Moving from Florida to Halifax - advice?

Silverdragon102, BSN · Feb 2, 2012

Meeting requirements will be the first thing you do and all requirements are mentioned on the CRNNS website

There are collective agreements in place with the unions and although I work in LTC I find no issues with abuse from doctors etc. Talking to a LPN who does casual shifts at my local hospital (I live 2 hours from Halifax) the norm is roughly 5-6 patients and you do all cares as well as treatments. Patients are usually allocated with LPN looking after stable patients and RN's looking after more complex patients but can not say 100% that this is the case for Halifax

Acute Care Collective Agreement

Hospitals well jobs will depend on where you are living and what experience you have however last I heard there was a freeze on hiring a lot of new staff and jobs went internally first. Main employer is Capital Health

Fiona59 · Feb 3, 2012

Isn't a degree required?

joanna73, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2012

Yes usually, unless you have 10 to 20 years experience, the BSN is the requirement.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2012

I would suggest getting a solid offer before you pack up and move. Work is not easy to get, and locals will have first priority.

newnursejoan · Feb 3, 2012

Contact the college of nurses in the province and have your qualifications assessed. Once you're approved to write the CRNE, which I suggest you do ASAP, then you can start applying for jobs. I know tons of nurses who don't have their BScN and still get hired. I think if you're persistent and willing to change areas for example, like psychiatry, then you have a shot. Keep positive and you will succeed

Fiona59 · Feb 3, 2012

It's usually only US nurses with at least a decade of experience that are hired.

From what we've heard out west, granfathering only works IF you graduated with the two year degree before the province went to degree status. So in AB, a US nurse would have to be educated before 2009 to be grandfathered as an RN.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Feb 3, 2012

NS doesn't always require a BSN however you do have to meet a criteria and lately some form of assessment has been required

apol21 · Feb 3, 2012

I am an IEN who migrated to Halifax in September, got my RN license last December and just got hired by Capital Health. I suggest that you take care of all the requirements needed by CRNNS (regulatory body) before moving. They say that its hard to get employed in hospitals here since they prioritize internal applicants and local graduates, but I did get hired and I think that your US experience can help you in your job search.

itsmejuli · Feb 3, 2012

Last year I relocated from the Tampa Bay area to Calgary, Alberta. Its a day and night difference between working in FL and working here in Alberta. I'm in a union, make decent money and have great benefits. I work in medical rehab/sub-acute care. We work in a collaborative model, our physicians are great, we have 7 patients and one NA. I'm really happy in my job.

I'm an LPN, I submitted an application to the provincial college of LPNs along with my education transcripts, work history etc. Once they reviewed my paperwork and did a background check I was granted a temporary permit and authorized to write the CPNRE.

I was fortunate to land a job at the first place I applied and interviewed :)

Check into immigration before you start the nursing licensing process. My daughter-in-law from FL married my Canadian born son, they're living in Edmonton, AB. Its going to take around 9 months for her to get a work permit. What's also interesting is that she graduated RN in FL with a 2 year degree. The RN college here has told her that she'll be eligible to get an RN license in AB without a BSN. I'll believe that when I see it. Of course she can't apply for her Alberta RN until she gets a work permit. So she had a baby instead and made me a grandma LOL

newnursejoan · Feb 6, 2012

getting you educational and practical skills is the best way too go. You will have your answers there.