JeongEun’s Story
Registered Nurse
Specialized Medical Services Team
Vancouver Coastal Health
Despite living in BC for less than one year, JeongEun already feels like she has found her new home.
Feeling burnt out and overworked as a nurse in South Korea, JeongEun was ready for something new. She decided to move to Canada for a new start, as well as to explore and improve her English. She started off in BC, but quickly moved to Ontario. After working some part-time jobs, she decided to continue her nursing career and entered a bridging program for Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs).
For JeongEun, nursing is a feasible and practical pathway to obtain Permanent Resident (PR) status in Canada. After 9 years in Ontario, she was again ready for a change, so she applied to nursing jobs with Vancouver Coastal Health. Two months later, she was back in BC! JeongEun’s transition from Ontario to BC was smooth. With easy access to nature and endless coffee shops to try, she has no trouble filling her time off, all without ever needing a driver’s license.
At work, JeongEun feels that there is no better team! Everyone looks out for each other, and celebrates their colleagues’ successes and milestones. The role has also presented JeongEun with new learning opportunities and perspectives. For future nurses who are looking to work in the Canadian healthcare system, she advises them to be highly proficient in English, as strong communication skills will open up more opportunities.
It may have only been a few months, but for the first time, JeongEun feels like she can see herself working this job for the long-term – something she had not felt anywhere else. She looks forward to eventually starting a family in British Columbia.
