Working

Health professionals from around the world have settled in Saskatchewan and are making a significant contribution.

For some, choosing a Saskatchewan community means they can focus on their specialty.  Senthil is a psychiatrist with Child and Youth Services at the Regina General Hospital.  

"Although I had several offers across Canada, I decided to come to Regina because the job was in my area of specialty.  Also, there was a community of Indian doctors here and it was a larger center for my family."

Senthil found his present position through an internet search.  Within six months from when he applied, he was offered the position. 

"The health region sponsored me for a site visit and helped me obtain a working visa.  I recommend others take advantage of the site visits.  It helped me make my decision."

Senthil eased his transition by contacting his co-workers before he arrived.

"Prior to coming, I was able to talk via email and phone with the other psychiatrists on staff.  This made a big difference.  I felt we had established a rapport and I had a better understanding of the job.

The General Hospital is a wonderful place to work.  In addition to my practice, I mentor psychiatry students as a Clinical Assistant Professor with the University of Saskatchewan.  I enjoy working with the students."

(Read more about Senthil's experience).

Family plays a big part for some in the decision to come to Saskatchewan.  Patricia's sister-in-law Charity encouraged her to come and helped her find work at a long-term care facility.

"My first job was as a nurses' aide at the health care facility where my sister-in-law works.  Because I was trained as a Registered Nurse and had landed immigrant status, I was able to work in health care immediately.  After I qualified for my graduate nurse licence, I moved into a nursing position in the same facility."

Nursing in Canada is different from Ghana.

"Medicine is medicine wherever you are in the world.  However, I found the approach different in Canada.  Nurses, for example, have a lot more responsibilities in Ghana.  Fortunately, I had the opportunity to attend a program that helps internationally trained health professionals understand the differences and adjust to the Canadian health care system.  It was very helpful and I would recommend it to others."

Co-workers have helped Patricia adjust to her new environment.   
 
"I have found people very willing to help if they know you need help.  I am not shy.  If I have difficulty in a particular area, I ask for help."

In the future, Patricia hopes to draw on her past research experience to contribute to AIDS research. 

"Back home in Ghana, I held a variety of positions including AIDS research.  I hope in the future to become involved with a local group that is looking at HIV/AIDS programming."

(Read more about Patricia's experience).

For some health professionals, moving out of the major cities can mean more opportunities to develop within their profession.  Mawien chose to practice in a rural hospital.

"I am a Family Physician at the Wynyard Hospital and Community Health center.  Practicing in a rural community allows me to use my skills more fully than I would be able to in a larger center.  We see quite a variety of cases and have to quickly assess who to treat and who to transfer to the city hospitals."

Saskatchewan offers additional support for physicians moving to rural areas. 

"A special program provides some funding for physicians who come to rural areas.  It is good to know about these things and to apply."

For Mawien, working in a hospital as a nuclear medicine technologist for four years eased the transition to practising medicine in Canada.

"I had a good understanding of the Canadian health care system and experience interacting with the patients as a technologist - now I do it as a physician."

Mawien was recently recognized with a national award for research.

"A colleague and I received the 2008 national Family Medicine Resident Scholarship award for our research on Vitamin D levels.  I like research.  Several other doctors and I are now looking at possible research topics related to rural medicine."  

(Read more about Mawien's experience).

Those who have settled in Saskatchewan, know the importance of support and a "home away from home" when they first arrive. 

Anne, a registered nurse originally from the Philippines, is helping to create an association to support new Filipino nurses.

"I have worked as an operating room nurse at the Pasqua Hospital in Regina since 2004.  When I first arrived, I was shocked to realize that I had to start over from scratch.  I had to establish myself as someone who could do her job.

I had to build trust and a rapport with my co-workers.  I know what the adjustment is like, so I am passionate about helping to create an association for Filipino nurses.  It will support new nurses as they arrive, begin work and prepare for their exams."

Anne feels she has received good support from her work unit. 

"The unit where I work in the hospital is wonderful.  When I first arrived, I had the skills but I found the environment was very different.  The Canadian health care system, unlike the Philippines, uses a community-based approach and is patient driven.  The senior nurses were always there to help me."

The learning goes both ways.

"We have a number of Canadian and internationally trained nurses working together.  There are cultural differences.  For example, eye contact in Canada is a sign of respect;  in the Philippines, it is a sign of disrespect.  The hospital provides training to help nurses learn from each other.  It is making a difference."

(Read more about Anne's experience).