Yank interested in working in Canada

[OUxPhys, BSN, RN]

Hello. I am starting a 2nd degree BSN program come Jan 2014. Ive always liked Canada and I haven't ruled out working there. What is it like being a nurse in Canada? How are the benefits and pay? Is there a huge demand up there?

[Fiona59]

Like in your country it depends on where you live.

We are mainly unionized and some unions are more assertive and others.

Pay depends on where you live.

Read some of the threads on here. There can be hiring freezes, priority given to local new grads, etc. No different from your country.

It's easier to get a job with experience when you are educated outside of Canada. So I'd recommend working before migrating.

[Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN]

From what I've seen here, Canadian nursing is much more hands on than American. Less techs, less CNAs.

My unit is total pt care - I do almost everything for my pt - am care, toileting, meds, assessments, etc. We have 1 PSW (similar to a CNA) for the entire unit. She does basic care only - usually 1 pt for each nurse.

Of course, we don't have to worry about all the billing stuff that I believe American nurses have to do, and we don't have to worry about satisfaction scores.

Hospitals are not run for profit. But there are limits to the budget that can effect staffing, etc.