schooling in Ontario but consolidation in Alberta

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Jan 21, 2012

Lots of students do their consolidations at hospitals they're not familiar with. Let me take a wild guess... your mom went to a hospital nursing school. You'd be learning new policies, procedures and minutiae wherever you go so does it really matter if it's in Ontario or Alberta? I don't think so.

The U of A is a huge hospital and although it's lovely to look at, it's not laid out in a very user-friendly way. There are pedways all over the place and you can really get a work-out running to a code. Trying to find one's way around can be really confusing. Even just walking in from the parking area is a workout! Parking is expensive, and unless you live in certain areas of the city, public transit isn't a great option. The on-site food vendors are also expensive; the choices aren't always that appetizing either. The cafeteria isn't open at all after 1430 hours on weekdays (not at all on weekends) and after 2230 there isn't anywhere on site to get food other than the vending machines (erk!). One can always walk across 112th St to Tim's/Wendy's although that eats up a LOT of your break time. But the work is the work. There are lots of units that employ PNs so your coordinator should be able to find a placement for you. And you'd get an orientation. Another factor you could look at is that if you did your consolidation here, you'd have some connections and be a known quantity when it comes to looking for a job. Best wishes in whatever you choose!

wasntbuilt2lose · Jan 21, 2012

Thank you for this information!

I think my mom still thinks nursing is the same from when she graduated 20+ years ago. She did the RN diploma program at the same college I am doing the RPN program. She says I won't have an orientation and I won't know how to document their way of documenting and I won't know anyone...etc. Her opinion on this is just really stressing me out. I've tried to explain to her my view on this and she still does not like it. I am meeting with my practicum co-ordinator next week to discuss my (moms) concerns.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2012

Nursing is nursing wherever you work in Canada....that's why we write a national exam. Yes, policies vary slightly, but not drastically. Your goal is to complete your clinicals and find a job. It doesn't matter where. I was educated in ON, and I work in AB. Same everywhere more or less.

4_Sq · Jan 21, 2012

I work with U of A grads, and they are some of the best nurses I have ever worked with.

An excellent place to work!

Fiona59 · Jan 22, 2012

I had a friend in nursing school who did the reverse. Classes in AB and final placement in ON. Norquest arranged it for her.

The U isn't the only teaching hospital in town. Residents and student nurses are found in every acute care facilty.

This is where it will get tricky. Placement is only available if there is a preceptor willing to take a student. Most of the preceptors I know are close to burning out. They virtually have a fresh student every time they turn around.

You can request a hospital but there is no guarantee you will get placement there. There are usually more request than preceptors in UoA and RAH. More and more students are going to Sturgeon, Leduc, the Miz and Grey Nuns.

Norquest used to try and place you on the side of the city where you lived to reduce the travel times.

U of A grads won't be preceptoring a PN student. Every unit is a different place to work and every preceptor is different. Over the years, I've heard that the U isn't a PN friendly place and everyone I've known that worked there left as soon as they could.

If the OPs husband is military, she'd be better off requesting Sturgeon, RAH or the Fort. (I'm assuming that you'll be in PMQs or living on the North Side) But having said that she could wind up in any of the Capital Care facilities because these days with the amount of students going through, you don't really get much choice.