Looking to work in BC from US - any advice?

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Specializes in Tele, M/S, Onc, WONC, PCU.

My husband and I have recently decided that we would really like to check out Canada. We have both been to Canada for various vacations, (most recently our honeymoon:redpinkhe) and feel so at home there. We would like to explore/experience Canada for a bit before we start a family - so now is the time. I'm having a bit of trouble navigating all the information on the web about getting up there, so I'm looking for an insider for some advice. We have both started paperwork for work visas (he's a high school social studies teacher with lots of Canadian History classes - thank you Western U!). He spoke with someone yesterday who told him he'd have a hard time finding work, but that RN's are in high demand (I have an RN, BSN with 6 years exp in variety of areas due to travel). I'd love to get in touch with a agency that would send me there for a travel assignment - but I can't even find a site that offers them? I'm sure I'm just doing it wrong. There are also a lot of websites "stating" they advertise RN positions - but then I get there and they are for aides or just psych nurses ect??? Not having much luck - any advice would be very appreciated. We'd love Nanaimo or someplace on the water.

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Specializes in Tele, M/S, Onc, WONC, PCU.

So I've found a lot more info via ga.ca. Pretty much know what I have to do now. But I would still like to hear from any RN's who have done this or who work in BC. It's A TON of work to get registered up there (not to mention $1400!!!- and that's just registration). I want to make good and sure it's worth it before I go through all this.

Thanks much!

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Specializes in Advanced Practice, surgery.

Moved to international forums for a better response

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BC is a very expensive province to live in.

Nanaimo is a pretty town but Vancouver Island tends to hire their own locally produced nurses. Check out the Vancouver Island Health Authority website and go from there.

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Specializes in Tele, M/S, Onc, WONC, PCU.
Moved to international forums for a better response

I haven't had much of a response - could you move it back to the non-international forum area please?

Thank you.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

I think the first thing you need to do is get sorted with the college of RN's for the province. In regards to jobs then I doubt you will find an agency that does travel work in Canada as usually the work permit visa requires you to be employed full time if you are the main applicant. As mentioned you may have some joy in checking out Vancouver Island Health Authority website but most employers will ask for CRNE or eligibility to sit CRNE.

I have seen on several sites I go on that teachers are having difficulties and will have to meet the province requirements to be a teacher and may have to sit courses or exams to meet requirements

Your post needs to stay in the international forum as we request the sub forums are maintained to local issues of nursing related to that country.

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Judging from the number of nurses I know from Canada who have lived and worked in the USA for years and here in Saudi Arabia, I think there aren't a lot of jobs in Canada and/or the pay must be very low.

Good luck.

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Judging from the number of nurses I know from Canada who have lived and worked in the USA for years and here in Saudi Arabia, I think there aren't a lot of jobs in Canada and/or the pay must be very low.

Good luck.

Uhm, no our pay isn't low. Most LPNs I know make more than US RNs. (and currently our $s are roughly at par)

There have been hiring freezes over the years in some provinces resulting in nurses looking elsewhere for work. The US isn't regarded as "foreign" so it's always been an option, with US recruiters coming up here to look for nurses, especially after NAFTA was started.

Many Cdn. nurses work overseas while they are young and come home with experience under their belt and their wanderlust over.

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