Child Nursing in Canada????

Fiona59 · Feb 2, 2009

Canadian nurses are educated as general nurses. Specialization is only done after graduation.

Pediatric nurses are on the same union scale as all other nurses in the union.

You need to see if your education meets Canadian requirements, pick a province to live in, and then search a health authority (the website outlines the positions vacant and shows the payscale).

I just heard something interesting at work on the weekend. With the economy taking a downturn, nurses that used to work on a casual basis are starting to take permanent positions to secure their hours. It could be interesting times ahead.

Smiler3 · Feb 4, 2009

Hey Liz

I am a Childrens nurse and work in PICU for a year now.....

I am in the process of sending off my CARNA application (we want to head to Alberta), I think the best thing for you to do is find the area you want to live and work in and then find out who there registering body is and contact them....they will tell you how many hours as a registered nurse you will need ect. I know in Alberta it is tricky as Canadians are general nurse trained so that includes mental health, adult and obstetrics. I know I did very little mental health during my training and none of the others!

I have also heard that ater this year they will only be accept nurses who hold a degree!

I am finding the process very fustration and hard work...but my application will go off soon so we will see but I expect if I want to work as a nurse there will be the need to do more training!

As for looking at jobs search for childrens hospital in the area you want to work and they should have job listings, I have spokent to The Stollery (edmonton) and Calgary Childrens hospital and they were both kean to meet me as they said they need nurses over there, but who knows with the current climate!

Anything else feel free to PM me x

loriangel14, RN · Feb 4, 2009

That is true that many of the provinces are requiring a degree for RN licensure.