I'm 23 years old (turning 24 in October, yikes) and I'm moving back home to Canada in November (along with my boyfriend and our 2 cats) after being overseas for almost 7 years. I lived in Los Angeles for 5 years and I've been in England for 2 years. I'm SO excited to be going home to Toronto.
Anyway, I've had unstable jobs at best. I've done sales, cafe work & I've even been a receptionist. All nightmare jobs. I've been seeking something true to my heart to pursue as a career and nursing has been a consideration for some years now. I'm ashamed to admit this, but while I lived in California I was going to start a nursing program and talked myself out of it due to my ridiculous phobia of needles (injections, IVs & blood tests). I want to get over my phobia and go ahead with nursing..Or at least I think I do.
I'm sure there must be others out there that had fears of needles and went into nursing despite that? Any inspiring stories would be great to read.
Ok, so, I've been reading a thread on this site called "would you recommend a career in nursing" and it's been very discouraging. I was feeling a bit down after reading it before it dawned on me that those posts are pretty much primarily from American nurses. Perhaps the Canadian nursing experience isn't QUITE as bad, given the difference in the healthcare system?
Pay isn't important to me, I'm not trying to get rich. I want to make enough money to live a semi-comfortable life if possible (pay bills and buy nice things now and then, maybe buy a house someday). I've read online that average pay for an RN varies between $43 - 65,000 which is more than ok for me. What matters to me is being true to my Self, touching people with love and kindness, addressing people as equals and not as problems.
Is it possible to do all of that or do nurses not have any time to treat their patients properly?
Another thing, I didn't finish high school. This was due to my family life and wasn't really my choice to make. I know that Ryerson, for example, requires prerequisites in Gr. 12 English, Bio, Chem and Gr. 11 Math. Can anyone advise where I can take these courses, either in person or (preferabley) through distance learning? Keep in mind I'll be in Toronto. Ryerson DOES offer them but they cost between $3-816 for each course through their academic briding program.
As I'm a mature student, what are my chances of getting accepted into a nursing program in Toronto if I get decent grades in my prerequisite courses?
Is there a high demand for Psychiatric Nurses in Toronto? This might be the avenue that I choose to take. I've studied psychology briefly in college while in California and always had an affinity for it. My dad is a great psychiatrist, and mom studied psych. quite a lot in University so you could say it's in my blood. If I do pursue Psych Nursing when and how do I specialise?
And my main question is:
Would you, lovely Canadian nurses, recommend nursing as a career?
I really look forward to reading any replies. Thanks in advance.
