Is the U.S. or Canada a better place for a conservative Sikh nurse practitioner to live?
Is the U.S. or Canada a better place for a conservative Sikh nurse practitioner to live? Strange question perhaps... I'm very conservative in my political and religious views, although I hear Canada is more liberal than the U.S. I dislike how many American conservatives come across as angry and hateful towards anyone who disagrees with their views. I enjoy a heated debate, but I care about everyone regardless of their views. In general, does it cost more to live in the U.S. or Canada? Are devout Sikhs (turban, full beard, kirpaan) more likely to face problems in the U.S. or Canada? How hard is it to find work as a family nurse practitioner in Canada? What about 8 years from now? What about if you're a devout Sikh? Can nurse practioners work independantly of doctors in Canada? Some U.S. states allow this. Are there any rural areas in need of more medical professionals? Are there many opportunities and organizations for medical mission/volunteer work in Canada? Canada is quite cold, but in what way? Is the cold cruel and biting with strong winds like in some U.S. states or is it cold, but not "harsh"? Actually, I'm not South Asian. I'm an American convert to Sikhism. I've read a little bit about Sikhs in Canada and what everyone has said confirms it. I would be very happy working in a rural area even if there are few Sikhs in Canada. I plan to be active in the Sikh community, but I would not want to limit myself to helping only Sikhs. As far as volunteer work is concerned I was asking about the variety of Canadian organizations involved in this sort of work around the world. I know there are some, but I want to make sure if I move to Canada I'll find plenty of organizations which can find me volunteer opportunities around the world. By the way... my mother is Canadian, but she hasn't been there for years.
Other - Canada - 8 Answers
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1 :
Gurfateh . whatever , it may be , be steadfast in your faith , Guru ji will help . It is just a test for us . And we shall pass.
2 :
Sikh's aren't en vogue in either country. Both countries have plenty of conservative religious immigrants. It's the 21st Century, so expect not to be pestered for keeping whatever cultural/religious practises you brought with you, until it conflicts with Western laws, in which case you might make the evening news programmes for a couple days and then be forgotten yet again.
3 :
In Canada your religious beliefs are your PRIVATE business. We have hundreds of thousands of Sikhs in Canada, some can trace their ancestry back over 100 years in Canada. We have Police officers, and soldiers who are religious Sikhs in Canada, and members of our Federal Parliament, and Provincial Parliaments are Sikhs, too. In other words, the Sikhs in Canada are a large well educated and successful minority group, who are financially and socially well established. I can point to entire suburbs in many Canadian cities that are made up of Indian immigrants who are professionals of all types, who are living in million dollar homes, with 3 cars in the driveway, and all of their kids are going to attend Universities here. Nurse practioner? Not very many in Canada, and each Province has it's own regulations about qualifications, and scope of practice. It is still an oddity to find one here. My understanding is that they must work under the direction of a MD. MIssionary medical work in Canada ? I had to laugh at that question, as it is much more likely that Canadians would voulunteer to do that in OTHER parts of the world, like Africa or India. Winter weather in Canada..........To day, here in the city of Toronto, the actual air temperature is minus 12 C, but with the wind chill factor it FEELS LIKE minus 28 C. Unless you are planning on working OUTSIDE all day long, it is likely that you will be working in a clean dry warm environment, where the temp is a steady 21 C, all the time. Central heating and air conditioning is normal in work places in Canada. Hospitals here are modern and well maintained. Canada is the second largest country in the world ( Russia is the largest by square kilometre area ( so weather conditions ( on the same day ) can vary widely. Exampe, to day in Vancouver British Columbia, on the west coast the day time high will be PLUS 7 C. Compare that to Toronto, today. We also get a HOT summer, with 5 months of temps in the middle 20 to the middle 30's C, and weeks of sunny clear days, with occasional rain and thunder storms. We have four distinct seasons, with predictable changes, such as the leaves on the trees changing colour and falling in the autumn. Canadians are MUCH more tolerant than some Americans and we tend to know more about religious practices and symbols. If you asked most Americans about the word kirpan, they wouldn't know what it was, but here we know , and respect an individual's right to practice their faith. The greatest number of Sikhs in Canada live in the lower mainland of BC near Vancouver. The second largest population centre is in Brampton/Bramalea, a city about 30 miles to the north west of Toronto. Now I'll turn the table around and ask you a few questions, if you don't mind.? Have you ever seen a US Policeman, who was a religious Skih ? How many US Congress seats are held by Sikhs ? How many Cabinet positions, in the US Government have been held by a Sikh ? I will guess that the answer is NONE ? Now look at Canada, where the answer to all of those questions is YES, most definitely. Do some more research, and I think you will find that my answers are truthfull. Jim B. Toronto.
4 :
You better check about the history of Sikh in Canada .In general ,Conservative people suffer a lot in Liberal countries .
5 :
I agree with jim B exceprt for the part about nurse practictioners being a rarity.In my part of Ontario there are many NP practicing and it is not considered unusual to go to one. They do, however , have to practice under the supervision of an MD. Best of luck to you. I believe that if you settle in Canada you will be treated with respect for your religion and ethnicity.
6 :
Americans tend to be a lot more racist than Canadians. Many Sikhs live in Canada, especially in the cities. In fact, Surrey, a city beside Vancouver, has a majority of Asians, many from India and Pakistan. Seeing Sikhs with turbans, beards, etc., is not unusual at all in much of Canada. We even have Sikh members of Parliament in the government. Rural areas in Canada are desperate for medical professionals! Getting a job here would be pretty easy. OTOH, there are few Sikhs in rural areas - most live in the big cities, like Vancouver and Toronto, although there are plenty in smaller cities as well. Canada has higher taxes than in the US, but also more social programs, like health care. In the US, they have to pay for everything (crazy, eh?) themselves, or get really expensive insurance. In Canada, health insurance is done by governments. Nurse practitioners are becoming much more common. The only trick will be getting your credentials recognized here. However, due to shortages of medical people, there are some streamlining efforts being made by governments, and we are seeing more and more Indian medical professionals. As for the cold - Canada has cold areas (I live in one - the Yukon). But, so does the US. Many from India and Pakistan like Vancouver - it is never cold there. It can snow, barely, but really does not very often. The climate is much like southern England - they even grow palm trees. OTOH, it is -35C where I am right now, and it can go to the -50's pretty easily. However, you soon learn to live with it. Believe it or not! As for being conservative - while Canadians are perhaps legally more liberal, they are generally a lot more tolerant as well. We think of ourselves as conservative in many ways. People coming here also keep a bit of themselves and their culture. Canada is officially "multi-cultural" - ethnic diversity is celebrated. This is different from the American "melting pot" where all newcomers are encouraged to be, act, and look "American."
7 :
Having lived in both countries, I have noticed more Sikhs in Canada than in the U.S. As far as the cold is concerned, it all depends on where you live in Canada and in the U.S. Right now I live in a northern midwest state in the U.S. - it is far colder here in winter than in Vancouver, BC, Canada. However Winnipeg is colder than where I live - so it all depends. In general, the harshest and coldest winters are found in the Saskatchewan/Manitoba/North Dakota areas. Winters get less harsh and less cold as you get closer to the coasts, and as you get further south. As far as having the support and social network of other Sikhs, I think in general the major Canadian cities have a larger Sikh community than any of the American cities I have lived in or visited. Cost of living - it all depends on what city you go to. I live in the Fargo/Moorhead metro area. Lots of cold weather, but everything else about it is great. You can buy a house here for half of what you pay in Minneapolis/St.Paul and the crime rate is microscopic compared to any other U.S. city. The medical profession seems to be recruiting personnel everywhere you go. I know they always seem to be hiring in this area. In general, if you're willing to work in less-populated rural areas, your opportunities for employment will be much greater. In general, I think you'll find tolerance and acceptance just about everywhere you go in Canada and the U.S. Of course, you'll always find a few bigoted jerks wherever you go - they're always the exception, though.
8 :
Religious and visible minorities make out a lot better in Canada than in the US. In fact, that will probably help you get a job faster due to employment equity policies. Northern Canada would be a good place to look for nursing jobs, but if the cold is a factor, northern Ontario does need a lot of nurses. Rural areas will have less of a Sikh population, so if you're looking to get involved in the Sikh community, an urban area might be better. In regards to cold, it depends on where you are. In the prairies, the temperature may be lower, but because the air is dry, it doesn't feel as cold. In places like Ottawa, Halifax etc. there is more humidity in the air which freezes, making it feel a lot colder than the thermostat says. Either way, get a good winter coat, boots, a hat, and mittens, and you'll be fine. It's really not that bad. Good luck!
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