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Assess Your Situation
This section contains information about five factors that immigrants have found helped them succeed in Saskatchewan:
Under each factor, you will find a list of questions that will help you look at your own circumstances, such as your finances, family considerations, where you were trained and your experience, and decide if pursuing a career in a health care field in Saskatchewan is the right decision for you.
You may also want to read the stories of four IEHPs and their experiences working and getting licensed in Saskatchewan to get an idea of the factors that have been important in the success of others.
English is the main language used in health care in Saskatchewan. You need to speak and write English fluently to communicate effectively with patients and to work with other health care professionals. Knowing English medical terms and understanding the culture of the Canadian health care system are also required.
In some occupations, you will need to pass an English examination before you can complete other steps in the licensing process.
Visit English is Important for more information.
Questions to ask yourself:
- What is my current level of English?
- What level of English is required in my profession?
- Think about everything you do at home and at work in your home country. Can you do all of those things in English?
- Do I find it easy or difficult to learn a new language?
- What English language training can I get before I leave my home country?
- How much time do I have available to learn or improve my English?
- Can I find out what English examinations I need to pass and take the examinations before I leave my home country?
Most health professions in Saskatchewan require that you have a licence to practise before you can begin work.
Contact your profession's regulatory body to find out how to register and become licensed to practise in Saskatchewan.
Each profession has different licensing requirements. Each regulatory body recognizes certain international educational institutions and not others. If your credentials (degree, diploma, etc.) are from an institution that is not recognized, the process of obtaining a licence will take longer and may require additional training. In most cases, even if your education is recognized, there may be requirements for specific kinds of practical training or experience.
Within the Getting Licensed section, you will find a guide to the licensing process for health professionals in Saskatchewan and information about the specific steps to licensing in each regulated occupation.
Questions to ask yourself:
- Is the educational institution where I received my training recognized by the regulatory body for my occupation in Saskatchewan?
- Have I contacted my regulatory body? What advice do they offer?
- Will I be required to write an examination?
- When did I last study for and write an examination?
- Is the examination format different in Saskatchewan than in my home country?
- How much time will I require to study for examinations?
- Can I write any examinations before I leave my home country?
- Do I have the practical training or experience that may be required?
- Is my English language ability good enough to pass an exam at a university or college level?
Some IEHPs have a job offer before they arrive in Saskatchewan. Others find temporary work to support themselves while they study for their licensing exams. Financial support, whether through a job or personal savings, is important.
For more information, visit Working in Health Care.
Questions to ask yourself:
- Do I know anyone - friends, family or colleagues - who could help me find a job in Saskatchewan?
- Do I have skills or interests that could be used in a job other than the field in which I am trained?
Personal circumstances and attitude play a big role in success. The ability to adapt, start over in a new environment, focus, stay positive and persevere is crucial.
Questions to ask yourself:
- Have I (my spouse, family) experienced a move to a new country before?
- How well do I (my spouse, family) adapt?
- How do I feel about "starting over" in a new location and maybe in a new occupation?
- What supports will I need?
- What supports do I have?
- Do I have family or friends already living in Saskatchewan?
Those who choose to settle in Saskatchewan do so because it suits them. They like the clean air and the smaller cities, which are safe and easy to get around. They also like the friendliness of the people, the community and family activities, and the access to universities for study and research.
Questions to ask yourself:
- What do I know about Saskatchewan?
- What services and activities do I (and my family) require?
- How important is an ethnic community for me (and my family)?
- What interests me about Saskatchewan?
- How adventurous am I?
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