Montreal RNs - help, please!

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I'm a newly licensed RN in US. I have 2,5 years of various nursing experience in Russia, but no nursing experience in US yet. I've some US work experience as Nursing Assistant and Graduate Nurse.

I want to get a job at one ot the English-speaking hospitals in Montreal.

Could you please share your experiences about getting hired and working as a nurse in Montreal? Any info is much appreciated, but specifically:

Can you tell me about your hiring process?

If you applied from abroad, did you have to go to Montreal, or were they phone interviews? Just one interview, or several call-backs?

How were the interviews? What aspects helped you get that job?

What experience do you have and how did that help your employment?

Do you have any insider tips about any of the English-speaking hospitals in Montreal? Maybe, particular people/departments to contact and how to approach them? Also, which hospital would you recommend as a great workplace? Which hospital has better perceptorship/orientation programs, free extra education, etc.?

What are good/bad times to start applying? I mean, major hospitals probably hire in waves, syncing them to the inflow of new grads - should I avoid those waves or go with them?

Also, even though I have 2,5 years of experience in Russia, in North America I feel like a new graduate with no experience. Mainly because while very rich in knowledge, skill polishing and character development, Russian nursing is very backward in technology, pharmacology, delegation, etc. Basically, it's lots of drama and no supplies :)) Any advice on how I should approach this in my job interviews and resume? Would a couple of months of US nursing experience (I couldn't do more than that) make any positive difference?

Thank you! PMs are more than welcome!

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First question-- Are you a fluent in French? Written and spoken?

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First question-- Are you a fluent in French? Written and spoken?

I have 4 years of college-level French and I am pretty comfortable with everyday speaking/writing. But I would still prefer an English-speaking hospital, for many reasons.

Do you have any advice regarding my questions posted above?

Thank you!

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Montreal requires that you be fluent in french and able to pass their lauguage exam in addition to licensing exam for their province.

Even if you are wishing to work in an English-speaking environment they still require the french exam. You will also need to go thru the licensing process and be aware that the exam is only offered three times per year, unlike the US. They also require that you meet their licensing requirements and in that area, an actual BSN is required, not sure if you have that as well before they will even let you sit for the exam.

Suggest that you focus on licensure first, as that is going to be more difficult for you to and then it will also be easier to find a facility to petition you.

Since this thread has to do with licensure and immigration to Montreal, moving it to the International Forum where it is more appropriate, and per our new rules that are in place.

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Wow! Not only did I not get any direct answers to my questions, but now this thread's been moved from the "Canadian Nurses" forum to a much more obscure one in "International Nursing". There goes even the slightest chance of my networking with any Montreal nurses... Why? Did I do something bad? :cry:

I do have a separate thread that deals with licensure and immigration. And in that thread I've already established that I'm aware of all the requirements, and that OIIQ has my file in review.

This thread is targeted toward a very specific group - Canadian nurses working in Montreal. Could you please move it back where it has a chance of being seen by them? I don't want to clutter this forum with new threads just because my old ones have reached a standstill.

Please! I'll be good... :wink2:

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OK, I take the last part back - I see that my thread now shows in both forums. As long as it stays in the Canadian one, I'm happy. Thank you!

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