Canadian Nursing Schools

paulacath · Feb 22, 2005

Nursing programs in Canada can vary. Most programs are 4 years long -- all at a university or two years college, 2 years university.

There are however programs that are 2 years long (U of T is one) where you need to have at least 2 years prior university with certain prequisites to get accepted (hence it is really 4 years of schooling minimum). Most students already have a university degree. In the U of T program you start clinical in your first month of school and really get into clinical in the winter of your first year....three (very intense) days class and two days of clinical per week. and then in second year it increases to three days clinical per week. I'm not sure what other programs are like....

Let me know if you have any specific questions about the u of t program.

good luck :)

sunnyjohn · Feb 22, 2005

So U or T has Clinicals right form the start? wow! sounds like the ADN program at a schol in TX I was attended (not for nursing).

I am a Surgical Technologist in the US (community college). I also have a degree in History and Physiology. I have taken more Chemistry, Biology and Scince classes than I can count.

So how tough is admission at U of T? How expensive? What is the nursing faculty like? What are Canadian hospitals like?

I have been in hospitals in a few countries, but never in Canada. I know the medical system in Canada is different (I won't use the hated "s" word for fear of being flamed). How does that affect nursing student at U of T ?

Thanks in advance for the info.

Agape

fergus51 · Feb 23, 2005

I love you for not using the "s" word:) In my experience, hospital care is really basically the same. I do think Canadian nursing students tend to get more clinical than Americans, but that varies from school to school. I went through UVic's program and we were always complaining about not getting enough clinical time, but once I got out I realized how good we had it. I worked in Toronto and George Brown College's students had the best rep around in my hospital. Often it's the colleges that have great programs which provide a good clinical base.

paulacath · Feb 23, 2005

Different programs definitely stress different aspects of nursing. One of U of T's general themes seems to be "nursing leaders of the future". We are educated to have independent thought and critical thinking is stressed and rewarded. From the start of the program students are exposed to advanced practice roles for nursing. Our clinical instructors (who have taught students from other institutions as well) are always amazed at the level we are at -- even when it is our first placement and we have only had three weeks of "nursing" education.

I definitely recommend a second entry program like U of T for people who have life experience and the necessary education. It is great to be in a program where the students all bring so many interesting experiences to the table...definitely adds to the education.

Good luck with your search :)

fergus51 · Feb 23, 2005

I like the U of T philosophy of encouraging nursing leaders of the future, course you have to walk before you can run. I think critical thinking is stressed in every nursing program nowadays, because you can't function well clinically without it! Most new grads I worked with were ok (from U of T, Humber, GB, etc.). They needed support when they started working, but they were ok as new nurses.

sunnyjohn · Feb 23, 2005

Thank you Fergus and Paula for your information... Canada may be the plan... any more info would be great...

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Feb 23, 2005

The University of Calgary and Brandon turn out really great nurses. The Universities of Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ottawa's nurses are mediocre. Red River College in Winnipeg also has a good track record, offering a condensed program. Cost of living and tuition are higher in Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton and Ottawa than they are in Winnipeg, Brandon or Saskatoon. We all write the same exam in the end though, so pick a place where you're likely to enjoy living.

fergus51 · Feb 24, 2005

I wonder why the U of A doesn't have a good rep? The hospital sure does, but I have also heard very bad things about their nursing program. My niece's friend went there for one practicum and was shocked at how few patients the senior students were expected to care for. It's a shame because with such a great hospital, you'd think the nursing program would have a lot to offer.

Fiona59 · Feb 24, 2005

I worked units when some of the U of A's students were on practicuum. The rep was deserved with that class.

1. Few had any desire to do bedside nursing, they were going to be "care managers.

2. They think all patient interaction belongs to the LPN or NA (depends if you were in Acute or LTC).

3. Dressings changes, staple/suture removal, med administration belongs to LPN's.

4. They had no concept of how to do any personal care.

5. The instructors needed to have their skills up to date. You know its' bad when you (the LPN) has to take the instructor aside and remind her how to remove a JP drain.

The list could go on. But I don't want to appear to be slamming them. When you had them on your unit, you were lucky if one was really interested in being there. (this was especially true of the second degree/accelerated students) They just seemed to be fixated on working anywhere but in a hospital.

But back to the original question -- My thought is wouldn't a US student have higher tuition rates than a Canadian one? Where would they go on the waitlist?

Luka · Mar 23, 2005

I was searching for canadian nursing school info and came here.

Sorry to cut in, but I was wondering which school would be greater, University of Toronto or University of Calgary accelerated program (BNAT)?

If I want to work in Vancouver in the future, does Calgary have better connections with hospitals in Van?

If U of T is trying to make leaders in nursing, do all the students go into graduate study after BScN?

How about Calgary? What kind of nurses are they trying to make?

If I want to have masters degree afterwards, should I consider U of T?

Any information about both universities would help.

Thank you. :)

RNinRubySlippers, BSN, RN · Mar 24, 2005

There are great schools in BC too you know! There is UBC and UVic as well as a wonderful university college (UCFV) that I highly recommend. Alot of the nurses on wards I have worked with prefer the students from UCFV because they have more clinical practice and are not just book smart (thier words, not mine) Check out beaytiful British Columbia as well! Dont be shy, we dont bite! Any other questions, let me know!