Any male Personal Support Workers out there?

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Hello,

I'm 33 and have dual citizenship with the US and Canada, but I have lived in the states for most of my life. I'm considering the possibility of moving to Cornwall, Ontario and taking a 1 year program that will be secure and marketable. I've looked into becoming a Personal Support Worker. My questions are does the profession at least pay enough to live on? Is there a stigmatization attached to men who go into the profession? Is there any opportunity for advancement without continued education? Where are best paying places to work if you're a PSW? I've looked into becoming a nurse, but I don't believe I have the right temperament or academic abilities to pursue that.

Any advice or input would be much appreciated!

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Ok I am not a guy but I have worked with a few male PSWs so maybe I can answer some of your questions.

pay - I see mostly $20-25 advertised. I work ina hospital north of Toronto and the PSWs I work with make about $26. I don't know if hospitals in the Cornwall area utilize PSWs.

treatment - I haven't seen any stigmatizing due to being a Male PSW. A couple I have worked with were big burly guys with muscles.No one ever questioned them being PSWs.

advancement - no not really. The next step would be a Practical Nurse and you would have to go back to school for that.If you get some experience as a PSW you will be better able to decide if you want to move on up the ladder.

The best places to work as far as pay are concerned are hospitals although some county run nursing homes pay fairly well too.I know a male PSW that worked in group homes with mentally challenged adults and he really enjoyed that.

Best of luck.

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If you don't have the temperament to be a nurse , PSW/nurses aide isn't going to be a good fit.

A good aide has been described as the eyes and ears of a nurse. You would be working one on one with upto ten patients (if you do LTC). You spend more time with them than nursing.

Patience of a saint and hide of a rhino is required.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Yes Fiona has a point. The temperment for a PSW is the same as that needed for nursing.

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Thanks everyone for the input! I'll spend some time evaluating things before I make a decision.

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