As far as I know, as long as you're the principal applicant ma'm, no need for him to undergo any nursing exam or experience. But it would be better if meron.
This is a very inspiring thread. I can't help but to share my experiences and feelings about my Canadian endeavours (so far).
I was a registered nurse in the Philippines for over 4 years. I came from one of the prestigious DOH hospitals in the metro. I landed here in Vancouver, BC last June as a PR. I had all hopes that the nursing transition was manageable. But alas, I recently had the revelation that the CRNBC will NOT give a license that easy. To be an RN (at least here in BC), requires the foreign applicant to achieve a relatively high score in the IELTS. At least 7 to 7.5 in all language assessments. Granting you pass the IELTS, you will then have your credentials assessed. If CRNBC comes up with an "undetermined" result of the evaluation, you WILL undergo the SEC (a competency test) , which consists of a written and an oral exam. The oral exam will simulate a certain hospital setting/scenario (complete with actors) and a panel will "judge" you depending on the nursing functions you have performed. Eventually, if you satisfy the panel, they will either give you a recommendation to go for the board exams or undergo a bridging program. The panel or "the board of nursing" by the way does NOT consist of nurses and have nothing to do with health care. But they are the ones who will give the final say if you will engage in a bridging program or immediately take the CRNE (provincial boards). Studying can take up to 2 years which will surely cost more than a million pesos. True, student loans are available, but it is still a burden to bear even though you are working part time. And if ever you pass the boards, you still have to update your knowledge to streamline your qualifications to Canadian standards. Again, money and time will be involved. Finally, if you do ever get all of these requirements, it will not be easy to find permanent RN work. One has to make do with part-time RN work (community, elderly care, etc) and inevitably one has to deal with seniority in applying. Meaning the less experience you have, the lesser chance to find work here. More and more nurses are leaving BC to work in other provinces. All information I have provided came from various sources, from RN's to (RN) care aides, household cleaners and nannys (all are RNs in the Philippines) that had the same sad story, at least here in BC.
Some of my friends who are excellent nurses in the Philippines, had different stories. While some had disappointing stories, others were successful. Let me mention two unusual scenarios of some people that I know who are also nurses, either by profession or by title in the Philippines. One nurse that I know, had 5 years experience at the Makati Medical Center as an E.R. nurse and another 5 years E.R. experience in UAE. As well as a year's preceptor-ship program in the U.S. for E.R. nursing. Unfortunately, he was made to undergo a bridging program and take the BC exams. Another friend who came from the Philippines had NO nursing experience whatsoever, was allowed to take the SEC and JUST the state boards. I ask, what is the basis of assessing one's credentials here? One word, nakakainis. Another friend of mine who is in Alberta, with more than a year's practice back home was recently made to take the WHOLE NURSING COURSE all over again. He is now undergoing an LPN course and will study for a year. And it cost him $25,000. I have talked to a lot of foreign nurses here, all of varying age, experience and stature, all have a story to tell regarding their lives here. While some pursued and became successful, others just gave up and settled with their way of life.
Currently, I have to take the IELTS again. Because I didn't meet the required scores (1 point na lang!
) At kaka kuha ko lang ng care aide registry number ko. So puede na akong mag apply as care aide. Right now, waiter po ako sa isang restaurant. From an individual who was saving lives, naging tagapunas at tagahugas ng plato dito sa Canada.
Nevertheless, I will still fight on. As long as humanly possibly. Kakayanin ko.
My aim is to provide the truth and not discourage you guys. Eto lang ang na-eekspiryensya ko dito. Sa totoo lang had I known na ganito, di na ako umalis ng Pilipinas. You will discover a lot of things here in Canada. I learned that mas matimbang pa sa akin ang makapagpractice as nurse keysa kumita ng pera. Hope this helps.
Fight on!
tamma ka po kaya ako mag-aaral ng healthcare management and administration kung sakali man hindi maging RN DYAN eh di pwede ako sa opisina ng hospital! kaso almost million din
well try ur luck guys dont worry!! remember .......the only failure in life is the failure to try and the only failure is when you stop trying!!
we entrust everything to GOD... He surely knows better than us...im excited sa white christmas
