Nursing

[dorothyyip]

Hi All, 

I'm a 17 year old international student studying the IB diploma. I want to pursue nursing in Canada however, I didn't take Chemistry for my IB course, and I've seen that it's a major prerequisite in almost all Canadian university programs. Would it be possible for me to pursue BA psychology, then transfer into a nursing program? 

Also, feel free to just give any other advice. Would be greatly appreciated. 

Thanks,

Dorothy

[hypnotizer90, BSN, RN]

I think that the best way is to email the school you're interested in. There are international advisors who would love to help. Would you rather start in nursing rather than spending money to a different program then shift?

[dorothyyip]

6 hours ago, hypnotizer90 said:

I think that the best way is to email the school you're interested in. There are international advisors who would love to help. Would you rather start in nursing rather than spending money to a different program then shift?

Hi Hypnotizer,

I actually want to get into psychiatric nursing, so that's why doing a BA in psychology seems like a good way to go into it. 

[hypnotizer90, BSN, RN]

That is a good start if you want foundation.

1. A new graduate Canadian RNs can actually work in Mental Health Nursing since they have Generalist Education. If hired, some hospitals may ask for you to complete a Certification on Psychiatric Nursing of some sort.

2. But it can be different in few provinces I.e British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Yukon Territory who have their specific title for Registered Psychiatric Nurse  (RPN) and more focused education. 

Take in mind though that if you want to endorse your RPN to RN to other provinces I.e. in Ontario, Canada then you may face a problem- https://www.cno.org/en/learn-about-standards-guidelines/educational-tools/ask-practice/psychiatric-nurse/

Some info with RPN vs RN vs LPN

1. https://www.monster.ca/career-advice/article/RN-versus-lpn-versus-rpn-canada

2. https://www.nnas.ca/nursing-requirements-in-canada/

Good Luck!

[dorothyyip]

13 hours ago, hypnotizer90 said:

That is a good start if you want foundation.

1. A new graduate Canadian RNs can actually work in Mental Health Nursing since they have Generalist Education. If hired, some hospitals may ask for you to complete a Certification on Psychiatric Nursing of some sort.

2. But it can be different in few provinces I.e British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Yukon Territory who have their specific title for Registered Psychiatric Nurse  (RPN) and more focused education. 

Take in mind though that if you want to endorse your RPN to RN to other provinces I.e. in Ontario, Canada then you may face a problem- https://www.cno.org/en/learn-about-standards-guidelines/educational-tools/ask-practice/psychiatric-nurse/

Some info with RPN vs RN vs LPN

1. https://www.monster.ca/career-advice/article/RN-versus-lpn-versus-rpn-canada

2. https://www.nnas.ca/nursing-requirements-in-canada/

Good Luck!

Thanks a bunch!! 

[Electric Barbarella]

That's great information from Hypnotizer90. Dorothyyip, you just have to bite the bullet and register for that Chemistry class. Secure a tutor at the school, and make friends with a few classmates to have study sessions together when preparing for tests. Study partners can help each other prepare for tests by, for example, dividing the work of preparing outlines of different sections of material to prepare for tests--something you likely already know about. (It just took me a bit to see the true value in that until I was deep into the nursing program where I studied.) I would not waste time and money getting a BA if you already know you want to be a nurse. Whether you want to be a psych nurse or any other type of nurse, either way, you'll have to take Chemistry to get into a nursing program, whether you start the nursing major from the start or transfer in as a BA psych student. The nursing school would require that you complete courses that are part of the requirements for the nursing program--plain and simple. Chemistry is one of the requirements. So, prepare yourself by getting a tutor, study-buddies, and go to your Chemistry professor frequently outside of class for help. When professors see you are making dedicated efforts, that can sometimes help regarding options like extra credit and the like. Chemistry will be one short-term obstacle that you CAN get through to get to your longer-term goal of being a psych nurse. Just try it. Go for it!