not sure what subject I should put here.

May 25, 2016

Hello Tara,

This letter is in response to your recent request regarding my story since I came in Canada until I got hired as a Registered Nurse.

I arrived in Winnipeg Manitoba Canada with my wife and a 2 year-old daughter on August 2, 2013. As an IEN, I was very excited to work and serve Canadians and people with different cultures. However, I didn’t know how challenging and taking time to be a Registered Nurse in Canada.

First of all, I attended programs for new immigrants called Manitoba Start and Entry program to get familiarized about the laws, employment, schools, transportation, health care, cultures, etc. The programs gave me an idea on how to get started on my plan to be a registered nurse.

My English was terrible when I came, so I attended free English classes for IEN at MNU in fall 2013. I attended free English classes at EESE ( Enhanced English Skills for Employment) as well.

I got hired at ILRC (Independent Living Resource Centre) as an Independent Living Attendant (Home Support Worker) in January 2014. I assisted clients with disability in their activities of daily living in their homes.

I took CELBAN at CELAS Centre, Red River College Winnipeg, MB on April 23-24, 2014. Fortunately, I passed. From then on, I started to process the documents needed by CRNM for the application. I got my CRNM file number via email on May 13, 2014.

The Assessment Centre for Nursing at Health Sciences Centre let me choose on the schedule she provided for CCA on August 7, 2014. I scheduled my CCA on April 7, 2015 to April 10, 2015 (written part) and April 15, 2015 (practical portion).

From that time, I spent my time working, attending free classes at MNU, studying and taking care of my daughter. All I got until CCA are sleepless nights. It was very tiring.

After I took the CCA, I received the result from CRNM on April 27, 2015. The CRNM required me to finish 3 online courses (Nursing Refresher Courses) at Red River College. CRNM did not require me to do practicum anymore.

I started my online courses at Red River College in June 2015 and supposedly would end in November 2015. I asked for an extension until December 2015 because my wife gave birth on September 23, 2015. My wife needed me to take care of our toddler and newborn since she was not really well after the delivery.

I finished my last course on December 15, 2015. On the same day, CRNM received a course completion letter from Red River College. Since I have already written NCLEX-RN, I am eligible to apply for registered nurse registration with the College. The following day, I applied for registration. CRNM required me to do the jurisprudence modules and I finished it on December 17, 2015. On January 5, 2016, the application process was completed and I got my license number.

On March 10, 2016, Dauphin Regional Hospital sent me a letter of offer for the 0.75EFT permanent position in Surgery. I signed and sent the letter back on March 14, 2016. I resigned from my job at ILRC on March 11, 2016. My family moved to Dauphin MB on March 31, 2016. I started working on April 4, 2016. Now, I am still orientating and I am happy with my work.

Should you have any questions, you may contact me at 204-458-9092 or email Email Removed.

Regards,

Edgar