Internationally Educated Nurses of CANADA

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Hello! This post is to locate current IENs (Internationally Educated Nurses) going through the Canadian licensing system in Manitoba, Alberta, and BC-- specifically Registered Nurses. I am curious about discussing your story and see how it parallels mine. I ask that if you were an IEN that successfully became an RN more than a year ago that you don't comment, because things have changed quite a bit and we will not be discussing the same process you've experienced. I am very interested in talking with RNs from the US, but also would like to hear from nurses coming from other countries. Thank you la9MFCKoIaKIlaHjVuttgx238A8l+oISTPknrAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC !! Please only comment if you have something helpful to say, if this post does not pertain to you there is no need to comment.

Ps. I have a meeting scheduled with the Manitoba Health Workforce Secretariat to discuss the difficulties IENs are facing in the province.... so I'm very interested in hearing your story so I can relay it in the future. Maybe we can rally together and seek change. I am also possibly planning on contacting the media after my meeting with the Secretariat.

@signorinavhienne, Did you already do the NCAS or are you going to do the NCAS? If you did the NCAS what reference material did you use? If you are preparing to do the NCAS what material are you using to help you prepare?

Hi. Luckily, I was able to book SEC assessment for DECEMBER 2016. So, I have been studying for SEC assessment since NCAS will be started in 2017 beginning in January (for BC applicants). It's bizarre as CARNA and CARNM applicants have SEC assessment scheduled for next year but not for BC applicants (since NCAS will be on next year). Anyway, NCAS have guidelines on their website as to what topics are to be studied. (not all of it but topics that are common I guess).

I mainly used Canadian Fundamentals of Nursing and Med-Surg book (Lippincott) as I was only advised to do a 2-day general med-surg assessment. I also used Canadian RN Exam prep materials. I also used OSCE's for nursing to practice basic nursing skills.

Specializes in Telemetry, Emergency, Cardiology, Respiratory.

Any IENs out there recently got a job in Canada (on a work permit not as a permanent resident).

I wanna know what the job market is like for IENs.

Any IENs out there recently got a job in Canada (on a work permit not as a permanent resident).

I wanna know what the job market is like for IENs.

It is unlikely in the current surplus market that a Canadian healthcare employer can justify hiring an IEN on a work permit.

Specializes in Telemetry, Emergency, Cardiology, Respiratory.
It is unlikely in the current surplus market that a Canadian healthcare employer can justify hiring an IEN on a work permit.

It appears that is the case.

What is puzzling is that CIC is still giving out permanent resident visas to nurses and when they get to Canada there are no jobs so they end up being under employed and they visa given to them does not serve its purpose.

It appears that is the case.

What is puzzling is that CIC is still giving out permanent resident visas to nurses and when they get to Canada there are no jobs so they end up being under employed and they visa given to them does not serve its purpose.

There are jobs in under serviced areas (northern, remote or first nations communities) but many immigrants prefer to settle in the large Canadian cities.

Specializes in Telemetry, Emergency, Cardiology, Respiratory.
There are jobs in under serviced areas (northern, remote or first nations communities) but many immigrants prefer to settle in the large Canadian cities.

I wouldnt mind living in a city of 50,000 in the north of BC. Is that considered remote by Canadian standards?

I wouldnt mind living in a city of 50,000 in the north of BC. Is that considered remote by Canadian standards?

No,that would be considered a medium sized city. Remote nursing is in nursing stations in First Nations or Inuit communities that are many kilometres from the nearest hospital (some can only be reached by plane).

Specializes in Telemetry, Emergency, Cardiology, Respiratory.
No,that would be considered a medium sized city. Remote nursing is in nursing stations in First Nations or Inuit communities that are many kilometres from the nearest hospital (some can only be reached by plane).

Crikey

Crikey

If you want to read first-hand stories from nurses who work/worked in remote or isolated First Nations communities, look on the Government of Canada website (canada.ca)

I’m a Jamaican trained RN who recently moved to Canada and the process is the most frustrating thing I have ever been through. I am still in the process I’ve done my NNAS and my NCAS and I’m now waiting on the NCAS results for BC. Canada really makes it difficult for any nurse trained outside of Canada.

@Christina Page Hi Christina,

I'm an Irish nurse who moved to BC and I'm in the same boat as you! I've recently been accepted to the international graduate reentry to practice course at KPU. The process has taken over two years at this point and by the time I'm finished it will be four years total (the reentry to practice course is 1 year full time). My NCAS result took about 3-4 months to arrive after I completed the exams. At that point I began to apply for the Kwantlen course (which was the only one I was eligible for as I didn't have 1 year's experience as a Care Aide in Canada). I had 2 failed attempts to get in to Kwantlen (each wasting another 3-4 months of my life) and got in on my third attempt. This courses fills up on the first day the applications open so don't expect to get in on your first attempt. I stayed up til midnight the day application opened and had my application completed by 12.06 and that was how I finally got in. If you end up applying to KPU do that. Sorry if that is depressing news but I would have really liked to have some of this information ahead of time to avoid all the the heartbreak. Best of luck with your application- catch you on the other side as an RN!

Recently came across this. I have not used this service as I don't think I'm eligible but I wanted to share in case it was useful to someone out there. Might have helped me if I'd know about it sooner. Hope this helps some IENs going through this horrendous process.

https://www.douglascollege.ca/programs-courses/training-group/employment-services-career-development/internationally-trained-professionals/career-paths-immigrants-health

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