS and if it has been reviewed also by CRNBC.. especially that I finished my BSN degree more than 10 years ago. How long will the notification be until the SEC assessment date? I am thinking of reviewing ahead of time. Can you tell me the references that I will be needing? Is there also a school or any review center that prepares one for the SEC assessment?

Anticipating responses from all of you..

Thank you so much..

[dreamteam]

Hello! Same with you, I am an IEN but not from from BC. I definitely agree about taking hca courses so you can support yourself in the process by working as a hca. Im not familiar in sec, but as with all the nursing bodies in each provinces, their guide for exams are in their websites.