The
thought of pursuing a nursing course in Canada can be alluring. Fancy scrubs and technologically
advanced hospitals is how most of us envision the future of studying a nursing course
in Canada. However, there’s much more to it. To help you make the
right choice, here we have some facts you must know before studying a nursing course
in Canada.
1. Plethora
of specializations
In
the ever-evolving field of nursing, you can find a huge variety of specializations.
Different nursing disciplines cater to different patient care needs, which
makes the culture of ‘specialized education’ more likeable. Name a
specialization and you get suitable nursing courses in Canada to enhance your
skills in that niche. In a way, this is looked upon as an opportunity for Internationally
Educated Nurses (IENs) to learn new techniques and explore responsibilities
that are now a part of nursing.
Some
common specializations that are highly preferred by nursing students in Canada
are as follows:
1.
Cardiovascular
Nursing
2.
Community
Health Nursing
3.
Critical Care
Nursing
4.
Critical Care
Pediatric Nursing
5.
Emergency
Nursing
6.
Enterostomal
Therapy Nursing
7.
Gastroenterology
Nursing
8.
Gerontological
Nursing
9.
Hospice
Palliative Care Nursing
10. Medical-Surgical Nursing
11. Nephrology Nursing
12. Neuroscience Nursing
13. Occupational Health Nursing
14. Oncology Nursing
15. Orthopaedic Nursing
16. Peri Anesthesia Nursing
17. Perinatal Nursing
18. Perioperative Nursing
19. Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing
20. Rehabilitation Nursing
To upskill themselves from all
aspects, most of the students choose postgraduate certificate programs over
master programs. One important reason for making this choice is that
certificate programs are of a relatively shorter duration and yet cover most of
the modules included in a masters program.
Masters
in nursing can be tough when in a foreign land. Students have to juggle with
part time work, which is key to survival. At the same time, completing their clinical
hours is also important and that leads to unwanted pressure. Hence, when
thinking of studying a nursing specialization in Canada, think of postgraduate
certificate programs. They are affordable, time saving and bring along the
benefit of studying nursing disciplines of your choice.
2. Canada needs more nursing leaders
Gone are those days when the profession of nursing
was restricted to patient care. In countries like Canada, nursing is an ever-evolving
profession that identifies the importance of highly specialized team members.
Considering the same, there is a huge demand of nursing leaders in Canada. The
changing trends of patient care in the country are relying heavily on nursing leaders
who can head departments with varying requirements.
To explore the correlation between leadership and
nursing, you can study nursing programs inToronto
and build on your leadership skills with reference to nursing.
While
deciding to study nursing programs in Toronto, consider studying Nursing
Leadership & Management because one of its module helps you prepare
for the NCLEX-RN examination, which gets you closer to being a part of the Canadian
healthcare system.
Studying
nursing courses in Canada makes you realize that nurses are doing much
more than just basic duties. From being caregivers to patient educators, nurses
truly earn the title of being a leader.
3.
Nursing is one of the most trusted professions in Canada
Originating from nobility, the profession of
nursing is now one of the most valued professions in Canada. According to a
survey reported by Global
News, “more than nine in ten Canadians admire
nurses because of the factor of dealing in trust.” The fact that nurses are
regarded as honest, transparent and ethical strengthens the idea of pursuing nursing courses in Canada. Undoubtedly, it takes a strong
will to be a nursing student and enter a profession that continues to advocate.
Nurses advocate for their patients, workplaces, communities, and themselves.
Without nurses, some patients would not be able to advocate for themselves. It
is through advocacy that nurses continue to gain the trust and respect of their
patients and families.
4. Alarming shortage of nurses
As warned by Canadian Nurses Association,
Canada needs more than 60,000 nurses by 2022. One strategy for overcoming shortage of nurses
is to increase Canada’s nursing population through immigration. The country is
relying on Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs), to fill the gap,
which means now is the right time to study nursing
courses in Canada.
5. “Think out of the hospital”
Not all nurses work in hospitals. Young nursing
graduates nowadays are experimenting with their work place. With the popularity
of specialty-based nursing courses in Canada,
career opportunities have seen an upward shift. Those studying nursing programs in Toronto stand a high chance of finding exciting opportunities,
as the city has a dynamic environment keeping some space for experimentation. In
Canada, imagining a nursing career for yourself includes much more than PA
announcements and fluorescent hospital lighting. A few non-traditional roles
include working as a legal nurse consultant, mental health nurse, nurse
educator, public health nurse, home health nurse, school nurse and research
nurse.
Working in a variety of different
environments helps to develop your skills and when in Canada, you must break
the stereotypes. Getting out of your comfort zone and looking into
non-traditional alternatives can provide better chances of using your education
to build an interesting career for yourself while serving others.
6. Canada is a pool of multi-cultural
students
A majority of international students studying
nursing courses in
Canada hail from countries like China, India,
Poland, Philippines, UK and USA.
Being the first nation to declare multiculturalism
as a policy, Canada provides a harmonious environment, assuring all citizens
are aware of their rights and responsibilities. The country accommodates over
two hundred nationalities with more than 20% of Canadians born in other
countries. Hence, the dominance of international students in the field of
nursing too.
A majority of international students pursue nursing programs in Toronto since the city is home to 100
distinct ethnic groups. Being the largest city of Canada, Toronto accommodates
a population of nearly 6 million people, which makes it one of the highly
preferred location for visitors and immigrants.
7.
Salary & benefits
After
completing your nursing education, there are certain things
you must know about working as a Registered Nurse in Canada. These things include varying
pay scales, professional benefits and the level of job security you can expect
in Canada.
-
Average Salary
Many factors contribute towards deciding the
basic salary of a nurse, depending upon the area of specialization and the
working hours being put in. In most of the cases, the average salary of RN in
Canada is more than CAD 60,000. The high paying scales for RNs make their job
equally respectable as that of a doctor or any other high rank healthcare
professional.
-
Flexible work schedules
Working as an international nurse can also
offer sufficient day offs which are compensated against the each extra hour
that you work.
-
Health insurance is covered
Being a healthcare provider yourself, you get
an access to comprehensive health insurance plans, which cover you and your
family members.
-
Assistance in Child Care
To ensure full attention to the kids of
nurses working at odd hours, many hospitals and institutions provide the
facility of childcare where the kids are taken well care of, as and when
required.
Getting a thorough knowledge of facts listed above
should help you make the most of your study experience in Canada. Along with
the advancement of your nursing education, studying a nursing course in
Canada will also make you culturally aware as you
interact with other people in their own native settings. So, get your facts
checked, pick the right program and set on your journey to become a Global
Nurse.
