Shawnina

Also, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto offers online courses on a variety of topics. Most of them are about 8 weeks long and cost $300. I have taken two of them (Mental Health and Law, Psychopharmacology) and found them both useful.

Mount Royal University (Alberta) offers an Advanced Studies in Mental Health Certificate that is completely distance-based.

I am wondering if any of you have worked as a nurse in a facility for young offenders? I would like to know more about the experience to be gained in this setting.

Any tips on how I can get the most from my final practicum on an acute psych unit? I have had mixed emotions about this placement from the beginning. I find psych/mental health nursing really interesting so I am pretty sure I will enjoy this practicum. On the other hand, with 3 months to graduation I really wanted to master some of the basic psychomotor skills I would get in med/surg. I plan to apply at a pediatric ED where I currently work as an aide. We do get kids there with mental health issues, but it seems that the prevailing attitude is that psych nursing isn't "real" nursing.

I don't have any children yet, but I've heard several nurses say that "nursing is the best profession for parents" given the variety of practice settings and lines available. Given the demand for nurses, I'm sure you would find something that would fit your family situation. I can't think of any other profession that would be such a great fit...except for school bus driver...but nursing pays better and has more rewards (I think!)

I have to admit that I was also offended by the title of the OP, but after reading it I can understand the OP's frustration. I think you would get more helpful replies with a less judgmental title, though. I have a loved one that has battled with a drug addiction for about 15 years. I cut off my relationship with this person three years ago due to similar frustrations. I believe if you had more experience or exposure to people with addictions, you would understand that no one chooses this life for themselves. They have more than likely made several bad choices to get to that position, but no one aspires to be an addict. Addicts deserve to be treated with dignity and compassion just like any other patient, regardless of whether they are using the system. It sounds like you handled the situtaion well, by caring for the patient but also being assertive.

It's suprising how quickly four years fly by. I would definitely consider going directly to the RN route if you decide on nursing. It took me seven years to get my first degree (completely switched majors after year 3). Four years after graduating, I went back to university to get my RN...luckily, since I have a degree it took me less than two years. I wish I had gone directly into nursing after high school, instead of getting my BN at 30. School has been a huge expense, and I could have had a lot of experience under my belt by this time. I've had doubts but never regretted the decision to pursue this. As an RN, your career options are really endless right now...especially for someone young and unattached. You could go anywhere and do anything...seriously.

I'll be starting the last semester of the accelerated program at U of C. It's a 20 month program. The quality of instruction has varied, but it is alright if you are a self-directed learner. All of my classmates are highly intelligent and motivated people. Admission is based on grades alone...and everyone accepted got in with much higher than the required average. The university has started to do intake in Januray as well as September so this may make it easier to get in. Do I feel prepared to work as a grad nurse in 4 months? Not really! The curriculum really spends more time preparing students to be nurse managers than bedside nurses. But I know that on the job, I will quickly pick up the skills I need to be successful. Let me know if you have any specific questions. I'd be happy to help you out. 'Nina

Thanks for the replies so far. I have considered a med/psych unit, I just don't know what my chances would be of ending up there. I don't want to end up on a very "quiet" psych unit. Midget - Aboriginal is a term we use in Canada that includes First Nations, Metis, and Inuit. Aboriginal nursing here usually involves working at a remote nursing station providing primary care or working at a reservation providing community health care.

Any suggestions on the best area to do a final practicum before graduating? Is doing a year or two of med-surg really as critical as everyone thinks or should I start getting experience in a specialty area that interests me? I'm especially interested in psych/mental health, corrections, and Aboriginal nursing. I would like to work for the federal government (Canada) - Health Canada or Corrections Canada upon graduation. Perhaps rural would be a good fit for me? Any advice/experiences are much appreciated.