Mae Ann is the typical islander: laid-back, chill and autodidact. She used to be an international student in Vancouver. In the heirarchy of foreign borns in Canada, they're the survivalists. They survive how little they have. Learn how this server turned Stroke Rehab RN.
Mae Ann: Hi! My name is Mae Ann Isabel Racho Durban, 25 years old and a graduate of Class 2011 at Holy Name University in the City of Tagbilaran, Bohol. I arrived in Canada under a study permit last December 2014 just 2 days before Christmas. I have nursed for 2.5 years. I was rotated in various 30-50-bed capacity hospitals under the RNHEALS program of the Department of Health. With the limited opportunity we had in our beautiful island plus the politics involved in securing a job, I decided to try my luck in Manila. Ang mahal talaga ng cost of living sa Manila te! Indi keribels!
Pinoy IEN: Sinabi mo pa! What or who motivated you to study in Canada? Why not somewhere else?
Mae Ann: It was during these "immigration discussions" that I got myself to Canada. Why Canada? Because of their open immigration system and second, my relatives are Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Pinoy IEN: Mukhang madaming seminars/orientations kang na puntahan ah! Lol!
Mae Ann: Oo! Haha. I did a lot of consultancy 'shopping' and it requires a lot of financing to hire their services. I did end up hiring a firm to process my application. But honestly, everything can be done DIY. Do-It-Yourself!
Pinoy IEN: There are immigration streams to land in Canada as an immigrant, why did you choose the study, work and immigrate (SWIMM) pathway?
Mae Ann: It took me a while to research the best option (for me) taking into considerations: my eligibility to become a permanent resident, the cost of my application, the chances of visa approval and the timeline of the process. Having these guidelines to take into account, the huge impact for applying through the student visa pathway comes from the length of time it will take for visa approval.
Pinoy IEN: So basically, you were after the length of time it takes to get to Canada?
Mae Ann: Parang ganun friend! Haha.
Pinoy IEN: There are some international students who do the SWIMM pathway as an entry to Canada, did you ever plan to really become an RN? Was it the original plan?
Mae Ann: It was always my dream to go somewhere and practice my profession. My goal has always been focused to practice the nursing profession. But I would like to stress this to aspiring international students that nursing licensure processes are totally independent from immigration or student visa applications. IENs have to undergo the scrutiny of the nursing regulatory boards of which immigration consultancy firms offering the SWIMM pathway are NOT well-versed of. That is the missing puzzle.
Pinoy IEN: So applicants who choose to do the SWIMM pathway must choose a nursing program that would be an advantage to them as they apply for RN or LPN registration?
Mae Ann: Exactly! Not just a program pati na rin yung school kung saan sila mag aaral!
Pinoy IEN: Galet ka? Hahaha.
Mae Ann: Hahaha! Indi haha.
Pinoy IEN: I won't go any further on that but can you describe the program you enrolled in at Langara College?
Mae Ann: I enrolled in a 2-year Post Graduate Diploma in RN Practice in Canada at Langara College in Vancouver, British Columbia. I chose this program because it would make me eligible to get a 3-year Post Graduate Working Permit (PGWP), an open working permit that allows you to work in any area as long as it wouldn't fall under restrictions.
Pinoy IEN: How did it feel like studying full-time and working at the same time in a foreign country without the necessary immigration status?
Mae Ann: Being under a study permit had its perks, I would say. But it also had restrictions. Mahirap friend... I must agree with what Miss Mirriam Gallego said on her interview with you. You can't complain. You make use of what you currently have and what you are allowed to do. Ganun kapag under student visa ka.
Pinoy IEN: We are quite aware of the costs involved to get here to study, what were the challenges that you faced surviving as a Pinoy IEN and an international student?
Mae Ann: The cost of living in Vancouver is so high! Hahaha!
Pinoy IEN: One of Canada's expensive cities to live in... that's a gospel truth friend! Haha!
Mae Ann: Time management of school and work is another thing. Not a very big issue to some people but you'll really find yourself exhausted. I used to work up to 2230 and go to school at 0830 the next day, and oh did I tell you that from my aunt's house to my school takes 1 hour and 30 minutes by bus and Sky Train. This is how I learnt sleeping in the bus and trains! Haha. Kakaloka!
Pinoy IEN: Tulo-laway on the train friend? Hahaha!
Mae Ann: Di naman! Muntik lang! Hahaha! Lol. The other challenge is my self-esteem. With the difficult and very different accreditation in British Columbia, you just can't work in any health care field without registration like as a health care aide. The first few months consisted of me crying in the bus contemplating whether I have made the righ decision coming here and doing all the drama. I worked as a server in a family restaurant which I never had any experience at all. Ma suerte lang ako that I worked with a very supportive boss. I was welcomed by their family and have lived with them. With all other options that you have as an immgrant or foreign worker who is new to North America, you need to start from scratch and work yourself up. Eventually, you'll get through the difficult part.
Pinoy IEN: It's nice to know that you have established meaningful bonds and friendship from your experience!
NNAS Advisory Report: Comparable to that of a Canadian RN Education
An NNAS Advisory Report of Comparable to that of a Canadian RN Education is the Holy Grail of the Canadian IEN process. No further scrutiny is required by the College of RNs. IENs who have this NNAS determination would be able to sit the entry-to-practice RN exam, the NCLEX-RN.
Pinoy IEN: Comparable to that of a Canadian RN Education, how did these words impact you?
Mae Ann: Awesome! Just so blessed that all of the hardships as a foreign student are being paid off. When it rains, it floods! The tears and sleepless nights on buses and trains were all worth it. It felt good that I did not have to undergo a series of assessments that would demand much of my time and energy. I was juggling 2 jobs at the same time while preparing for the NCLEX-RN. By God's grace, I passed the exam on my first attempt!
Pinoy IEN: After all of the challenges faced along the way, how does it feel like to be a Canadian RN?
Mae Ann: I feel blessed and privileged. Everything happened because of pure motivation and prayers. I'm now working under a working permit as an RN at Royal Inland Hospital here in Kamloops, British Columbia. I have nothing to think about but my residency application and the next travel destination! Hahaha!
Pinoy IEN: Would you still recommend people to do the SWIMM pathway? Why or why not?
Mae Ann: If you have the financial support and the righ information why not! What aspiring applicants should do is to really do their own research. Learn the Canadian registration processes. Ask people. If in doubt, ask more people! Salamat at ngayon may Pinoy IEN group and page na sa FB na puedeng hingian ng information about RN or LPN processes. Sa time namin it was all DIY! We were at risk of splurging for nothing! Don't be easily swayed by lip-service and marketing from immigration firms. As nurses, always be critical in every major decision we make for our future
There is no way but to go up. In the grand scheme of things in life, it's all about expanding your territory and taking dominion over the things you love to do no matter what path we take. We have talked to several nurses with inspiring stories and from their experiences hope manifested that draw motivation to become what we are destined to be. There is always hope to cling on.
Mae Ann: Hi! My name is Mae Ann Isabel Racho Durban, 25 years old and a graduate of Class 2011 at Holy Name University in the City of Tagbilaran, Bohol. I arrived in Canada under a study permit last December 2014 just 2 days before Christmas. I have nursed for 2.5 years. I was rotated in various 30-50-bed capacity hospitals under the RNHEALS program of the Department of Health. With the limited opportunity we had in our beautiful island plus the politics involved in securing a job, I decided to try my luck in Manila. Ang mahal talaga ng cost of living sa Manila te! Indi keribels!
Pinoy IEN: Sinabi mo pa! What or who motivated you to study in Canada? Why not somewhere else?
Mae Ann: It was during these "immigration discussions" that I got myself to Canada. Why Canada? Because of their open immigration system and second, my relatives are Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Pinoy IEN: Mukhang madaming seminars/orientations kang na puntahan ah! Lol!
Mae Ann: Oo! Haha. I did a lot of consultancy 'shopping' and it requires a lot of financing to hire their services. I did end up hiring a firm to process my application. But honestly, everything can be done DIY. Do-It-Yourself!
Pinoy IEN: There are immigration streams to land in Canada as an immigrant, why did you choose the study, work and immigrate (SWIMM) pathway?
Mae Ann: It took me a while to research the best option (for me) taking into considerations: my eligibility to become a permanent resident, the cost of my application, the chances of visa approval and the timeline of the process. Having these guidelines to take into account, the huge impact for applying through the student visa pathway comes from the length of time it will take for visa approval.
Pinoy IEN: So basically, you were after the length of time it takes to get to Canada?
Mae Ann: Parang ganun friend! Haha.
Pinoy IEN: There are some international students who do the SWIMM pathway as an entry to Canada, did you ever plan to really become an RN? Was it the original plan?
Mae Ann: It was always my dream to go somewhere and practice my profession. My goal has always been focused to practice the nursing profession. But I would like to stress this to aspiring international students that nursing licensure processes are totally independent from immigration or student visa applications. IENs have to undergo the scrutiny of the nursing regulatory boards of which immigration consultancy firms offering the SWIMM pathway are NOT well-versed of. That is the missing puzzle.
Pinoy IEN: So applicants who choose to do the SWIMM pathway must choose a nursing program that would be an advantage to them as they apply for RN or LPN registration?
Mae Ann: Exactly! Not just a program pati na rin yung school kung saan sila mag aaral!
Pinoy IEN: Galet ka? Hahaha.
Mae Ann: Hahaha! Indi haha.
Pinoy IEN: I won't go any further on that but can you describe the program you enrolled in at Langara College?
Mae Ann: I enrolled in a 2-year Post Graduate Diploma in RN Practice in Canada at Langara College in Vancouver, British Columbia. I chose this program because it would make me eligible to get a 3-year Post Graduate Working Permit (PGWP), an open working permit that allows you to work in any area as long as it wouldn't fall under restrictions.
Pinoy IEN: How did it feel like studying full-time and working at the same time in a foreign country without the necessary immigration status?
Mae Ann: Being under a study permit had its perks, I would say. But it also had restrictions. Mahirap friend... I must agree with what Miss Mirriam Gallego said on her interview with you. You can't complain. You make use of what you currently have and what you are allowed to do. Ganun kapag under student visa ka.
Pinoy IEN: We are quite aware of the costs involved to get here to study, what were the challenges that you faced surviving as a Pinoy IEN and an international student?
Mae Ann: The cost of living in Vancouver is so high! Hahaha!
Pinoy IEN: One of Canada's expensive cities to live in... that's a gospel truth friend! Haha!
Mae Ann: Time management of school and work is another thing. Not a very big issue to some people but you'll really find yourself exhausted. I used to work up to 2230 and go to school at 0830 the next day, and oh did I tell you that from my aunt's house to my school takes 1 hour and 30 minutes by bus and Sky Train. This is how I learnt sleeping in the bus and trains! Haha. Kakaloka!
Pinoy IEN: Tulo-laway on the train friend? Hahaha!
Mae Ann: Di naman! Muntik lang! Hahaha! Lol. The other challenge is my self-esteem. With the difficult and very different accreditation in British Columbia, you just can't work in any health care field without registration like as a health care aide. The first few months consisted of me crying in the bus contemplating whether I have made the righ decision coming here and doing all the drama. I worked as a server in a family restaurant which I never had any experience at all. Ma suerte lang ako that I worked with a very supportive boss. I was welcomed by their family and have lived with them. With all other options that you have as an immgrant or foreign worker who is new to North America, you need to start from scratch and work yourself up. Eventually, you'll get through the difficult part.
Pinoy IEN: It's nice to know that you have established meaningful bonds and friendship from your experience!
NNAS Advisory Report: Comparable to that of a Canadian RN Education
Pinoy IEN: Comparable to that of a Canadian RN Education, how did these words impact you?
Mae Ann: Awesome! Just so blessed that all of the hardships as a foreign student are being paid off. When it rains, it floods! The tears and sleepless nights on buses and trains were all worth it. It felt good that I did not have to undergo a series of assessments that would demand much of my time and energy. I was juggling 2 jobs at the same time while preparing for the NCLEX-RN. By God's grace, I passed the exam on my first attempt!
Pinoy IEN: After all of the challenges faced along the way, how does it feel like to be a Canadian RN?
Mae Ann: I feel blessed and privileged. Everything happened because of pure motivation and prayers. I'm now working under a working permit as an RN at Royal Inland Hospital here in Kamloops, British Columbia. I have nothing to think about but my residency application and the next travel destination! Hahaha!
Pinoy IEN: Would you still recommend people to do the SWIMM pathway? Why or why not?
Mae Ann: If you have the financial support and the righ information why not! What aspiring applicants should do is to really do their own research. Learn the Canadian registration processes. Ask people. If in doubt, ask more people! Salamat at ngayon may Pinoy IEN group and page na sa FB na puedeng hingian ng information about RN or LPN processes. Sa time namin it was all DIY! We were at risk of splurging for nothing! Don't be easily swayed by lip-service and marketing from immigration firms. As nurses, always be critical in every major decision we make for our future
There is no way but to go up. In the grand scheme of things in life, it's all about expanding your territory and taking dominion over the things you love to do no matter what path we take. We have talked to several nurses with inspiring stories and from their experiences hope manifested that draw motivation to become what we are destined to be. There is always hope to cling on.
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