Choosing the right career path can be a challenge for many students and adults alike. Perhaps you are not sure of what next steps to take in postsecondary school, but you ultimately desire a stable career with good pay. Maybe you feel that you want to help others and do meaningful work for your community. Or maybe you really love health and wellness, and have an appreciation for the physical sciences.
Should any of those statements resonate with you, nursing school and training could be the right pathway for you. There are many benefits to nursing as a career option in healthcare. First of all, nurses do not have to attend school as long as doctors: a program can be completed in as little as 2 to 4 years, and you can enter the workforce immediately afterwards. Nurses are always in demand around the world. You can practice nursing in Canada, or move to another country and get re-certified if needed relatively easily. Hospitals, clinics, municipalities, school boards, long term care centres, and treatment centres are just a handful of places you can build you career. Nursing also happens to be one of the most rewarding professions, as you will be supporting people who are often in their most vulnerable state. You play an essential role in society, helping to keep the community healthy and functioning.
Let’s closely examine what education for nurses is like in Canada.
Becoming a nurse practitioner or a registered nurse in Canada is a complex process that attracts the best and brightest of students. Find out how to become a nurse practitioner in Canada.
How Do I Become a Nurse in Canada?
There are multiple pathways one can choose from to become a nurse in Canada, which is excellent since there are so many different types of learners. One area all students must start with is a secondary school diploma.
Preparing for a Nursing Career in Secondary School
While it may seem early, your preparation to become a nurse starts in secondary school. To gain entrance into a nursing school, you will need a secondary or high school diploma, with credits in English, Mathematics and Science. Secondary school is also a good place to contemplate your skills as a student, and seriously consider whether or not you want to apply for a nursing program in college or university.
Though many would argue that your teenage years should be reserved for fun and socializing, planning your career at this stage has a lot of advantages. It is much easier to pivot and change courses at a younger age, plus you will start earning and gaining experience in the workforce early. This is excellent if you choose to start a family, want to eventually take on additional certifications and assume a leadership role in your organization, want to have an established career before starting a family.
Studying Nursing in College
College is an excellent pathway to take as a nurse if you find that academics are not your strong suit but you are eager to acquire the practical, hands-on learning needed to enter the healthcare field. College nursing school admissions are typically open to students who have applied or college track credits instead of academic credits from high school. Earning a diploma in nursing will also be a shorter journey of 2 years, compared to 4 years of university. One thing to bear in mind is that the level of qualification you can acquire as a nurse will be different from those that graduate from university, which can impact earning and future career options.
Nursing requires so many different skills, and nurses play a key role in supporting vulnerable individuals - some of whom will be in critical condition - so you can expect the training to be thorough and rigourous. Learn all about what it takes to become a nurse practitioner in Canada.
Nursing Programs in University
University programs are also offered in nursing. There are many advantages to having a university degree in nursing. First of all, you will have a degree, which is recognized as a top standard of learning around the world. You’ll also have the opportunity to attend graduate school, which is excellent if you want to become a nurse practitioner and earn a higher salary. You can also become a nurse educator, which is a great career path if you have always dreamed of teaching in higher education.
To get into a nursing program in university, you will need to have academic stream credits in secondary school. You will also be in postsecondary school 3-4 years to complete your nursing degree program.
What are the Top Skills of a Nurse?
Great nurses have a range of skills that enable them to keep patients safe, work effectively in high-stress scenarios, and collaborate with teams composed of a variety of health professionals. Let’s examine some of the top skills of nurses.
Collaboration and Communication
Nurses typically work and communicate with teams of doctors, surgeons, other nurses, personal support workers, therapists, and technicians. Having strong collaboration and communication skills are foundational to the role, as you must be able to understand complex instructions and make accurate and informed observations about patients. The knowledge that nurses share with other health professionals affects the care a patient receives, so being able to understand the different roles of every professional on a team is important so the most relevant information can be shared.
Nursing can also be an incredibly stressful job, and nurses are often called up on to take swift action in emergency scenarios. You will certainly want to be able to work effectively with others in these contexts!
Empathy
It’s important to have a strong sense of empathy as a nurse, since you may find yourself supporting people in their most vulnerable state. Understanding when someone is in pain, discomfort, or needs care is critical to providing top quality patient care.
Work Ethic
It’s no secret that nurses often have to work long hours doing challenging, physical work. Nurses are often on their feet all day, help to move patient, push and operate tools and machines, and support complex operations and procedures. Having a strong work ethic is important for the job, as you may not have many opportunities to take a break, especially during busy times.
If you are interested in rewarding, steady work that is always in demand, you might want to consider starting a career in nursing. Nurses are in demand not only in Canada but around the world.
Is a Nurse Class Difficult?
Feeling daunted by the work, learning and skills you must acquire to become a nurse? Yes, nurse training will be challenging, but you’ll also reap the rewards of the profession. Helping others and working on teams that are focused on improving the health of the community is one of the most satisfying jobs out there, and you can feel confident knowing that you are in one of the most stable career pathways. Nurses are always in demand, and you will most certainly find work in any area you choose to live in.
Should you happen to find yourself feeling like you need additional help in your studies, help can easily be found.
Nurse practitioners are always in demand in Canada and abroad, with hospitals, clinics, municipalities, and private healthcare companies constantly looking for nursing professionals. Learn more about becoming a registered nurse or a nurse practitioner.
Where Can I Find a Nursing Tutor Near Me?
Getting a tutor can be a perfect solution if you find yourself having a difficult time in your nursing courses. Nursing requires knowledge in the health sciences, mathematics, and strong communication skills, so if you are stronger in some areas and weaker in others, it is completely acceptable to look for some help.
Life can get busy, and especially if you have additional family responsibilities or a part time job, you may find that you want someone to help accelerate your learning or optimize your studying. Tutors in nursing are there to help! A nursing tutor can help you memorize information you need to know as a nurse, such as reactions to medications. You can use a tutor to help you prepare for quizzes, write reports, and study for exams.
To find a tutor, look no further than Superprof Canada. Superprof Canada is a site with hundreds of listings for tutors in nursing and beyond. You can use the site to browse dozens of tutor profiles until you find one that is right for you.
What’s the difference between a nurse practitioner and a doctor in Canada? The similarities may actually surprise you.
What Should I Look for in a Nursing Tutor?
Searching for the right tutor on Superprof can be daunting - how do you know which qualities to look for?
Start by considering which area of your nursing program you need the most help for. For example, if mathematics is your biggest challenge, you may find a math tutor who has received a degree in the subject could be your best bet. If you are looking for help specifically in nursing, you will want to find someone that has graduated from a nursing program, who understands what the coursework is like. You will also want to consider availability, how many sessions you are looking to get, and what your goals are. The best thing to do is to identify a few candidates, and contact them directly with questions about what is important to you.
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