Catherine Matriano, a Registered Nurse who was referred to the JSW program by a friend, originally came to Canada as a caregiver in 2014. She is now working in her dream job as an RN.
Before coming to Canada from the Philippines, Catherine worked as a Registered Nurse and midwife. It has been her dream to work within the University Health Network (UHN) and wear the hospital’s nursing badge (you can see her badge in the photo above).
In 2018 Catherine became a Permanent Resident of Canada and continued working as a nanny. She then completed certification as a PSW in the same year and worked as a PSW while preparing to complete the nursing exams. She attended the Job Search Workshop program in May and June 2020.
Her previous work experience and her PSW role were not enough to secure a Canadian nursing position. She had to work through the assessment and certification process, which included a nursing competency exam that opened the door to writing the national nursing licencing exam this summer.
While studying for the nursing exams a friend told her about the JSW program. The program helped her focus on developing a nursing resume and strategies for looking for work in the nursing field.
Her original resume only focused on her recent PSW work. The JSW Facilitator helped her build a strong resume that brought attention to her previous nursing experience as well as her more recent experience in Canada in healthcare.
When she received news that she had passed the nursing exam, she sent out her new resume and quickly received invitations to interviews by hospitals and long term care facilities. The interview practice in JSW was also beneficial, especially tips for online interviews.
Since April, JSW is offered online via Zoom. As a component of the program participants are coached in online interviews.
Catherine remarked on how the JSW Facilitator took an interest in each participant, their unique experiences and their goals. She noticed how the facilitator connected with each person in the group, using examples and making suggestions that reflect each participant’s circumstances.
Catherine’s group included immigrant professionals with backgrounds in IT, Finance, Banking and Education. They have continued to connect via LinkedIn and grow their professional networks.
We are delighted to share Catherine is part of a cohort of seven nurses and five RNs who were hired for Toronto Western’s COVID Assessment Centre.
When interviewed for this story she was testing over 100 patients a day. She loves connecting with the public and sharing valuable public health information with the people she is testing. Catherine’s accomplishments are a testament of her patience and persistence.
Read Employment E-News – November 2020 – Connecting You to Employers!
Image provided by www.1COMMUNITY1.ca
