Nursing plays a great role in the medical profession and it is one of the highly respected careers in Canada. With the current global pandemic, the demand for more skilled health professionals is on the increase. This, therefore, places professions like nursing as part of the emergency healthcare workers in the world. So, if you are looking to study nursing, this article will share some top nursing schools in Canada that you can consider.
Nursing Programs
Canada is a land with plenty opportunities and it is such a great place for one to achieve the nursing degree aspirations. There are three main nursing groups in Canada and they are:
- Registered Nurse (RN),
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and
- Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN).
Registered Nurse (RN):
RNs usually need to complete a four-year university nursing program in order to become a registered nurse in Canada. This nursing program entails the theory and clinical instruction needed in medical and surgical nursing. 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 population in regards to the health care setting.
READ ALSO: HOW TO MIGRATE TO CANADA AS A NURSE
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN):
LPNs must complete a nursing program at the university and this 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 is based on the nursing theory which are taught in school about the physical and biological sciences. LPNs are also trained to provide and coordinate care for individuals and groups as related to their health professions. They are trained to work with different categories of people and learn to cope in 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. RPNs are also trained to provide care for their patients with complex psychological, mental health and other physical needs.
So, if you want to practice your nursing profession in Canada, you should have an in-depth understanding of these three categories of nursing. This will allow you to understand how to focus your career.
Reasons To 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. 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. Also, there is hand-on training 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.
- Professional security: the nursing profession in Canada is protected by unions and various organizations which assist in different parts of your career.
- Friendly environment: Canada is a very friendly environment and its locals are also accommodating which makes studying fun in the country.
- Diverse culture: since Canada allows many immigrants each year into the country, it is no wonder why you can experience a diverse culture and lifestyle. In Canada, you can exhibit your culture while living in Canada.
- No language restrictions: Canada speaks 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.
READ ALSO: HOW TO GET INTO A CANADAIAN UNIVERSITY AS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT
Cost and Duration of Studying Nursing in Canada
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 it will be for training on how to work as a registered nurse. For postgraduate studies, the duration can be one or two years. The duration of your nursing program largely depends on the type of universities you attend and the courses.
Top Nursing Schools in Canada
If you want to study nursing as an undergraduate or on a postgraduate level, below are some of the top universities which offer great nursing programs in Canada. This is not in any particular order.
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,
- Nurse Practitioner Diploma amongst others.
The QS World University ranking ranked the university’s school of nursing 2nd place among other nursing schools.
University of Alberta
University of Alberta is 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 level.
READ ALSO: TOP CANADIAN UNIVERSITIES AND SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Université de Montréal:
This is another top university in Canada that offers quality nursing programs. The 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 the programs are taught in French and you would need to understand the language before you can begin your studies.
The University of Western Ontario
This is a public university in Canada and one of those which house the best nursing schools. The school of nursing allows its graduates to practice their profession in whichever part of the world.
McMaster University
McMaster University is located in Hamilton, Ontario Canada. Its school of nursing was 19th in the QS world ranking in the year 2018. The university offers varying degrees in nursing and diplomas as well.
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.
McGill University
The arm of the nursing school officially started in 1920 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.
University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is another great university in Canada which 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 the largest bilingual university in the whole world. The school of nursing in this university is under the faculty of Health Sciences where it offers Bachelor’s degrees in Nursing, master’s, and also diploma and nursing practitioner studies.
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 both undergraduate, diplomas, and other postgraduate nursing programs.
University of Calgary
The university of Calgary 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.
Finally, studying for a nursing degree in Canada is a dream come true for many. Not only will you enjoy and receive the quality education that the institutions have to offer, but also get a good job placement of 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.
If you like this article on “Top Nursing Schools in Canada”, share it with your friends and family. Also, subscribe to our newsletter and YouTube Channel to ensure you don’t miss any update from us. Finally, don’t forget to join our community to connect with others. Lastly, you can also follow us on our social media pages – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Image Credit: WSF
