Taking a specialty course after graduating with a BSN

[whichone'spink, BSN, RN]

Hello, I am an American BSN student with one more year left before graduation. I am looking to immigrate to Alberta shortly afterwards, and I want to know how can I enroll in a specialty course after I graduate? Is this something that is done through AHS or is it done through a university?

[MissMcCoy]

You could go back to university and get your masters...

[petethecanuck]

Well before you can do anything you'll need to write and pass the CNRE and I believe there are some additional requirements as an IEN. There are a few good posts on these forums about American's coming up to practice in Canada.

As for specialties, the CNA offers many specialty certifications in nursing practice.

http://www.cna-aiic.ca/CNA/nursing/certification/specialties/default_e.aspx

good luck!

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

AHS doesn't offer any specialty courses to non-employees.

[Vanillanut, DNP, RN, APRN]

Typically here's how it works:

You can get into a specialty one of two ways:

1. Get hired onto a specialty unit at a hospital, and they will send you/pay for you to go get your specialty (ie, ER, Peds, ICU, whatever). In return, you will most likely owe them some time working for them, approx a year.

2. Pick a school that offers specialties, and pay for it yourself. Keep in mind though it would be best to do this before you found a job, because jobs might be suspicious of you if you meet them, start working, but are hesitant to commit for that year. So I would suggest if you want a bit more personal freedom/not having to commit to any hospital, get your CRNE and AB license, then enrol in a school ASAP. Then if you don't like your hospital you DO find a job at, you can find another hospital to work at, without owing them anything.

[krissy21]

If you are interested in doing speciality courses on your own, I know a few people who have started then on their own to get the employer to gain interest in paying for the rest of them. Check out online Mount Royal College alberta, or BCIT they have critica care, maternity, neonatal etc. These are all post RN couses but it never hurts to check them out.

[whichone'spink, BSN, RN]

Thank you for the information. I will look at this. And hopefully I can pay for it after paying for the application fees to take the licensing exam and/or the educational review.