donRN1024

Hi! I just signed a contract with belgian agency for a nursing employment in Belgium. I just wanna ask whats the working condition, the people and the nature of work of nurses there. Presently, I am now studying dutch language as a prerequisite before I will be deployed and it will last for 4 months. My salary is approx. 2500 euros but subject to tax and deductions such as accommodations, living expenses and the tuition for my dutch training. I just want to know what to expect before I will go there. Thanks a lot!

Hi dacboo! Yes you are correct, it took only 5 mos for me to receive my eligibility but it is actually quite a long wait compared to other applicants. Basically, it really depends on how long you will be able to complete your credentials. In my case, I got some problem in my registration from previous country that Ive work at. Presently, I am still in search of employer and it is not easy as I thought. Anyway, Goodluck for all of us!

Congrats dvsbec! I was thrilled when I read your post. Honestly, I am about to lose hope of getting a job in NS. I sent inquiries to different health authorities and only 3 of them replied. They told me that I should pass first the CRNE before I can get hired. Ive never heard from other authorities though. Presently, I am still in search for a recruitment agency, or any LTC or hospital that is hiring IENs. If you dont mind, could you please share your experience regarding job hunting? or any tips or websites that would help me to find a job? Thanks! By the way, I feel excited for you! Goodluck!

Thanks for the reply silverdragon. Now I will search for employers online but i think it will be difficult in my part but I will still try. I will submit my CV to each health authorities there and different LTCs like SHannex. I hope someone will consider my application.

Hi guys! I just received my eligibility to write CRNE in NS (Thank God!) but I am a little confused if I am still going to take the competency assessment or not. This is what the letter stated. The College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia (the College) is pleased to advise you that you are now eligible to write the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination (CRNE) and apply for a temporary licence. The CRNE is: 1. Offered three times per year, February, June and October. 2. The next writing of the exam is February 2, 2011. You can apply after October 6, 2010. 3. If you are planning to write on this date, please apply and pay the fee of $539.32 by credit card on our website: Nurses > Registration > RN Examination Registration by November 26, 2010. Payment can also be made through international money order. 4. Your identification card and information regarding the CRNE will be mailed to you about 2- 3 weeks before the exam date. 5. You will have three opportunities to pass the exam in the twenty-four (24) month period following the date of this letter (By-Laws College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia, 2009). REGISTRATION AND NURSE PRACTITIONER EXAMINATIONS Candidates shall have a maximum of three (3) opportunities to pass the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination in the twenty-four (24) month period immediately following their eligibility to write, and candidates shall not be permitted to further write the registration examination without (a) providing evidence of extenuating circumstances; (b) retaking a nursing education program; or © successfully completing a competence assessment, at the candidate's expense. I am just a little bit confused regarding the statement No. 5. It's not quite clear to me. By the way, I am here in the Philippines and I dont know yet what would be my next step after receiving my eligibility. For now, I am planning to look for a prospective employer first in NS before I'll take CRNE. Would you suggest other options?? Thank you!

My forms were already in CRNNS and they were already assessing my documents. They said it will take as long as one month to know if I am eligible or not. On the other hand, I was required to submit the Form 3 or the Verification of Current/Most Recent Nurse Registration. For all you know, I am presently working here in Egypt and there is no nursing regulatory body which issues license for locals as well as foreign nurses here. CRNNS e-mailed me to go to Egyptian Ministry of Health Population - Administration of medical licenses division to have my registration. I went there and there is no registration process for foreign nurses. Local nurses are registered after a one year internship in any government hospitals. My problem is if would not be able to submit this form 3, will my application be disqualified? Could you please give me other options? I already e-mailed CRNNS regarding this and I am waiting for their response. Thanks....

I already sent my application package since May 5 and I tracked the said documents through fedex and they said that it was already received by someone in the reception of crnns office last May 11. However, I have not received any confirmation from them as of yet. I sent an email to them to verify if they received it but I got no reply until now. My other documents are also on their way to crnns. Im just in doubt if they were able to receive all my requirements. By the way, I have not sent my payment because I will be paying it through credit card and I am still waiting for their confirmation. Could someone give me some advice what to do?? thanks!

Wish you all the luck! I am decided now to pursue my application regardless if there's any employer or none. Since the eligibility is valid up to 24 months, i think i can have an ample time to find an employer. Anyway, I have to take risk if I really want a better nursing opportunity. Thanks a lot!

Thanks Dvsbec, I understand that the job of crnns is only to assess the applicant whether he is eligible or not to seat the crne. However, once an applicant becomes eligible, crnns may issue a temporary license, thus, he can be employed until he seat the exam. Am I right? But with the present situation, I know it would take time for me to find an employer. If I may ask, do you already have a prospect employer? and how long is the validity of eligibility? Thanks!

HI dvsbec May I ask when did you apply for the eligibility and how long did you wait? I am about to send my application form but I become undecided after I read this thread. I am also an ien from philippines and presently working in egypt. I just want to make sure that NS is still welcoming foreign nurses. Just like you I am still looking for employers. Could you please give me an advice if I will continue my application or not based on present situation?? thanks!

I already completed the necessary documents. I am sending these by tomorrow morning. I like to ask regarding the mode of payment. I am planning to pay the assessment through visa credit card. I am trying pay it online but it seems their website is down. Can I just send the credit card info together with my application form? and what card info should I give? Thank you!

Thanks! Both of you are very helpful. I am a little bit confused regarding who will fill up the employer's verification. Is it the HR head or the director of nursing or our direct nursing supervisor?? And regarding the IELTS result, should it be directly from the british council or can i send the official result together with the forms? I read again the instructions in crnns website and it is only stated there to submit it and it was not even included in the list of forms that need to be sent directly.

I know you can make it. Wish you all the luck. Can you please share your experience once you start working in nursing homes? I am about to complete all the documents and I will send it by first week of May. I will keep you updated if possible. By the way, I am currently residing near the hospital here in Egypt, can I send my application form together with the employment verification? because I doubt that my employer will exert an effort to process these papers. Thank you!

Thanks for the insight Aj04. Working in a nursing home is not a problem for me. With current economic situation, I would definitely grab every opportunity that comes my way. Did you already start working there in a long term care facility? How is it like? The working environment, the people, the cost of living etc..Are you in Halifax? How long did you wait before you receive your eligibility? I understood that you found your employer when you were already in NS, do you think is it possible for me to find an employer even Im here in Egypt or in the Phil? Thank you!

I am expecting that most Filipinos there are working in various long-term care facilities as recruitment agencies in the Philippines have a number of vacancies in nursing homes. Maybe, most of the Filipinos are not aware that they can apply online. As for me, I really want to work in a hospital setting. I want to enrich my knowledge and skills which I have learned in the phil and here in Egypt. By the way, I am a MS nurse and I usually handle liver and kidney transplant patients. I am now looking forward for a career growth in Nova Scotia. Thanks a lot...