Is it worth doing SEC?????????

[amelia1979]

Hi,

I feel in a bit of a dilema. I have been asked to do the SEC assessment in BC, and while i have no problem doing this and am willing to travel etc, i would just like to know if its worth it as time after time im hearing that the jobs are scarce in med/surg even rurally which we would prefer. I have 10 years experience on an acute surgical ward and surgical assessment unit. Ive tried to speak to the health authorities about the job situation and health match bc but no answers. Im just debating if its worth paying for the flights (with hubby and 2 yr old) and running the risk of having to find the money for further courses if i was needed to if the job situation is that bad. So i wonder if i should go and get a couple of years icu or a+e experience then try again. Also i believe its looking likely that RN's will be taken off the skilled workers list in july so does that mean that i wont be able to get over there as a nurse at all? We really would like to bulid a new life in BC but it just seems that the odds are really against us.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Moved to the International forum as per the red banner

No one knows what will happen when the new list comes out in July, nurses may or may-not be taken off the list. If they are there are other routes you can take and all are listed on the CIC website. Other options however may involve looking at other provinces

[amelia1979]

Thanks for that but i was under the impression that the whole of canada was pretty much in the same condition, do you know of any provinces that want IENs, would even work outside the health authority ie nursing homes, prisons etc

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

I know Nova Scotia is to a certain degree looking for RN's preferably experienced (however jobs are less and less when advertised) and I know where I live they say they are desperate however they do not like to get back to you when you submit resumes. I know my local hospital is 'crying out' however I am still waiting for replies to my 4 resumes I sent back in July, now working in a nursing home and loving it

NS also has other routes to use in regards to PR and all stated on the CIC website

[amelia1979]

Thanks, are you currently in NS? We have certainly considered Nova Scotia and sorry for my ignorance but doesnt it rain there a lot? Really i would like anyones opinion on whether to do the SEC yet with the current job situation in BC or as i said go and get some icu/a+e experience.

[Fiona59]

No one has a crystal ball. Three years ago, my province was "desparate" and imported from the far east and australasia. Now, funding is slashed and the emphasis is on hiring local new grads and part timers within the system increasing their hours to full time (or nearly full time).

I've heard that work permits aren't being renewed either.

Nursing employment here runs in cycles. The early 1990s were a slash and burn era in Alberta. Flash forward nearly 20 years and the government is still expecting existing staff to do more with less. At least this time there wasn't massive layoffs.

When you apply to a health authority, it's a lengthy process. The job competition has to "close" then HR looks at everything (seniority, experience, etc) and forwards the top three to the unit. Then the unit manager schedules the interviews and at the interview you sign the reference check form (which is now done a private company). So, don't be amazed that it can take three months to get hired. Factor in that if you are the successful internal applicant, your manager can hold you in your old line for upto six weeks before you move into your new job. It's time consuming to say the least.

Oh, and some authorities "freeze" all internal transfers over the summer because of vacation schedules.

Sometimes I wonder how any job gets filled.

Do you really have to bring your husband and child with you while you do the evaluation? With them remaining at home your travel costs would be significantly reduced.

Ultimately, you and your family are the only ones that can decide if the risk is worth it. Fifty years ago (God I feel old) came to Canada, a lot of Europeans settled in eastern Canada because it was close to "home" and easier and cheaper to go back if they didn't find work or settle in. My family used the opposite logic. Went as far west as possible because it was too expensive to not succeed.

[amelia1979]

Thanks for yor comments and it does seem that bc is very bleak at the minute. Does anyone know of any other province that are in need of IEN's in med/surg?