Future benefits of studying nursing in Canada

One of the toughest decisions in the life of millennials is to choose an ideal career path, and since we are stressing on “ideal”, the cliché “follow your passion” definitely does not count. While making a choice, it is important to realize if you are making a value addition to the society. Not to forget, questions like, “Is it well-paying”, “Is it making you happy”, “Is it helping you in new discoveries” should also be well thought of. Once you have an answer to these, it’s time to get a head start in your career.

Well, if you really wish to bring a positive change for yourself and the society, then one of the best possible options is to study nursing in Canada. Every country thrives to optimize its healthcare practices but the one that is citing examples is the land of opportunities, Canada.

To give you an idea about how nurses work and what all educational requirements you need to fulfill to be a registered nurse in Canada, here’s a video showing nurses doing their job and sharing a part of their day for students who want to pursue this field and gain more knowledge about it.

VIDEO- What Next: Registered Nurse

The healthcare model of Canada is unrivalled and fundamental to the growth of the country. The dependency rate on the healthcare sector is seemingly high which is why Canada is expanding its operations and accepting international applications. So, in case you plan to pursue an internationally recognized career, then studying postgraduate nursing programs in Canada can be the right fit for you.

This is the right time to enter the field of nursing because the country is accepting internationally educated nurses to be a part of their healthcare system. To help you know better about it, let’s discuss a few aspects in detail and gain more insight about the future benefits of studying nursing programs in Canada.

1.    Better job security

The profession of nursing has a noble history to it and undoubtedly, it’s not a career but a calling you make for yourself. In Canada, the population of old and sick people is ever increasing which clearly states that the country is increasing its workforce in the healthcare sector. This indicates job security in the long run. To top it all, if you pursue postgraduate nursing programs inCanada, which aim towards honing your skills in a particular specialization, it will further open new gateways of opportunities.

2.    Become a Registered Nurse

One of the biggest challenges for the healthcare sector in Canada is that many nurses are reaching their age of retirement and the population of new nurses is less in comparison. Maintaining an equilibrium in this case is very important which is why the country now needs registered nurses in every province and territory. To register as a nurse, you must study nursing in Canada. As stated by the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, there is an exception for students in Quebec, but students from all other provinces and territories must choose to obtain a baccalaureate degree in nursing in order to prepare for a career as a registered nurse.

3.    Enhance leadership skills

Unlike the emerging nations, the future of nursing is very broad in Canada. There is a transformation in roles, which means that nurses have an important role in promoting community health. One of the many benefits of being a nurse in Canada is that you are entitled to make decisions, educate the patients, and help them realize their health goals by developing therapeutic relationships. By providing an unrestricted working model, the healthcare settings of Canada enable the nurses to make decisions, which are in the best interests of their patients.

4.    Healthy work environment

If you are hailing from a developing country, you will notice a massive shift in the working environment of Canada. There is workload, there are patients and also not to forget, there are long working hours too. However, one thing, which makes the working environment more suitable and healthy here, is the respect you get for your services. You can spot grateful faces around you, who recognize your efforts and believe in your talent.

5.    Better pay scale

Undeniably, pay scales are a concern for nurses in the developing nations but when you’re working as a nurse in Canada, you are entitled to receive decent payrolls. However, if you choose to study specialization based postgraduate nursing programs in Canada, chances are that your pay scales will vary as per the discipline of your expertise. There are additional returns for working overtime too, which again vary as per the unit you’re working in.

So, mentioned above were a few of the many benefits of becoming a nurse in Canada. Before making a choice, it’s important to study the prospects of nursing, as they will help you for a personal assessment, stating if you are the right fit for this profession. We must admit that education can only make you an educated and informed person but it’s an effort that comes from within, which makes you recognize your skills and work on them. Even if you study the best nursing programs in Canada but do not utilize their potential with the help of practical experience, it will make you question your knowledge.

Evolution of the healthcare system in Canada

So if you are wondering why all this time we have been stressing on the healthcare system of Canada, then it’s time to gain some clarity.

The healthcare settings in Canada were not always this versatile. It only happened with the advancement of technology that the healthcare system of the country became an example in itself. In one of it’s online journals, The Government of Canada explains how with the passage of time, the healthcare settings also evolved in the country. From changing the service delivery methods to combating the fiscal constraints, it has been a long and successful journey. Now, there is a strong emphasis laid on the promotion of public health, which has further led to publicly funded health care in the country. Mentioned below are a few specific factors, which have seen improvement and have added the exclusivity factor to the healthcare settings in Canada.

EHealth has been a focus of attention so that the hurdles of the patient care are minimized. The term “EHealth” stands for Electronic health, which is an innovation possible with the expansion of technology in the country. The care providers have an electronic access to health records, which facilitates speedy work and better coordination.

Here, we have the functional details about the eHealth model for Ontario. You can have a better idea by looking at this video, which defines the role of necessary elements required to realize the goals of eHealth. The video also highlights the causes, which lead to maintaining electronic records of patients and how it is beneficial to render speedy services.

VIDEO- Ontario’s EHealth blueprint

Reduction in the waiting time is yet again an achievement for the different provinces and territories of the country. With time, the system has set priorities for clearing the backlogs of the patients. The process of managing time will always remain ongoing because there always will be scope for improvement in this sphere.  

So, mentioned above were the two main highlights of the evolution that took place in the healthcare system of Canada, over the years. But as they say, evolution in healthcare will always be an ongoing affair.

Coming back to deciding an ideal career path, if you get a chance to enter the versatile healthcare settings of Canada as a nurse, then do not miss the opportunity. The idea should be to study nursing in Canada and making a difference to the global trends of patient-care thereafter. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that nursing is a profession with an exclusive suitability. Not everyone can be a nurse because of the simple reason that it requires an unusual level of dedication, selflessness and will power. Speak for yourself, realize your potential and choose the path that is the best suitable for you.

Benefits of Studying International Nursing Programs

Practicing new skill sets and learning from cross cultures are two essentials of development for nurses. Unlike the historical days, new age nurses do not restrict themselves to performing predefined roles of patient care. In developed nations, nurses are leaders and they get to work with different groups of healthcare professionals, increasing the scope of learning.

The changing practices and learning methods have a positive reflection on the mindset of nursing students. With a vision for personal and professional growth, it is important to see places and make observations based upon your experiences. For example, if you study nursing in Canada, you can understand that there is a strong connection between healthcare and technology. This connection positively reflects towards the upliftment of healthcare sector in the country.

Hence, studying international nursing programs is key to success for students who want to work in foreign settings. For a better understanding, let’s know more about the benefits of studying nursing programs in a foreign location.

·         International nursing programs pave a pathway to enter the profession of nursing on a global level.

·         These programs introduce you to modern technology and make you well equipped to have a stable career as a nurse.

·         One can never feel that the career stagnancy is taking place. There is always a choice to study multiple nursing disciplines. Doing so helps you to develop a mindset of evolving with the changing professional requirements.

·         Students with limited exposure in their native countries get more hands-on experience when studying nursing in other developed countries.

So, moving on from the benefits, let’s discuss specifically about why you should study nursing in Canada.

Transition of countries is a beneficial way of studying for nurses. It helps them to understand the cultural competence and the intercultural sensitivity, which is necessary for growth. Canada as a nation is dedicated towards meeting the ever-changing healthcare conditions of the people and this calls for an increased demand for international nurses.

To make the nurses internationally competent, the country has a variety of study programs that are created after considering the needs and requirements of the system. In the present scenario, not only Canada but also other developed nations have a recognition for international nurses.

To practice nursing in a foreign land, you must complete certain educational requirements. Well, there are internationally recognized study programs, which can help you to do so. Mentioned below is a variety of education programs, each varying in terms of curriculum, duration and benefits.

Types of international nursing programs

Studying nursing programs abroad can be life changing for international students because the volume of exposure they bring along is in leaps. Not to forget, becoming successful in your field majorly depends upon the country you choose to study in.

Mainly, three types of international nursing programs are in demand. Let’s discuss the scope and relevance of each in detail.

After high school, a majority of students enter the nursing field by studying Bachelor of Nursing. Thus, the program helps the students to have their first insights about the nursing profession. Put simply, Bachelor of Nursing is an essential study program, which lays the foundation for you to set new educational and professional targets. The degree program has a duration of 3 to 4 years, which varies as per the different education systems followed around the world.

Bachelor of Nursing is an education program, which works like an introductory force and brings clarity about the basic nursing concepts. Usually, the course structure includes a range of subjects as mentioned below.

·         Fundamentals of Nursing

·         Science for Nursing

·         Anatomy & Physiology

·         Nursing & Wellness

·         Clinical practices

These are a few common subjects, which form the curriculum for most of the BSc Nursing programs. However, there are many more which are of variable nature. After completing Bachelor of Nursing from a recognized institute of learning, it is possible to enter the professional field in full capacity. You can start with the basic patient care practices and later go for additional study programs. Doing so, helps to climb up the ladder of your nursing career.

For an easy understanding about Bachelor of Nursing, here we have a video that explains at length about the program and why you must start your nursing career with Bachelor of Nursing. The student experiences shared in this video can also help you to make a quick decision and start right on time.

VIDEO: Bachelor of Science Nursing

Masters in Nursing – the right option?

Taking a step further after graduation, students often choose to study Masters in Nursing. Studying a postgraduate degree after Bachelor of Nursing is beneficial as it helps you to earn more money, later in your career. Subjects and curriculum of a masters program often help you to deepen the knowledge about the subjects you study during the graduate program.

However, there are few drawbacks of choosing Masters in Nursing. The program can come across to be over-burdening, as it requires huge amount of funds, without a surety of getting a stable job. One of the other reasons why less students study Masters in Nursing is that the program offers limited scope of gaining knowledge about different disciplines. In a duration of two years, there is limited liberty to study the subjects of your liking.

One of the highly recommended study option for international nurses is to choose specialization programs. Those who have a set agenda to study and settle abroad often choose postgraduate specialization programs. After completing Bachelor of Nursing, many students prefer to study nursing in Canada as it is rewarding and helps in establishing your international nursing career.

Students in Canada prefer to study postgraduate specialization programs for a variety of benefits. Firstly, it turns out to be an economical option as it saves your time and funds. In addition, it gives you the liberty to gain knowledge about different nursing disciplines.

In two years, you can complete two specialization programs and prepare to be a registered nurse. Doing so can improve your chances to be eligible for writing the NCLEX examination.

So, stated above are the different international study options you must consider when taking an international route for your career. Before making a choice, it’s important to understand that the profession of nursing is not all about having your nose in a book. A lot of hands-on experience with patients is required, to be the best at what you do.

Once you decide to study international nursing programs, it’s good to conduct a self-assessment that makes sure if you’re prepared for the big ride. Your decision should serve a purpose and it is important to predict how it will strengthen your career. After considering all these factors, you can also check the options for different countries.

Ideally, Canada should be on top of your priority list as the country has an alarmingly high demand for nursing professionals. Students who study nursing in Canada have an abundance of scope to flourish in this field.

Nursing as it is has a global market, which makes the profession highly in demand. It can be exhausting to be a nurse but it’s definitely worth it if you’re at the right place. So, evaluate all that you can and make a choice towards a better future.

Is Masters in Nursing the right choice after Bachelor of Nursing?

Nursing is a healthcare branch dedicated towards bettering the lives of people with diverse history of illnesses. Lately, the observations state that the field of nursing is opening gateways to global opportunities, for nursing students who have completed the basic level of their education.

Students who have completed bachelor of nursing from an internationally recognized college/university have a wide range of options for further studies. Many of you must be thinking to pursue masters in nursing, with a hope to take your career on the next level.

However, there are few things, which you must consider before going ahead with the master plan. To begin with, it is important to recognize the reasons why you want to pursue an education program after completing a degree in nursing.

Once you have identified the purpose, the next step will be to assess the value addition a future study program promises to bring along. So, once the two basic criteria have been identified and answered to, you must consider multiple other factors as listed below.

Relook at the finances involved

The saying “education is priceless” has depreciated because nowadays, education definitely does not come without a hefty fee. However, there are postgraduate nursing specialization programs, which can be a better alternate to studying masters in nursing.

With reference to the funds and tuition fee involved, you can any day consider studying 2-year nursing programsin Canada, which give an equal amount of exposure to the discipline of your choice. These programs also come with a potential to payback for themselves in a few years.

Masters in nursing can be a tough ride

The competency skills required to pursue masters in nursing can be challenging. In reality, it does not come across to be a feasible option especially when you are taking up a masters program abroad.

In a foreign land, you also have to juggle with part time work, which is key to survival, and at the same time, ensure that your clinical hours are complete. So, if you are under the impression that studying masters in nursing is going to be a cakewalk, then it’s time to see the bigger picture.

Explore more opportunities for international education

Canada, which is one of the highly preferred settlement destinations for nurses, has opened a gateway of opportunities for internationally educated nurses. The country is expanding its healthcare operations to meet the demands of the growing population of old people.

On these lines, famous colleges and universities in the Canadian province of Ontario are now accepting applications from international students who want to study nursing programs in Canada. The idea of pursuing a post-graduation program in a distant country can put multiple thoughts in your head. However, when it is Canada, it’s good to put to rest your apprehensions, as the country is famous for embracing immigrants who choose to pursue international education programs. Canada has been repeatedly recognized as the most immigrant friendly country and this is what makes it a highly preferred destination for international students. Not to forget, the nation supports a multi-cultural environment that improves the exposure quotient and scope of personal development in leaps.

Well, if you envision a positive shift in your nursing career, on a global front, then it’s time to know more about these 2-year nursing programs. These programs not only give you the freedom to pursue a specialization of your interest but also come with lesser financial burden.

It is when you enter the professional field in full capacity; you realize that there is a high population of nurses who studied postgraduate nursing specialization programs instead of pursuing a masters program. There can be plenty of reasons suggesting, why you should also do the same.

Postgraduate Certificate Program – why  a suitable option

If you have studied bachelor of nursing program and want to study in depth about a particular discipline of nursing, then a postgraduate certificate program will be a wise choice. Observing the trends of the nursing industry, you may realize that the more specializations you excel in, the higher are your chances of finding a job role with clarity.

Often there is a myth that postgraduate certificate programs do not help you in discovering the practical side of nursing. However, if you study a postgraduate certificate program in a particular specialization, you get an enriching experience in the form of simulation-based learning. There are dedicated clinical hours and practical assignments too, which help you to know the field of nursing inside out. 

Studying such programs is also beneficial with respect to the time involved. A postgraduate certificate program completes within a period of 8-12 months, which means in two years, you can easily specialize in two different disciplines. If you make a firm decision about accelerating your career, then with these 2-year nursing programs in Canada, you can nourish your nursing skills and gain exposure about specializations of your choice.   

Purpose of studying postgraduate certificate programs

Most of the times students hold back the idea of pursuing postgraduate certificate programs because there is a lack of clarity about how it will benefit them to advance their professional journey. Well, if you too are one of those students, searching for relevant study opportunities after Bachelor of Nursing, then here is something you must know about pursuing postgraduate certificate programs in Canada.

1.       These programs provide you with an educational route to gain exposure about a specific discipline

2.       Such certificate programs broaden the scope of understanding clinical operations in depth

3.       By specializing in a specific discipline of nursing, there comes a recognition of capabilities. This recognition increases the chances of role expansion and role change for a secure and highly rewarding future.

Nursing students who envision themselves choosing global pathways usually have a higher tendency of pursuing these certificate programs. It is when you need to complete a post-graduation program for securing a better job role but don’t have the time and funds to invest in a masters program, these programs come to your rescue. 

Many trusted colleges and universities offer certificate programs focusing on a particular area of specialization. The study material used to educate the international students is inspired from various nursing scholars around the globe, which can help you in shaping your ideologies as a nurse.

Reasons of studying postgraduate certificate programs

·         To develop practical skills in a certain discipline

·         To meet the criteria of attaining a licensure of practice

·         To stay updated and aware about the evolving field practices

·         You can broaden your career prospects on a global front by switching to a new specialization altogether

·         After the successful completion of two postgraduate certificate programs in Canada, you can apply for the nursing licensure examination

·         Clearing this examination further makes you eligible to work in full capacity as a nurse.

Source: Learn.org

Nurses, in conclusion, it all comes down to making a difference with every additional degree and study program you earn. Studying new programs can not only enlighten you but also increase your marketability for future job prospects. So, make a wise choice, consider the multi-folds of parameters stated above and choose the best suitable option.

Being a registered nurse in Philippines: Scope & Prospects

Nursing as a profession is versatile with endless scope of improvement and gaining knowledge. Making a career as a nurse includes much more than patient care as nurses make a very important pillar of healthcare without which the healthcare sector can be on the verge of collapsing. The decision of choosing a career as a nurse requires constantly competent performance, adherence to code of ethics, and above all, the sense of empathy towards patients, their families and co-workers.  It is always said that healthcare workers never stop learning and the deeper they delve into the field, the better they get at the art of multitasking. Managing personal life along with your professional commitments can be a big concern as a nurse but if the priorities and goals are set straight, then pulling all of it together shouldn’t be a botheration. In order to be a successful nurse one needs to qualify multiple levels of education and attain sufficient practical exposure before treating intense cases.

Before proceeding further, ask yourself the most oft stated question “Who is a nurse”? Once you have your thoughts channelized about it, you might want to look at the video below which details the concept of nursing in regards to the experiences offered by the practical learning.

VIDEO: What It Means To Be A Nurse

The video above is an original concept of Stanford Health Care and it highlights the different views of multi-cultural nurses at the hospital and what according to them constitutes to be a part of nursing as a concept.
Without a doubt, nursing is the most trusted profession as it’s the basic element of trust on which the patient care thrives and with establishing faith, one can transform healthcare. There can be many ways of building a trustful relationship with your patient. It can begin with a simple communication, the ability to be a good listener and lastly by the way you exercise your medical powers in patient’s best interest. Mostly, patients and family members when enter the healthcare system, get in touch with their nurses, they are vulnerable and seeking hidden answers, so winning their unshakable faith is a victory above all others.
Compassion and thoughtfulness are certainly two more parameters on which your career as a nurse can be evaluated. Persuading the patients to take care of their eating habits, withdrawing their attention subtly from a botheration, and convincing them to make the right call for their health are a few things which go unnoticed but often play the most essential role in maintaining a positive patient-nurse relationship.

HOW TO BE A REGISTERED NURSE IN PHILIPPINES 

Being a nurse brings loads of responsibility, irrespective of the country you’re working in. However, the demographic structure does affect the working style and living conditions which eventually leaves an impact on your professional space too. If you’re planning to be a registered nurse in Philippines, then you must know a few prerequisites about being a nurse in Philippines.
1. In order to be a registered nurse in Philippines, you must graduate in a credible nursing program like Bachelors of Science in Nursing.
2. Usually, the courses are 3-4 years long and provide you with the much required and detailed knowledge about nursing skills, health promotion, disease prevention, risk reduction, patient care and much more that you need to know in order to be practically treating a patient.
3. Once you have graduated a nursing program and passed the examination conducted by the country board, you are entitled to be a Registered Nurse (RN) in Philippines.
4. After being a registered nurse, you can explore a variety of employment opportunities around you. One can also apply for global nursing programs as studying courses with international recognition further helps to broaden the scope of getting better job opportunities.
5.  A registered nurse is eligible to apply for jobs in public and private hospitals, nursing institutions, and one can also be an independent nurse practitioner and open up a clinic of their own.

However, as important as it gets to know about the criteria of being an RN, it is equally important to know the repercussions which come along if any candidate or a student violates the law and carries out nursing as a profession without confirming to be a registered nurse in the country.

The General Practice Board of Nursing states that a fine of minimum ten thousand pesos (P10, 000.00) and a maximum of forty thousand pesos (P40, 000.00) can be levied on any defaulter who:
• Uses an expired certificate of registration to practice nursing
• Uses his/her certificate of registration for any third party
• Uses a forged certificate of being registered as a nurse and
• Takes multiple classes for domestic and foreign programs at the same time without a permit.

*Source: Professional regulation commission Philippines
Also, in some of the cases, there is a clear possibility of being imprisoned for 1-6 years for violating the provisions of the professional regulation commission.

CAREER PROSPECTS FOR REGISTERED NURSES

Being a nurse in Philippines can open a gateway of opportunities both on domestic and global front. Once you get an examination clearance and practice license from the board, you can explore end number of job opportunities in your choice of specialization. However, the fact remains intact that on a domestic front, approximately 2, 00,000 registered Filipino nurses are struggling to find jobs due to the saturating markets in the country. The international standards set by the developed nations have massively impacted the job opportunities and scope of growth in countries like Philippines and India.
On a comparative note, a registered nurse in Philippines is entitled to receive an annual sum of PHP 170,723 while the annual salary of an RN in a developed nation like Canada amounts to $58,832. Mentioned below are a few payrolls from different nations having a high demand for nurses. The differences in payrolls are impactful and convincing enough to make nurses migrate to the developed nations in search of better employment opportunities.

Source: Payscale.com

Apart from the fixed salaries stated above, there is a potential chance of making additional money on your busy months where you tend to report for extra hours than your routine shifts. Nurses are often asked to work in extra shifts due to the unavailability of sufficient trained nurses.
Well, apart from the financial prospects being thoroughly considered, it is important to understand that a nurse can help in improving the patient care only if he/she is satisfied with their job roles and the status being provided to them. In certain developing nations, many a times, nurses are seen facing a tough time in order to attain the much deserved recognition and respect from patients and co-workers. This can be one of the prime reasons for nurses to look opportunities abroad. There comes a point of stagnation where every field of specialization faces a situation of disparity between the demand and supply of nurses. Usually, excessive demand creates a shortage of nurses and when the supply shoots up to fill the gap, it overpowers the demand in consideration.

INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Moving on to the international employment scope for Filipino nurses, it is extremely important to know that till date Philippines is one of the leading supplier of nurses to the developed nations. Pick the data reports of Australia, USA, Canada, New Zealand or any other developed nation for that matter and you will find a bunch of Filipinos making a majority of the nursing population. Majorly, nurses from Philippines consider moving to Canada for better opportunities and an improved quality of lifestyle. There can be different routes towards reaching the end goal but one of the most though of and simple way is to study specialized nursing programs in Canada and learn the importance of different nursing techniques and their requirement in the country. Once you study the practices of patient care being followed in a country, you become well-equipped and trained to treat the patients in the best of their interests.
However, one thing which remains intact is the need to have a fluency in speaking, writing and understanding English language so that the barriers of communication between the nurse and patient don’t affect the treatment process.

Apart from the language proficiency there are also a few things which affect the eligibility of a nurse from Philippines to study nursing programs in Canada. It is important to be a university graduate from a recognized university board/college of your country and also one must clear the RN exam from Philippines in order to be able to move to Canada and practice nursing. The reason why Canada is the most preferred location to relocate for Filipino nurses is because this year Canada will accept 250,000 applications, along with a special consideration for those making an addition to the healthcare sector.
Apart from Canada, UK too has emerged to be a preferred choice for nurses planning to migrate from Philippines. The country has been falling short of nurses and healthcare personnel which has widened the scope of employment for nurses coming from India, Philippines and South Africa.  The fact that the population of old people with multiple long term illnesses has increased in the country is a major contributing factor to the high demand of nurses in UK. However, the exact details about working as a nurse in UK can be made clear once a person actually experiences it themselves but for now, here we have a quick video of three Filipino nurses who share their working experience straight from Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust. The video explains about the difference in wages, working environment, sense of respect for the profession and a lot many things which one needs to keep in mind before making a move.

VIDEO: Nursing Recruitment in the Philippines 2015
If a decision of migrating to a foreign land in search of opportunities is made with all the just and fair points being considered then it can be highly fulfilling and inch you closer to the vision of being a global nurse. In terms of financial benefits for nurses in their native country and those in foreign lands, it is an openly accepted fact that nurses in Philippines are underpaid as per the efforts and services they put in their job. In spite of the challenging studies and curricular, there is no guaranteed employment opportunities in their homeland which justifies their calling to move abroad. Licensed healthcare professionals in developed nations are given a much needed recognition for their services and also the compensations granted are more than satisfactory.

MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE

In situations related to choosing a career path for yourself, there is no clearly ”right” or “wrong” path to be chosen as each one of these paths come with their own set of limitations and advantages. What matters is that how you prioritize the different aspects of growth and development which could help you in the long run. So here’s a quick piece of advice about making the right decision.

Just think about what you want to do and then put a little more stress on “WHY” you want to do it and you shall find the weightage of your opinions lying right there. So, in terms of considering the gateway of opportunities one can open by being a registered nurse in Philippines, it is important to make the right choices ahead of you as it’s with these choices of yours that your identity as a nurse will shape up. In the field of nursing, the more you grow the critical are the cases you have to deal with. So, make a strong mind an uninterrupted focus and continue to work towards finding the ideal opportunities for yourself. Whether it is your native land or it is an array of opportunities in a foreign land, analyze all the prospects it has to offer and make the right choice.

All You Need To Know About Being a RN in India

One of the important factors which dominate the decision of choosing a career path is the availability of flexible career opportunities. With this regard, the vast field of healthcare has ample of opportunities for those who think they are ready to put society’s needs before themselves. The moment you choose to be a part of the healthcare profession, multiple responsibilities tag along with you. Ensuring optimal care of human life does not come easy for sure, but it does have its own thrill and excitement for those who really want it. Not to forget, the profession of nursing does tag along a baggage of societal responsibility that you must ensure optimal patient care irrespective of the circumstances around. More than anything what matters is if you have your facts straight and if there’s a surety about your choice, then there’s nothing that can block your path.
A medical career is considered to be the most rewarding one and it also has its own share of stress, commitment and hard work but knowing your future goals will always help you to focus later. Along with the rewards, nursing as a profession also has a factor of nobility added to it which highlights the need of care, concern and empathy from nurses towards patients. One must confide differences and work in harmony with all the departments treating the patients in consideration.

Many healthcare workers choose nursing to be their choice of career because of the multi-fold opportunities which come their way. Being a nurse entitles you to advocate the health conditions of your patients and collaborate with all the working departments to bring out the best possible treatments and services for your patients. Job of nurses does not end when the patients recover and improve their health because assessment, rehabilitation and post treatment diagnosis also constitute to be the important elements of job responsibilities of a nurse. One must keep a track record of all the visits a patient has made to the hospital after getting the treatment done. Following the same, it’s justified to say that a nurse work like a doctor’s right hand.

Nursing careers have a high scope of introducing you to global opportunities as healthcare services are such which are highly required in each of the nations. Countries like Africa, Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, Argentina, Canada and New Zealand are always in a dire need of nursing services because of the increasing population being unwell, old and dependent on medical facilities. Being a nurse can open a gateway of multiple opportunities if you become a registered nurse in your country.

WHO IS RN?

A nurse is said to be a registered nurse (RN) if he/she has completed a nursing diploma or is a graduate in nursing and has passed the NCLEX-RN exam conducted by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). To be a registered nurse, it is important to meet all the eligibility criteria’s and licensing requirements by the respective state’s board of nursing. Many a times, a licensed practical nurse and a registered nurse might sound like they are the same but there are quite a few differences which separate the two. Being a RN calls for primary medication, treatments and educational advice to patients and the public whereas a licensed nurse is more actively involved in the basic nursing care to the patient and their family. RNs are self-regulated health professionals and are accountable to follow the values in the code of ethics of nursing. A complete study of an approved nursing program and successful completion of the RN exam can only make you earn this designation. A registered nurse does not only limit the operations and services towards patient care but also takes up multiple responsibilities including administration, patient & family counseling, research, teaching, policy making, to mention a few.

EDUCATION OPTIONS TO BE RN IN INDIA

Health literacy is slowly improving and with that, it is very important to understand the value of right education programs for nurses. The patients are gaining awareness which makes it all the more important to provide unquestionable healthcare services and in order to be able to treat your patients rightly, it is important to realize the true value of education in the field of nursing. Before proceeding towards the different options of courses, you might want to look at the link below which highlights the importance of education in the field of nursing.

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSax9It4Mcs

There are plenty of education options available if you want to be a registered nurse in India, however, the below mentioned are the widely considered ones.

Complete bachelors of Science in nursing (BSN) and be a registered nurse. Doing so, can make you eligible to take up a responsible job with supervisory roles and higher salaries. This educational program typically takes 4 years of time where you attend practical sessions and also go through classroom learning sessions to know the details of practicing nursing. You can also choose to study short term certificate and graduate diploma courses in nursing which have a duration of 2-3 years. The most popular ones include Auxiliary Nurse and Midwife (ANM) and General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM).

Just like every country has a governing body to advocate and observe the nursing educational programs, similarly the nursing programs in India are all in accordance with the Indian Nursing Council, State Nursing Council and Nursing Examination Board.

“Why do we need to register?”, “What happens if we don’t register as a nurse?” are a few of the widely heard concerns among nursing students. Well, being a registered nurse in India is highly important because without doing the needful, a nursing student won’t be certified as a nurse to work in a professional capacity with hospitals and healthcare institutes.

CAREER OPTIONS FOR REGISTERED NURSES

Being a RN in India marks the beginning of your career as a nurse. Over the past few years, this profession has gone through rigorous stages of development in terms of payrolls and working conditions. The statistical data states that until May’17, India was short of 1.94 million nurses which unarguably is an alarming figure. It is stated by the World Health Organization that “the country ranks at a dismal 112 in ranking of health systems globally”.

Once you start working as a nurse, it’s important to put in action the theoretical knowledge gained during your program. Every profession, medical or non-medical stands firm on the learning power vested in practical experiences. The more cases you work on, the better you learn. Also, time and again one can be reminded that no profession comes with a guide book. Each one of us will have our own set of experiences, and based upon that would be the achievements and learnings.
Being a nurse comes with a guarantee that one cannot remain unemployed unless it’s by choice. The ever increasing global need for healthcare services has always made sure that there are ample of opportunities around nurses. One can easily get jobs in private and public sector in India. Along with this, Indian Nursing Council, various state nursing councils and education institutes make up to be one of the employers in this field. Apart from delivering services as a nurse in hospital, you can also grab an opportunity in nursing schools, medical colleges and teaching centers, depending upon your experience.

INTERNATIONAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR INDIAN REGISTERED NURSES

Once you have explored all the possible domestic opportunities, you can also make up your mind to be an international nurse. International exposure in the field of nursing can make you familiar with the healthcare techniques used worldwide and also hint at how things are different on the global front. Countries like Canada, New Zealand, Australia and the United States of America are highly well-paying and nurses can also enjoy their freedom to exercise authority when it comes to patient care. Talking specifically about Indian nurses moving abroad, it doesn’t really come as a surprise since the country has emerged to be the largest nurse provider to multiple foreign countries, over quite a few years now.

However, it is important to fulfil the required immigration criteria which usually varies from country to country. Say, if you plan to explore nursing opportunities in Canada then there are a few prerequisites which you must fulfil before being a part of the country. Internationally educated nurses can find a pathway in Canada as there is a high demand for healthcare services in the country. To know further details about the same, you might want to have a look at the video mentioned below which explains in detail about the procedure of moving to Canada.

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQ21WfvBaSQ

Similarly, if you move to New Zealand, the process can be a little less time consuming. So with every country, there are different set of rules which one must confirm to. It is important to register with the council of the respective country where you want to work. Some councils also demand a written examination clearance after which you can be a registered nurse in that country.
Opportunities for international nurses can never fall short because of the simple fact that every second nation is banking upon healthcare services these days as the population of old and unwell people is increasing with which has a positive effect on the demand for nurses abroad.

PAY SCALE AND ALLOWANCES

Depending upon the different levels of education and licensure, hospitals and healthcare settings follow a set pattern of hierarchy to define the role of nurses. Along with the job commitments, pay scales for each of the nurses may also vary. In India, a nurse’s first job can place them in a pay scale of INR 7000 – INR 17,000, depending upon the specialty, qualification and working hours. Moving on, a mid-level experienced nurse can earn between INR 18,000 – INR 37,000 and a highly experienced nurse with more than 10 years spent in the profession can earn upto INR 72,000 per month.
The fact remains unchanged that nurses in other developed countries are highly well-paid for their efforts and services, compared to that in India. Taking a dig at it from a comparative point of view, one can observe that nurses in Canada are earning substantially well and one of the prime reasons is that they earn on hourly basis unlike in India.
However, the work stress, multitasking degrees and problems with time management are almost the same wherever you go because it’s something not associated with the countries but with the profession itself and that’s what makes it exclusive, thrilling and challenging.

MAKE A CHOICE

After discussing broadly about the scope and future of being registered nurse in India, it’s important to consider all the influencing factors and make the right call for your future career prospects. Healthcare being a detailed ecosystem in itself can never assure complete provision of information for anyone of us, however, knowing the maximum about it can always help. From graduate certificates to doctorate, you can choose to attain multiple educational laurels but don’t forget to keep your field experience intact.

You can work in multiple disciples of nursing and observe what each one has to add to your platter of knowledge. By doing so, you can increase your credibility and add extra feathers to the cap of specialties. Being in the field of healthcare you might at times face recognition issues followed with emotional shifts but if the end goal is crystal, you might just want to cross any hurdles blocking your path. It is also critical to realize the importance of formulating ideal patient-centric plans of care and invest the amount of effort and research required to do so. Responsibilities vested in a nurse are endless which is why it is notable to study each and every prospect of the field of healthcare before deciding to move ahead. Now is the time to analyze the information in hand, and make the right choice.

Life of Nurses in Canada & Middle East: A Comparative View

You don’t choose nursing, but nursing chooses you. Yes, it’s important to identify the calling towards values of optimal health and once you relate to them, know that you’re prepared to be a nurse. Working as a nurse can be demanding and exhausting but quite fulfilling if you’re sure about it. Initially, you might feel a strong need to be immune to certain changes coming your way, but the more you dive deep into nursing, the better you realize it all comes with experience. However, just like every career path has multiple growth prospects to it, nursing too has varying chances of growth depending upon different demographic settings. When we talk about different demographic settings, we cannot just limit it to the diversification in terms of ‘rural and ‘urban’ area nurses because in reality, there’s much more to it. Career options for nurses vary from region to region, city to city, and in fact, from country to country. Say, if you’re working in the Middle East region for now, you can any day find better opportunities in countries like Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

Following the ever increasing trends of relocating to developed nations, a lot of middle-east nurses are immigrating to Canada. If you too are thinking on the same lines, then mentioned below are a few factors which might influence your decision to move to Canada as a nurse:

Competitive payroll & allowances

Nursing is a booming career option in the field of healthcare nowadays but just like any other field of expertise, it is dominated by end number of factors which influence the varying range of payrolls. The salary grid varies according to the hospital you’re working with, the area of expertise you choose and in which province, city and country you’re located. In Canada, a registered nurse receives minimum hourly wages of about CAD 22 and this can also reach its upper limit of CAD 40 depending upon the position and role being taken care of. This sums up to be a minimum annual salary of CAD 60,000 (approx.). Middle Eastern nurses on the other hand, receive an annual salary of CAD 48,000 (approx.), marking a downward shift on the graph of payrolls.

Work life balance

One thing which can always get to you as a nurse is the frequent need to maintain a healthy space between your work and personal life. You can get so occupied with the patient healthcare that there might be no time left to take care of yourself. Out of the many strong factors which contribute towards establishing this balance, the most important one is the impact your work place is causing upon you. Also, the changing landscape and the expectations of your employers can sometimes get in your way. Being a nurse in Canada has its own reasons for leading the league. Be it any region, the basics will always remain the same. Nurses will have to take care of sick people, they will have to work in shifts and the periodic stress of ensuring tasks on time will always prevail. However, with regards to responsibility, respect and autonomy, Canada is the most in demand hub for nurses as striking a balance there is relatively easy. Nurses in Canada are given an authoritative job where they can make decisions about treating their patient right. The professional environment for nurses here is relatively different as they can freely make the best calls for the improvement of their patients which further brings job satisfaction and also induces a decision making power. It is very important to feel positive and at par with your co-workers at your work place plays because it plays an essential role in establishing a healthy life balance.

Gender Equality

Very few countries maintain a gender ratio in the field of nursing as maximum areas have only female nurses. Well, considering Canada here, you’ll be surprised to see that men are equally efficient in nursing. The gender gap exists because of general stereotyping associated with the profession of nursing being female-dominated but in reality this is a mental block which is slowly fading away in developed nations. According to Canadian Nurses Association (CNA), the digits for male nurses in nursing schools and hospitals have increased manifold over a decade.  The same revolution however has not yet been seen in the Middle Eastern region as male nurses in this region have for long been viewed as any less masculine than their counterparts. When practicing nursing in Middle Eastern countries, it is highly important to know that your patients can demand to be treated by someone of the same sex and religion. So, being a female if you’re treating a male patient and he demands a change of staff, you must prepare yourself to not be offended by the same.

Stable Economy

Choice of settling in a specific country is dominated by the prevailing economic conditions in that place and presently Canada has the 11th largest economy in the world. This makes it the most preferred country for nurses. The citizens are also safeguarded from the social safety point of view and the economic institutions of the country are relatively stronger than the Middle East region and other regions.

On a comparative note, the sources state that Middle East by far has an unstable economy in the world. This instability further results in multiple conflicts, tensions, inter-state and inter country disputes which make the region a doubtful place to be chosen for a safe and secure career. Poor governance, corruption and demographic pressures too can be a big hindrance in the path of seeking stability.

Not long ago, Filipino President, Rodrigo Duterte appealed all the countrymen working in Kuwait to “return back home”. His speech was carried out in the name of patriotism but it still cited an example of demographic pressure coming in way for the immigrants. Issues like this one can occur frequently in the Middle East region, thereby reducing the chances of having a long lasting and secure career span.

Nurses, making up your mind can be hard as you’re surrounded with an explosion of options but always pay an extra inch of attention to the work environment and the quality of life which you’ve imagined for yourself. An appropriate study of the qualitative and quantitative aspects of both the options in consideration can help you in making a decision. Prioritize first and then choose from the best available options of settling abroad as a nurse. Professional commitments will always vary in different countries but it is very important to maintain harmony with the changes coming your way and how you want to deal with them. However, there always a few unchanging basics which every new nurse must know as they are always intact. Keep learning, keep growing and don’t forget to choose from the best international nursing programs which can benefit you in the long run.