July 17, 2023
Aidee Anne Canlas, who began her healthcare career as a Registered Nurse in the Philippines, kept her focus on building a new life in Canada for her family — and recently achieved her dream of becoming a full-fledged RN for Alberta Health Services. “After my manager told me I got the job, I started to cry,” she says. Photo by Leah Hennel.
Story by Janine Poersch | Photo by Leah Hennel
HIGH RIVER — The most difficult decision Aidee Anne Canlas ever had to make was to leave her children behind in the Philippines in 2017. But she left for two very good reasons — to begin a nursing career in Canada — and to give her young kids a brighter future.
“I was really sad about leaving my kids, but I didn't have a choice,” says Canlas. As a single mother, her salary was simply not enough to give her children the future she wanted for them.
Canlas, formerly a registered nurse (RN) in the Philippines, took her first job in Nanton as a live-in caregiver for an individual with disabilities.
Building her new life in Canada was hardly a walk in the park. The COVID-19 pandemic stalled her kids' arrival in Canada, and the individual she was hired to care for died.
Despite these challenges, however, Canlas kept her focus firmly on her goals.
In 2020, the High River General Hospital hired her as a health care aide in Long Term Care. Later that year, her kids finally made it to Canada.
“After my kids arrived, it gave me the drive to pursue my RN,” she says. Canlas next focused on preparing for her National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) — the first step for people applying to become an RN in Canada.
For countless hours, she researched, learned practice and engaged in online support groups — all the while juggling her full-time job and caring for her children.
Canlas successfully passed her NCLEX-RN in 2022, a banner year in which she and her children also became Canadian citizens.
With plenty to celebrate already, Canlas broke the good news to her manager who, at the time, had no idea Canlas was also pursuing her RN licensure. Thrilled by the news, her manager immediately offered support for Canlas to get licensed in Alberta.
The stars further aligned in April of this year, when the registration process changed for internationally-educated nurses. Having passed her NCLEX-RN and having already been an RN in the Philippines, Canlas had the education, experience and level of competency to qualify for licensure with College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA).
On May 1, Canlas received her RN licensure from CRNA. Five days later, she found herself with a new job title on the same unit that had hired her three years ago.
“After my manager told me I got the job, I started to cry,” says Canlas. To this day, Canlas’s eyes remain set on the future. She plans to work hard, buy a house and put her kids through college.
With a heart full of gratitude, Canlas adds that she’s thankful for everyone on her journey, including her team and Alberta Health Services (AHS) for the opportunity.
With the support of her team, Canlas is happily transitioning into her new role.
“I’m still so excited. I have so much energy. I’m just willing to learn about everything,” she adds. “The team has been really good to me, and knowing the residents has helped make the transition smoother.”
