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by FutureNurse23

I live in the United States and I was always thinking about moving to Toronto and seeing how it was. Well I also plan on going back to school for my LPN or RN. So if I was to move to CA it probably would be best to do so before I get my RN and just do my school in the Toronto area. Since, I believe it would be easier being a nurse in the US coming from CA then coming from the US and moving to CA. I would also have to know if it would be manageable to be a nursing student while working as a CNA and being able to provide for housing,ect. If so what is the payrate ect? Thanks all for replying to my thread.

[loriangel14]

Re: Certified Nursing Assistant's in Canada?

Up here they are called Personal Support Workers. You would have to take a community college program. When I stopped being a PSW last year (I graduated as an RPN) I was making $15/h. Some nursing homes pay more but you have to be there a long time.

[janfrn]

Re: Certified Nursing Assistant's in Canada?

CNA pay isn't very good, and Toronto is a very expensive place to live. It's doubtful that you'd get a work permit to work as a CNA, since there really isn't a shortage of them. It actually would be easier for you to come up here as an RN than it would be as a CNA. But only if you have a degree in nursing and not an ADN or diploma, because almost every province has moved to a degree as the standard for entry to practice. Maybe you should give all of this more thought.

[student456]

Re: Certified Nursing Assistant's in Canada?

It is alot easier to enroll in RN school in canada then while your in School just work as a psw on the side. I know several of my classmates, me included, who have worked as PSW's with agencies without even taking the 1 year psw program here in ontario. Agencies didn't seem to care too much as long as you were finished your 1rst or 2nd year of nursing school

The pay isnt that great to support yourself (usually around 12 - 15 $ an hour) but its good for a part time job during School. It would be VERY difficult to support yourself solely on a psw salary in Toronto...a nice 1 bedroom apartment is around 800$ and apartments can be priced ALOT higher depending on where you live in toronto. its an expensive city!

good luck!

[student456]

Re: Certified Nursing Assistant's in Canada?

ok question...

how come our psw program is a YEAR long in ontario (dont know about other provinces) and its full time too - how come the CNA programs in the states are usually 8 weeks long? isnt it the same course material? I wonder why such a big difference in length!

[loriangel14]

Re: Certified Nursing Assistant's in Canada?

I know our programs expanded in recent years. When I took it it was 5 months, going three days a week. Now it is a year. Must be more content than the 8 week in the US.

[janfrn]

Re: Certified Nursing Assistant's in Canada?

Before you consider the preceeding suggestions, you should look into the legalities of working while in Canada on a student visa. And you should also consider that there are lengthy waiting lists for faculty of nursing seats at every university in Canada. It isn't as simple as it appears.

[Fiona59]

Re: Certified Nursing Assistant's in Canada?

And if that's not bad enough, check out the fees per 3 credit course that our publicly funded universities and college charge for nonCanadian students.

[FutureNurse23]

Re: Certified Nursing Assistant's in Canada?

Well, I actually would rather to finish my education in the United States since I'm a US citizen. I dont know if I could live my entire life away from my family in the states. So I would like to finish my schooling here so if I ever decided if Canada just wasn't for me,lol. It was just a thought to see how being a CNA compared to being one in the US. Also most CNA courses in the US is no longer than 6wks. I had 3 weeks of class work and 1 week of clinicals 8am-3pm.There is some CNA programs that are 5months long and expensive as ever and they teach you the same skills. After the 1st 3 wks I had to come back 2 weeks later to take my State Exam. The state exam consist of 75 questions and 5 skills you must do in front of a Registered Nurse who is the examiner. CNA's do everything but administer drugs and give meds also they are under the supervison of LPN's and RN's. They are the eyes and the ears for the Nursing staff. They spend more time with the pt's then anyone else on the floor. And answer more call lights then they have down a hall,lol.
I'm thinking that your PSW is the same as our LPN( License Practical Nurse) or LVN( License Vocational Nurse) in the state of California and Texas. The schooling is 1 year long 12-14 months. The LPN can do mostly everything a RN can do but pass some drugs. And in some states they can't push IV's I believe. And they usually work in Nursing Homes. In the States they have been rumors for years of them trying to phase LPN's and LVN's out. Also in some states they dont hire LPN's in Hospitals. They will never phase LPN's out though Also we have PCT's who are CNA's but can take blood and read ekg's. The the chain of comand goes from top to bottom in nursing is Charge Nurse, RN's,LPN,CNA. I also agree with you poster above. I will obtain my BSN before I head up North, Toronto!

[kimsnothome]

Re: Certified Nursing Assistant's in Canada?

I have to chime in here and clarify that CNA's do not even remotely do everything but administer meds. When you start nursing school, your head will spin with all of the knowledge you are expected to have and all the responsibility that falls on your shoulders. That said, a bad CNA can make your life hell while a good one is worth their weight in gold.

Also, a PSW is definitely more similar to a CNA/PCT (than an LPN) - it's simply that almost all healthcare related jobs in Canada require more education than is required in the US. Or at least it sure seems that way!

Best of luck in your studies!

Originally Posted by FutureNurse23

CNA's do everything but administer drugs and give meds....
I'm thinking that your PSW is the same as our LPN( License Practical Nurse)