| Most people ask the question "how to become a | | | | preparatory course such as a grade 11 level and the |
| nurse" when they start planning their career path in | | | | biological science must be at a higher level such as a |
| high school. | | | | grade 12 level |
| You may not be aware that there are three | | | | - English - admission to a nursing program will require |
| different types of nursing in Canada and each one | | | | completion of English at a grade 12 level. |
| has different education requirement ranging from | | | | Registered psychiatric nursing |
| college diploma to university degree. So when you | | | | Both degree and diploma nurse education programs |
| try to explore how to become a nurse you must | | | | are available in Canada if you want to enroll in a |
| know the type of nurse you want to be. | | | | psychiatric nursing program. There are three |
| 1. First decide what kind of nurse you want to be. | | | | psychiatric nursing programs in Canada that lead to a |
| - registered nursing. A registered nurse can practice | | | | baccalaureate degree. All other psychiatric nursing |
| with clients of all age groups and with all types of | | | | programs lead to a college diploma. Even though |
| health challenges of varying degrees of complexities. | | | | there is no requirement for a university degree you |
| A registered nurse can practice in a variety of | | | | can expect the entrance requirements to be the |
| settings including the community, mental health | | | | same as for a registered nurse education program. |
| settings and residential settings. Of the three types | | | | Licensed Practical Nurse Education |
| of nursing in Canada the registered nurse has the | | | | Licensed practical nurse education programs may not |
| broadest scope of practice. | | | | have the same entrance criteria as registered nursing |
| - registered psychiatric nursing. A registered | | | | since they are not university degree programs. |
| psychiatric nurse has a narrower scope of practice | | | | Education programs range from one year in length in |
| than a registered nurse and is restricted to practicing | | | | British Columbia to two years in Alberta and Ontario. |
| psychiatric nursing. That is they provide mental health | | | | Because of the national variation in the role of the |
| nursing care to a wide variety of clients and in a wide | | | | LPN and the length of the education required there |
| variety of settings. Psychiatric nursing is not a | | | | may be significant variations in entrance requirements, |
| recognized type of nursing in all of Canada. It is only | | | | however, you can expect entrance requirements to |
| recognized in the western provinces (Manitoba, | | | | reflect a mastery of basic math and English. Some |
| Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia) | | | | programs will also require biology as a prerequisite. |
| - licensed practical nursing. The licensed practical nurse | | | | 3. Select your University or College nursing program |
| has the narrowest scope of practice of the three | | | | All nurse education programs in Canada take place in |
| types of nursing. In some provinces a licensed | | | | post secondary education institutions. There are no |
| practical nurse must work under the supervision of a | | | | hospital based programs in existence so you must |
| registered nurse and in other provinces the scope of | | | | attend at a university or college. Some colleges have |
| practice is restricted to working as an assistant to | | | | partnered with universities making it easier to take |
| the registered nurse, and is some other provinces | | | | the courses for the first first two years of a nursing |
| the licensed practical nurse is fully autonomous and | | | | program at a college and then complete the nursing |
| does not require supervision although the scope of | | | | degree at a university. Many nursing programs have |
| practice is narrower that for either of the registered | | | | wait lists so be sure to submit your application as |
| nursing professions. | | | | early as you can. |
| While the scope of practice and types of clients will | | | | 4. Complete the Canadian nursing entrance test. |
| vary for each of these types of nursing they are all | | | | All types of nursing are regulated in Canada and once |
| legally defined as part of the nursing profession. | | | | you graduate from your nursing education program |
| Which one of these descriptions appeals to you? | | | | you will be required to pass a national exam before |
| Your choice may depend on your preference for | | | | you can obtain your nursing license. All nurses in |
| future career paths as well as your preference for | | | | Canada write the same national exam so once you |
| autonomous practice. More career options are | | | | have your license in one province it is easy to move |
| provided by the registered nurse or registered | | | | between provinces without having to retake the |
| psychiatric nurse designation. | | | | exam. |
| 2. Make sure you have the correct high school | | | | So here is the summary of how to become a nurse |
| prerequisites. | | | | in Canada: |
| Registered Nurse Education | | | | - decide on what type of nurse you want to be |
| A university degree is required to practice as a | | | | - complete the necessary high school credits |
| registered nurse in Canada in all provinces. You will | | | | - find a nursing education program in a college or |
| need to meet the university entrance requirements | | | | university. |
| as well as the specific requirement for the nursing | | | | - complete the Canadian national nursing entrance |
| program. | | | | test to obtain your nursing license. |
| Registered nurse education programs in Canada | | | | So now that you know how to become a nurse in |
| require basic preparation in: | | | | Canada isn't it time you got started? There is an |
| - math usually at the Grade 11 level | | | | acute nursing shortage in the country and you will |
| - sciences - both a chemistry and a biological science | | | | never be without work! |
| will be required. Usually the chemistry course is a | | | | |