My nursing career plans and move to Canada. Advice needed!

[robash]

hi there. i have a long term plan with the end goal being a registered nurse in canada. we are considering barrie, ontario. i would be interested in your thoughts on my plan and at what point in time should be applying for what visa i have a husband who has a good job now ( call centre supervisor) but is worthless as a trade or to gain extra points on skilled worker route. i have a daughter who is nearly 3 now and i have to bare in mind whether she will be eligable for schooling depending on our method of entry. in sept im doing a uni access course and in 2009 starting nursing degree. so i will be a qualified nurse 2012. then i plan to get 2years minimum work in the uk ( 2 years experience is what most canadian medical employers seem to look for.) so at what point do i apply to immigration. do you actually have to have the 2 years(for example) under your belt before you apply in order to say you have 2 years experience on the applicatin knowing full well that it may take 5 years for immigration to process your skilled worker visa .

my original 'safe' idea was to enter canada via the skilled worker route which i am aware could mean it could be around 10years by the time i have trained and visa has been permitted. my husband would be able to look for part time work and my daughter would be eligable to go into school. and after becoming registered with the province and sitting the nursing exam i would also find work. plus no risk of being chucked out of the country because a certain visa has expired ! this seems to be the most straight forward and 'potentially' hassle free. i have looked into the temp working visa etc but am getting totally confused about whether my husband can work, my daughter can go to school, how easy it is to secure a nursing job in canada whilst living in the uk etc. everyone is saying that it will be really to find a nursing job, but is it really that easy?! money isnt that much of an issue (we should be able to buy a house outright) and have decent savings left over) but being sensible my husband needs to be in a possition to work more or less straight away so we dont eat into our savings.

few, its so confusing. any thoughts.x

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Welcome

Moved to the International forum as per the red banner

Once you have completed your training and have a license you can start your application with the province's nursing board. However I will suggest you talk to your university and ensure you get hours both theory and practical in all areas as Canada training is general not specialised like the UK. Once you have your nurse license you would be able to move on a Temp work permit (TWP) which doesn't take long or alternatively you can apply for PR route now which does take years (approx 5) TWP takes months. With you as the main visa applicant your husband will also get a work permit if you go the TWP route (skilled works and you need an employer) This may change between now and when you qualify but this is something to consider. I have just moved from UK to Canada with husband although he is the main TWP the process took less than 6 months. We have a couple of other UK nurses currently going through the process and RGN1 has just got her TWP and I think the processing times for her was 8 months and this includes a medical which you have to have before permit is issued. Suggest a good read both in the International and Canadian forums

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

The College of Registered Nurses of Alberta has just added a section to their website specifically for IENs. You my find the information you seek here: http://www.nurses.ab.ca/Carna/index.aspx ... look for the box on the lower left side of the page. Bear in mind the information therein may relate strictly to Alberta, but I believe there is some generic information there as well.