3 answers
1
Question
Updated
2003 views
How hard is it to become a nurse in Ontario?
I am going into grade 10 this year and am really passionate about becoming a pediatric nurse but I have heard some things that are making me question if this is the right choice. Is it really that bad being a nurse in Ontario, how hard will it be to find a job, how hard will it be to get into nursing school, will I be paid a liveable wage?
Login to comment
3 answers
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Julia,
It doesn't really matter what other people's experience was or if they found it hard. People are different. Nobody can tell you if YOU will find it hard, if YOU will find a job or what kind of salary YOU will get. Having said that, healthcare professionals are in short supply pretty much anywhere, so your chances are good and it's definitely worth it. It's an interesting and important career. There are many different specializations, so you'll keep learning and won't get bored by doing the same routine over and over. It's also a profession that keeps you mobile, i.e. you can work pretty much anywhere. If you are really passionate about becoming a nurse, go for it!
What you can do is to get all the information you can to make sure this is what you want to do and how to get there. Look for opportunities to get exposure to nursing: check if you can get into a high-school program in the healthcare field, look for volunteer opportunities in a hospital, talk to practicing nurses, go to information sessions at colleges that have nursing programs.
Look up the education and licensing requirements to become a nurse. Read up on the required classes and required skills. It's ok, if it looks daunting right now, that's why you go to school for it. Trust that you will learn what you need to learn. As long as you are interested and excited about learning these things it's fine.
Research colleges that offer nursing programs and their entry requirements. There are 4-year programs to earn a bachelors of science in nursing. This will qualify you to become a registered nurse (RN). There are also 2-year programs to earn a practical diploma which qualifies you to become a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN). You will have much better job opportunities and career options if you go for the 4-year program.
You can search for nursing programs here: https://www.ontariocolleges.ca/en/programs
Once you graduate from a nursing program, you can register with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) which involves a Registration Examination and a Jurisprudence Examination. Once you are registered with the CNO, you can take the NCLEX-RN exam for your national registration as an RN.
Careful: some requirements just changed in April this year, so make sure you have up-to-date information. While you are in high-school, focus on your STEM courses, especially biology and anything health-related if available, but also math, chemistry and physics.
I left some links to more detailed information for you below. I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://ca.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-become-nurse-in-ontario
https://cno.org/become-a-nurse/become-a-nurse
https://www.ottawaheart.ca/students-and-trainees/nursing-and-allied-health-training
https://littlemedicalschool.com/ottawa/our-programs/
https://www.perleyhealth.ca/high-school-co-op-placements
It doesn't really matter what other people's experience was or if they found it hard. People are different. Nobody can tell you if YOU will find it hard, if YOU will find a job or what kind of salary YOU will get. Having said that, healthcare professionals are in short supply pretty much anywhere, so your chances are good and it's definitely worth it. It's an interesting and important career. There are many different specializations, so you'll keep learning and won't get bored by doing the same routine over and over. It's also a profession that keeps you mobile, i.e. you can work pretty much anywhere. If you are really passionate about becoming a nurse, go for it!
What you can do is to get all the information you can to make sure this is what you want to do and how to get there. Look for opportunities to get exposure to nursing: check if you can get into a high-school program in the healthcare field, look for volunteer opportunities in a hospital, talk to practicing nurses, go to information sessions at colleges that have nursing programs.
Look up the education and licensing requirements to become a nurse. Read up on the required classes and required skills. It's ok, if it looks daunting right now, that's why you go to school for it. Trust that you will learn what you need to learn. As long as you are interested and excited about learning these things it's fine.
Research colleges that offer nursing programs and their entry requirements. There are 4-year programs to earn a bachelors of science in nursing. This will qualify you to become a registered nurse (RN). There are also 2-year programs to earn a practical diploma which qualifies you to become a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN). You will have much better job opportunities and career options if you go for the 4-year program.
You can search for nursing programs here: https://www.ontariocolleges.ca/en/programs
Once you graduate from a nursing program, you can register with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) which involves a Registration Examination and a Jurisprudence Examination. Once you are registered with the CNO, you can take the NCLEX-RN exam for your national registration as an RN.
Careful: some requirements just changed in April this year, so make sure you have up-to-date information. While you are in high-school, focus on your STEM courses, especially biology and anything health-related if available, but also math, chemistry and physics.
I left some links to more detailed information for you below. I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Charlotte’s Answer
Don't let other people's experiences bring you down. Follow your passion! Pediatric patients would be lucky to have another nurse who truly cares. Keep moving forward!
Updated
JULIET’s Answer
If you truly love the idea of helping kids as a pediatric nurse, don’t let fear or other people’s opinions stop you. Nursing is tough, but it’s worth it if it’s your passion. Stay focused in school, especially in science, and take it one step at a time ,you’ve got time and potential. Keep going! 💪💉💙
This was super helpful, thank you!
Julia