Facts to Know Before Studying Nursing Courses in Canada
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
4. Critical Care Pediatric Nursing
6. Enterostomal Therapy Nursing
7. Gastroenterology Nursing
8. Gerontological Nursing
9. Hospice Palliative Care Nursing
10. Medical-Surgical Nursing
13. Occupational Health Nursing
16. PeriAnesthesia 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 in Toronto 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
(Removed the first line) 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.
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.
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. (Removed the last bit)
- 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.
