Webinar: Immigrate to Canada as a Nurse

How do Internationally Education Nurses (IENs) become Nurses in Canada? Can I immigrate to Canada as a Nurse? What program should I take if I am planning to study in Canada as International Student?

These questions will be answered during our scheduled Webinar on April 23, 2020 (Thursday, 2PM).

How do Internationally Education Nurses (IENs) become Nurses in Canada (British Columbia)?

Here's a 7-Step Guide how to become a Registered Nurse in British Columbia Canada as an Internationally Educated Nurses.

How a PGCNP Program can Prepare You for the Canadian Healthcare System

If you are a Registered Nurse planning to Immigrate to Canada via Study Visa Pathway, you should read this article from Canadian Tourism College: How a PGCNP Program can Prepare You for the Canadian Healthcare System

Nursing Informatics in Canada | Nurse Technologist Job in Canada

According to this Forbes article, Nursing Technologist in the US is a growing job that earns $100k.  But is there also a demand for Nursing Technologist in Canada?

Pre-Arrival Support Services for Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) - PASS for Nurses

Immigrating to Canada as a Nurse?  Take advantage of this 100% FREE services offered by Pre-Arrival Supports and Services (PASS) for Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs)

Canada Looking at Philippines to Fill Need for 60,000 Nurses? Here's how to Apply!

If you're a registered nurse in the Philippines planning to immigrate or work in Canada as a Nurse, these kind of articles will most likely get you excited.  I've just seen an article shared in my Facebook newsfeed with the title, Canada Looking at Philippines to Fill Need for 60,000 Nurses.  The said article was actually based on the Cebu Daily News article with original title as Canada Needs 60,000 Nurses. Huge difference.

Comprehensive Nursing Act of 2016 - Justice for Nurses!

The Comprehensive Nursing Act of 2016 was already approved both by the Lower and Upper House.  The only thing that is needed in order for this to become a law is the signature of President Aquino.  Hopefully, it will not be vetoed by the President like he did with the SSS Pension Hike.

Post Graduate Certificate in Nursing Administration & Practice Co-op | Immigrate as a Nurse

There are quite a number of immigration pathways to Canada as a Nurse depending of course in your qualifications.  As a Registered Nurse, the following are the common options:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (Express Entry System)
• Provincial Nominee Program 
• Quebec Skilled Worker Program
• Caregiver Program

However, if you are just a newly graduate nurse, without a job offer and with only a limited work experience, it will be very difficult, if not impossible, for you to qualify under those immigration programs.  

So how will I immigrate as a nurse? You may ask.

Follow the Study-Work-Migrate Program with the assistance of Canadian Immigration Consultancy!  

If you are a Registered Nurse planning to immigrate to Canada via Education pathway, one of the logical program you may take in Canada is the Post Graduate Certificate in Nursing Administration and Practice Co-op.  This program provides specific training for Internationally Educated Nurses in how to adopt to Canadian best practices in Nursing.  It will prepare students for roles with the Canadian health care system and in the process develop critical thinking skills used in Nursing and will develop cultural awareness and administration skills that are an important part of nursing in Canada.  This program also develops a level of content mastery in students so students can be successful in writing the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination (CRNE).

As a Study Visa/Permit holder, you will be allowed to work part-time.  You can also bring your spouse and your spouse will be given an open work permit. 

This pathway is also applicable for those currently in the Express Entry Pool. Finishing this program and getting employed after will definitely boost your chance to be selected and received the Invitation to Apply for PR Visa.

If you are interested, send email to canada@proimmigrationadvisers.com.

Immigration Pathways for Nurses

If you are a Registered Nurse planning to immigrate to Canada as a Nurse,  you need to consider the following:

• Under the Express Entry System, you may be included in the Express Entry Pool but your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply is slim if you don't have a job offer, Canadian Education, 6 years experience and maximum IELTS Exam Results.  
• Nurses are not a priority under Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program because of its significant barriers to labor market participation.  They can't work as a Nurse immediately upon landing.  This was manifested in MPNP Expression of Interest System – Draw #4

What are your options then as a Registered Nurse?

First, you need to understand that Immigration is not a simple process. It is not something like you wake up one morning and decided you want it and leave the following day.  It takes a lot of planning and preparation.  The first thing you need to do is to get ready!

As a Registered Nurse, you have a good chance of living and working in Canada, Australia or New Zealand.  You just need to make a timely decision and make a commitment to your decision.

Let us help you get ready. Avail of our Start Up Program.

By signing up with our start up program and paying the consultancy fee amounting to P30,000, we can already start preparing your application by helping you get ready.  This consultancy fee is good enough for us to help you with the following:

• Temporary Resident Visa and Work Permit application to legally work in Canada.  We are not a recruitment agency, you need to find your own employer
• Study Visa Application to legally study in Canada, Australia or New Zealand.  We have partner schools and we can help you with the enrollment and landing arrangements
• Application for Evaluation/Registration to practice your profession in Canada, Australia or New Zealand
• Guide you with your Permanent Residence application in Canada, Australia or New Zealand

If you are ready with your documents, you will be able to immediately file your application for Quebec Skilled Workers Program, where Nurses are a priority. Quebec recently made an announcement making the selection criteria making it more efficient.

If you haven't done yet, take our FREE Online Assessment or visit our office for one-on-one orientation. 

Mall of Asia Office
Unit 160 G/F North Parking Building
SM Mall of Asia Complex
Sunset Avenue, Pasay City
Mob No. 0932-8882058 | 0917-3105388 | 0920-5348854
Tel No. 551-5122 | 2085219 | 5056728
Email: moa@proimmigrationadvisers.com

Alabang Office
Unit 4 G/F New Alabang Centro
Alabang Zapote Road (Junction)
Alabang Muntinlupa (near Jollibee)
Tel No. 551-4017
Mob No. 0915-2465678
Email: alabang@proimmigrationadvisers.com

Lingayen Pangasinan Office
2nd Floor, Columban Plaza
Avenida Rizal East
Lingayen, Pangasinan
Tel No. (075) 529-2572  Mob. No. 0908-2912481
Email: lingayen@proimmigrationadvisers.com
Look for Kathrina Bravo Manangan

Legazpi City - Bicol
Room 2 Mezzanine Floor
DOSC Bldg., F. Imperial St
Landco Business Park
Capantawan, Legazpi City
Mob. No. 0916-6878423 | Tel No. 052-4803960
Email: legazpi@proimmigrationadvisers.com
Look for Aaron Austria

Nueva Vizcaya Office
G/F Dumlao Building
Capitol Site Brgy Sta. Rosa
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
Tel No: 078-3620255
Mob No: 0998-9738004 | 0917-5928657
Email: vizcaya@proimmigrationadvisers.com
Look for Ronald Zingapan

For us to serve you better, please set an appointment before visiting our office. 

Guide to Obtaining a Permit from Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec (OIIQ) for Nurses Outside Canada

If you are applying for Quebec Selection Certificate to immigrate to Canada via Quebec Skilled Worker Program, it will help you case if you will now start processing your application for permit to practice nursing profession in Quebec.  It will not only help you establish your ability and intent to settle in Quebec (Adaptability factor), but it will also make your transition easier. 

The following are the main steps to obtain your right to practice nursing in Quebec through Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec (The Order):

1. Prepare your application for recognition of equivalence

To start the process and to receive by email the necessary documentation for the equivalence of your diploma please complete the application form at the following, fill out this online form. 

2. Obtain a decision from the Admission by Equivalence committee
3. Complete a professional integration program
4. Obtain the status of Candidate for the Profession of Nursing (CPN)
5. Pass the Professional Examination
6. Obtain your Permanent Permit
7. Apply for entry on the annual record of members of the Order

More information on how to obtain a Permit from Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec (OIIQ) for Nurses Outside Canada is available at www.oiiq.org.

Filipino Nurses Association of Quebec

The Province of Quebec is wide open for Registered Nurses who wish to live and work in Canada.  If you are a Registered Nurse and do not want to wait until January 2013 to start your application, Quebec Skilled Worker Program is an alternative.


The common problem that Filipino Nurses think if they opted for Quebec Skilled Worker Program is the French Language barrier.  In fact, there are some of those who think that a French Language Test is mandatory and without which, they can't be eligible.  This is of course not true.  French Language factor is just one of so many factors being considered in assessing your qualification.  However, you must consider that Quebec is predominantly French-speaking Canadian Province and if you don't even have the intention to learn the language, do not apply for this program in the first place.

www.fnaq.ca

Now, do you think you will not survive in Quebec as a Filipino Nurse?  Guess what, there's a Filipino Nurses Association of Quebec!  Some Filipino Nurses actually made it. Why can't you?

But of course, you would also need to pass the regulatory exam to practice your profession in Quebec.  And this is no different when you decide to settle in other Canadian Province.

Interested?

Send your resume to quebec@proimmigrationadvisers.com and a Qualified Quebec Immigration Consultant will assess your qualifications for free!  This will be your first step in becoming a member of Filipino Nurses Association of Quebec.

You may also visit CIC SM North Office for a free orientation every Thursday and CIC Mall of Asia (MOA) Office every Tuesday.  Look for Mr. Apol E. Apuntar.

British Columbia Nurses Union Demand 2,000 More Staff Nurses

Instead of demanding any wage hike, British Columbia Nurses Union is demanding demanding 2,000 additional nurses in the latest round of contract negotiations.

The union representing British Columbia's 30,000 nurses is throwing a spotlight on what it argues is declining patient care as it appeals for public support to hire thousands of additional workers in the latest round of contract negotiations.

Read full story from CTVNews.




For Registered Nurses planning to apply for permanent residence in Canada via FSW who are asking if there's a chance that their occupation will be included again in the priority list or in-demand occupations, there's the answer to your question.

Cap For Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Reached - CIO Update As of Feb 14, 2012

The cap for Licensed Practical Nurse was already reached as per Centralized Intake Office update dated February 14, 2012. But in reality, the cap could have been reached several days or weeks before that.



If you're a Licensed Practical Nurse or a Registered Nurse planning to apply for permanent residence in Canada under the Federal Skilled Workers class and you do did not make it to the cap, here's what you may do.

1. Get your documents ready for July 2012. There is a great chance that your occupation may be included again in the 2012 Priority Occupations. You should be able to file your application immediately once Ministerial Instruction 5 (MI-5) is issued.

2. While waiting for the July 2012 Ministerial Instruction, consider having your credentials assessed. Check out Foreign Credentials Referral Office and Provincial and Territorial Regulatory Bodies for Nurses in Canada.

3. Read this Guide For Filipino Nurses Planning to Live and Work in Canada to get information on how to get a possible employer in Canada. You can find job vacancies for nurses using this Canada Jobs Portal.

Click Here for the latest report on total complete FSW applications received since July 1, 2011.

Positive Assessment as LPN

Remember my blog post about Registered Nurse as Licensed Practial Nurse?

A couple of days ago, I received an SMS from one my blog readers informing me about his application as LPN.

"Hi Apol. I'm an avid reader of your blog. I read a couple of months back ur article abt the possibility of RN to be eligible for LPN. I applied on September and today, I received a positive assessment. I had the courage to apply for LPN because of your article. Thank you Apol. Merry Xmas." - Dave.

His application is still subject to evaluation of Canadian Visa Office but one thing is obvious here. The Centralized Intake Office accepted his application as LPN! If his documents are in order, he will moving to Canada pretty soon!

Thanks for the feedback, Dave!

Registered Nurse as Licensed Practical Nurse?

Yesterday, I posted an update from Centralized Intake Office (CIO) that the cap for Registered Nurses has been reached already. And on that blog post, I discussed some options that Registered Nurses may do. Here's another option: Apply as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

But are Registered Nurses eligible to apply as Licensed Practical Nurse?

Of course, yes. Registered Nurses are highly qualified LPNs!

But wait. In order for a Registered Nurse to qualify as LPN, he/she must have at least one year experience as LPN.

Licensed practical nurses provide nursing care usually under the direction of medical practitioners, registered nurses or other health team members. They are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centres, doctors' offices, clinics, companies, private homes and community health centres. Operating room technicians are included in this unit group.

Licensed practical nurses perform some or all of the following duties:

Provide nursing services, within defined scope of practice, to patients based on patient assessment and care planning procedures

Perform nursing interventions such as taking vital signs, applying aseptic techniques including sterile dressing, ensuring infection control, monitoring nutritional intake and conducting specimen collection

Administer medication and observe and document therapeutic effects

Provide pre-operative and post-operative personal and comfort care

Monitor established respiratory therapy and intravenous therapy

Monitor patients' progress, evaluate effectiveness of nursing interventions and consult with appropriate members of healthcare team

Provide safety and health education to individuals and their families.

Operating room technicians perform some or all of the following duties:

Prepare patients for surgery by washing, shaving and sterilizing the patients' operative areas

Assist in surgery by laying out instruments, setting up equipment, assisting surgical teams with gowns and gloves and passing instruments to surgeons

Clean and sterilize the operating room and instruments.

These duties are actually included in the functions of most nurses here in the Philippines. I really think that some Filipino nurses may qualify as LPN depending on how they would present their job description.

Cap Reached for Registered Nurses (NOC 3152) | CIO MI-3 Update as of September 20, 2011

As of September 20, 2011, the cap for Registered Nurses (NOC 3152) has been reached already. This means Centralized Intake Office (CIO) will only accept applications under this job classification for those with Arranged Employment.

Applications received toward the overall cap: 2,203 of 10,000 as of September 20, 2011

Eligible Occupation	Number of Complete Applications Received
0631 Restaurant and Food Service Managers	183
0811 Primary Production Managers (except Agriculture)	17
1122 Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management	(Cap reached)
1233 Insurance Adjusters and Claims Examiners	30
2121 Biologists and Related Scientists	103
2151 Architects	53
3111 Specialist Physicians	81
3112 General Practitioners and Family Physicians	86
3113 Dentists	115
3131 Pharmacists	202
3142 Physiotherapists	24
3152 Registered Nurses	(Cap reached)
3215 Medical Radiation Technologists	12
3222 Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists	8
3233 Licensed Practical Nurses	37
4151 Psychologists	9
4152 Social Workers	65
6241 Chefs	17
6242 Cooks	38
7215 Contractors and Supervisors, Carpentry Trades	19
7216 Contractors and Supervisors, Mechanic Trades	36
7241 Electricians (except Industrial and Power System)	17
7242 Industrial Electricians	14
7251 Plumbers	4
7265 Welders and Related Machine Operators	6
7312 Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics	9
7371 Crane Operators	1
7372 Drillers and Blasters – Surface Mining, Quarrying and Construction	2
8222 Supervisors, Oil and Gas Drilling and Service	15

For Registered Nurses who weren't able to make it, here's what you may do to pursue your Canadian dream while waiting for the next Ministerial Instruction.

1. Get your credentials assessed. Requirements and processing for credentials assessment varies depending on which Provincial and Territorial Regulatory Bodies for Nurses in Canada you will be applying from.

Getting your credentials assessed and writing the exam will give you an advantage. Here's a Guide for Filipino Nurses planning to live and work in Canada based on actual experience of a Filipino Nurse.

2. After the credentials assessment, the next step is to find employer. This Canada Jobs Portal would be of help in finding employer in Canada.

3. You need a Labor Market Opinion (LMO) or Arranged Employment Opinion (AEO) in order to apply for a Work Permit or PR Visa, respectively. Your employer needs to apply for AEO and LMO from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC).

Another alternative that nurses may consider is to try Australia, which now have the most livable city in the world.

RN Heals | DOLE is recruiting nurses for rural health work

If you are a Registered Nurse and is currently working as a volunteer nurse, here's your chance to get a real work experience trough Department of Labor and Employment's (DOLE) program - Registered Nurses for Health Enhancement and Local Service (RN Heals). It aims to deploy 10,000 Registered Nurses to rural areas with a monthly allowance of P8,0000 plus P2,000 from the local government.

This program is good for one year, unlike the program prior to this which is only for six months. And unlike volunteer nurse, experience from this employment program will be given points under Canada's Points System for Federal Skilled Worker program. That of course depends on your actual job description.

As of yesterday afternoon, about 15,000 registered nurses applied online. DOLE will be accepting applicants until Feb 4, 2011. You still have the chance to apply.

Visit http://nars.dole.gov.ph/ to apply online.

Last year, House Resolution No. 195 was filed in congress by Rep. Ben Evardone (Samar) calling for investigation about the training fee for nurses. It's being talked about now in the media for the last two weeks now.

This RN Heals program will partly address the exploitation being experienced by registered nurses who normally pay a training fee just to get experience, which unfortunately is not given credit for immigrant visa application purposes. But P8,000/month allowance for a registered nurse is not justified either. Then again, that's better than paying a training fee just get experience. C'est la vie.

1,000 Cap for Nurses has been reached | Federal Skilled Worker Program

As of December 22, 2010, the 1,000 cap for Registered Nurses has already been reached.

This means, the Centralized Intake Office will only accept applications for this occupation from people with an existing offer of arranged employment. Otherwise, it will be returned unprocessed.

I'm a registered nurse and I don't have an arranged employment. But I meet the 67 points pass mark. I'm in the middle of preparing my supporting documents, WHAT NOW?


First, do you still want to live and work in Canada? If yes, then remember this: 'People never plan to fail. They just fail to plan.'

Now isn't your time, but make sure when your occupation opens up again, you will be ready to file your application in an instant. Your time may come this July 2011.

Go ahead, get your documents ready as early as now! It is not impossible that the cap for nurses will be filled up in a month or two after it open up. It will be a huge mistke if you will miss that opportunity again.

Nurse Trainee | Volunteer Nurse

I was in Dagupan City office yesterday when a young lady wearing a nursing scrub walked in our office to inquire about the application process on how to live and work in Canada. I talked to her and found out that she's a Registered Nurse since November 2008. She's working as a nurse trainee since April 2009. When I asked her if she's receiving a salary as a trainee, she said no. It's like a volunteer nurse, she said. If it's any consolation, she did not pay the hospital to work there as a volunteer. Then I asked her if there's a possibilty that she'll be absorbed by the hospital anytime soon. She said that is possible only if somebody leaves. Unfortunately, there are many others ahead of her waiting for that chance.

Understandably, she was disappointed to know that her work as a volunteer does not have count in Canada's selection criteria. I told her further that in order to qualify for Canada's Federal Skilled Worker program, her experience does not need to be in a hospital. She was surprised to know that.

My advise to her? Leave that hospital and get another job. She is just being expoited there.

For nurses who are planning to live and work in Canada, please read the following:

Guide for Filipino Nurses

Provincial and Territorial Regulatory Bodies - Nurses in Canada

House Resolution No. 195 | Training Fee for Nurses

How to find jobs in Canada

Mark is now in Vancouver

Mr. Zedfrey Salazar and his wonderful plan!

Be informed. Avoid being exploited.

House Resolution No. 195 | Training Fee for Nurses

Finally an investigation on the so called training fee for nurses being charged by hospitals. Hats off to Eastern Samar Representative Ben Evardone for his House Resolution No. 195!

MANILA, Philippines—Is the practice among hospitals to charge training fees by as much as P20,000 on nurses legal?

Eastern Samar Ben Evardone is urging the appropriate committee in the House of Representatives to look into this, raising alarm that hospitals, both government and private, may already be exploiting the nurses.

“Government and private hospitals have exploited the situation by charging as much as P20,000 for a three-month training, hiring and deploying them to staff positions in graveyard shifts and without pay, forcing our helpless nurses to bite the bullet and thereby compounding their miseries,” Evardone’s House Resolution No. 195 said.[Source]

I've been hearing about this training fees for nurses for quite a time now. I often hear this from new nurses who come to our office inquiring about opportunities to live and work in Canada. The first time I heard about it, I really can't believe that it is being allowed. It is simply ridiculous. If it isn't exploitation, I don't know what is.

Unfortunately for these nurses who paid the training fee to have "experience", it won't really help them for their immigrant visa application. Volunteer work is not considered.

If you are newly registered nurse and planning to immigrate to Canada, you need at least one year experience and it doesn't have to be acquired from a hospital. Here's a Guide for Filipino Nurses who want to live and work in Canada.