New, CRNA, Canada, Help

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Hello I am new. I am 17 years old and my last year will be next year in high school.

I live in Canada. And I decided I want to do nursing. But I can't really find any times of nursing that interest me...

until i stumbled upon CRNA! Which I love... because it sounds easy (i know its not easy) but I can't think of any other kinds of careers in medicine i want to do.

I wanted to do dermatology, orthodontics, even dentistry, or psychiatry, but it's way too long. I even wanted to maybe be a nurse in the trauma nurse. But I don't know what its called. I'll admit another reason why i want to get into it, is the good pay. But I am interested in it. But because I slacked off, I don't have any of the prerequisites in high school, so i will need to take a year off and get everything I need. I want to do CRNA But apparently they dont offer it in canada which makes me shriek!!!!!!

I am not looking forward to studying abroad in america. Or maybe I am. But i dont have the money to go and live somewhere and I wouldn't know where. America is very different from Canada.

I need advice, please. And maybe any other alternatives? I tried asking all over the internet, but i got pretty lame advice... I don't know how many years of schooling i need and the degrees and whatever. Does maybe University of Toronto offer something?

Pleaaase, serious advice!!

My entire family is in the medicine field. My mom and sister are nurses, and my dad is a doctor.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

If Canada follows the same or similar route for CRNA then you will need to be a RN with a few years experience ideally in ITU etc.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

In Canada nurses do not administer anaesthesia in the vast majority of settings (the exception being the administration of anaesthetic drugs in the ICU under the direct supervision of an intensive care physician). There is no formal anaesthesia training for nurses. Education for physicians wishing to become anaesthetists is 5 years AFTER medical school, so 8-9 years, depending on where one attends medical school. There is a great deal of very complex knowledge that is required to provide safe care when using anaesthetic drugs and gases. It is NOT easy, but it is dangerous.

To be a nurse in the trauma room of the emergency department or the ICU requires a 4 year BScN and then usually a couple of years of staged experience. And a degree of maturity.

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In Canada nurses do not administer anaesthesia in the vast majority of settings (the exception being the administration of anaesthetic drugs in the ICU under the direct supervision of an intensive care physician). There is no formal anaesthesia training for nurses. Education for physicians wishing to become anaesthetists is 5 years AFTER medical school, so 8-9 years, depending on where one attends medical school. There is a great deal of very complex knowledge that is required to provide safe care when using anaesthetic drugs and gases. It is NOT easy, but it is dangerous.

To be a nurse in the trauma room of the emergency department or the ICU requires a 4 year BScN and then usually a couple of years of staged experience. And a degree of maturity.

I don't understand. So there are no CRNA's or programs in Canada? At all. I googled, and they exist. But only in the US?

that's very silly. Are there any alternatives? I chose nursing because it's in the medical field but doesn't require ridiculous amounts of schooling like a doctor would need. And the debt I'd have to pay would be high..

Can you provide me other alternatives? How much do nurse get paid anyway? I'm looking for the anual range at least near 90K

is that a lot? I just want to be able to support myself well, and live a good life and love my career at the same time. I could be some type of physician but it requires so much schooling, and I have no idea which interests me besides psychology, making me a physciatrist. But are these people even in demand? And how many schooling do I need? I just want to be able to get a job after I graduate.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Why is it silly? not all countries will use CRNA's and that is their prerogative. If you look at the stickies at the main Canadian forum there is one there that lists current pay-scale for the various provinces. Bearing in mind cost of living does vary from province to province

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

Basic nursing education in Canada is a baccalaureate degree - four years.

Nursing income for full time working nurses ranges from $60,300 to $82,500 (not including shift differentials) AT THE TOP OF THE SCALE. For new nurses the range is $40,500 to $63,600. Shift differentials for working eveings, nights, weekends and statutory holidays will add a couple of thousand to the base pay. Pay scales have 6 steps in the Maritime provinces, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, 9 steps in Ontario, Alberta and BC and 12 steps in Quebec.

It's not easy to have a "good life with my family" when you're working full time as a nurse. Shift work is not easy on relationships or on personal health. Most nurses have no choice but to start out doing shift work because those positions that offer M-F 8-4 are in high demand and will go to nurses with experience.

Psychology and psychiatry are not the same things. Psychiatry is a medical specialty that requires several years of education after medical school. Psychologists do many of the same types of things as psychiatrists, but they are not permitted to prescribe drugs or have patients admitted to hospital and psychiatrists are.

Why aren't you talking to your mother and your sister about this? They are nurses and they should know at least some of the information you need.

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Specializes in med/surg.

I think, just like my son (who is the same age as you) you are living in CLOUD CUCKOO LAND!!!!!! Just like he is. I'm having the same conversation with him as I'm about to write you.....................

There is NO SUCH THING as a job that is EASY, NOTHING will be handed to you on a plate & to earn good money you have to study hard and work your way up! It takes time, effort & commitment, something kids your age seem not to have got the idea of!!!

Sorry if I'm brutal but that's life, get used to it!

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

The OP states she wanted to do dematology, orthodontics, dentistry or psychiatry.....reminds me of when my daughter wanted to be a ballerina farmer astronaut princess.

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@ lightened...

When I was 17 I had no idea what I wanted to do. I ended up doing a music degree before entering the world of health care. I did the long route, I got my ass. degree in medical lab technician, worked for a few year and now I am in nursing.

I encourage you for dreaming big. However I caution you to start smaller and build. College/University is a crazy world that has many possibilities. Many people go to college and change their mind.

So if CRNA is what you want, start smaller and start with a BSN. Take your pre'req classes and apply to a nursing program. Take electives that interest you. My program required 4 classes of non-nursing classes... I took Creative Writing, and my other music classes filled the gap, if you know what I mean.

You can't go wrong taking an English class either. Gwash knowns that its always required at sometime.. silly APA style. :)

Anyways, follow your heart, listen to the more experienced posters above that yes, there might not be an equilivant to CRNA, but you could probably find something similar, you just need to get there first.

So things to do in your last year of highschool:

APPLY to post-secondary, take bio, math, chem and anyother high school pre-req's required for nursing or any other program you apply to.

Don't be discourage if you aren't accepted right away. Nursing is very competitive. Because of my previous degree I was accepted right away, but many of my non-degreed class mates waited upwards of 2-3 years. And thats okay, nothing is free in life, you have to wait. SO use that time to save for school and take all the classes you can towards your degree so your work load in the end is easier.

Thats all I can think of...

Where in Canada are you???

Good luck!

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@ lightened...

When I was 17 I had no idea what I wanted to do. I ended up doing a music degree before entering the world of health care. I did the long route, I got my ass. degree in medical lab technician, worked for a few year and now I am in nursing.

I encourage you for dreaming big. However I caution you to start smaller and build. College/University is a crazy world that has many possibilities. Many people go to college and change their mind.

So if CRNA is what you want, start smaller and start with a BSN. Take your pre'req classes and apply to a nursing program. Take electives that interest you. My program required 4 classes of non-nursing classes... I took Creative Writing, and my other music classes filled the gap, if you know what I mean.

You can't go wrong taking an English class either. Gwash knowns that its always required at sometime.. silly APA style. :)

Anyways, follow your heart, listen to the more experienced posters above that yes, there might not be an equilivant to CRNA, but you could probably find something similar, you just need to get there first.

So things to do in your last year of highschool:

APPLY to post-secondary, take bio, math, chem and anyother high school pre-req's required for nursing or any other program you apply to.

Don't be discourage if you aren't accepted right away. Nursing is very competitive. Because of my previous degree I was accepted right away, but many of my non-degreed class mates waited upwards of 2-3 years. And thats okay, nothing is free in life, you have to wait. SO use that time to save for school and take all the classes you can towards your degree so your work load in the end is easier.

Thats all I can think of...

Where in Canada are you???

Good luck!

Thank you so much. I had a panic attack last night because I couldn't figure out what I wanted.

Both my parents are pressuring me to get into something and be certain so i wont have to pay too much debt. I just feel so useless and pathetic really. I ****** up high school big time. My guidance counselor wasn't competent. And by the time i kind of figure that I would like to do nursing... I don't have the pre reqs. I dont have sciences at all for gr.11. So now I am going to have to stay a year back and get both gr.11 and 12 bio and chem. It really sucks But hey. I feel like im being pressured. I want to do psychology but Im scared because my dad said 'everyone wants to do it. You wont get a job once your out of school, so choose something else" :/ :/

I just feel like I' m not cut out, at all. I'm smart, but i just dont have the motivation to do it because nobody believes in me, and i get shot down about things I want to do. It totally sucks. So now I dont know what i want. I screwed myself over. Im 17 though and people tell me I shouldn't worry. WELL I DO. Because i want to have a good life if that makes sense lol.

Im in Ontario, Toronto.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

I would say if no-one believes in you then believe in yourself. As mentioned set yourself some goals that is aimed towards your final goal and motivate yourself

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

It is really asking a lot of a 17 year old to know they want to do.These days more than ever.There are so many options and everything is so expensive.Pressure from family doesn't help.Take a deep breath and take it one step at a time. Once you have experienced a bit more of life you will have a better idea of what you want to do. I was 38 and I still had to go back and get that darn bio and chem.let us know how you are getting on.Best of luck.

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