I am a Registered Nurse in the Philippines with one year experience in the Operating Room and 3 months experience in the General Medical/Surgical ward (prior to being assigned in the OR). I have filed my application with CRNBC and I have done my IELTS already.
Last week, I received a letter from CRNBC stating that for CRNBC to continue assessing my application, I must take a SEC assessment test (nursinginbc.ca).
My original plan was to apply for a Work Permit/BC PNP after I get my job offer after CRNBC states that I am eligible to write the CRNE. However, since CRNBC will not be able to assess me until I take the SEC, my plan is now all messed up.
I know what the SEC is about, what worries me is how to go about this. Obviously, I will have to go to Canada sometime this year (my deadline is Dec. 10, 2009) and take my SEC, probably on a Tourist Visa. What to do AFTER the SEC assessment is what bothers me. Kwantlen U. said it will take them 3-8 weeks to release my results, and CRNBC sait it will take them 1-2 months to assess the results. If I fail, I would have to take some coursework and retake the SEC, if I pass I would then be eligible to write the CRNE. The timeframe between CRNBC assessing my results and, assuming I pass, declare that I am qualified to write the CRNE is vague.
So why is this troublesome? Obviously, I will have to STAY in BC while I wait out how all these events work out. Going back home to the Philippines would not be financially sound; I cannot imagine going back and forth to Canada without putting my family into serious debt. So I am stuck in Canada WITHOUT work for AT LEAST 3 months.
To IENs who have to take the SEC, what are your plans? What do you plan to do as you wait out the results of this process?
To CRNBC and other regulating bodies, I know why you have to do this, but would it not be better if SEC were offered OUTSIDE Canada as well? Or maybe somewhere else along the application process, maybe after getting 350+ hours of supervised work? Do you know you are asking IENs to travel to Canada to take the SEC without secure employment or even permission to work? Please know that the fare alone to Canada is no small change for those of us in developing countries, at least assuring us that this can be a ONE TIME expense with work at the end of the line for us to pay off unavoidable debts would be a step in the right direction.
To immigration and visa experts, what do I have to do to be able to find and do work in Canada for these months? Can I apply for a Work Permit when I have an employer? Obviously I cannot work in the hospital, but any work for proper pay is fine, so long as the work (and my stay) is legal and the pay is proper. If I need to do coursework, will I have to appy for a Student Visa as well?
Hello everyone, I just recently move to Vancouver this september and I'm currently looking for my first nursing job here (as a provisional nurse) since I passed the CRNE last June 2, 2010. My problem at the moment is finding a hospital or facility that will hire me so I can get the 250 hours requirement to acquire my full registration. I have tried VCH, Providence and FraserHealth online application but still with no luck. I have been to a couple of facilities and have sent my resume to a bunch of others but as of this time only one has called me but the DOC wants me to complete my 250 hours first before they will consider hiring me. Can I have any advice from the experts here at allnurses so I can have the best chance for employment? Thanks in advance.
Hi,may I know if you have a nursing experience before going to Canada? I'm also planning to go there as immigrant, I'm a bit scared and discouraged to learn about that. Have you tried Canadian Job bank or other jobsite? I wish you Good luck!
Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.
As has been stated MANY time, volunteer hours DO NOT count for anything. Your reportable hours MUST be for paid work in this situation. Volunteer hours may count toward your annual reportable hours for renewal of your registration but only under very specific circumstances as laid out by the College Of Nurses. The 250 hours of supervised work required by CRNBC can be in hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics and other places that regulated nurses work. The difficulty is to find an employer who will provide the 250 hours of experience. Usually this step isn't reached until one has a temporary registration with the province.
I realize that the times are tough everywhere these days, the economy is not doing that well around the world including Canada. But things will get better eventually. I find that people need to stay positive and finght for things they want in life, and if someone truly wants to be an RN they will find a way to get there.
I find most of your comments on this forum discouraging. I realize that you are Canadian and as you claim "you helped many people on this forum", however, I will try to stay away from your comments because I don't like your energy and pls try to do the same for me.
hi. I want to know, if those who are applying for a student visa in Canada will have to take the SEC assessment? can you guys tell me what's this SEC all about? and IEN? THANKS.. sorry guys..
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
SEC is an assessment and the decision is based on what you submit to the province college of RN's and has nothing to do with what visa you are on. IEN = International Educated Nurse
sec is an assessment and the decision is based on what you submit to the province college of rn's and has nothing to do with what visa you are on. ien = international educated nurse "
It took 4 weeks for the results to be emailed out. I have to do the "Nursing in Canada" unit online, its not too bad. I have applied in BC but am having alot of trouble finding a job, there just isn't any. I am living in Vancouver at the moment, on a 2 year working visa, which i only have 18 months left. I might have to look into applying to a different province if something doesn't come up soon.
Good luck
Amber
hi amber. you said that you are in a temporary working visa. i am also a temporary worker here in canada and thinking of taking the crne. i think they will require me to have a sec assessment. are you from the philippines?
In total there were over 256 jobs for RN's posted . They were mostly casual or part time relief. Many nurses in casual positions work more than full time.
94 of those jobs were for ICU/PAR/Emergency/ICU and CCU
I just cannot see how anyone can say there are no jobs?
There is another health authority in the Vancouver area as well but I did not count the number of jobs there. I would expect it would be about the same or even higher.
So if there are about 500 jobs in the greater Vancouver area and up the Fraser Valley why are people not getting jobs?
Iam Eligible to take the CRNE myself and still I cant get any job offer mine will expire Dec. 2011
did you already took the SEC assessment? so temporary registration has an expiration, what will you do if it expired and still you werent able to get a job?
:lol2:
raiden213
1 Post
Hello everyone, I just recently move to Vancouver this september and I'm currently looking for my first nursing job here (as a provisional nurse) since I passed the CRNE last June 2, 2010. My problem at the moment is finding a hospital or facility that will hire me so I can get the 250 hours requirement to acquire my full registration. I have tried VCH, Providence and FraserHealth online application but still with no luck. I have been to a couple of facilities and have sent my resume to a bunch of others but as of this time only one has called me but the DOC wants me to complete my 250 hours first before they will consider hiring me. Can I have any advice from the experts here at allnurses so I can have the best chance for employment? Thanks in advance.