Looking for Info about Fraser Health or Vancouver Health Authorities

Marijke · Jun 10, 2007

Surrey Memorial is like all hospitals in the region a very busy place. In my opinion it is probably best to just experience it and start looking around once you get to BC. Moving hospitals is very easy, the pay and benefits are the same Province wide.

One piece advice, do not settle for starting wages, hospitals are allowed to start you at a higher scale and you should be rewarded for previous experience. They may try not to, but as there are many jobs available, you have some bargaining power.

Good luck with the move

Marijke

the31woman · Jun 14, 2007

Hi

I note you have been offered a job with FHA. I completed all my CRPNBC exams and I have an interview with them on 23 June here in UK and hoping to do well. I dont know if you have any information on how much you take home each month or two weeks in wages. I have 5 1/2 years experience. I am a little worried about earning far less than i earn here. I do not want to sell my flat yet but plan to rent it which means i might have to top up a bit on my mortgage but im single and dont intend to spend too much on living expenses.

It will be gr8 to hear from you or anyone who has such info.

Hi, I'm moving to Vancouver at the end of this year (2007).
I have been provisionally offered a job at Surrey Memorial Hospital and I'm just wondering whether anyone can tell me a bit about the hospital or the area - working conditions etc.?
Or do you think I would be better off in one of the other two Vancouver health authorities - Providence HC. or Vancouver Coastal?
Any advice or comments on working in Surrey or other health authorities is much appreciated, as I am coming over from the UK and don't know Vancouver (or Canada) at all.
Thanks all.

Kabel · Jun 15, 2007

Hi
I note you have been offered a job with FHA. I completed all my CRPNBC exams and I have an interview with them on 23 June here in UK and hoping to do well. I dont know if you have any information on how much you take home each month or two weeks in wages. I have 5 1/2 years experience. I am a little worried about earning far less than i earn here. I do not want to sell my flat yet but plan to rent it which means i might have to top up a bit on my mortgage but im single and dont intend to spend too much on living expenses.
It will be gr8 to hear from you or anyone who has such info.

The Fraser Health website has a good pdf document for looking at salaries up to about 8 years experience I think. Not sure if I'm remembering rightly but I think it does a comparison for Band 5. Regardless it will give you a rough idea.

My OH and I are both nurses in the UK too. Also looking at going to BC, but thinking more VI at the moment. He's an RMN (I'm RN) and had a spontaneous (ie did not expect to have and totally unplanned for!) interview with FHA in April when Nurse Vancouver were at RCN Congress. He got the job...at Surrey working in CAMHS. He's since turned it down as we are trying to get somewhere with VIHA first but he said the experience wasn't that bad - lots of scenarios.

Good luck on the 23rd!

Can I ask about the RPN exam on his behalf? What preparation did you do for it and was it like you were expecting it too be...or harder (or easier)?

Also one other question - how long did the process of going through the CRPNBC take before they finished their assessment. They have just banked the fee a few days ago, so we are wondering how long they may take before he gets the yes or no. I've got a better idea for me with the CRNBC so it would be good to know for him.

Thanks

Kabel

the31woman · Jun 16, 2007

Hi Kabel

Thank you for the information, it was a great help. With the CRPNBC exam, i found the registration process quite easy. It all depends on how organised you are with your stuff and how quickly they recieve the information. Once you call them to request for the application pack they sent it out straight away, mine was here in about 10 days. You have to sent out the reference forms as requested to the uni you trained and another to your employer and then another to NMC. NMC charges a fee, i think it was about GBP30.00 or so and the uni may charge, mine did. All these organisations have to sent the information straight to College of Registered Pscy Nurses of BC. Once they receive the info they will i guess match it with their requirements and will reply to tell u if you are eligible or not to take the test. I think within a month they had replied mine and i could phone or email them to set a date.

Again, its how early you want to write but the eligibility is valid for 2 years i think so it gives you time to study (which i recommend with help from a canadian tutor). They can even mark your test whilst you are there and let you know if you pass or fail or if there is no marker then they will let you know in a few days. So the process is not stressful or long, its just how early you sent the stuff they require and how early your uni/NMC/employer sends the info back and when u are ready to write. After u pass, you pay your registration fee and for me that took about month to receive the registration documents and all the info about working as an RMN in BC. I do recommend tutorials because the questions are rather tricky, at least i found so and failed the first time by two marks (pass mark 60%) But with help which they suggested, i found it easier. They say Canadian English is a bit different from UK English.

Hope this helps and good luck with the plans.

The Fraser Health website has a good pdf document for looking at salaries up to about 8 years experience I think. Not sure if I'm remembering rightly but I think it does a comparison for Band 5. Regardless it will give you a rough idea.
My OH and I are both nurses in the UK too. Also looking at going to BC, but thinking more VI at the moment. He's an RMN (I'm RN) and had a spontaneous (ie did not expect to have and totally unplanned for!) interview with FHA in April when Nurse Vancouver were at RCN Congress. He got the job...at Surrey working in CAMHS. He's since turned it down as we are trying to get somewhere with VIHA first but he said the experience wasn't that bad - lots of scenarios.
Good luck on the 23rd!
Can I ask about the RPN exam on his behalf? What preparation did you do for it and was it like you were expecting it too be...or harder (or easier)?
Also one other question - how long did the process of going through the CRPNBC take before they finished their assessment. They have just banked the fee a few days ago, so we are wondering how long they may take before he gets the yes or no. I've got a better idea for me with the CRNBC so it would be good to know for him.
Thanks
Kabel

charlotte34 · Jul 19, 2007

Hi ' 31 woman ',

I noticed that you said you were looking to move to vancouver? I have also been offered a job there and am a RMN , where is your position, when are you moving etc?

Thanks Jane

the31woman · Jul 19, 2007

Hi ' 31 woman ',
I noticed that you said you were looking to move to vancouver? I have also been offered a job there and am a RMN , where is your position, when are you moving etc?
Thanks Jane

Hi Jane

I was looking to move to Vancouver but FHA told me after the interview that they did not have any openings in MH and would contact me after they have some. Meanwhile, I was offered a job by Capital Health Authority in Alberta which I have accepted. I am in the process of transferring my registration to AB. I am hoping to move by end of this year...which part of BC are you going to. I know for sure that you will love it coz its soooo beautiful.

Hope your move goes well and good luck.

charlotte34 · Jul 19, 2007

Hi ' 31 woman' , I am thinking of moving to vancouver. Did you try vancouver coastal health as I am aware they have lots of positions in MH? Maybe its too late now for you if you have made plans for Alberta? i hope all goes well for you likewise, may need to pick your brains again along the way! re exam etc... cheers jane

the31woman · Jul 20, 2007

Hi ' 31 woman' , I am thinking of moving to vancouver. Did you try vancouver coastal health as I am aware they have lots of positions in MH? Maybe its too late now for you if you have made plans for Alberta? i hope all goes well for you likewise, may need to pick your brains again along the way! re exam etc... cheers jane

Hi Jane

Hope you well. The week I sent out an application to VCH is the week I got the job in AB and I understand that AB are now the highest paid nurses in Canada???. Thank God He works in mysterious ways . Sure u can pick my brains anytime, I would be happy to help or give info about the exams or what I know about BC. Have you been there before? Which part of UK are you in. I work in West London but am an Essex girl, not by birth though. You can sent me a Private message. Its a weired world, I might even know you.. :lol2:

Take care, God bless and have a good day.

Rach

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Jul 20, 2007

I understand that AB are now the highest paid nurses in Canada???.
Rach

True. We ratified a new contract on July 12. Nurses at the top of the scale will make $38.50 an hour plus shift differentials: $2.25 an hour for evenings and weekends and $3.50 for nights. The nurses at the bottom of the scale will start at $29.33. Also, anyone who can prove they've been registered as a nurse for >20 years will get 2% more per hour. Alberta will recognise previous experience as well, so your place on the scale will be decided by how many hours you have worked in your career, yup to nine years full time equivalent. Be aware, though, that money isn't a panacea. There are a lot of problems with staffing, overtime and management here.

felisa · Jul 13, 2008

Hello. I am a little confused about working under the health authorities and I hope someone can shed some light. Are the nurses automatically part of the union? And do they all get the same benefits, ex. extended insurance, etc.? Thanks for your replies.

felisa · Jul 13, 2008

Also, what if one works under a casual position. Do they still get the same benefits as someone who is regular? Thanks again.