Nursing conditions in Canada

[vintage_RN, BSN, RN]

I am begining an RPN program in September after many years of trying to get in. This is what I really want to do.

However, Im reading the general discussion and see so many negative attitudes about nursing from the nurses in the US. I see talk about un supportive work environments, not getting breaks or lunches, being treated like crap....and I saw in one thread where the topic was if they would choose nursing again and mostly everyone said no, and that nursing is horrible nowadays.

Now i realize that nursing is going to be a stressful, thankless job wherever you go. And I'm prepared for that. Is nursing in Canada any different in terms of conditions? I was thinking because of the way healthcare works in the Us it seems hospitals and clinics are like big businesses all about money money money and profits. Because of how our healthcare works in Canada - is it any better? Are the working conditions any better?

I just see so many negative attitudes and comments about how horrible nursing in by the US nurses. I really know nothing about healthcare in Canada and how it works....yet.

[Fiona59]

The main difference between Cdn. and US nursing is we are unionized for most part. We are staffed differently.

I get my breaks, they may not be on time, but I usually get them. We work as teams and relieve each other. If we cannot take our break, code, etc. Our employers are obligated to pay us double time for the missed meal.

Unsupportive workplace? Well, how much support do some people expect? I graduated a decade ago and was expected to start working by myself with a full patient load after five orientation shifts. Encouraged to ask for help. Now, we have new grads expecting six months orientation to one unit and keep hearing "nursing school didn't prepare me for this!" I really think the selection process has a lot to do with it. More and more emphasis is being placed on choosing the brightest student, not necessarily the best student.

I have a couple of friends that work in healthcare in the US and we seem to work in paradise in their eyes. We have paid sick time and benefits that don't cost the earth.

[vintage_RN, BSN, RN]

Really great points - thank you!

[loriangel14, RN]

I agree with Fiona.I think not having to deal with a "customer service" mentality in regards to management helps up here. Not everyone is blessed with wonderful supportive coworkers and a terrific charge nurse but I am and it makes all the difference I am sure.I didn't go to school until I was 38 after wanting to do this all my life and it's the best thing I have ever done. Sure we all have "those" days and when it comes down to it I can't see myself doing anything else.I do get my breaks and as an RPN I am treated as much a part of the team as the RNs.Sure gets crazy and stressful but those are the days we crank the tunes a bit(yes we have a set of speakers on one computer and we play CDs all day) and we dig in and crack jokes about how crazy the day is. What else can you do? if you don't laugh you will cry.And thyen the shift is over and you get to go home :)

One thing I find in my worlk place is that we get a lot of students doing their final consolidation on our floor. We get a chance to see them in action and we provide feedback on the ones we would like to see hired and the ones to stay away from. Plus when they do get hired they don't need as much orientation.We have been lucky,the last handful they hired (RNs and RPNs) have been pretty good.

[Fiona59]

Lori, I wish that's ow we hired. My NM seems to hire every lame duck with an existing injury, sob story, loser of a husband that she can find. We then have no-one apart from about four of us in total who can lift and wind up covering loads of "sick days" to cover "my child care fell apart, my husband is cheating on me, my electric got cut off" stories.

Most of the other surgical and medical units hire like yours. If the final placement went well, they get offered a reference for the casual pool to get them in the system.

Now, for some reason I've got "The Final Countdown" stuck in my head

.Europe - The Final Countdown (Official Video) - YouTube

[loriangel14, RN]

Oh to have the end in sight.

[AirforceRN, RN]

Agree with the above...plus...don't let the vents/whines/rants on this board dissuade or discourage you. If you get more than two people together who share an occupation you will get these things. Check out any board for mechanics, lawyers, cab drivers...its all the same stuff.

[loriangel14, RN]

Oh yeah I agree.I have a sister that is a teacher and she puts up witha lot too.

[Sadunlap]

I am a Canadian nurse who relocated to the USA. I actually came to the states licensed first by reciprocity then 8 years after taking my Canadian Boards I had to sit and take the 4 day USA boards as well before obtaining a California license. The monetary focus does put a new light on things but for the most part I have chosen to work in county or community facilities and not the private sector . That perhaps also makes a difference. I would say I worked just as hard in the ICU in Canada as I did in the ICU in the states. I would say however (and I wrote an article on this topic) that there is also a generation difference that perhaps accounts for some of what we are seeing. The Gen X and the Gen Y have different focuses then I certainly came out of nursing school with. The expectations are different. That being said, the team I work with currently is terrific, a multi disciplinary team that supports each other strives for excellent care for the patients, treats patients and families alike wholistically. The pay is excellent the benefits are very competetitive and the job stability is definitely present as well.