Title used for "Quality Assurance Nurse" in Canada

RGN1 · Sep 28, 2009

Ah, that's a good question 5cats. Now that you've asked I am going to respond it. I am working on one of the best positions in one of the best departments of a best hospital in my country which is having international accreditation and all. I had to quote this in order to communicate my intention and urge to move in another country leaving everything behind including the position of my interest on which I am working right now. However, you'll be surprised to hear that this management position is returning me an outcome of 280$ of salary per year. If I calculate this for a day that comes around 1$ per hour, they have provided me a promotion this year on performance appraisal (Excellent 83%) which is 0.8$ per month, I do not want to calculate this for a day it will discourage me further :)
I need to settle down my career now which gives me a good career ladder and outcome in return after all my efforts.

How does the pay compare to your cost of living though? The reason the "west" seems so well paid is because it's really, really expensive to live there.

dishes, BSN, RN · Sep 28, 2009

hey friends! just an update, my assessment part is cleared by CARNA and they have informed that they have sent a letter to me. I checked the website which says that I require to sit for SEC assessment for general, obgyn, peads, mental health. This may be because I am on quality assurance nurse position and I do not posses direct patient care experience since 3 years. I am really afraid of this SEC assessment, do not know how to cope up with this....

Your fear is completely normal under the circumstances, take steps to overcome it! Read everything you can about the sec and follow through on the recommendations. Life is about making choices and taking chances, you don't have to settle for the situation you are in, the worst that can happen is you will know you have more work to do in order for your dreams to come true.

angel81 · Sep 29, 2009

Your fear is completely normal under the circumstances, take steps to overcome it! Read everything you can about the sec and follow through on the recommendations.

Yes I am doing it since I came to know that I have to appear for SEC assessment. I am reading all the posts pertaining to this on this forum which is very helpful and further I am referring relevant websites as well.

"Life is about making choices and taking chances, you don't have to settle for the situation you are in, the worst that can happen is you will know you have more work to do in order for your dreams to come true."

That's a motivational sentence which boosted me up yesterday, I really appreciate it and thank you dishes. Obstacles can be overcome in any ways to achieve objectives / dreams. SEC assessment in all specialty seems very difficult however, I can work hard and try. Frankly speaking, I like this criteria which CARNA has allocated in order to bring IENs equal to their standards, it does not only enhance patient safety but also provides sort of orientation or refresher to the IENs to understand their standards prior to working.

Apart from all this I am afraid of it at this moment :no: , right now I am waiting for the letter from CARNA... pray for me....

Thanks

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Sep 29, 2009

SEC assessment in all specialty seems very difficult however, I can work hard and try. Frankly speaking, I like this criteria which CARNA has allocated in order to bring IENs equal to their standards, it does not only enhance patient safety but also provides sort of orientation or refresher to the IENs to understand their standards prior to working.

Thank you so much for understanding the reasons behind the SEC. You're the first person to "get it" and see that it isn't a punishment but an insurance policy. Sadly, the situation here for nurses is pretty bleak at the moment. With Alberta Health Services' CEO Dr. Duckett publicly denigrating nurses, our collective agreement and our union and the ongoing discussion of layoffs, "voluntary" retirement, bed closures and all the rest, IENs who are already here and working are feeling very threatened. Hopefully this will all sort itself out in time.

angel81 · Sep 30, 2009

Thank you so much for understanding the reasons behind the SEC. You're the first person to "get it" and see that it isn't a punishment but an insurance policy.

Major credit goes to you Janfrn :). Since 3 days I am reading almost all the posts pertaining to SEC on this forum and your posts are convincing on the reason of SEC assessment which is remarkable. On the other hand, I am working on quality assurance and I always assure patient safety in every perspective. Though this requirement seems very difficult for me right now however, the purpose behind this is very genuine. Thanks for your valuable input Jan...I have got information on SEC through this forum and from CARNA and Mount Royal University's websites. However, I will post few of my queries on relevant thread, hope will obtain response as always. I feel now we do not have to search for any relative / friend outside who can guide through coz we are having such helpful forums to share, discuss and gather information.

Sadly, the situation here for nurses is pretty bleak at the moment. With Alberta Health Services' CEO Dr. Duckett publicly denigrating nurses, our collective agreement and our union and the ongoing discussion of layoffs, "voluntary" retirement, bed closures and all the rest, IENs who are already here and working are feeling very threatened. Hopefully this will all sort itself out in time.

I know the situation is not as good as it looks like, we all can hope for the best.

Thank you all

angel81 · Dec 17, 2009

Hi everyone,

I am trying to know the current condition of Alberta in recruiting IENs at jobs. Is there any change in policies of AHS or its still the same? This recession or economy condition worldwide will have to be resolved at any point in time. Is there any improvement in Canada regarding jobs?

I have to appear for SEC, somehow the letter is not reached to my address as yet and its in way, I am in contact with CARNA. I have planned to sit for SEC when the conditions will start improving. After getting through the SEC, if jobs would be difficult to find then it would not be beneficial for me. I cannot afford living there without a job. Please guide me through this.

Secondly, I want to know about the time limit for SEC assessment. Is there any time lines after getting letter from CARNA in which one has to appear for SEC anyhow otherwise it will be expired?

Lastly, if documentation in any of the province is cleared like for example in Alberta and if I want to apply for another province then is there any consideration or whether they take less time in assessment etc?

I am waiting for your response.

Thank you

dishes, BSN, RN · Dec 17, 2009

Hi angel81

It's nice to hear from you again. I think you are wise to look carefully at the job market before moving to Canada. Currently, there are more applicants than jobs in most provinces and it is difficult to get a job. I believe this trend will continue throughout 2010, however, I may be wrong, so keep checking and hope that the job market improves for everyone's sake.

regards

dishes

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Dec 17, 2009

All off-shore recruitment has ceased in Alberta and the majority of IENs hired have had their contracts canceled. A small number of contracts could not "be gotten out of", to quote Dr Duckett and those individuals will not have their contracts renewed when they end. A labour relations officer in Manitoba told me last week that Manitoba has been asked to endorse the credentials of many of these displaced nurses. Dr Duckett has also indicated that the response to his "voluntary exit programme" (here's your hat, what's your hurry) was disappointing and there may still be layoffs in the offing. So Alberta is definitely NOT the place to be a nurse these days, although Premier Stelmach seems to think that all the nursing graduates coming out of our universities in the coming months will be finding jobs and staying in Alberta. I guess he doesn't read the paper.

angel81 · Dec 18, 2009

Thanks dishes and Jan for providing me the feedback about current situation there. It is still same which is upsetting.

Other provinces assess nurses individually and I think there is no flexibility if one is being cleared in other province's criteria of assessment. Other than Alberta, is there any other province who is having better situation at the moment and is welcoming IENs as well? Any idea about it?

dishes, BSN, RN · Dec 18, 2009

angel 81

It seems to me that there are fewer job vacancies all across Canada and employers are now able to fill the vacanices with the nurses who are currently living in Canada. I think, based on what is currenlty happening, IENs who plan to come to Canada in 2010, need to prepare for the possibility that they will experience difficulty finding nursing jobs and most will be either underemployed on unemployed. The only thing to do at this point is accept the realities of current job market and wait for things to improve.

regards

dishes

angel81 · Dec 21, 2009

Thanks dishes for your reply. I hope the situation gets better soon...

Regards

RGN1 · Dec 21, 2009

. I guess he doesn't read the paper.

you mean he can read?!! Wow, talk about learn something new every day!