Basi

BS"D To tell you all the truth, I am not here to debate the value of Canadian health care vs. American health care, etc. I just want to know about Canadian-educated nurses who have worked in the U.S.

BS"D Thanks very much; it was helpful.

BS"D It's absolutely true that I am biased b/c of personal experience. But I can't help that. Sorry. What I am most curious about is if those of you educated in Canada and working in the States find the healthcare philosophies very different in the two countries and if you had trouble transitioning. Thanks so much everyone for all your help.

BS"D I am a U.S. citizen (dual citizenship with Canada).

BS"D What I would want to do is go straight into an RN to BSN, or upper division BSN program like Johns Hopkins has directly after finishing at Beth Israel. Can that be done? Would it be very difficult or easy or what? Will I be respected less if I get my ADN first, even though I will G_d willing get my BSN directly after?

BS"D "By respected, I think you mean recognized?" No, I actually really meant respected, but I can see how you thought recognized. I meant to ask if people don't respect you b/c you don't have an American degree? What website are you talking about? And don't worry, I'm not the type who doesn't follow through. :-) What specifically was difficult about the trasition?--I really want to know. Thanks so much for all the help; really really thank you. Warmest Regards, Basi

BS"D Do you guys really think I'm going to have trouble getting into nursing school or the nursing major? I'm a very good student, have a high SAT score, and am very driven and passionate about nursing, health science, etc. Unfortunately not many people like me seem to go into nursing. People keep saying to me, "But you're so smart. Why don't you want to become a doctor?" Uuuuuum, they're two different fields. My father is a doctor, and I know what that's like, and I don't want it. Uch, it drives me insane! I get asked that almost daily!

BS"D Please just give your opinion of my plan--whether it is a good one or not--even if you have never heard of Beth Israel. I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks a lot, Basi

BS"D 1) Why don't I want to work in Canada? A. My grandfather was completely messed up by the Canadian healthcare system (he's Canadian). He had cancer and they knew it; they basically gave up on him and told him he had six months to live and refused to give him the surgery he needed. My father (his son-in-law), who's a radiologist, brought him down to the U.S., realized that his life could easily be saved with a treatment which is routine in the States, and promptly saved his life. He has been cancer-free for ten years now. I understand why the Canadian system is the way it is, and that's fine, because each country has their own way of dealing with a shortage of funding for healthcare, but I personally don't want to work in that kind of system for good. I would be okay with doing clinicals in a Canadian hospital or working there while I am in school, but I just don't want to be there for an extended period of time after I'm done with school, although I do think Canada is a very wonderful place. Many of my relatives live there, and everyone is certainly quite nice, although different from the people in the States. 2) Why should a Canadian school bother to educate me if I don't plan to work in Canada? A. G_d-willing I should become a good, dedicated nurse. By just being a Canadian-educated nurse who is good at what she does while working in the States, I would spread a positive (or more positive) reputation for Canadian education in the U.S. B. I am a Canadian citizen and will being paying taxes when I work in Canada while in school, which I will inevitably be doing. C. The American gov't also subsidizes many universities, and many more Canadian students come to American universities than do American ones to Canadian universities. Many of them go back to Canada. This is part of a natural exchange of students that occurs between countries. D. A lot of this is for the school to decide, not for you or I. They know perfectly well that I might want to live in my own country, closer to my parents, etc. E. I will provide necesary diversity on campus. I come from an interesting backround, and I hope I would be able to contribute to better the school through active participation. 3) What questions do I have for a Canadian-educated nurse who works in the States? A. Does your nursing licsence (sp?--sorry it's past my bedtime :-)) transfer or do you have to have more education or take the American exam? B. Is it difficult to transition between the Canadian healthcare philosophy and the American healthcare philosophy? C. Is your degree respected in the US? D. Etc, and I might have a few more questions. Thanks very much and I hope I didn't offend anyone. If so, please accept my deepest apologies. Sincerely, Basi

BS"D Oh I wouldn't want Kaiser health insurance if I were you---they're the best HMO there is and they still don't cut it.

BS"D There happens to be a university (McMaster) which is five minutes away from a certain other institution which I would like to attend at the same time (it is not a university, but a different kind of school).

BS"D It has nothing to do with waiting lists. I just personally don't like the way the healthcare system works in Canada.

BS"D Has anyone heard of Beth Israel Hospital Nursing School (on the lower east side)? I am applying to many BSN programs (as a high school senior with good grades and a strong SAT-- like for sure you wouldn't believe that I want to go into nursing if you heard the score), but am considering applying to the Beth Israel school for personal reasons even though it is only an ADN program. I figured that I could enter an RN to BSN program after at a very respected school like Johns Hopkins or something after. Do you think this is a good plan? Have you heard anything about Beth Israel? Thx a ton.

BS"D I really really need to speak with nurses who were educated in Canada and work in the States. I live in the US and am considering going to nursing school in Canada. However, I would NEVER work in Canada as a nurse, so I have some question for this person (or persons). Please help me out---any help greatly appreciated.

BS"D I was wondering if anyone knew how I could meet nurse(s), especially in the areas of NICU, peds, ob/gyn, etc.--I really really want to. I plan to go into nursing and I figure it can't hurt to explore my options early. I am a high school senior in Los Angeles who has taken chemistry, a two-year AP Biology course, math up through PreCalculus, and will be take Anatomy & Phisiology as well as Statistics in the coming Aug-May. My SAT score is 2060 (620 math, 670 writing, 770 critical reading). Any help is greatly appreciated. Sorry if this message was a bother. Thanks very much, Basi