Hi gimikerangtravelera! Welcome to the forum
Personal opinions on the schools registered in the Study in Canada Fair --- some of the schools intentionally target international students, mainly because, let's face it, we are Canada's cash cows. When you finish a degree in a not so well known school in Canada, think about your prospects. It will differ by industry, but common scenario is graduates from reputable schools are likely to be given the jobs first. These schools will make sure to do a good sales pitch (we are of course paying A LOT of money), but do not forget to do your own research: employment rates, school culture, faculty roster, worldwide rankings, location, cost of living, among other things. Although graduating from a good school is not a guarantee for a job, just don't forget to do your due diligence.
My take on your questions (based on my experience):
1. As far as acceptance in the school is concerned, you would not have a problem because you already have a degree. Most colleges even accept high school graduates, so you actually have the advantage in terms of admission. The only con is that some school are strict about proving you have completed high school (since that is the bare minimum for entry), so they might require you to send your high school diploma and complete transcript. (For my school, that was the case, that's why it took me a while to apply.)
It would be a different story for immigration. You have to convince them why going to Canada is the best (if not practical) option for you. A good reason will be you want to get your foot in the door of this certain industry and getting a 2-year diploma would save you a lot of time, rather than taking another 4-year degree. It really is a matter of making a strong (and very reasonable) SOP.
2. Based on observation, nursing in BC is highly saturated. Not only do you have hundreds (maybe even thousands) of Filipinos vying for the same position, but you have other immigrants to compete with. I would think this is the reason why health sciences diplomas have very limited offerings (at least in major institutions) to international students because they have preference for local students or permanent residents.
Eligibility for PGWP would be based on your program length and type of school. In most cases, public institutions are very likely to be PGWP-eligible. My only suggestion is don't go for nursing. If you really want to switch to the healthcare industry, think of good ways to link your background to justify it. How can you use Psychology in whatever you want to pursue? If you really want to go for a degree, I suggest to look for a school that offers both diploma and degree programs. Try getting a diploma first, get a PGWP, earn enough money for a degree, become a PR, and then get a degree. Not only would you pay cheaper tuition as a PR, but your diploma credits may be transferable to a degree if you choose to study in the same institution. (It'll just take longer, but if you really want to permanently settle in Canada, I think it's a reasonable plan.)
3. It would depend on how heavy is your academic load. Personally, I would love to get a job to save a lot on living expenses, but it would be nearly impossible to juggle 40 credit semesters with a part-time job. If you would be in the same boat as me, try considering on-campus jobs. It would save you the commute and it would make the impression that you are contributing something to your school.
4. If you can afford it, I don't see a problem. It hasn't been proven that having a tourist visa would increase your chances, but if it will help you decide, then go for it. Only thing is, they will eventually cancel your tourist visa once you secure a study permit, since you will change your immigration status to student.
Other inputs:
- I would attest that you have excellent English! I took the TOEFL because I'm more comfortable with American English, and because most schools also accept it. The most challenging part for me was also reading though. Just remember to scan and not read the entire thing!
- It's really good that you have a lot of working experience. It would come to your advantage when you build your resume. Although word of caution, just try to read your resume from a Canadian's perspective. They would not be familiar with Philippine companies, so just try to include those that would seem relevant to them. (Or at least make an effort to explain what it is.)
- I agree on filing your application on your own. As long as you really put time and effort into your application, I don't see how an agency can make a difference.
