The Pinoy IEN

A Canadian RN is destined to harness opportunities within North America. An IEN who successfully writes the NCLEX-RN to practise as RN in Canada is bound to become borderless. Being a Canadian citizen unlocks the floodgates of abundance across the frontiers. From coast to coast to coast from north to south, rewards are endless. That is why it is worth to take the high road. Sacrifices must be made. Midnight candles be lit. Eventually, you'll go to places and grow professionally in ways you could have ever imagined. A Culture of Care: #pinoyRN 🇵🇭 The care of the sick is rooted way back at the time of babaylans and herbolarios . Came the Spaniards, religious orders trained Filipino men and women to care for the sick. The Hospital Real de Manila (1577), the first hospital established in the Philippines, was mainly for the care of the King's soldiers who were based in the islands. Many more hospitals were established by the Spaniards. Popular figures of nursing during...

The gospel truth: Canada is one of most difficult, if not, the most difficult nursing jurisdiction to get licensed with in the world likely placing IENs in a precarious situation. The good news is, because of more information and success stories, more and more IENs are starting to get recognition in Canada. However, as first generation immigrants who are yet to transition in to Canadian life licensing is not just one of the dozens of problems that we face on a daily basis. Taking Control Whatever situation you are in, you could never go wrong with taking control. Gather all the pertinent information you need to know. We need to know what we can modify. Always bear in mind that in Canada, you are being assessed according to: Your nursing schools' BSN program (not your countries') Your English language skills Your RN experience & practise Your RN skills and knowledge The last three, are criteria that you can do something about. Do not cry over your nurs...

With only 10 Canadian Provinces to choose from, some Pinoy IENs seem lost to make a decision. To help you make a decision for yourself and your family, this post, for sure would break down all the factors that you need to consider before drafting your game plan. First things first, 2 main criteria to take note of: Evidence of RN Practise The last shift you worked as an RN in the Philippines or in a jurisdiction where you practised as RN is important to know the expiry/validity of your Evidence of RN Practise (aka 'safe practise'). Most provinces in Canada require at least 1,125 RN hours in the last five (5) years EXCEPT Ontario which is at least 450 RN hours in the last three (3) years and Québec, four (4) years. We'll make it simpler for you bud. If your last shift as an RN in Singapore was just yesterday November 21, 2018 and you submitted an application today: For Ontario, your Evidence of RN Practise will expire on November 21, 2021 That means, ...

(1) Make sure you have a pending/ongoing Canadian immigration application This is the MOST important thing before starting NNAS. At some points of the Canadian nursing licensure process, YOUR PRESENCE IN CANADA may be/is required. Moreover, an authorisation under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (of Canada) to enter Canada is required and even in some provinces, this is required to practise nursing. Such as: Study Visa Work Permits (Foreign Workers, Live-In Care Givers etc) Permanent Residency Citizenship Spousal/Dependents Petition In other words, DO NOT START NNAS if everything is still up in the air. Secure your way to enter Canada first. If a travel document is issued by the Immigration, Refugee & Citizen Canada (IRCC) and a departure date has been decided by you and your family, you can start worrying about getting licensed in Canada. It is wise to start your NNAS while you are still in the Philippines and be 'hands-on' the supporting d...

It is not uncommon for the new wave of IENs in Canada to ask about employment opportunities after going through the arduous process of and getting the coveted Canadian RN license. It is a known fact that Canada has a single-payer health care delivery system. Funding for public health care is taken from our taxes which is contrary to the claims that everything here in the True North is glorious and free! O Canada! Health Regions/Authorities Health care is a designated provincial responsibility in Canada's federal system. That means provinces fund for its constituents' public health care. And again funding is taken from provincial taxes. The provincial health care system is administered by health regions or health authorities. Most Canadian RNs are employed by the provincial government directly or indirectly through health regions and authorities. Known provinces with health regions are British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Québec and Newfoundland ...

Dominated by mothers, daughters, nieces and sisters, the male species is starting to become visible in the nursing profession nowadays. Contrary to what we see on the floor, the 2017 RN Practice Analysis published this year revealed that 8.6% of the successful NCLEX-RN Canadian jurisdiction takers were males in 2017. Out of the 3,000 respondents 6.0% were Filipinos ( NCSBN, 2018 ). Brawny strength is indispensable during action-packed shifts. This will be a two-part series of inspiring stories. Let's learn from the journey of a few good men. JC Gamutan Pinoy IEN: Congratulations for finally getting your RN in Canada after 4 long years! Hahaha! Share mo naman background mo? JC Gamutan: Hi! I graduated in 2005 and worked as an RN at Phillips Memorial Hospital in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, a tertiary hospital affiliated with Del Monte Philippines Incorporated. It was under the management of Capitol University Medical Centre. I worked as a float RN for 5 years over...

According to PayScale , an American website which provides information about salary, compensation and benefits, said that a Canadian RN makes an average of 33.01 CAD per hour (March 2018). Graduate Nurses or Temporary License Nurses make the lowest in the scale. Registered Nurses in Canada earn depending on their RN experience and education. Baccalaureate degree holders earn more while Nurse Practitioners (NPs) make more for having specialist's knowledge, experience and more education. This data does not include Registered Psychiatric Nurses (only in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan). They are not part of this pay scale. Let's debunk myths and fantasies about this matter.

Nothing is so much dreadful than a clinical panel interview. It's natural to be nervous of something you do not know what's going to happen. Going through interviews can be stressful for some especially to those who are not prepared well. Keep in mind that only the top 2% of the applicants are being called for an average job interview ( Glassdoor ). Here are practical tips to kill it in your next RN job interview. 1. Build up your CV Keep your CV up to 3 pages maximum. Adjust margins to accomodate all the important information that you wish to showcase to the hiring manager. References must be on a separate page. Take note that if you are applying for an RN position you cannot request a character reference from someone below the position that you are applying for like your unit LPN. Clinical instructor/nursing professors, unit manager or senior RNs can give you a reference for this job position. Being updated with the most recent advances in healthcare is part of...

We met John Lirazan in Facebook late Spring 2017 when he felt like all doors were shut closed behind him. Typical among Manitoba Filipino IEN applicants, his story is a beaming light at the end of the tunnel. Faith. Hope. Perseverance. These are the things that put his feet on solid ground and held him together through the tides. John Maynard Lirazan: Hi Pinoy IEN! My name's John Maynard Lirazan. I was conferred with the BSN degree at Siliman University in 2006. I used to work as a staff RN at the Medical Mission Group Hospital in Tagbilaran City, Bohol back in 2008. I went to the United Kingdom and studied at the University of Hertfordshire. I worked as a Health Care Aide in England and Scotland for a while. I tried to pursue nursing but I failed in my endeavor. Bumalik ako sa Pinas in 2013 and tried our shot to immigrate in Manitoba. In November 2015, my family and I arrived in Canada under through provincial nomination. Pinoy IEN: What inspired you to become Canadi...

The transition of Canada to NCLEX-RN in 2014 widen opportunities of Canadian RNs all throughout North America. Canada is the third country behind India and the Philippines of which American hospitals hire RNs to address the RN shortage in the States (Hall, 2009). It has been noted that US recruiters prefer RNs who hold a baccalaureate degree, the minimum education requirement to practise as RN in Canada (except Québec).  Read the full article conducted by the University of Toronto Lawrence Bloomber School of Nursing here . Unlicensed Internationally-Educated RNs living in Canada may have to submit a licensure by examination application in the States. This QRG applies to Canadian-licensed RNs/Canadian RNs. So how will those Canadian-licensed RNs reciprocate their licenses in the States? Here are useful steps to file for reciprocity in the States: Pre-requisites: Must have passed the NCLEX-RN Must hold an active Canadian RN license within Canada Québec RNs m...

The Agreement on Internal Trade Chapter 7 lawfully allows Canadian-licensed nurses to practice nursing across Canada including Québec and the Territories. To be able to practice nursing in a province, the nurse must initially hold a full , unrestricted nursing license not temporary or provisional licenses. Like in the States, you can hold multiple nursing licenses in Canada as well! Yes. With a price. To end the rumors of not being able to practise anywhere in Canada, here are 5 helpful tips to process license reciprocity across Canada: (1) Read the Out-of-Province Reciprocity requirements of the province where you wish to move or practice Learning the reciprocity processes would help you formulate a game plan prior to moving to the province or applying for nursing jobs in that province. This information is available in the College website. Be reminded that there are separate forms for Out of Province or Canadian-licensed Nurse Applicants. (2) Practise the professio...

Some Internationally-Educated Nurses are asked to meet the nursing education requirement for licensure or to be eligible to sit the NCLEX-RN. The Colleges/Associations of RNs may require IENs to complete a Bridge to Canadian RN Program or RN Bridging course(s) in a College/Association-recognized school. Going through the RN Bridging is an investment. Investment requires funding. Here are 4 helpful tips to fund your RN bridging program: (1) Save The most conservative yet practical way of funding your RN bridging is saving up ahead of time. Applicants who are willing to save must have information on the length and the cost of their RN Bridging Programs by contacting the accredited schools that offer it. 3 hurtful quotes on saving: Stop buying things you don't need to impress people you don't even like! — Suze Orman Money looks better in the bank than on your feet. — Sophia Amoruso Beware of little expenses, a small leak sinks a great ship. — Benjamin Franklin...

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 ...

The Colleges of RNs or LPNs require IENs from countries not found in the exception list to provide valid English test results (not expired) with the required scores or band. In Ontario, the College of Nurses of Ontario has guidelines to prove other evidences of English Language Proficiency. The Registration Committee reserves the right to make a determination on your written request as this will undergo deliberation. Please view the complete criteria by clicking here . This QRG will help IENs determine their eligibility: (1) Do you have an active Ontario (CNO) application? Have you received an NNAS Advisory Report for Ontario? If YES proceed to step 2. If NOT, this QRG does not apply to you. Prove English Proficiency by examination and relay official results to your College. (2) Have you worked as an employed or volunteer Personal Support Worker or Health Care Aide within the last 2 years in Canada? If YES, you are eligible to submit a written request. If NOT...

We have talked with Canadian RNs in the past and in the present about their nursing skills and knowledge assessment experience. We were lucky to be able to gather their insights to come up with these helpful tips to conquer the Objective Structured Clinical Examination or the OSCE. (1) Set your mind Keep in mind that you will be taking an important examination for your nursing career. We recommend to set aside vacation plans to prepare for this. (2) Make a study plan Design a study plan based on your own learning curve.  Know thy self , know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories. Sun Tzu (3) Limit only on up to 3 Canadian references Read your Colleges' RN Practice Guidelines and note common health issues in Canada. Provincial RN jurisprudence is also helpful. Learn about vulnerable populations in Canada (e.g. Metis, Inuit, First Nations etc) References on OSCE and Health Assessment are indispensable. YouTube for nursing procedures ...