Healthcare is an area that attracts many of the best and brightest Canadian students. Canadians are, rightfully so, proud of their healthcare systems, and it continues to demand the work and expertise of highly skilled and well educated professionals to maintain.
Without the knowledge capacity of Canadian healthcare workers, the health and well being of society would be compromised. Nurses play a critical role in the healthcare system, working on the front lines to maintain quality patient care.
Nurse practitioners are advanced practitioners of nursing that elevate the role of nursing in Canada and around the world. They are registered nurses who have completed advanced clinical training and education, typically earning graduate degrees.
Their expertise allows them to diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications, and develop treatment plans—roles traditionally associated with doctors and physicians.
Transitioning from nurse to nurse practitioner is no easy feat. This article is all about the career pathway of a nurse practitioner. We will outline the steps to becoming an NP - so keep reading if you're considering making the shift!
How do I Become a Nurse Practitioner in Canada?
Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a designation that nurses can receive after they have completed additional training and acquired practical experience in the field. Here are the steps to becoming an NP in Canada.
Graduate Secondary School and Apply for a University Nursing Program
To become a registered nurse you must start with a secondary school diploma. With a secondary school diploma, you can apply to a nursing program at a university program in Canada. University programs in nursing will require applicants to have academic stream credits from secondary school - so make sure you are taking the right courses.
Nurse practitioners are constantly in demand across Canada. Learn more about becoming a registered nurse or a nurse practitioner.
Enrol in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program (BSN)
Getting a university degree in nursing is the foundation for becoming a nurse practitioner. If you enjoy the challenge of academic rigour and want the options that come with having a degree, you should explore completing nursing training in university.
Degree programs can take up to 4 years to complete, though some universities have developed accelerated degree programs in response to the shortage of health care workers. Once you graduate, you are eligible to receive certification as a registered nurse.
With a degree, you will also have an opportunity to attend graduate school to become a nurse practitioner.
Obtain Your Registered Nurse (RN) License
Once you have your degree, you can take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) exam. After passing the exam, you can register with your provincial or territorial regulatory body (ex. College of Nurses of Ontario).
Acquire at least 2 Years of Clinical Nursing Experience
With your RN license, ready to gain valuable experience in the field. Most NP programs will require you to have two or more years of full-time nursing experience in a clinical setting.
Leverage your time as a practicing nurse by gaining experience in the area you want to specialize in as a nurse practitioner, such as pediatrics or family health.
Find out the difference between a nurse practitioner and a doctor in Canada so you can make the right academic choices.
Apply to Nurse Practitioner Education Programs (Master of Nursing)
To become an NP, you will need to earn a graduate degree from an accredited institution, such as a Master of Nursing.
A Master's program in nursing will typically involved 2-3 years of intensive study and practicum assignments. During your program, you will work with experienced NPs in hospital and community settings.
Before applying, be sure to explore the NP programs at universities that you would like to study at. Look at course descriptions carefully, attend open house or information sessions, and connect with alumni to hear about their experiences.
What Can a Nurse Practitioner Do?
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses with advanced university training. NPs assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of health issues, consulting and collaborating with other healthcare workers like doctors and specialist.
They are authorized to:
Nurses play a key role in supporting vulnerable individuals, so you can expect the training to be thorough and rigourous. Learn all about what it takes to become a nurse practitioner in Canada.
Which Skills and Attributes are Important in Nursing?
Nursing is not for everyone, and it is important to have the right type of personality and skillset to be able to thrive on the job. There are obvious attributes - such as being comfortable with seeing blood, and being able to understand the human body from a scientific perspective.
You must also be able to apply your knowledge to practical contexts, thinking 'on your feet' in the most hectic of circumstances. Here are just some of the attributes and skills that enable nurses work effectively in high-stress scenarios.
Patience when Providing Care
It is pretty common to for nurses to provide services and support to patients that are experiencing physical challenges and pain, and may not be able to do basic activities independently. Nurses must be patient and caring with the clients they service, understanding that patients may be in a state of crisis or mind that prevents them from being calm or easygoing.
Collaboration and Communication
Nurses communicate with teams of doctors, surgeons, personal support workers, therapists, and other healthcare staff. Having strong collaboration and communication skills are essential, as you must be able to give, understand, and implement complex instructions.
Nursing can also be a stressful job, and nurses must often take swift action in emergency scenarios. You will certainly want to be able to work effectively with others in these contexts!
Empathy in Professional Practice
It’s important to have empathy as a nurse, since you may find yourself supporting people in their most vulnerable state. Understanding when someone is in discomfort or needs care is critical to providing the best services to patients.
If you are interested in rewarding, exciting work that is always in demand, you might want to consider starting a career in nursing.
Work Ethic
Nurses frequently have to work long hours on their feet. Nurses are moving all day, helping to move patients, push and operate machines, and support complicated procedures. Having a strong work ethic is important for the job, especially during busy times.
What are the Benefits of Becoming a Registered Nurse?
While all nurses perform the crucial role of providing primary patient care and supporting the work of larger teams in hospitals and other clinical contexts, there are more pathways to pursue nursing than there is to becoming a medical doctor or a physician.
Unlike doctors, nurses can pursue their certifications through either college or university pathways. This makes it much easier to get into the field, especially if you are certain that you are not interested in investing the time and resources it takes to complete the years of training it takes to be a doctor.
Like doctors, nurses can pursue a broad range of careers in different healthcare contexts. There are lots of programs and specialist pathways nurses can follow if they want to build on their work experience and take on a greater role of responsibility. Nurses can choose to specialize in dozens of areas, including:
- critical care
- paediatric care
- maternity
- emergency
- respiratory
If you consider yourself someone that likes to connect with people, it is worth noting that nurses will typically spend much more time with patients than doctors. And if you do want to have some of the privileges that doctors have, you can build a career as a nurse practitioner.
Nurses have so many options and opportunities for career growth. Find out if nursing is the right pathway for you.
What Are Salary Expectations for Nurse in Canada?
On average, nurses are paid $71,894 in Canada, though this amount will vary from province to province. As a registered nurse and a nurse practitioner you can expect to earn a higher salary that is aligned with your years of experience and expertise.
In addition to the salary that comes with a full time job, nurses have many opportunities to earn more money with overtime and part time work. For example, nurses are sometimes employed part time on movie or film sets, schools, or can take additional hours at their place of employment.
Is it Possible to Work as a Nursing Teacher?
Nursing programs across Canada require the employment of nurse educators that can help future nurses learn the job. As a nurse teacher, you will educate nurses - which takes pedagogical skills in addition to the ones you needed to become a nurse.
Certification from the Canadian Certified Nurse Educator (CCNE) is required to become a nurse educator. To qualify for the exam, you will need to demonstrate that you have knowledge and expertise related to pedagogical philosophies and theories, curriculum, assessment, and evaluation of learning.
Eligibility requirements for the CCNE exam are as follows:
- be a registered nurse with a current license in your province or territory
- You must have successfully completed the Canadian Nurse Educator Certification program
Or
- be a registered nurse with a current license in your province or territory
- Have a graduate degree (such as a master’s or PhD)
- Have a minimum of 3 years experience in an academic nursing setting
- Completion of professional development courses or a specialized degree related to nursing education
Becoming a nurse teacher is an exciting role that will enable you to share the wisdom and experience you have gained through practical work as a nurse and academic training. You will also have an exciting shift in your career that can lead you to career options in higher education.
What is the Difference Between Education for Nurses and Doctors?
As a prospective nurse, you may have also thought about becoming a doctor or a surgeon. Students considering healthcare careers may often find themselves debating which career path to pursue - let’s look at some of the pros and cons of each!
Pros of Becoming a Doctor
There are a lot of reasons to become a doctor. First of all, you will be certified and qualified to diagnose, prescribe treatments, and order tests for patients you serve. You will have one of the most highly accountable roles in the healthcare system, and thousands will depend upon you for your leadership and expertise.
Doctors are highly respected and valued around the world, and you will be carrying on a legacy of healing that started thousands of years ago. Doctors are also among some of the most educated professionals in the workforce. You will complete rigorous training and certification to be able to practice in Canada or whatever country you choose to work in.
Doctors can also choose to specialize in a variety of different areas, such as oncology, cardiology, respiratory, neurology, and so many more areas. You can extend your training to work as a surgeon, practicing in public or private healthcare contexts.
Your earning potential is incredibly high, and since doctors are needed all over the world you will likely have no problem living wherever you want and having a comfortable lifestyle.
The Cons of Becoming a Doctor
While the payoff for becoming a doctor is huge, remember that you will also be engaged in years of training to be able to practice - sometimes up to 15 years. This can mean putting off some of your other life goals, such as starting a family or purchasing a home.
Tuition for medical school can also be quite costly, especially if you must train outside of Canada. It is also highly competitive to gain entrance into medical school in Canada, with more applicants than there are openings. It is possible that you will have to make a considerable financial investment to cover the costs of your training.
Once on the job, doctors can often find themselves working incredibly long hours and shifts. However, you will be providing some of the most essential care that ultimately saves lives and gathering knowledge and research that can impact healthcare for years to come
Will I need to Attend University to Become a Nurse?
If university is not for you, you can complete your nurse training in college and be in the workplace in as little as 2 years.
College is an excellent option for students that want to enter the workforce relatively quickly. College nursing programs are great for students who prefer a practical, hands-on approach to learning. To get into a college program, you will need the appropriate science, math and English secondary credits.
College programs will take approximately 2 years to complete, and when you are finished you will qualify for the registered practical nurse designation, or RPN. RPNs will generally care for patients whose condition is stable, predictable, or non-severe.
Will Nursing Training be Difficult?
Nursing school and classes can seem daunting: nursing is an interdisciplinary subject, and we may not feel as confident in every class.
While it is highly likely that you will experience the challenges that come with being in school, you will reap many rewards later on as you become a member in one of the world’s most in-demand professions.
Nursing is an incredibly stable career pathway, and the memory of studying hard for tests and exams will quickly fade as you actually experience life in the workforce.
And always keep in mind that nursing help can easily be found if you need help in your studies! In fact, you might be surprised to learn that you have so many resources at your fingertips to support you in your learning when you need it.
Always remember that even the best and brightest students will experience challenges in school, especially as concepts become more complex or your professors are unclear in their approaches to teaching.
Here are some strategies you can try if you find you need help in your program.
Independent Research
It’s no secret that there is an abundance of information on the internet. It is actually quite feasible to find answers and clarification on tough concepts through websites, videos and even podcasts.
Need to reinforce your understanding of human anatomy? You’ll find plenty of infographics and explainer videos. Always make sure you are consulting from trusted and reliable sources.
Classmate Study Groups
Your classmates are also an excellent resource, and you may find it incredibly fun to learn from one another. Form a study group with peers from class to prepare for tests and exams, exchange notes, and feedback on work. You may find that you also form a lifelong circle of friends!
Tutoring
Tutoring is another excellent way to get help with your nursing program. We will explore this option in greater detail next!
Where Can I Find a Nursing Tutor Near Me?
Getting a tutor is an excellent solution if you find yourself experiencing difficulty in your nursing courses. Nursing requires expertise the health sciences, math, not to mention strong interpersonal and communication skills - so if you are weaker in some areas, it is completely acceptable to look for some help.
Having someone to help you in your program can be especially important if you have a lot of family responsibility, or if you must be employed in a part-time job while in school. And let's face it, you are already investing a lot of time and resources into your education - why not get a tutor to maximize your educational journey?
Nursing tutors are there to help whenever you are in need! A tutor will help you memorize information you need to know as a nurse, such as medication reactions, symptoms of different ailments, and different models of decision making. You can also have a tutor help you write reports,and study for exams.
To find a tutor, check out Superprof Canada. Superprof Canada is a site with so many listings of tutors in nursing and beyond. You can use the site to browse dozens of tutor profiles until you find one that makes sense for you.
Summary
Nurses play a critical role in the healthcare system, particularly in hospitals. In these often hectic and stressful environments, nurses directly support patient care, collaborating with teams of doctors and other health professionals to implement acute care for patients with illnesses and health problems.
In emergency room contexts, nurses are at the very forefront of crises, working with teams to make split second decisions that can alter a patients’ life.
Outside of hospitals, nurses work in a clinics, care facilities, universities, research centres, municipalities and other contexts not only providing care but educating the public and other healthcare professionals in training.
Whether you choose to pursue a career as a registered nurse or a nurse practitioner, you will have plenty of options for career change and growth.
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