Updated Info on Nursing in Montreal

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

So... I've been reading and searching around the site, and so far all I saw were information last responded to 2 years ago. I've just moved here in Montreal last month as an immigrant with my family, and I'm crawling my way around here looking for answers. We don't know many, I'm afraid.

I searched the hospital websites and clinics, even non-nursing related jobs all require French. I'm due to start French classes in July (I had studied basic French in high school, and my basic is rusty), but I want to be able to earn income here and at the same time contribute towards my career progress.

However, in one of the old threads here someone said that a nurse registered from another country or area can obtain a working permit even if his/her documents for entry into the roll of OIIQ is still pending, I want to ask if this is true?

I tried calling OIIQ but they barely understand me (they are mostly francophone, as seen in their site where they say French is a must), and I'm still trying to figure out the local transportation and going around this huge area.

I just need clarifications, if anyone could be an angel and be of help, it would be very much appreciated. :D

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I matriculated in Montreal 2 years ago (and an immigrant), feel free to PM me with questions!

Montreal has a convenient bussing/ metro system, so it's not hard to get around.

As for language, you won't get your full OIIQ license until you pass the OQLF (French language) exam or pass secondary school level French.

Have you tried going to their office directly? It's a bit out of the way, but everyone will be bilingual and answer your questions.

Working permits from out of country are based on getting a job offer, if I where you I'd start at the MUHC hospitals, St. Mary's, or the Jewish General Hospital.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I've been going around Montreal the past week and it really is very easy to go places here. :)

I've received an email response from OIIQ requesting documents from the Philippines regarding my employment and education, so I'm still waiting for the papers to come in.

What I'm concerned about is that my family wishes to move to Alberta (Edmonton or Calgary) for good by next year to reunite with other relatives. If I am lucky to obtain an entry into the roll or a license to practice nursing here, would I be able to have that credited towards applying for a license to practice in Alberta?

And would it take more than a year for me to get that license?

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If you are going to go to Alberta, start with getting the license there. Getting a license in Canada takes 2-3 yrs for International graduated nurses and Quebec requires a French exam. I doubt you can get the license while you are in quebec due to the time constraint

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Sounds like the OP used the Quebec immigration programme to get landed status in Canada and had no intention of staying there.

Quebec needs people to le to live there. The programme was originally set to to make it easier for francophones from around the world to migrate and work there. They need took look at how this programme is being manipulated

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I matriculated in Montreal 2 years ago (and an immigrant), feel free to PM me with questions!

Montreal has a convenient bussing/ metro system, so it's not hard to get around.

As for language, you won't get your full OIIQ license until you pass the OQLF (French language) exam or pass secondary school level French.

Have you tried going to their office directly? It's a bit out of the way, but everyone will be bilingual and answer your questions.

Working permits from out of country are based on getting a job offer, if I where you I'd start at the MUHC hospitals, St. Mary's, or the Jewish General Hospital.

I think the tolerance for lack of bilingualism has decreased, I noticed that some people in Montreal refuse to answer immigrants' questions if they are in English. They don't mind answering English speaking visitors, but are quick to show irritation when they have to speak English to people who are working in Montreal.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
If you are going to go to Alberta, start with getting the license there. Getting a license in Canada takes 2-3 yrs for International graduated nurses and Quebec requires a French exam. I doubt you can get the license while you are in quebec due to the time constraint

I see. I guess I really need to rethink the whole thing or just have to part ways with my family to stay.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
Sounds like the OP used the Quebec immigration programme to get landed status in Canada and had no intention of staying there.

Quebec needs people to le to live there. The programme was originally set to to make it easier for francophones from around the world to migrate and work there. They need took look at how this programme is being manipulated

Please be more careful about what you say. You can't really go around saying how people are manipulating the program. My mom has lived in Quebec (Montreal) for 12 years, which is why we landed here in Quebec, and not just used it to land easier.

We wish to stay here actually, it's a lot more convenient here than in AB in my opinion, but we have really close family ties and it is an important part of our lives.

Anyway I'm bound to start French classes in a week í ½í¸

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
I think the tolerance for lack of bilingualism has decreased, I noticed that some people in Montreal refuse to answer immigrants' questions if they are in English. They don't mind answering English speaking visitors, but are quick to show irritation when they have to speak English to people who are working in Montreal.

During my first week, I encountered two people in the school board and in another building who told me "No english here!" I was put aback because I was just inquiring, but I appreciate the many kind people who were smiling and answered my questions even if I haven't started my basic French yet.

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@caisaki have you had any luck finding out more information? Did you have an opportunity to speak to HR at MUHC, St. Mary's, or the Jewish General Hospital?

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Hello, I have a similar issue, I am trained in the UK and I do speak a bit of French by my daughter who is also a nurse doesnt at all. We are moving to Montreal in a year or 1 1/2 , so she will take French classes here, but would you mind CanadianRN if I messaged you with more questions? Thank you

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@Caisaki.

How far have you gone with the OIIQ registration? What about getting any temporary job to earn a living while waiting for them to process your papers? I am also an IEN and if God Blesses I'll be in Montreal by March 2017. I contacted the OIIQ and wanna start the process while i'm still out of Quebec. Please feel free to share your experiences as i'm counting on people like you as my motivators!

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