Whether or not you realize it, a nurse has probably impacted your life or that of a loved one in some way. Nurses are there to support you and your family if you were born in a hospital; they help provide routine vaccinations to children and adults in doctors offices and schools; they are there when your elderly relatives require additional care and support in long term care and retirement homes. Nursing is one of the top areas of choice for study for many Canadians - you may even have a nurse in the family!
Nurses are always in high demand in Canada’s highly developed healthcare system, which consists of hospitals, clinics, universities, community health centres, schools, and other sites where registered nurses and registered practical nurses are needed. Those that have a passion for caring for others, health and well being, or an interest in research will find nursing to be one of the most rewarding professions to pursue.
Studying to become a nurse is no easy feat, but prospective nurses will be please to know that there are many options to study the field both at the college and university levels. Because nurses are needed in every community, there are nursing programs in so many postsecondary institutions. You can purse a diploma, an undergraduate degree, or even a graduate degree in the nursing field.
If you are considering nursing as a career, or are wondering what it is like to study learning, you have come to the right place. Let’s start by looking at some of the best reasons to study nursing.
What skills do you need to become a nurse in Canada? Explore the best strategies for learning nursing in Canada.
The Best Reasons to Study Nursing
Career and Job Opportunities
Nurses are among the essential, frontline workers that are critical for keeping society healthy and functioning. As such, you will have no problem finding work as a nurse. Hospitals and smaller clinics hire nurses routinely, and if you are interested in moving to another country you such as the United States you will find no shortage of competitive options. In fact, many healthcare workers actually live in border towns near the United States where they work everyday for a more competitive rate of pay. If you do plan on leaving your current residence to work elsewhere, make sure you look into the regional requirements to practice nursing.
Nursing is one of the most rewarding and challenging professions you can choose. Learn all about what takes to become a registered practical nurse or a registered nurse in Canada.
Nursing is Rewarding
Nurses may work with babies, children, teens, adults, and seniors when they are most vulnerable, and can make life-changing impacts on the health and well-being of others. Nurses often facilitate communication between doctors or specialists and the families of patients, and provide real updates on the physical state of patients. Outside of hospitals, nurses make a huge difference educating the public about illness, wellness, and safety. As a nurse, you will reap the rewards of helping others in need and making meaningful connections with people.
Opportunities for Growth
One great reason to study nursing is that there is so much room for further learning and career growth. Unlike many other jobs, nursing has seemingly infinite possibilities for growth and lifelong learning. While many nurses may start out working in a hospital or general healthcare setting, they may choose to return to graduate school to pursue a designation as a nurse practitioner, or specialize in an area such as emergency, neonatal care, breastfeeding, community health, and so much more.
Work in Teams
There are many jobs out there where you may feel isolated behind a computer, or feel you are in constant competition with your co-workers. As a nurse, you'll get all the perks of working on a dynamic team: collaborative problem-solving, camaraderie, mentorship, and perhaps friends that you will keep for life. Working with others can make your day-to-day grind more fun and enjoyable. Of course, you can expect that you will not get along with everyone: variety is the spice of life!
What do I Need to Do to Start Nursing Learning?
Studying to become a nurse in Canada is an extensive process that starts in your secondary years. Once you know you want to enter a program in nursing or any healthcare related field, you will want to focus on being successful in the secondary course credits you will need as prerequisites to apply. For nurses, this will likely involve credits in English, Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry.
To find out which prerequisites you have to take, visit the nursing department website of the college or university you want to attend to find out exactly what you need to have on your transcript for a successful application.
If you have already graduated secondary school and want to enter nursing as a second career, there is no need to worry - there are plenty of ways to upgrade or obtain secondary prerequisite courses. Many school boards will offer continuing education programs where you can earn credits at night or online. Colleges and universities will often offer bridging programs where you can simultaneously obtain prerequisite courses that you can use to apply for a nursing program while also getting credits you can put toward your degree or diploma.
Nursing is a highly respected profession where you can use your talents and knowledge to help others and support a constantly evolving healthcare system. Find out more about how to become a nurse in Canada.
Should I take Nursing in College or University?
As a prospective nurse, it is common to wonder whether or not you should take a college or university programs. What is the difference?
Prospective nurses that undertake study in a college program will find that programs last for 2 years and prepare you to be a Registered Practical Nurse. Your coursework will also include hands-on, clinical work. As a registered practical nurse, you may work in different contexts such as hospitals and clinics, though typically you will deal with predictable situations.
Those that choose a university degree program will find themselves in a longer, 4-year program where they will spend more time building foundations of knowledge for work in healthcare. You will earn a bachelor’s degree, which will ultimately open up a broad range of career options both in nursing and other fields in the public and private sectors. You will be able to pursue your qualification as a registered nurse (RN), and can access graduate pathways that could lead to becoming a Nurse Practitioner.
Studying nursing is a huge undertaking that requires years of study and comprehensive exams. Learn more about what it is like to become a nurse in Canada.
Are There Online Nurse Programs?
Online learning has become a popular option for students in all different fields to pursue, and it’s not hard to see why. Learning online means you can pursue a degree or diploma from the comfort of your own home, without the added hassle of commuting or relocating to an area with postsecondary school access. While learning online will still be rigorous, you may find that you have much more flexibility with your time, which is great if you work part-time or have family responsibilities.
Some nursing programs, at schools like McGill, have online nursing programs that are designed for distance learners. While much of the learning will take place online, there is however a practical component that must be done in-person in a clinical setting. This would be the case for most nursing programs, as the practical component is essential for training and graduation.
The NCLEX is an essential exam that all nurses must take to practice in North America. Learn all about how the NCLEX fits into the journey it takes to become a nurse in Canada.
Where Can I get Help to Study Nursing?
We should never be afraid to ask for help when we need it, especially when we are in a high stakes scenario like a nursing qualification exam. While you’ll find no shortage of resources on the internet or your local bookstore, you may find that you need a little more than some additional reading.
Having a tutor to coach you through the more challenging areas of a nursing program is a great option if you need help with coursework or want to be as prepared as possible for an exam. Nursing tutors may be nurses themselves or have graduated through healthcare related programs and can help you with ongoing study or specific exams. They can work with your schedule, and you can increase or decrease the frequency of sessions as you see fit.
Finding a tutor is easy thanks to sites like Supeprof. Superprof has listings for dozens of nursing tutors in Canada. You can browse easily through their profiles, and contact them directly through the site to determine if they will be right for you. Find a tutor on Superprof today!
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