nurse_ange1

I think the reasons companies/hospitals recruit Canadian nurses out the wazoo are because we have a shortage, Canadian nurses are trained very similarly to US nurses, and most Canadian's are pretty indistinguishable from Americans, so they "fit in" easier than say someone from the Phillipines. I'm American and did all of my schooling in Canada and was offered a FT permanent position. The customs thing is a big headache I know... However I do believe you can write the the CRNE before becoming a resident, however they will not actually give you a liscence until you have an offer of employment. Then once you have those two things you go to canada customs pay about 200 dollars and get a work visa. This will likely only be for one year and will require annually fees until you decide to fully immigrate (which takes several years of living/working here). Try Ontario.... There are lots of jobs and I know specifically at my hospital we need nurses--- there is a shortage of new grads because of the switch from diploma to degree. PM me if you want some more info. Hope this helps. Also... personally I know that American/Canadians are trained slightly different with a different focus. American students don't do a lot of clinicals and most of that isn't until the 3 & 4 year (degree). However, in Ontario (cant vouch for other provinces) we have clinicals from the 1st semester and in the final year we only have 1-2 online classes and do clinicals or "consolidations" full time until graduation in areas that really interest us. Also, the focus of the care is patient care whereas much of the American theory is on management and delegation. Alot of this has to do with how the health care systems are set up. Just my 2 cents.

Rosie, take a lot of deep breaths and concentrate on controlling your anxiety. I took the CRNE in June 05 and passed 1st time. Some suggestions: Use the CRNE book, if you are getting questions wrong then really read the answers and look up the info in your text books if you really aren't getting it. Don't do the questions in order as you may only recognizing the scenario and the correct answer without actually thinking. Mix it up, have friend quiz you randomly. Also, I definetly think the online (which costs $) is worth while. It has new questions and scenarios... use the browser to print the questions so you can review them again at your leasure. Also, using the mosby text book is good as well-- however I would only focus on the sections you know you are weakest at.. otherwise it can be pretty overwhelming. And finally, review some of the best practice guides for communication and diabetes and other General everyday use ones. This review can be very valuable when it comes to the short answer. Don't confuse yourself with NCLEX review books... the focus is much different than what you need. The CRNE is much more about EBP and communication. I wish you the best of luck. You passed your classes... you know this stuff. Learn to control the anxiety and fear and I'm sure you'll be okay. I'll pray too!

Check out the Canadian Nurses Association and the Provincial nursing associations. This will give you more info regarding nurse practioner practice in Canada. The Canadian Nurses Association should be able to give you some salary tables, if not then google for specific unions for the province you are interested in.

Regarding Physical therapy post... just because its ordered for physio does not mean as a NURSE you cannot put your patient back to bed. Why would you let your patient sit for 3 hours if immediately post op and likely deconditioned and barely able to tolerate 1 hour little own three? The PT has to do an assessment when the move the patient, and if there is any doubt about how to transfer the patient then review their assessment as it should clearly indicate assist of 1 or 2... walker... pivot or total lift ie. ceiling lift etc etc. In hospital, I worked on a 40 bed surgical unit where we shared a PT and PT assistant between two units of the same number of beds. They simple don't have time to come back to put the patient to bed after they have mobilized them and then settled into a chair if they aren't too tired after taking a short walk (which assists in keeping those lungs clear). Why not just spend the 2 minutes it takes to put them back to bed after 45-60 minutes of sitting? Just my 2 cents.

Regarding heparin... When ever we draw INR/PTT stat or otherwise we have to check of the type of anticoag (heparin or fragmin) and the dosing (daily, bid or tid) or if the are receing none. The values are different depending on the types and dosages of the anticoag given.

I think we have to remember that society has changed a great deal. What used to be taboo, is often times commonplace today. Nurses used to be angels in white and hand maidens-- do we really want to go backwards? Food for thought. I got a tattoo with one of my nursing friends. I got two dragonflys and flowers on my left ankle/calf About 3x3 inches. I got it for me and only me, it represents things to me and I am willing to show it to others if they ask or we get onto the tattoo topic. I also have seen some very nice tattoos in all sorts of places on patients. Its living art and symbolic to the person. Unless the tattoo if valgar or has incident acts portrayed in it or the F*** word it in then I don't see it as a problem, and I work with several male/female nurses who have tats all over. Same goes for nose piercing... eyebows I don't really see except on the ports so I guss thats okay too.

I would suggest reviewing the material in Nursing Made Incredibly easy IV book, has a great chapter on CVC. Also, the Plummers Principles of IV THerapy has an extensive chapter on the same. These chapters could give you a great start. Also, what about contacted other major hospitals in your area to request a copy of theirs?

I work on a Surgical floor, and we always have at least 2-5 pts with tpn going... 1) Blood in distal lumen, if they need the blood they are obviously quite sick right now 2) TPN with lipids connected below the filter (I've never seen it connected on its own port) 3) One empty port which allows for IV ABX... Gent first over 30 minutes and then I'd keep a TKVO of NS of 30cc for 10-15 minutes to fully flush line and then I would run the Vanco for an hour and then then the TKVO run for 10-15 minutes before putting it on standby (this all assuming I have a 3 line IV pump which isn't always the case if they've just come onto the floor). Our pharmacy prepares the meds in bags, standard dose of Gent in 100cc and Vanco in 250cc. Our TPN is devilvered everyday at 3pm... if we run out we are to run D5W (recenlty changed from D10) at the rate the tpn was at to prevent hypoglycemic shock. Thats just what I'd do... be interesting to see what your prof says. :typing

A Canadian Perspective (my own humble opinion) I'm a new grad and recently had this discussion with some of my friends... some who have diplomas and some who have a BSN. Starting in 2005 in Ontario, and some other provinces the entry to practice was changed to be a BSN. At my hospital the wage is slightly different, give or take about 1.25 for the BSN (i.e. 22 and change for diploma vs. 23.80 for BSN). Also, as a benefit of having my BSN I get an extra 39and change each paycheck. All of our badges say RN and the unit we work on... It isn't about preparation, it is about the quality care you provide. I know some great nurses with a diploma and I know some nurses with there BSN who are just clueless. Just my 2 cents...

In ontario, the union is ONA and we just settled the 2004 contract in september.... Starting wage is 23.80 and top scale is 38 and change with 8yrs of experience. The shift differentials are 1.30 for evening, 1.45 for nights, and 1.7 for weekends. Hope that helps.

Some members of the group feel disinfranchised by the health care in this country which varies from province to province--- one could even say from city to city or hospital to hospital as as all provinces are lead by different political parties which have different agenda's it isn't any wonder that healthcare varies from one region to another. I think that those of us in Canada can attest that things could be better, staffing ratios are herrendous, and there is a lack of respect and trust for the very hard, back breaking work we do. But I ask you, how in gods creation did a topic about coming to Canada from the US become a political referendum about who has better health care? The topic is about coming to canada from the US. I imagine that individual posts were based on their LIVED EXPERIENCE with the whole headache involved. As nurses I believe we are all familiar with lived experiences.... one persons experience with some illness can be drastically different than someone else. The same goes for dealing with the experience of coming to canada to work as a nurse. In case anyone hasn't figured it out... I was the person's post who was edited, and I recieved the duely earned warning. I went a bit over board with the critique and critism and failed to keep in mind politeness and constructiveness instead. I also forgot to take a deep breath before pressing send that final time. So, if there was anyone else I accidently offended then you have my appologies. I also want to reiterate that I fully appreciate nurse's work; I'm fully aware of how hard it is and how little rewarding it can be at times. It doesn't matter to me if a person I'm working with has 1, 2 or 4 years of education. All I care about is that we can all take care of the patients together and that we can respond to emergencies as they arise. Good an bad nurses are found with all sorts of alphabet soup after there name... one only hopes that they work with more good one's than bad one's. Enough said.... The provincial nursing organizations and the college of nurses is the best source for information regarding working in canada as a nurse. Us, we just have our own lived experiences of the ordeal. Some good, some bad.

To Fiona59 As described I gave factual information... Associates RN's are being phased out. Maybe Alberta is the last to phase them out. As I live and work in Ontario, I know those rules and regulations best. An RN is an RN, I don't really give one thought as to whether or not the RNs i'm working with are AD or BScN... I only care that they know how to do their job, take care of their patients, and know how to assist in an emergency. As a followup... you obviosly didn't read my post very well.... I said LPN's/RPNs are often not found in many acute care floors. If this fact offends you in some way, I'm sorry. It wasn't meant to offend you or anyone else... I was only offering factual information to those wanting to come to canada from the us from someone you has already done so... I don't recall where you said you were either in your post. I didn't write anyone off... Ontario is a different world with its own rules and regulations when it comes to Nursing. Oh... btw I was a health care aide for 3.5 years so don't even assume that I don't know what its like to be at the bottom of the totem pole. I also worked with many LPN/RPN that were good nurses and those that were just plain scary. I also worked with many NA's that had the potential to be very good nurses (regardless of the letters behind thier names). I firmly believe that a CNA or a PSW has no business giving medications.. i don't care how many inservices they have. If you want to give meds then become a nurse, either a RN or LPN/RPN. In acute hospitals in Ontario you will very likely not find either giving medications. In assisted living homes, half-way houses, LTC and other simular insituitions it is often practiced as a cost saving measurement.... one i don't support in the least. Somehow it just doesn't seem ethical or safe for a nurse to regardless of their education to be giving meds to 50 plus people.

Hi Everyone, I'm a US citizen who did all of my schooling in Ontario, I graduated with a BScN in nursing (i.e.degree) and I took the CRNE (i.e. rn exam here) and then had to apply for a work permit ONCE I had a job offer. Luckily for me I lived in a border city so I could do everything in person vs. snailmail.... Below is some factual information that I hope helps. 1) There is no longer RN associate degrees available in Canada in any province... as of Jan 2005 anyone wanting to be an RN has to have a bachelors in nurses...In canada, the liscesning is done by a National organization. There are some associate programs that have just finished, and they will be allowed to write, but there is no more intake into these programs. However, if you have many years of experience you MAY be able to write the exam, you would have to talk to the CNO (College of Nurses of Ontario). RPN (simular to LPN) is a 2 year associates degree, and medication administration is now part of the course. However, you will find that more and more hospitals prefer to have BScN nurses and have no need for LPNS/RPNs except in areas such as phych and Long term. CNA's are not equivilent to PSW's... PSW go to school for one year to be able to assist thenurse in personal care... there is no vitals or medication involved. If you have a certificate for CNA, you will find it isn't equivilent to any type of worker here. Sorry. 2) You have to have permission to write the exam if you are not a Permanent/Citizen or not on a student visa. Once you write the exam (3 months for everyone for results) you can then search for jobs... once you have a job offer you can then and only then apply for a work visa under NAFTA to move to Canada to work. There is yearly immigration garbage you have to do. Then once you have the job offer, & the workpermit you can then apply for you LIcsence. There is a temporary one for 6 months if all of your ducks aren't in order and/or your results aren't back, and then you get a permanent liscense which EXPIRES when your work visa expires. As it expires you can reapply as you get more work visas 3) Once you have all of these things, if you want of fully immigrate to canada, then you apply for permanant status ($1500 and 3-6 months). Hope this information helps. Even though I went to school here and my work visa is for 2 years because of the new graduat programme, it was still a many many headaches. As a US citizen it is easier for us to work here than say someone from Europe/Asia.... but i can assure you there are many many headaches involved no matter what. An things get lost in the vortex known as the CNO....Copy everythng you send, and keep very detailed notes about who and when you speak to people. Also, for those looking to be outside of Toronto... Ottawa is desparate for nurses. check out The Ottawa Hospital on google Best of luck

I'm sorry you are to this point in your life. There is nothing wrong with knowing you don't enjoy bedside care or are not well suited to it. I agree with the other nurses, that something away from the bedside may be better suited for you. I've done some work in nursing research and there are many areas there as well... from all paper/computer too some patient contact/interviewing. With a bsn you have likely had research courses already, so you may be qualified to start with a hospital or other organization in research. I also think you need to talk to someone about your anxietyand consider antianxiety/antidepressants. We aren't doctors, and cannot diagnose but it might be worth thinking about. They won't fix everything, but they may help clear some of the fog so you can focus on learning how to be you again...the you that enjoys your job and isn't filled with such high anxiety. Keep us updates. Best of luck. :icon_hug:

Nice to meet another NA... I had the problem of people thinking my initials meant "not applicable" when I was a teenager working in restaurant... I would initial it as NA on credit card slips and credit card companies complained that it looked like the "credit card number not applicable." So I starting writing my initals with my middle one as well... NLA... when ever I am actually writing "not applicable" I clearly write N/A and not my cursive NLA. Our hospital also has charting by exception, our flow sheets cover 48 hours. As a new grad I always try to make my own assessments before even reviewing said flow sheet, and I document what I see instead of just carrying on the same information as some people tend to do (Anyone else have those that complete all their charting for 12 hrs in the first 3...funny how that happens???). Whenever someone is outside of the normal range, unless ongoing known issue, I chart in the NN. And of course in a more emergant situation I go full narrative. It was a bit weird to get used to because of all of the abreviations, but after a few months it has become second nature. If I truly have a "nothing happened" day with a patient, then I don't write anything in the chart and just complete the CBE checkboxes to reflect this information. Also, our flow sheets have boxes for amt of teaching and the topic of teaching is documented on the care plan (i.e. ileo--- low residue diet booklet given and reviewed, pt comprehension acceptable).