USA RN Relocating to BC questions

[jenUSAnurse]

Hello - I am a nurse here in the states wanting to relocate to Vancouver BC as quickly as possible. Since I am a US citizen (NAFTA), I believe I would need a job offer first in order to get a temp work permit, is that correct? I am in management now...is there a need for nurse managers in the hospitals in BC? Does anyone know any good recruiting agencies there?

I am unsure if I start applying for jobs if I will get any response since I am still here in the US. Perhaps it is better to actually be there as a visitor and find a job that way? Has anyone had any success doing this? I am willing to move as a temp resident or visitor (have enough money to support myself for over a year in the bank if they require proof) if that is the best way to find a job, but the question I would have about that is how do you move your household items to BC without actually having perm residency or a work visa. Any thoughts??

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Have you applied to the college of registered nurses for BC? If not I would suggest you start there first and get sorted with your nurse registration

[jenUSAnurse]

I am getting ready to, I was told by one of the hospitals that it is faster to secure a job, then get temporary license, then apply to take the exam. Also helpful to work first under a temp license to get familiar with the Canadian heathcare system before taking the exam?? If I applied and took the test without first securing a job, would that be helpful in moving to BC? I believe I need to secure a job first in order t get a temp license, is that correct?

I am just wondering if it would be faster to be there first in order to apply for jobs, then once I have a job offer get the temp license, then register for exam.

[Fiona59]

Are you applying for a nurse's position or a nurse manager's position?

I see by your second post, you have no experience of Canadian healthcare or the users of the system. Have you ever worked in a unionized environment?

Unit managers usually have at least five years experience in the hospital or health region before being hired. You need to know how to work within the union boundaries set by the various unions that have staff on your unit.

I think that you would need to have time spent in the "trenches" so to speak before you could manage a Canadian unit without issues.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

I find it strange that a hospital told you to find a employer first when I am sure many would prefer knowing that you are eligible for CRNE first before offering a job and time getting TWP. It still is possible getting TWP before you sit CRNE and I have known a few do it this way but all had to get eligibility from the province college before TWP would be issued. Plus you will find that a medical is required so not sure if the same applies if coming to Canada on the NAFTA agreement when working in the healthcare environment

[Fiona59]

SD: we've had American nurses working on the floor before writing CRNE. Kind of treated like a new grad.

My concern is the poster mentioned looking for a manager's position. No experience of healthcare provision and nursing politics up here, makes that pretty unlikely.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

SD: we've had American nurses working on the floor before writing CRNE. Kind of treated like a new grad.

My concern is the poster mentioned looking for a manager's position. No experience of healthcare provision and nursing politics up here, makes that pretty unlikely.

But they must have had some form of eligibility to get work permit? I know a few that started working before they sat CRNE but they had to have eligibility from college before a TWP would be issued

[Fiona59]

They just told us NAFTA. Seeing as most of my co-workers are at the stage of their lives where they have no desire to work down south, nobody's ever bothered to check it ou.