Nursing plays a great role in the medical profession and Canada has some of the best nursing schools in the world.
This is so because the country brings a lot of opportunities for in-depth research associated with the sciences. With the aftermath of the global pandemic, the demand for more skilled nursing professionals has skyrocketed placing nurses as part of the emergency healthcare workers in the world.
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Canada is known to be a land filled with plenty of opportunities and it is such a great place for one to achieve the nursing degree aspirations.
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What Aspirations?
There are three main nursing groups in Canada and they include; Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), and Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN).
Registered Nurse (RN):
RNs usually are required to complete a four-year university nursing program in order to become registered nurses in Canada. This nursing program entails the theory and clinical instruction needed in medical and surgical nursing. How to make use of their professional ethics and therapeutic relationships. The four-year university program also prepares the students to give care to people and how to take up emergency roles of coordinating communities and populations in regard to the health care setting.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN):
For this, the nurses must also complete a nursing program at the university and it usually takes up to two years. The program outline for LPNs contains nursing theory and clinical courses for both medical and surgical nursing. Their education bases on the nursing theory which you learn in school about the physical and biological sciences. They also train LPNs to provide and coordinate care for individuals and groups as related to their health professions. Additionally, they train them to work with different categories of people and learn to cope with serious health challenges.
Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN):
RPNs must complete a 2 to 4-year psychiatric nursing education program at the university. Their program contains mainly theory and clinical instruction in psychiatric and general nursing procedures. They train RPNs to provide care for their patients with complex psychological, mental health, and other physical needs.
In order to be able to practice your nursing profession in Canada, you should have an in-depth understanding of the three categories of nursing outlined above to understand how to focus your career.
Why Study Nursing in Canada?
Canada is a land of many opportunities with so much to learn and achieve and there are many reasons to study the nursing program in the country. Nursing is a great profession that needs a lot of studying and Canada is one of such countries to provide the best. Below are some of the reasons why you can study nursing in Canada.
High Quality of Education and Training:
Canada provides a high quality of education for its students with a lot of accredited courses and studying nursing in the country is a great feat. There is also on-hand training made readily available for nursing students to get a good practice of what to expect in the real field of work.
Job Prospects:
Nurses in Canada can get a lot of job offers upon graduation either as; practical nurses, registered nurses, or nurse practitioners. There are many options to choose from depending on the choices of the individual. The salary range also differs depending on the type of nursing career you chose to work in. Above all, nurses are well get good pay in Canada, so you will get value for the education and time you put in.
Professional security:
The nursing profession in Canada is protected by various organizations that assist you in accommodation, pension, and other job protections.
Friendly environment:
Canada is a very friendly environment and its locals are also accommodating which makes studying fun in the country. Equal rights are given to both citizens and foreigners and this is why people run to the country for studies and jobs.
Diverse culture:
Since Canada allows many immigrants each year, this is why you can experience a diverse culture and lifestyle. In Canada, people are encouraged to exhibit their culture while living in Canada.
No language restrictions:
Canada speaks the English language so it is not difficult to mingle and relate with the locals. The language is also used in teaching and also at job stations too. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about how to cope with the language which is been spoken in the country.
10 Best Nursing Schools in Canada
Nursing in Canada is a very respected profession with lots of great benefits upon graduation. There is now an increase in the number of healthcare workers and more nurses are also encouraged to go into full practice. If you want to study nursing, below are some of the top universities which offer great nursing programs in Canada.
1. University of Toronto:
This is one of the oldest universities in Canada which offers a wide range of degree programs in which nursing is a part. The University of Toronto offers different nursing programs such as; the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master Programs, and Nurse Practitioner Diploma amongst others. Additionally, the QS World University ranking ranked the university’s school of nursing 2nd place among other nursing schools. Tuition is about $51,660.00.
2. University of Alberta:
This is also an old institution and one of the best universities in Canada. Its school of nursing offers many nursing programs and degrees both at the bachelor’s degree and postgraduate levels. Tuition for domestic students is about $6,207.60 and $25,978.40 for International Students.
3. Université de Montréal:
This university in Canada offers quality nursing programs. Its faculty of nursing ranks 51-100 in QS World Universities ranking for Nursing Schools in the world. Language can be a bit worrying for international students who wish to study nursing at the University of Montreal because they teach the programs in French and you would need to understand the language before you can begin your studies. For tuition, you can expect to pay about $1,195 to $8,186 per session for International Students.
4. The University of Western Ontario:
This is a public university in Canada and one of those which houses the best nursing schools. The school of nursing allows its graduates to practice their profession in whichever part of the world. At the University of Western Ontario, the tuition fee for international students is about $39,836.00, and $6,050.00 for Domestic Students.
5. McMaster University:
This university is located in Hamilton, Ontario Canada. Its school of nursing was ranked 19th by the QS world ranking in the year 2018. The university offers varying degrees in nursing and diplomas as well.
6. University of British Columbia:
This is also a public university in Canada and is one of the best nursing schools in the country. The university offers both undergraduate and postgraduate nursing degree programs.
7. McGill University:
The arm of the nursing school officially started in 1920 at this university in Montreal and has since produced notable and well-trained professionals. The McGill School of Nursing offers different programs and courses such as; the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN), Bachelor of Nursing (Integrated) for undergraduate students, and other master’s programs and nurse practitioner studies.
8. University of Ottawa:
The University of Ottawa is another great university in Canada that houses one of the most sought-after schools of nursing. The university offers its courses and programs in both the French and English languages. It is in fact, stated to be the largest bilingual university in the whole world. The school of nursing in this university is under the faculty of Health Sciences which offers Bachelor’s degrees in Nursing, master’s, and also diploma and nursing practitioner studies.
9. Queen’s University, Kingston:
This is an old public university that officially began in 1841 and since then has offered many accredited courses to its students. The university offers undergraduate, diplomas, and other postgraduate nursing programs.
10. University of Calgary:
The university is another notable institution in Canada that offers one of the best nursing programs. Although it is not as old as most of the universities on this list, it offers many accredited courses and programs. The nursing school in Calgary, Canada offers undergraduate nursing degree programs and other graduate nursing degree programs.
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Cost and Duration of Studying Nursing in Canada
Studying abroad is usually a great feat when you have to consider the total cost of living and studying in the country of your choice. Studying for a nursing degree in Canada entails a lot more and the tuition fee structure would heavily depend on the type of program you are intending to take up and the university of choice. Some universities charge more than others for foreign students and there are also some institutions that offer scholarships and other student grants to assist in funding your degree. Studying for a bachelor’s Nursing degree in Canada would cost approximately CAD $40,000 per year on tuition and living expenses.
The duration of the nursing program in Canada is about four years for undergraduate programs and they train you on how to work as a registered nurse. For postgraduate studies, the duration can be one or two years. It is important to note that, the duration of your nursing program largely depends on the type of universities you attend and the courses.
Finally, studying for a nursing degree in Canada is a dream come true for many because not only will you enjoy and receive the quality education that the institutions have to offer, but also get a good job placement if you should decide to start your nursing practice in Canada as after school. Due to regional restrictions, you may want to decide which type of nursing specialization you want to take up as a career.
