Question about moving to Canada for Nursing

joanna73, BSN, RN · Aug 6, 2016

Unless you have experience in a specialty (2+ years), finding a job anywhere in Canada will be challenging. All of the Provinces have cut their budgets, and there is no shortage of local grads.

If you are a brand new grad, the employer will likely hire a local grad over a foreign trained nurse, even with the BSN.

Fiona59 · Aug 6, 2016

BC and Ontario are two difficult job markets. Who knows what they will be like in 8-10 years?

As an American, do you think you can manage to work in a union environment and provide care to all people.

After reading this board for years my eyes have been opened. Americans aren't very pro union. Nor do they seem to understand universal healthcare. There seems to be no concern about the well being of people in general, more of 'an I'm alright jack' attitude and disdain for those who can't afford health insurance down there.

Ive worked with a few USnurs s over the years and we've had to explain the difference between vacation, sick time, etc. We've also had to explain the benefits of unions.

It can be a culture shock moving north of the 49th

Mikeya, BSN, RN · Aug 6, 2016

Unless you have experience in a specialty (2+ years), finding a job anywhere in Canada will be challenging. All of the Provinces have cut their budgets, and there is no shortage of local grads.
If you are a brand new grad, the employer will likely hire a local grad over a foreign trained nurse, even with the BSN.

Thanks for the input. I was already planning on getting a job in the US for experience first before I moved. Plus, I'd like to have a good amount of money saved up before such a move. I just hope that with that experience I'll be able to transfer from US to Canadian nursing without too much of a wait for a job.

BC and Ontario are two difficult job markets. Who knows what they will be like in 8-10 years?
As an American, do you think you can manage to work in a union environment and provide care to all people.
After reading this board for years my eyes have been opened. Americans aren't very pro union. Nor do they seem to understand universal healthcare. There seems to be no concern about the well being of people in general, more of 'an I'm alright jack' attitude and disdain for those who can't afford health insurance down there.
Ive worked with a few USnurs s over the years and we've had to explain the difference between vacation, sick time, etc. We've also had to explain the benefits of unions.
It can be a culture shock moving north of the 49th

Are the job markets more open in the other provinces? I'm a long term supporter of universal healthcare in the United States (though I have no idea how the US should go about implementing it), and I agree there should be more help for the less fortunate, as oppose to the everyone for themselves mentality. At any rate I'm more than willing to learn all the differences and things I would need to know before a move to Canada, and already know about some of the differences you gave. Some of that culture change you mentioned is actually a contributing factor to why I wish to move in the first place.

dishes, BSN, RN · Aug 6, 2016

Once you have a few years of experience, check the government of Canada website for opportunities in remote or isolated first nations communities. If you do become licensed in Canada, consider taking a rural nursing certificate program.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Aug 6, 2016

As Fiona mentioned, who knows what will happen in a few more years? However, if history is any indication, jobs will continue to be competitive.

Without years of experience in a specialty (emergency, ICU, OR) you will have difficulty finding work OP. Employers would rather hire a Canadian trained nurse and they have hundreds to choose from. That's the reality of what you'll be facing.

maimai1989 · Oct 4, 2016

Thanks for the input. I was already planning on getting a job in the US for experience first before I moved. Plus, I'd like to have a good amount of money saved up before such a move. I just hope that with that experience I'll be able to transfer from US to Canadian nursing without too much of a wait for a job.
Are the job markets more open in the other provinces? I'm a long term supporter of universal healthcare in the United States (though I have no idea how the US should go about implementing it), and I agree there should be more help for the less fortunate, as oppose to the everyone for themselves mentality. At any rate I'm more than willing to learn all the differences and things I would need to know before a move to Canada, and already know about some of the differences you gave. Some of that culture change you mentioned is actually a contributing factor to why I wish to move in the first place.

@Mikeya As someone who currently has a job in an ICU unit in Ontario, finding jobs is really a challenge. As mentioned above, because of unions, an external RN applicant with maybe 5 years of experience will have no way of being considered for positions due to the fact that hiring will be based on seniority and not because of experience. Best bet for you will be to do northern nursing since they are having a hard time getting nurses to do very remote assignments. But the pay is really good plus you get tax credits from it.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Oct 4, 2016

BC and Ontario are two difficult job markets. Who knows what they will be like in 8-10 years?
As an American, do you think you can manage to work in a union environment and provide care to all people.
After reading this board for years my eyes have been opened. Americans aren't very pro union. Nor do they seem to understand universal healthcare. There seems to be no concern about the well being of people in general, more of 'an I'm alright jack' attitude and disdain for those who can't afford health insurance down there.
Ive worked with a few USnurs s over the years and we've had to explain the difference between vacation, sick time, etc. We've also had to explain the benefits of unions.
It can be a culture shock moving north of the 49th

That is the single most offensive thing I've EVER read on this site. Wow!

Fiona59 · Oct 4, 2016

That is the single most offensive thing I've EVER read on this site. Wow!

Then you need to spend more time reading the threads on Universal Healthcare in the Politics area. I have been truly concerned at some of the statements made by Americans on the topic. The main ones being along the lines of "why should I pay for somebody who doesn't care about their health". Total lack of the concept of "for the greater good'. Those threads are eyeopeners. Diabetics bring it on themselves, according to severa who claim to be nurses.

There are far more offensive things on this site than my post

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Oct 4, 2016

That is the single most offensive thing I've EVER read on this site. Wow!

You can't have read any of the threads about nursing unions or single payer health care. Two threads, numerous examples:

https://allnurses.com/nursing-activism-healthcare/what-would-a-1032300.html#post8867062

https://allnurses.com/nursing-activism-healthcare/what-would-a-1032300.html#post8867243

https://allnurses.com/nursing-activism-healthcare/what-would-a-1032300-page6.html#post8927161

https://allnurses.com/nursing-activism-healthcare/what-would-a-1032300-page10.html#post9072608 (devil's advocate post)

https://allnurses.com/collective-bargaining-nursing/another-reason-unions-1035880-page5.html#post8899692

https://allnurses.com/collective-bargaining-nursing/another-reason-unions-1035880-page7.html#post8900484

https://allnurses.com/collective-bargaining-nursing/another-reason-unions-1035880-page9.html#post8902275

https://allnurses.com/collective-bargaining-nursing/another-reason-unions-1035880-page14.html#post8903374

joanna73, BSN, RN · Oct 5, 2016

I have to agree with Fiona. I have read numerous comments re: unionization and universal health care that reflect absolute disdain for any kind of socialism.

Fiona59 · Oct 5, 2016

But what do we know? We live in igloos according to one American poster.

I find that offensive. My area only has snow six months of the year!