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Hello! I'm currently in school working towards a degree in nursing. I am from the Saint Louis area. Upon finishing school, I would like to move to Vancouver, British Columbia and find a job as an RN there. I'm looking for insight into what approach I might want to take to achieving that goal. Would it be better for me to stick around the Saint Louis area and work for a few years before moving up to Vancouver? I find the idea of becoming a psych nurse pretty interesting and compatible with my own interests. Another option I'm interested in is working as a traveling nurse for a few years. Also, if you have any input on the prospects and opportunities for male nurses, that would be very helpful too. Any advice regarding: (A) Vancouver nursing job prospects, (B) working as a traveling nurse, © Acquiring Canadian citizenship, (D) becoming a Psych nurse, (E) male nursing prospects, or (F) general nursing advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

-Joey

Hi,

I used to live in a suburb near Vancouver. Pardon me if I am stating what you already know but keep in mind that Vancouver has an extremely high cost of living. Also, Canadian taxes are very extensive, so keep that in mind when looking at your potential pay.

Also, the weather there is dreary most of the year. A lot of people like it. I don't. Vancouver in the summer or in a very picturesque winter... GORGEOUS. The other 75% of the year... wet or slushy and blah.

Specializes in geriatrics.

The nursing situation in Canada isn't much better than the US. Unless you are coming with years of experience, you may find it challenging to get a job here. BC, as with most Provinces tends to hire locally educated nurses first. Also, do you have a BSN? That is mandatory in Canada.

You will need to contact the College of Nurses BC for information. In addition, you would be required to pass the Canadian Registered Nurse Exam, which is very different than the NCLEX, as our healthcare system is largely a publicly funded model.

I may be wrong, but I read on another AN post that Canadian nurses must have a BSN.

Thanks for the help. I didn't know I needed a BSN. I just plan getting my associate's for now. That makes my decision a whole lot easier. Thanks.

Specializes in geriatrics.

Yes a BSN is mandatory for all Canadian RNs....at least anyone who has graduated within the last 6 years. We don't have Diploma or Associate programs. You need a BSN to be eligible to write the CRNE.

Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

moved to our canadian nurses forum. see links at top re crne exam nursing councils.

bsn degree is canadian requirement. with your planned adn, won't meet requirements --can use this as a long term goal!

In western Canada, Registered Psychiatric Nurses are specifically educated to work mental health only. They have separate governing colleges and exams.

Also we don't know enough about Immigration and Citizenship to tell you anything other than check the government websites.

I grew up in the lower mainland, and as JD stated when it's miserable, it's miserable. Like roughly, October to March is the rainy season. Grey, cold, wet. Some of the highest suicide rates used to be in the region. And trust me, wet cold, IS very different from dry cold.

LOL contrary to everyone here, I love the weather in Vancouver. Just absolutely adore it.

If you are coming to Vancouver to work though, you'll probably have to start by doing a casual position. There really aren't many full time positions or even part time ones available. Quite a few nursing students that I know that graduated in May/June that were waiting for full time positions are just finding jobs now and most settled for part time or casual. The people willing to accept casual work from the start fared a bit better and most found something within a few weeks but maybe not their first pick in terms of location.

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