Immigrate to New Brunswick as a Nurse
The provincial government of New Brunswick has made recruiting foreign-trained nurses a top priority. In 2019, a nursing resources strategy was launched, with 4,376 jobs expected to be generated in the province over the next 8 years. As you can guess because the demand is high, wages are also high and the option of permanent residence is on the table in more ways than one. It would be a very smart decision to immigrate to New Brunswick as a nurse.
So let’s see how you can move in and become a permanent resident, what your quality of life will be and what life is like in the beautiful Atlantic province. Please note that while some people may experience delays in the processing work permit and/or permanent residence applications, healthcare workers and, in particular, applications for nurses, are given priority status. So, in this rare circumstance, the COVID-19 pandemic is really working in your favor.
Your Immigration Options for New Brunswick as a Nurse
What Comes First
In order for an internationally trained nurse to practice in New Brunswick or elsewhere in Canada, you will need to go through recertification as a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). The first step is to assess your qualifications, this is called an Educational Credential Assessment (DEA) that you will need to submit to the provincial body to register as a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse.
If your qualifications meet the requirements, you can take the Canadian Registered Nursing Examination (CRNE) or the Canadian Practical Nursing Examination (CPNE). Once you have passed your exam, you will be able to work as a nurse in Canada. The provincial agencies where you can register as a nurse in New Brunswick are:
- Nurses Association of New Brunswick – Registered Nurses
- Association of New Brunswick Licensed Practical Nurses
You can then go ahead and get a job offer at any health center in the province. To find nursing jobs in New Brunswick, try this job search tool or one of the other great ones available online.Advertisements
How to Become a Permanent Resident
Once you have a job offer, you can choose one of three immigration programs to apply for permanent residence in Canada through:
- The Express Entry System – Federal Skilled Worker Program, you actually don’t require a job offer to apply for permanent residency through this program. Applicants are processed on a point-based system, and a job offer or a provincial nomination from the province of New Brunswick adds more points to your score.
- New Brunswick Provincial Nomination Program – apply directly to the provincial government for a provincial nomination. If you are successful (which you should be as qualified nurses are highly in-demand in the province) you are almost certain to be granted permanent residency.
- Atlantic Immigration Pilot – a unique immigration program designed to bring the benefits of economic migration to the eastern region of Canada by offering permanent residency to foreign workers with job offers in one of the four Atlantic provinces. Skilled professionals (nurses), semi-skilled workers, and international graduates are all welcome to apply for permanent residency, all you need is permanent employment.
Working as a Nurse in Canada – What to Expect
One of the best reasons to move to Canada is the quality of life. The median hourly wage for a registered nurse in New Brunswick is $ 35.46 per hour. Typically, in Canadian hospitals, nurses work 4 shifts and 4 shifts. Healthcare facilities, like nursing homes, are different in that the shifts are around 8 hours a day, so typically in these situations, you would work 5 times and 3 hours. No matter what situation you work in, you seem to be working an average of 42 hours per week. This means that your annual salary would be approximately $ 77,445.
The cost of living in New Brunswick is relatively low, especially compared to the rest of the country. Here are some of the costs associated with living in the Atlantic Province.
| Cost of Living per month: New Brunswick, Canada | |
|---|---|
| Item | Price in CAD |
| Rent (1 bedroom apartment) | $800 |
| Rent (2 bedroom apartment) | $1,100 |
| 3 Bedroom House (Buying price) | $192,000 |
| Healthcare | Free |
| Groceries (per person, per month) | $297 |
| Public Transport (monthly pass) | $65 |
| Vehicle (new hatchback) | $23,750 |
| Gas/Petrol per gallon | $1.13 |
| Utilities | $158 |
| Internet Connection | $82 |
| Cellphone Subscription | $101 |
The main places to live in New Brunswick are Saint John, Moncton, and Fredericton. Almost half of the province’s population lives in these three metropolitan areas. The port city of Saint John has a population of approximately 130,000 and does not freeze in winter due to tidal currents. Temperatures drop to minus thirteen degrees, however, so be sure to prepare for the province’s cold winters. Moncton has a population of just over 155,000 and is a growing center for high-tech and service industries. The main provincial airport is also located in Moncton with local and international connections. Fredericton, slightly smaller than the other two with a population of 110,000, is located on the beautiful Saint John River. It is also a university town, with good commercial and recreational facilities, two universities and excellent schools, making this quaint town our best option.
The province, along with the other Atlantic provinces, is experiencing an increase in the average age and due to the low migration rate, people are the government’s main concern. You are not only needed as a nurse but as a person who will contribute to the economy and the positive growth of the region.
Study to Become a Nurse in New Brunswick
No matter your age, gender, or financial situation, making the move to go back to college or university, or enroll for the first time, is never a bad decision, especially when choosing a nursing degree. from the University of New Brunswick.
The cost to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of New Brunswick for an international student is approximately $ 42,000 ($ 10,500 per year, for four years). Please note that you can work while you are registered as an international student in Canada to help cover your costs. There are also many financial aid programs out there and when you start working you will be able to pay off any loan in no time. There is also the benefit of knowing that you are almost guaranteed to have a job after graduation, especially if your degree is from a university in the province and you get your postdoctoral work permit.
To study in Canada, just apply to the university of your choice, once accepted, apply for your Canadian study permit and start the journey of a lifetime.
