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by Simonne

Hi all,
I am a first time user of this discussion board. I have a couple of questions that i hope someone can help me with.
Are there any Canadian Universities that have a fast track option for doing BScN in less than 3 years? I've contacted a number of schools but can't seem to find one with 2 years or less. I already have a BSc. in Biology and would now like to do Nursing, but 3 years for another undergraduate degree seems too long. Also, does anyone know of a Canadian school that offers the Nurse Anesthetist program or is that only offered in the US?

[toronto rn]

Hi Simonne
apparently Ryerson university in Toronto has started a BScN program which can be completed in 19 months. The course is held only on Fridays, with three subjects being held at a time. I believe you are still responsible for 2 electives aside from the main course content covered in the nineteen months. You must already be an RN though.

[JMP]

Hi Toronto RN-

I read your post with interest- regarding Ryerson. I just looked at Ryerson's site and see no reference to completing the post RN degree in 19 months, attending only on Fridays. I will however call them since I am very interested in this concept.

I am not sure if I could swing it- I am a full time RN in ICU in Kingston......... the hospital is commited to trying to help us in any way with education issues. I am close to finishing a critical care nursing diploma with a local college. Ottawa U will give us credit for that. I am also in the midst of a Athabasca course. The idea of finshing in less than 2 years and not having to give up my position is certainly inviting.

If you know anymore about this program I would love to hear about it. Thanks JMP

[lalaxton]

simone,
There are no CRNA's in Canada that I know of or any university that trains them. However, if you are interested in going to the states to get the training I know of some Canadian anesthesiologists that would be interested in introducing the model here given the shortage of anes. MD's. A Nurse Anesthetist should be able to practice under the delegation of controlled acts just as I do as an ACNP.
As for the question of a 'fast' BSN, I did my BSN through St.Joseph's College in Maine as an 'external' degree. You do all the work at home at your own pace and do a short (3 week) one-time, clinical on site. I know of some nurses who completed this in 1 year. They will accept just about any post-secondary credit in transfer (they accepted a 12 year old chemistry course I did), which may be good for you since you already have an undergraduate degree. The program was completely accredited, they do have a on-campus BSN program, and I was able to get into a MSN program afterward without a problem. I must warn you, to do it this way you have to be very motivated and very disciplined. It is not always easy but it is not impossible. you may email me for more info.
Good Luck!

[Simonne]

CRNA in canada

Thanks Lalaxton for your reply. I agree that CRNA's should be able to study and practice in Canada the same as NP's. I've done a lot of searching on CRNA's in Canada, and I didn't seem to find much, so I figured the program was not offered here(Canada). Do you know of any CRNA's who practice in Canada or is it exclusive to the US?
Because of the lack of CRNA programs in Canada, I've been looking at doing the NP program. How do you like being a ACNP? Do you practice in the US or Canada? Do you know if it is difficult to study in Canada and practice in the US? Also, do you know of a website that explains the different types of Nurse Practitioners. I've found a couple, but they're not the greatest. There seems to be a big demand in Women's Health and that seems to be another kind of NP. Did you do any Nursing before you jumped into your Masters? Most people say you should have two or three years of experience before hand. I don't mean to be throwing so many questions at you, I'm just writing off the top of my head. Any you could answer would be greatly appreciated.
The BSN program in one year sounds great! Better than 2 or 3 years all of the Canadian Universities are telling me.

Thanks for your time Lalaxton.

Simonne

[disher]

Ryerson 19 month program

Simonne, Ryerson's 19 month program can be viewed at www.ryerson.ca/ce/nursing
I believe the program is offered to post-diploma RNs. I am a post-diploma RN taking CE courses through Ryerson and the people I know in the 19-month program are all RNs, but it is worthwhile contacting Ryerson to see what your options are.

[Simonne]

Thanks disher for the info. I will certainly check out Ryerson's website. Any other info, don't hesitate to throw it my way. Simonne

[ZooMikey RN]

Re: CRNA program - Desperately Seeking a Canadian Life

CRNA is the way to go here in the States. Great pay and decent hours make this a very popular post graduate goal. My question is to all the Canadian Rn's: What is it like up there? Pay? Benefits? Etc.? I would love to become a travel nurse and spend a few yrs in Canada but most travel positions here in the US are for US jobs. Any advice on how I can get my foot in the door at a decent Neuro ICU somewhere in Toronto, Vancouver or Calgary? Thanks for all your help!


ZooMikey RN

[janfrn]

Re: CRNA program

Go to this link for a comparison of wages, benefits and key collective agreement items across Canada: http://www.una.ab.ca/conferences/Neg...Comparison.pdf

Canada does not use the travel nurse model so popular stateside. If you want to work in Canada you have to apply for licensure, which will include an assessment of your nursing education for substantive equivalence, obtain approval to write the Canadian Registered Nurse Exam (which must be written in Canada and is only offered three tiems a year), apply for employment at the facility of your choice and receive authorization from the Canadian government for a work permit and then find a place to live. Canadian health care is delivered via regional health authority model, where the health authority is the employer. The easiest way of determining where to apply is to look at the health region website careers section in conjunction with a map of the area, then picking the likeliest locations.

That being said, as previously posted, Canada also does not utilize the CRNA. So you would have to work in a critical care area such as the neuro ICU you mentioned. If you don't plan to stay in Canada, your best bet is to take a one-year contract of some sort. The process for getting licensed and for finding employment will take about six months at least and a considerable amount of $$. Might as well get started now...

[lalaxton]

Re: CRNA program

Just an update on the status of CRNA's. The Ministry of Health announced several months ago the creation of 'new' roles in Ontario, one of which is a nurse anesthesia role. However I have yet to hear which educational institution will do the training. My guess is that it will be the U of Toronto but not sure. Also not sure what the requirements will be from the College of Nurses of Ontario. So right now the status of CRNA's in Ontario is still in the 'embryonic' stages!