Just a quick note, CIC (Citizenship and Immigration Canada) has released a news on the new caps for FSWP and FSTP for migrating to Canada effective May-2014. Please check out the url below for details.
http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=841339
5 years ago
Do we need to migrate in canada in order to work there?
ReplyDeleteI am a singaporean nurse. Feel like working in canada.
Is it better?
Hi Anonymous on Tuesday, May 06, 2014 6:48:00 AM,
DeleteYou do not need to migrate to Canada in order to work here, but the labour laws and social norms are that Canadians (citizens and residents) take precedence over foreign applicants in job applications.
Are you a Registered Nurse or Enrolled Nurse (also known Licensed Practical Nurse in Canada)?
If you're a RN, you may want to take note of the upcoming major change effective from 12-Aug-2014 in the RN registration process for Internationally Educated Nurses (i.e. foreign-trained nurses). For British Columbia, the current CRNBC process is in effect only until 12-Aug-2014.
https://crnbc.ca/crnbc/Announcements/2014/Pages/NNAS.aspx
When you wrote that you're "a Singaporean nurse", did you mean that you did your basic nursing education/training in Singapore (i.e. have a Diploma in Nursing from Nanyang Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic; or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from National University of Singapore)? Or did you mean that you're currently working in Singapore, but did your basic nursing training/education elsewhere?
The above distinction is important because the credential accreditation process will consider the reputation of the school where you did your foundational (i.e. pre-registration) nursing education/training. As far as I know, the above list of Singapore nursing training are considered to be equivalent of a graduate nurse education/training in Canada.
> Feel like working in canada. Is it better?
It is hard to answer your question with just a "Yes" or "No". There are pros-and-cons to every situation. You can read my "Nursing In Canada" category of blog posts to see my journey. Due to privacy concerns (a nursing standard here), there isn't any post that talks about my direct client care, but you can probably get an idea of some workplace-culture differences.
http://winkingdoll.blogspot.ca/search/label/Nursing%20in%20Canada
In B.C., there are currently changes to care-delivery model in pilot locations (in response to the provincial healthcare budget cuts). This changes bring about major stressors to nurses and the quality of care delivered, which drove some nurses to leave their "iron-rice bowl" jobs at these government hospitals. [I have personally met a few nurses who left their "iron-rice bowl" jobs because they were not happy with the new policies.]
https://www.bcnu.org/CDMR.aspx?category=CDMR&type=Overview
As in many places all over the world, workers have to band-together to fight for our rights. IMHO, unions in Canada are more powerful than the national union in Singapore led by its leader who chants "cheaper, better, faster".
https://www.facebook.com/OurNursesMatter
Hope the above answers your questions.
Cheers, WD.
hi wingkingdoll, sorry am not good with using blog. but I would like to ask you more about your journey to canada as a RN. if it is ok with you, hope i could PM somehow to ask more!
ReplyDeleteHi Anne,
DeleteFor privacy and security reasons, I do not PM, email or otherwise respond privately to online strangers. I hope you will understand.
As for advice on my "journey to canada as a RN", I suggest clicking on "Nursing in Canada" on the top-right of this page and reading through my related blog posts to see if you can dredge out some useful information.
As mentioned in my reply to Anonymous above, there is a major change to the registration process for internationally educated nurses with effect from August 12, 2014.
If you plan to submit your application after August 12, 2014, you can click and follow the CRNBC link below for more details.
https://crnbc.ca/crnbc/Announcements/2014/Pages/NNAS.aspx
On the other hand, if you submit your application before August 12, 2014, (i.e. the relevant nursing board receives your application before the above date), then you may wish to click here for some urls that may be useful to you.
http://winkingdoll.blogspot.ca/2010/10/british-columbia-nursing-boards.html
If you still cannot find the information that you're looking for after following through the links on the above sites, you may wish to check-out other online resources such as AllNurses.com - Nursing in Canada.
http://allnurses.com/nursing-in-canada/
Note: It is with good intention that I am redirecting your search for answers to the above online resources. Doing more DIY (Do-It-Yourself) online search for information and/or resources will train you to be self-directed at finding solutions and becoming adept at searching for and getting publicly-accessible information. This will help you to adapt to the Canadian way of life if/when you migrate subsequently.
If doing all the above still does not answer your questions, then feel free to drop me a comment with your specific question(s) again.
Hope the above helps. Thanks for visiting.
Cheers, WD.
Thx for the info! how long did your entire application take, from the time you applied for PR till you get your PR status?
DeleteHi anne,
DeleteShort answer: From initial "expression of interest" application to "confirmation of PR" took me 3 years.
Long answer below: I applied for Canadian PR a long time ago -- back in end-2006. This was before the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, and thus Canada's PR requirements were much more lax and the queue was way longer. Add to that, I may have possibly delayed my application process by approximately 4-6 months due to dragging my feet on the required paperwork.
http://winkingdoll.blogspot.ca/2009/05/place-mark-entry-april-may-2009.html
http://winkingdoll.blogspot.ca/2009/08/migration-thoughts-on-national-day.html
A lot of things have changed since then, notably the Canadian PR system has been regularly updated (at least yearly). IMHO, it is therefore not meaningful to use my process as a reference for your own planning.
E.g. The PR rules were changed in 2009 and a special class of expedited PR applications was created specifically for nurses. My nurse friend who applied in 2009 got her PR application approved in less than a year. Then in 2013, nurses were dropped from the "in-demand" skills list, but added back in 2014.
Moral of the story: Rules can be changed, and can change quickly and suddenly. My suggestion: Be prepared with multiple plans and/or back-up options if you want to succeed in emigrating.
Cheers, WD.
Hi WD,
ReplyDeleteI read in your blog that you went for WDA's Professional Conversion Programme in nursing. Just some questions:
- How was the interview like, was it easy to get pass?
- Would you recommend someone else to go for that program or do you think there are better alternatives?
- Any other thoughts, regrets, etc?
Hi choaniki,
DeleteTo answer your questions.
> How was the interview like, was it easy to get pass?
During my time the interview was conducted by each hospital who are potential sponsors. It is just like any job interview, basically they want to know why you want to enter nursing, if you have any idea what nursing is like (yes, you have to wipe butts and clean shit, do admin work like patient billing, PR work like talk to family, etc, not just CPR and save lives as in those TV shows), why did you choose to apply to that particular hospital (or health group) and why you think you're a good choice for an employee, if you will stay with them, if you have any preference for any specialty.
For my answers to your other questions, please read my other blog post "Questions about PCP Nursing in Singapore". Also check out my blog posts under the blog category "Nursing in Singapore" to understand some of the work dynamics in an acute hospital setting... of course your experience may differ.
http://winkingdoll.blogspot.ca/2012/11/questions-about-pcp-nursing-in-singapore.html
In summary, you have to consider clearly what you're in for if you make such a major decision to switch your career.
I landed in Canada with 2 choices for my career. Despite the extra hoops (i.e. more barriers to entry) I have to jump to return to nursing here, I did it and I'm now working part-to-full time hours as a Registered Nurse (Pediatrics) here. That said, "change is the only constant", so I won't be surprised if there would be more changes in my future.
Cheers, WD.
Thanks WD,
DeleteI read your reply both here and on LIFT blog.
My ultimate aim is of course to get our from Singapore since anywhere is better than this small hole that is going to hell in a handbasket. I will be wary not to reveal my intent to all my potential employers of course (i'm not that dense). I think at this point desperate times calls for desperate measures so changing careers is a small price to pay.
Hi choaniki,
DeleteI didn't see my reply displayed on LIFT's blog, so I'm glad that you read it anyway.
>desperate times calls for desperate measures
I agree. I even considered being a domestic maid to emigrate to Canada as one of my back-up plans (known as "Au Pair" visa back in 2006, renamed as Live-In Caregiver scheme since). Fortunately my Plan A came through.
Btw, for RN (registered nurse), the last I know, Australia recognizes Singapore's registration, so transferring your registration to Aussie land would be easier than Maple country (Canada). If you're going down that route, I suggest hanging out at ASingaporeanSon's blog as he personally knows of Singaporean nurses who emigrated and he occasionally writes about them.
One of my long term blog readers, CK (who also hangs out at ASingaporeanSon's blog) did the WDA SMCP/PCP scheme to change his career to nursing specifically to emigrate. He is my senior at the WDA scheme. He is now working as a Nurse Informatician in Kiwi Land (NZ). If you're heading down to NZ, it may be worth your while to try connecting with him through ASingaporeanSon's blog.
Hope things will go well for you.
Cheers, WD.
Hi WD,
DeleteI can see it using the mobile site, not sure why the desktop version doesn't show it but I'm not surprised since blogspot comments have always been abit wonky.
http://limpehft.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-cpf-situation-something-has-got-to.html?showComment=1402332187126&m=1#c7678806241811410369
Anyway i'm not really considering nursing but diagnostic radiographer, it has some links to technology which is what i'm doing in my current job.
Hi choaniki,
DeleteIMHO, "diagnostic radiographer" is a good option. In May-2013 when nursing was dropped from the FSWP list, the following diagnostic radiographer related jobs were still on the Canada's "wanted skills" list.
3215 Medical Radiation Technologists
3216 Medical Sonographers
3217 Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists
http://winkingdoll.blogspot.ca/2013/10/migrating-via-student-visa-part-2.html
Note that getting your training, education, skills and experience recognized here in Canada may be a long process.
http://winkingdoll.blogspot.ca/2012/07/canadian-experience-and-qualifications.html
So even as you consider taking up a new career for emigration purposes, keep in mind that the new career is just your ticket to a "PR visa". Once you land in Canada, it helps to be open-minded to whatever opportunities that are available to survive and adapt -- in other words, you may end up in your previous career, your new diagnostic radiographer career, or something totally different.
It is nice to meet another potential emigrant who has thought through about what he/she means by "I will do anything to emigrate" (or your version "desperate times calls for desperate measures"). I have come across many who will say the same, but upon asking them further, there will always be some "reason" or other that they cannot make this or that long/short-term sacrifice. So years down the road, they are still in Singapore, saying the same thing -- "I will do anything to emigrate". Thus I become more reluctant to answer these folks. Besides, I have also observed that those truly "motivated emigrants" will invest time to do their own research on their emigration options.
Good luck! I believe you will make it with your mindset.
Cheers, WD.
I am no longer doing Informatics! Recently moved into management. The only guy and the only Asian managing 49 other ang mohs. I guess one can achieve more things without a Singaporean mindset.
ReplyDeleteI was in Canada last couple of weeks, specifically Edmonton. Loved it there! If there were no nursing exams for registration I will move there for a few years to explore new things!
P.S. My passport is no longer red.
Hi CK,
DeleteCongrads on your promotion. I'm sure your hard-work and mindset paid-off.
That said, I should also mention that years ago, I recall coming across a social-psychology concept which suggests that males may encounter "glass elevators" in female-dominated careers. Whatever it is, make good use of the opportunities that present themselves.
Edmonton is under Alberta province which has its own SEC (Substantially Equivalent Competency) assessment. This is aside from the Canadian-wide nursing exam requirement -- which will be the same as the USA NCLEX from 2015 onwards. I'm sure you'll have no problem clearing the exam if you wish. The Rockies are beautiful, especially the Banff National Park.
Do let me know if you pass by Metro Vancouver. Thanks for dropping by and your updates.
Cheers, WD.
Yes I am aware of the glass elevator effect, and am making full use of my gender and ethnicity just like a woman would with her looks and curves.
DeleteTo be honest, I am lacking the motivation to clear any exams. I do not see potential near-term issues where I am, not like in Singapore. But the moment I sense something the drive to remain safe will rear its head again and hey I might find myself in Canada!
Hi CK,
DeleteLove your frank and candid response.
Btw, NZ would have been my target host-country if not for the fact that back in 2006 when I looked at my options, I already qualified for Canadian PR whereas NZ needed a more round-about approach (i.e. first stop OZ, then to NZ).
http://winkingdoll.blogspot.ca/2010/10/why-canada.html
> the moment I sense something the drive to remain safe will rear its head again
Yes, I think we both share the same ability to drive ourselves through the extreme challenges when faced with threats.
Keep in touch!
Cheers, WD.
Hi WD,
ReplyDeleteI'm working as an enrolled nurse here in singapore, am I eligible to be a LPN in canada? Thank you.
Mika
Hi Mika,
DeleteSee url below for relevant information to your question.
http://www.ccpnr.ca/become-an-lpnrpn/
I literally entered "lpn registration canada" into Google to find the above website. I would recommend that you consult Professor Google for similar questions in future. If you want to understand why, please read my blog post below.
http://winkingdoll.blogspot.ca/2012/12/emigration-to-diy-or-not-to-diy.html
Cheers, WD.