tk0224

Hey all! CVICU RN here and was just wanting to get a feel of how other CVICUs staff. Currently where I work our post-op hearts are 1:1 for 6 hours (which we changed about a year ago from 4 hours). In order to keep the patient 1:1 they have to be pretty unstable (ie/ lots of pressors, oxygenation/ventilation issues etc). Also, how do your units staff for patients with IABP? Ours aren't always 1:1 but I've heard of many hospitals that keep IABP pts 1:1. Info would be greatly appreciated!

I'm a Canadian citizen and tuition in Canada is significantly cheaper than in the USA. It's more affordable.

Alright folks - question! Currently working in the USA as an RN (originally from Canada) - possibly going back to school in Canada next year for NP (Adult stream). But will most likely stay in USA to work while I am doing the program distance ed. What is the process once I am done the program to work in the USA? I can't find any solid information on how the process actually works. I was told by ANCC that Canadian educated NPs weren't allowed to write their exams, and the AANP's eligibility guide states that you can apply for certification with them if you attend an accredited program in the USA or Canada - but who accredits Canadian programs so that they are accepted in the USA? Any information would be greatly appreciated!

I'm with you on the isolation. Sometimes a section on my unit will have up to 3 isolated patients, but then we start switching them around so that the primary nurse has no more than 2 out of their 4 or 5 patients. Totally annoying though to have to gown and glove, then de-gown and de-glove (and sweat buckets in the meantime). I tend to cluster as much care/treatment/medication/vitals in one visit so that I don't have to visit as often (sad, but who wants to risk spreading it to everyone else!)

I had a nurse recruiter look over my letter - she made changes and I let my HR department know and they changed it and sent me new ones :)

I guess that makes sense for nurses who may be educated in countries where education standards vary completely from USA/North America. But in the USA there are far more ADNs/Diplomas than BSNs - Canada has BSN now as entry to practice. So obviously my university degree means something, and the fact that I passed the NCLEX as well. States like MN and Michigan realize this when it comes to licensure - but yet we still have to follow the same process, seems a bit redundant. For Canada, yes - since entry to practice is BSN there is a need for assessment now. No educational institution in Canada would not live up to American standards, we have an extremely, well-respected education system in this country :)

What I'll never understand is CGFNS's process for the Visascreen. I am Canadian, have a BScN and passed the NCLEX. Why does my education need to be evaluated now? The NCLEX is the test of minimum competency, so clearly my degree prepared me, lol.

I've seen 80mg of Oxycontin q6h, with Percocet QID PRN.

Also crashcart, just wondering if your opinions are based on personal experience or by others' opinions? People I work with bash our hospital ALL the time, but I actually enjoy where I work :)!

Well from what I understood there was an expansion in their critical care program - this would make sense for hiring more staff :). I guess I will be the judge myself when I start Being unionized is also a bonus no? There should be recourse for unhappy staff at a unionized facility.

Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, ON offers a 3 year BScN. I, myself, took the 4 year program but had many friends take the 3 year one. Any questions feel free to ask :) T

I'm glad Canada changed their entry to practice requirement to BScN in 2005. Nobody is able to argue over this anymore. We still have diploma RNs who have been grandfathered into the system and encouraged to go back, but it really cuts down on a lot of this "who is better than who" crap. We now simply have ONE avenue to take to become an RN, and ONE avenue to take to be an LPN (with the exception of Quebec). Also, I think in today's world - students entering the nursing profession should be degree prepared - it most definitely adds to the professionalism of the profession itself, I don't care what anyone says. With the patient acuity nowadays, RNs play a much larger role in the care of individuals than ever before, and the role continues to evolve. With this comes the need for more education! I totally understand many people who don't have the time nor money to invest in a BScN - but if you take a look at Canada, many programs are popping up now that take 2-3 years (same timeframe as an ADN in the USA) for a baccalaureate degree. I would not be surprised to see many more of these types of programs popping up over the country in the near future either. If nursing wants to truly move forward, and really gain the credit/respect it deserves - streamlining practice at the degree level is a perfect way to start that process. Many older nurses in Canada might disagree, but it's working well here I think, and there is a lot less disrespect for our fellow nurses as well :) Just my 2 cents. I am proud to be a BScN, RN :)

Hey vball, I called them this morning - what a bunch of grumpy employees they are eh? Not very helpful at all. I mistyped my credit card info so it locked me out of paying online, and they told me now I have to snail mail my payment in because they cannot unlock it (how dumb is that, lol). I plan to send in all my forms this week, including the one from my school with transcripts. Hopefully it won't take overly long. As for my employment letter - since I am going in on TN Visa it has to specify the length of the employment (typically 36 months), and it needs to include a tentative start date, and mine also has indications of my qualifications (ie/ my "successful completion of a degree program") etc etc. HR depts should be knowledgeable about how to write them :) Are you seeking employment in WA as well?

Yeah I've heard about the lovely CGFNS experiences of many, lol. Only thing is in order to get the expedited VisaScreen you have to call their call centre... def looking forward to that, haha.

Thanks for the info. I have completed well over 7 hours of AIDs training in my BScN program - so I don't see why I should have to take an online course? (I still have my course syllabuses and powerpoint presentations saved to my computer...). Also - I have already actually been hired by St Joes in Tacoma (they hired me on basis of passing my NCLEX actually). I just am unable to start until all of the lovely paperwork is done, haha. I have a lot of stuff to get together this week... hopefully the process isn't that long :) I think I will make a few phone calls tomorrow to CGFNS and WA Health Board to get some solid answers... I'm very eager to start :) T

Thanks! Yes from what I understand I'll be starting in the PCU - I have only been working on a surgical and telemetry inpatient unit, so I have no issues starting slow before moving into ICU, haha. I am sure there is much to learn even in the PCU so I am looking forward to it. Also, I am coming in on a TN Visa - the VisaScreen is usually a quick process for Canadians (from what I have heard from some friends anyway). However, they are able to do an expedited process if you have an offer of employment which I am fortunate to have! How was your experience with getting a license from WA? I just passed NCLEX thru MN and have been issued a license in that state - but will not be able to get a SSN until my VISA is approved. Does WA make any type of exception or provide people with temp licenses while they wait for a SSN? I am planning on applying thru endorsement... In any case thanks for the info - I can't wait to move and start the new job! So excited! I love WA! T

Honestly, I have no idea - I have some family there and after visiting I thought I would just throw applications all over the place and see if I heard something back. I was lucky to get a phone call from them and have been working ever since to get my VISA and NCLEX etc etc. I am not overly familiar with the job market in WA, but my manager did say that they have this residency open to new grads as well... so you have nothing to lose by applying :). I noticed the job description says BSN preferred as well, and being from Canada we are required to have a BScN to be an RN... so that might work in your favour :) Oh, and cardiac experience is always good to have, since I am pretty sure 99% of critical care patients are on telemetry monitoring :). Good luck!!! Would be interested to know how it works out for you!!!

I know, but I read on their website that they can do an expedited screen if you have one. I want to start ASAP :)

Oh, I have started - I have sent out all the forms for my original licensing body in Canada to send to them, my school forms/transcripts are being completed and I will be mailing my photo sometime next week. Unfortunately I was unable to provide them with any sort of NCLEX passing proof d/t the fact that I just wrote it this week. I am going to try to call them sometime next week as I did read they will process it within 5 business days with an offer of employment (after they receive all my documents though - which shouldn't take more than a few weeks to gather up and be received by them). I will harass them until they do their proper job, lol.

Hey everyone, Canadian RN here - just wrote and passed my NCLEX this week and will be receiving MN license shortly in the mail. Was offered a job in WA on basis of passing my NCLEX so now that I have passed I am starting the "big" process of CGFNS etc etc. My question is (if I read correctly on CGFNS) that with an offer of employment letter, CGFNS is able to process the VisaScreen in 5 business days - has anyone had experience with this? Also, would anybody know if WA will process a license by endorsement without a SSN? I clearly cannot obtain one until my TN Status has been approved. Any advice to speed this process up would be greatly appreciated, I have these lovely offer of employment letters sitting on my desk and I am so eager to relocate and start my dream job, but there are sooooo many tedious processes that are standing in the way, haha. Thanks! T

Hello everyone! Canadian RN here (graduated in May 2010). Have been working full time as an RN in surgical, and more recently in cardiology/telemetry and in long term care casually! I have family in WA and decided to pursue jobs in the Seattle/Tacoma area and was offered a position at St Joseph's in the critical care residency program! I am so excited to start, I just passed my NCLEX and am in the process of getting all my paperwork in order to move. Just wondering if anyone knows much about St Joe's and how the critical care residency program is? I am expecting a very big, but rewarding challenge. Can't wait to be in WA... just love the NW :) T

Hey, I guess I am a late poster on here! I graduated from my BScN last May 2010 (Canadian RN here), and have been working surgical and cardiology/telemetry ever since. Just wrote my NCLEX this week and passed! I have a job offer lined up @ St Joes doing the critical care residency program - anybody have any experience with that? I am really looking forward to this job opportunity. I won't be starting until the New Year though d/t getting all my immigration paperwork and what not in order.

Wooooo PVT was right! I passed!

Hey everyone! Newer grad from Canada here, just went thru our licensing exam this past June and was successful (woo!). I just wrote my NCLEX now on Wednesday morning (turned off @ 75qs, ahh!), and initially was receiving "Results on hold" pop-up for the entire day, and most of the morning the next day. At about 1300hrs I woke up (from working nights, lol) and I checked and it changed to the good pop-up! I am just ecstatic but will have to wait until I see my name on the BRN site (I wrote in MN - they are apparently quick). If not, I will pay the measley $8 to get Quick Results tomorrow. I hope the trick holds out for me :)

OMG... just tried PVT again.... now saying "Our records indicate you recently scheduled this exam" blah blah. OMG... I am ecstatic... please official results be good.