Critical Care Course

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I just graduated this June 2014 and passed the CRNE of the same month. I have been applying to jobs but those that interest me are ICU/CCU ones. I want to go back to school but I need a little bit more information on it.

So far I am looking into taking a Critical Care Course here in Toronto for 16 weeks (1 Semester).

Can anyone help guide/point me in the right direction?

Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in MS, Emergency.

There are a lot of critical care courses in Ontario. If I am not mistaken, George Brown has one. You'll have to pay out of pocket but they want at least a year of acute experience. Most hospital will train and pay for your schooling but you need get yourself in there and apply internally for education lines.

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The chances of a new grad external applicant being offered an ICU position in Toronto are slim. The ICU jobs go to internal applicants with acute care experience, as most Toronto hospitals are unionized under ONA and the hospital must comply with the collective agreement. Also taking any speciality courses, without have worked in the area results in a superficial understanding.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

If you're willing to relocate, Halifax NS is taking new grads into the ICU and paying Critical Care in return for a one year stay in whatever ICU you're hired for.

I went to ICU as a new grad in NB and they paid my critical care course. I wasn't obligated to stay any amount of time.

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If you're willing to relocate, Halifax NS is taking new grads into the ICU and paying Critical Care in return for a one year stay in whatever ICU you're hired for.

I went to ICU as a new grad in NB and they paid my critical care course. I wasn't obligated to stay any amount of time.

Is there a nursing shortage out east?

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Not really although some areas may have due to being outside Halifax and smaller communities which are more rural and where people do not always want to live. I live in a reasonable sized town in NS and haven't seen a RN or LPN job advertised at the hospital for several months and even LTC are not advertising much

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Capital Health is advertising like crazy (just look at career beacon!). I wouldnt go so far as to call it a shortage but they are pretty desperate for nurses right now in critical care areas. Capital Health also offers relocation assistance right now.

However, it's only a matter of time before the cuts happen ... It seems to go in cycles in the Maritimes. Hire a whole of bunch of RNs ... Budget cuts ... Cut a bunch of positions ... Short staffed ... And it restarts.

Ugh.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Also don't forget things are going through a rough time at the moment with the local government forcing changes within the various health authorities. Just because capital health are advertising doesn't mean they are employing. Why did the nurses go on strike earlier this year because of shortage of nurses working.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

They are employing as I've accepted two positions so far since coming back to NS.

NB amalgamated their health authorities to 2 (about 4 yrs ago now) & it went quite smoothly without any huge issues so I don't anticipate anything major with NS. Some folks said I was coming at a bad time but so far haven't had an issue & hoping it stays that way!!

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