moving from BC to Ottawa

Paulette RN · Jan 29, 2006

I'm a LPN working in BC at the moment. We are moving to Ottawa in the summer. I have a few questions about nursing in Ontario. The first one is any idea if I will be required to take upgrading courses? I'm full-scope in BC and have taken some upgrading course. My next questions is if I were to take upgrading courses is there an area of nursing that has a higher demand. We are only going to be in Ottawa for a few years and I only plan to work casual.
Non-nursing related but can anyone help me with house hunting. I have a son entering kindergarden in Sept 06, our first choose is french. How are the schools in Ottawa?

I would contact the College of Nurses of Ontario - www.cna.org and find out first hand what you need to do. Did you do your training in BC? But it is nice to have that process in the works before you get here.

Ottawa is beautiful. It has everything you need but can still get almost anywhere in 30 mins. Lots to see and do. You can choose from public, Catholic or private schools. French is not a problem....can choose from total french (but think that one parent must be french speaking) or early immersion which begins at grade 4 or late immersion which begins in gr 6 or 7. In some schools, they teach 1/4 french beginning in kindergarten.

Real estate.....well it is somewhat high compared to other places. Close to the downtown area is the most expensive. The east end of Ottawa is more french. The west end more new development. It depends on what kind of nursing you are looking for. I work in the retirement sector and am always looking for experienced LPN's who are registered. I am sure it is the same in LTC especially if you are looking for casual. You are a DOC's dream.

My advice is to scope out where you want to live then once you have decided which end of the city you will be in, to start looking online for jobs. Our corporation has many LTC and retirement facilities within Ottawa and there are many private ones. Not sure of salary, but at our facility, the start wage for an RPN is just under 17/hr. Not great I know. Anyhow good luck with your search....PM me if there is anymore info I can give you.

marc2don · Jan 30, 2006

wow! $17.00.....

What is the starting wage for a RN? Is there a wage difference with different areas of nursing? I have worked for 7 years in LTC but the past few years I have been working in administration. I'm really surprised with the wages, not that the wages in BC is much better.

What is the best location to start a job search????

Paulette RN · Jan 30, 2006

I would suggest you get on the computer and query LTC and retirement homes in the ottawa area. That's how I found my job. LPN's in the acute care setting definitely make more. LTC also makes more as do agency nurses. The best case scenario is to find a place close to home that can provide you with a great working environment. If you don't have to go to work right away, once you buy your home, start taking some time to visit some places close to you. What it really comes down to is what area you love to work in. I am sure you wont' have any trouble finding work.