I am a Canadian Nurse:

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Aug 27, 2011

I work in a publicly-funded health care system where the cost of care is shared by all taxpayers. No one is turned away for lack of a fat wallet, but they may have to wait for non-urgent care due to a shortfall in providers of that care.

My unit is one where we employ state-of-the art equipment, cutting-edge treatments and provide care for the sickest of the sick. Our patients often travel long distances because complex care is concentrated where specialized equipment and skills may be maintained by continual use.

Because of my union, I am well-paid, with generous shift differentials. I have a pension plan and an RRSP; extended health care benefits, vision and dental care - not only for me but for my whole family- that is cost-shared with my employer; paid vacation and sick time; an identified grievance process if I feel I've been treated poorly; defined hours of work with a minimum number of hours off between shifts and a minimum number of days off at a time and a number of other benefits and protections.

I pay a lot of money for my permit to practice, but it comes with malpractice insurance attached.

I'm proud of the health care system in Canada; it's not perfect, but then nothing is. The people who ARE the health care system in Canada are its greatest asset.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Aug 27, 2011

Health care is a RIGHT for all, not a privilege. You don't worry about going bankrupt to pay for services.

Health care is still a business, but it isn't solely focused on bottom line profits in an extreme sense.

Unions: Nurses are paid fairly and paid well across the country. We are entitled to decent working conditions. I don't stress that I might be arbitrarily sued or fired during or after a shift. Shifts cannot be cancelled for full or part time employees due to low census. Low census? What's that?

Doctors and nurses have more of a collaborative relationship. Some of them think they're God in their own minds, but nurses generally don't cater to Doctors here. We work together, not FOR the Dr.

For these reasons and many others, I am proud to be a Canadian nurse.

loriangel14, RN · Aug 27, 2011

I am a Registered Practical Nurse. I am responsible for my own practice. I make my own decisions within my scope. I do not work "under" RNs but along side them as a part of the team. No RN is responsible for my nursing decisons.

I am not less of a professional just because I do not have a degree.

Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN · Aug 28, 2011

I am a Canadian Nurse.

I don't have to charge my patients for everything I do/provide for them. If I need 3 catheters to get into the bladder, I don't have to worry about the cost to the patient.

If I stay overtime to finish my work, I'll get over time pay - either in money or in lieu time -my choice.

The doctors I work with trust my input and will listen to my concerns - sometimes ever ordering tests that they don't think are necessary based on my input.

And loriangel - I work with RPNs that I trust more that some RNs. In fact given a choice, there are more RPNs I would want to take care of me or my loved one that RNs on my unit.

I really think this thread deserves to be under General Nsg Discussions- we might just shock the pants off some off our American Counterparts

I am also a Canadian - most of my health care is paid for - if I get hit by a bus tomorrow I don't have to worry that the health care costs will cause me to lose my home.

Daisy_08, BSN, RN · Aug 29, 2011

I'm sure I'll think of more but here are a few

-Whether your Justin Beiber or homeless I will give you the same and best care possible.

-When a pt has unreal expectations of me being a handmaiden to them, I can address the issue if it becomes a problem without worrying I might get written up for causing a pt to go to another hospital (they only leave in my dreams anyway)

-Where I work nurses and doctors work collaboratively. Dr Smith soon becomes Jon when not in a pt room. As a new nurse the doctors take time to teach me.

-To call your self an RN you must graduate with a 4-year university degree and RPN/LPN have a 2-year diploma (these are the standards currently and can only speak 100% for Ontario). Canadian nurses are some of the best educated and trained, and are highly sought after by other countries.

-I work in an MD pt care team of social workers, spiritual health practitioners, RT's, OT's, PT's. pharmacists, doctors, nurses (RN's & RPN's; from the hospital and community). I also include food service workers, housekeeping, maintenance and security that all make my job better and contribute to a pt's quality of life. Oh, and the life saving ward clerk.

-I am generously compensated

-Nurses week is better then Christmas

I am proud to be a Canadian (nurse) where at least I know (health care) is free!!!!

:cheers:

OgopogoLPN, LPN, RN · Aug 29, 2011

I'm sure I'll think of more but here are a few
-Whether your Justin Beiber or homeless I will give you the same and best care possible.
-When a pt has unreal expectations of me being a handmaiden to them, I can address the issue if it becomes a problem without worrying I might get written up for causing a pt to go to another hospital (they only leave in my dreams anyway)
-Where I work nurses and doctors work collaboratively. Dr Smith soon becomes Jon when not in a pt room. As a new nurse the doctors take time to teach me.
-To call your self an RN you must graduate with a 4-year university degree and RPN/LPN have a 2-year diploma (these are the standards currently and can only speak 100% for Ontario). Canadian nurses are some of the best educated and trained, and are highly sought after by other countries.
-I work in an MD pt care team of social workers, spiritual health practitioners, RT's, OT's, PT's. pharmacists, doctors, nurses (RN's & RPN's; from the hospital and community). I also include food service workers, housekeeping, maintenance and security that all make my job better and contribute to a pt's quality of life. Oh, and the life saving ward clerk.
-I am generously compensated
-Nurses week is better then Christmas
I am proud to be a Canadian (nurse) where at least I know (health care) is free!!!!
:cheers:

Great post! However, we really need to dispell the myth that healthcare is free! We all pay dearly through many type of tax for our great healthcare system! Mainly income tax, but many other taxes as well. Other programs may not receive all the money they should as so much is directed towards healthcare. In BC, people pay anywhere from $114/month for a family to $54 for a single person (or $0 if very low income) as a healthcare premium ON TOP of any and all taxes we pay to keep healthcare going.

No, we don't have to physically pay money when at the doctor, lab or hospital, but healthcare is probably the farthest thing from free that I know! And I'm sure we all see so much abuse, misuse and waste of our great universal system. Doctors overbilling, wasting supplies, perfectly good food going in the garbage, patients going to the ER for hangnails, etc. Becasue of the myth that it is free. This stuff just ends up costing everyone MORE in taxes to pay for healthcare!

OK, I'll step off my soapbox now.

:nurse:

itsmejuli · Aug 30, 2011

I went to school in the US and worked in LTC in the US. The difference is night and day, I am proud to be an LPN in Alberta :)

I work in medical rehab, all of my patients are treated exactly the same regardless of social status, income, religion, culture etc. In my unit you can't tell the homeless person from the CEO of a company, they are treated equally. Our team members are culturally diverse, our security guard speaks 4 languages. He's a terrific team player who often helps in translating.

Under a collaborative model, we all work as a team. We have weekly "rounds" in which the team including nurse, PT, OT, social worker and pharmacist discuss the progression of healing and discharge planning for each patient on the unit.

Discharge planning starts on admission to the unit. Each patient has d/c goals created upon admission. The social worker attempts to find the right placement and resources for the homeless.

I don't have to worry about running out of supplies, we have everything and run out of nothing. This is so unlike the LTC where I worked in FL where are wound supplies were very minimum and basic and we were often running out of diapers.

As a nurse...I am in a union, well paid and guaranteed my breaks.

I love nursing here in Alberta :)

Daisy_08, BSN, RN · Aug 30, 2011

Great post! However, we really need to dispell the myth that healthcare is free! We all pay dearly through many type of tax for our great healthcare system! Mainly income tax, but many other taxes as well. Other programs may not receive all the money they should as so much is directed towards healthcare. In BC, people pay anywhere from $114/month for a family to $54 for a single person (or $0 if very low income) as a healthcare premium ON TOP of any and all taxes we pay to keep healthcare going.
No, we don't have to physically pay money when at the doctor, lab or hospital, but healthcare is probably the farthest thing from free that I know! And I'm sure we all see so much abuse, misuse and waste of our great universal system. Doctors overbilling, wasting supplies, perfectly good food going in the garbage, patients going to the ER for hangnails, etc. Becasue of the myth that it is free. This stuff just ends up costing everyone MORE in taxes to pay for healthcare!
OK, I'll step off my soapbox now.

Ok, well maybe instead of free insert equal or a right. Health care does have a bill, but it is not the responsibility of those who are ill (to rhymey eh?). As a large community we all cover the costs.

As someone who has been ill I honestly doubt I would be alive today if I lived elsewhere. I needed life saving, but very costly treatments. I worked pt in retail and my parents are far from wealthy. I would not have been able to afford even 10% of what I'm sure my medical bills would have been. I know if I was treated I would not have been able to stay in hospital as long as I did, I would not have gotten the community support I got and would not be able to get the follow ups I still get. I cannot imagine dealing with a life threatening, or really any illness while wondering how you are going to afford the medical bills. I know how financially difficult it was, I was off work for so long and had family members off for months in order to have someone look after me. As well I would not be a nurse, as I would be drowning in medical bills (another reason I love Canada-school is affordable!) I am proud to work, live and be a citizen of a country that does not abandon its poor and sick. In fact the poorest get the most support.

Our system has its flaws (some things are slower then molasses on a hot summers day) and I do grumble every time I see my pay stub with all these taxes, half the acronyms I have no idea what they are. Some say it's not fair but I think it is right.

So, I am proud to be a Canadian nurse, where at least I know its right

And also, a BIG thank you to my fellow Canadians who helped foot my medicals bills:redbeathe. Now, if everyone can put in a little over time as I have an MRI coming up. :lol2:

Daisy_08, BSN, RN · Aug 30, 2011

one other proud to be a canadian nurse point

-i think we are not quite as litigious. yes law suites happen but they are either someone made a serious error and the pt/family should be compensated or are complete bs and are treated as such

itsmejuli · Aug 30, 2011

I forgot to add something very important in my post...how on earth could I forget this?

In FL I worked part-time and had no health insurance benefits. I mean no health insurance at all.

Here in Alberta I have health insurance and my extended benefits only cost me $20 a month :)

What I pay in taxes to support the healthcare system here in Alberta is far less than what I would have paid in Florida for health insurance premiums and out of pocket expenses for a private plan.

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Sep 1, 2011

That you for this thread, I have learned my Canadian Neighbors have a systematic evaluation process to ensure safety for your patients. Canada has adopted the model of nursing the US has been talking about since the 1960's the LPN is skilled bedside nurse similar to the diploma nurses that the US had years ago and RN is a Bachelors Prepared nurse who has 12 years of education prior to college.

Nurses are respect in Canada, earn a decent salary and work together via the College. The US can learn some best practices from our Canadian Neighbor.