NP in British Columbia?

[Canadian Girl]

Hi,

I'm wondering if there are any Canadian NP's out there who can answer a few questions for me......

I'd love some information regarding practicing as an NP in British Columbia. I'm an experienced (13 years) ER nurse, with a 3 year diploma. I'm currently working on my BScN completion through BCIT. I'm working on the PICU specialty stream within that program. I'm debating going to UVIC afterwards to do the MSN NP program.

However, it's a big commitment both financially and time wise. I'm 38, have two kids under 3 and figure that I still have a good 25 years left to practice as a nurse.

I suppose I really want to know if NPs are paid what they are worth. I want to do it for the love of it, of course, but I also want a job where I can afford to only work a few days a week so I can home school my kids. Do you think it would be worth it to go back to school full time for 3 and a half years (incl. finishing BSN), or would my future NP wage be similar to an ER nurse wage in BC?

Also, what do you think the demand for NP's will be in a city like Victoria or Vancouver Island in general? I'm currently working in San Francisco where there are more NP's than one can count. However, I'm from Victoria and will be moving back shortly. I could see myself practicing in a somewhat rural community, or small town, as a FNP.

My last question is: do you know if there are any small communities in BC that are desperate for a FNP and would pay for my schooling in exchange for a commitment to their town?

Thanks,

Suzanne

[canadiangradschoolrn]

The NP program at the University of Toronto is offered entirely online. Its an acute care NP Masters program. Also, you can take the online primary care one offered by most universities in Canada (McMaster, Ryerson, U of T, Windsor, Western, York). If you teach, even if it is 8hours a week at any university or college in ontario, the government pays your tuition. You can teach as a clinical instructor, right now thats what one of my friends is doing. She works as a clinical instructor part time while completing her Masters NP in Child Health.

Generally, most places pay NPs 40-50 dollars per hour. While RN's make 28-40dollars per hour. The NPs that work on my floor only work 9-5 monday to friday. Absolutely no weekends. They are well respected and take care of clients with diverse needs and stability. I must say, that I personally prefer to work with NP's when caring for long term clients on the floor than physicians. There is more continutity of care, they are more up to date about everything related to the client rather than just medical.

[ahappyspark]

hello, I am an FNP from Texas and family moving to Vancouver BC 2011. I am trying as much as I can to prepare for my move....did you gather any feedback, any helpful hints on who is hiring NP's in Surrey, Richmond or White Rock areas? Do they have private practices over there?

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

See my reply to your other similar post. BC is in the midst of an economic crisis and health care, being a government responsibility here, is always where they tend to cut spending first. We're all hoping that this recession ends soon and things can get back to normal, but please be prepared for a great deal of frustration along the way. I'm not aware of any NPs in private practice in either BC or Alberta, but that' doesn't mean there aren't any. The area of BC where you plan to move is a very popular choice for people relocating to BC. Richmond is within the boundaries of Vancouver Coastal Health Authority; you can read the RHA's 4 year service plan here" http://www.vch.ca/media/health_service_plan2009_10.pdf

Surrey and White Rock are in the Fraser Health Authority. there have been some upper echelon layoffs there in recent months. As you've no doubt noticed, there are very few job postings in any category that aren't casual positions. But you may have the chance to get in on the ground floor of the planned primary care networks that many regions are introducing. http://www.fraserhealth.ca/about_us/strategic_direction/

You should be prepared for an uphill climb.

[Fiona59]

All the NPs I've met have worked within established family practice clinics and carried their own patient load BUT there are doctors on site at all times. Either that or they are in the hospital/continuing care setting.

All our family practices are funded by the government so "private practices" as you know them don't really exist here.