Hello,there! I'm currently completing my bachelor of science in anatomy at McGill university(graduating in april with a gpa of 3.5), and I'm considering pursuing nursing as a second degree after I graduate. (love the idea of making changes in a patient's life!) I have to admit that I kinda have very limited knowledge of this profession in terms of job prospect, difficulty of registration and so on... So happy I've found out about this site, and hopefully I will get some answers to my questions:
1. How easy is it to become a fully registered nurse here in Canada upon completion of a bachelor of nursing program? I'm applying for both mcgill and uwo(accelerated). I understand an exam needs to be taken... (As someone who has been struggling with med school application for the past couple of years, I want to be cautious about the degree of difficulty of becoming an RN.. is it competitive/selective compared to getting into med school/becoming a doctor?) What is the usual time-scale?
2. The job prospect: I've leafed through some of the posts here and saw quite a bit of complaints regarding getting a job as a new graduate. I personally don't mind relocating, and anywhere in Canada works fine with me for the upcomingt 5 years or so. I've always heard that there is a huge demand for nurses, but what i've seen here seems to be the reality? What are some of the opportunities for fresh graduates? Do entry-level positions pay well?
Which websites are you looking at where there are an abundance of RN positions, Tobenursey? I've noticed there are more positions available for RPN/LPN's, nurse managers, or at the very least, 1-2 years of nursing experience. There are positions available for new grads providing you're flexible, but there aren't nearly as many as you'd expect. I would caution all prospective nursing students to do their research carefully.
what are some provinces with a larger demand of nurses? how do a fresh BscN get started in the field? and can't RNs do most things that RPNs can do?
Nurses have set rotations. The only ones who take call are OR or Dialysis nurses. Or in some LTCs there are on call RNs for problems.
I'll admit the money is a good draw, but you have to be able to do the job. Despite what some have said about there being plenty of nonbedside, management jobs they require experience (at least in my province).
Can you face the reality of being vomitted on, havin feces run down your leg when a demented patient opens their ostomy bag on you? Do you want to deal with families who will acuse any nurse on the floor of neglecting their elderly relative? How will you handle open insubordination from NAs who point blank refuse to do what you ask because a) they don't like you, b) think they know the resident better than you, c) just don't want to do it?
There are no guarantees of jobs anymore. Nursing runs in cycles. I started out with three casual jobs and fitted together enough hours to pay my student loans back. Four years later, the entire graduating classes were hired. Then reality hit again and nobody had jobs upon graduation.
How do you feel about working shifts? You will work either Christmas or New Years, it's a fact of life. I've worked the last four New Years because of my rotation. If there are no rotation changes, I have a chance of getting both off this year.
To answer your question, there are no Provinces at the moment where nurses are in demand. You have to be flexible and accept the jobs available if you want to work. Small towns and rural areas across the country are often looking for nurses, but most people don't want to move from the city. RNs and RPNs have a very similar scope of practice, but many facilities are choosing to hire RPNs because it's more cost effective for them. If you're an RN, you can't just apply for the RPN/LPN position either. You would need to apply to the College of Nurses and ask permission to write that exam and pay for the RPN license as well. So it isn't that simple.
Hmm, well I was just recently looking through my university career website for nursing jobs and there were plenty. But like you said, we have to accept whatever we can get due to lack of experience. Also, I don't claim my opinions or research any more valid than the nurses present on this thread. I only have second hand research and I haven't really gone out to apply for jobs yet.
I am not an RN but I am in my second degree to become an RN. I think the most important component in deciding if you want to go back to school is having an element of curiosity, particularly in health care. From my perspective, there is more possibilities than meet the eye when it comes to Nursing and different professions you can have from it. Sure hospitals may be the most common, but there are many other possibilities.
I think in general if one is too caught up with the end result, it can stop you from taking the journey. My thoughts are: If you are interested in health care, this is a great avenue to explore and Canada has several Accelerated/2nd entry programs to choose from. You may just want to apply and start writing the Administration at the school some of your specific questions. So far every teacher I have had says Nursing always has and always will go in waves in terms of employment. And, they have all also said- dont expect to be working 9-5 shifts, for the most part...Expect a lot of 12 hour shifts, night shifts, etc..Of course, there are always exceptions.
And from my understanding the CRNE is nothing like getting into Med School. I know a lot of people who have had trouble getting into med school and chose nursing instead, and so I dont think the CRNE should be a concern in your decision making.
lmlgrey
7 Posts
what are some provinces with a larger demand of nurses? how do a fresh BscN get started in the field? and can't RNs do most things that RPNs can do?