How long should i expect it to take, and how much will it cost me to do the programs needed? I was also wondering if anyone has any tips or suggestions on becoming an RN. thanks. Wikipedia has a great article about this - see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Registered_... I would strongly check it out then also the programs at your local community college and state university.
Good Luck!!! Australia, most nurses are happy to be addressed by their first name and describe themselves either as "an RN" or "an EN". In Victoria, an enrolled nurse will commonly describe themselves as a "Div. 2".[citation needed]
[edit] Nurse practitioners
Nurse practitioners are being introduced into the Australian healthcare community, with Victoria having had nurse practitioners since 2000[citation needed].
In some instances, it could be argued that this is as a natural professional evolution and recognition of the outstanding clinical expertise some nurses have attained over the course of their careers in areas such as wound management.
[edit] Canada
[edit] Education
Most provinces in Canada prefer any registered nurse to have at least a bachelor's degree (preferably a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)), although Quebec grants RN status to graduates from CEGEP. Many practicing nurses are still college graduates, but those entering nursing now are required or encouraged to enter at the university level.
[edit] Types of nurses
Registered nurse (RN).
Licensed practical nurse (LPN) or licensed vocational nurse (LVN), known as registered practical nurse (RPN) in Ontario.
Registered psychiatric nurse (RPN) - are licensed to practice only in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the territories.
[edit] Legal regulation
The profession of nursing is regulated at the provincial and territorial level in keeping with the principles of professional regulation endorsed by the International Council of Nurses. The College of Nurses of Ontario regulates both RNs and RPNs in contrast to the other provinces and territories where RNs and LPNs are regulated by separate bodies. In the western provinces, psychiatric nurses are governed by distinct legislation.
All registered nurses and nurse practitioners in the province of Alberta are expected to maintain their clinical competence in order receive an annual practice permit from the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Albertawhich also sets standards for scope of practice and provides practice support.
[edit] External links
CIHI Regulated Nursing Professions Database - provides supply and distribution statistics for the three nursing professions in Canada.
Canadian Nurses Association
[edit] New Zealand
Members of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation on the steps of Parliament House seeking pay parity for the primary health care sector
[edit] History
[edit] Education
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New Zealand originally had nurse education as a part of the hospital system, but, as early as the 1900s, post registration and post graduate programs of study for nurses were in existence. Reforms in the 1970s disestablished the original hospital-based schools and moved these into the tertiary education sector, namely polytechnics and universities. Within the hospital system were an array of titles and levels, which often focused upon clinical specialty rather than generic nursing knowledge.
Today all nurses in New Zealand are educated to degree level via a three year, two semesters per annum, program, with an approximate 50/50 mix of theory to practice. All current students graduate as a registered comprehensive nurse. Legislation exists keeping the number of schools to no more than 21, although some schools run courses in more than one geographical location. Recently, attempts were made to reintroduce the title enrolled nurse with this causing some disagreement between trade unions, the registering body, and health providers.
[edit] Legal regulation
All nurses in New Zealand are expected to maintain both professional knowledge and clinical competence in order to receive an annual practicing certificate from the Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ). Recent legislation (the 2004 Health Practitioners Competency Assurance Act) sets standards for both scope of practice and requirements in terms of ongoing development.
Similarly the NCNZ caused minor controversy when they gave the title nurse practitioner trade mark status, thus preventing those with the title from using it. In order to become a nurse practitioner, the nurse must undertake an approved course of study and present a portfolio of evidence to NCNZ for approval. There are now approximately 20 NP's in New Zealand with a smaller number granted prescribing rights.
[edit] Ongoing issues
New Zealand has historically provided many nurses for the global market place; the salaries in overseas countries (notably Australia, USA, United Kingdom and the Middle East) have proved attractive to NZ nurses. This has resulted in a drop in the number of NZ-educated nurses practicing within New Zealand; recently the flow has been decreased by a substantial pay award for hospital based nurses. This pay award was given to those employed within district health boards but not other public sector providers which caused a degree of conflict within the profession and a return to hospital practice for many in the primary healthcare sector. There has also been an increase in nurses from the United Kingdom, India, South Africa and Philippines migrating to New Zealand. |
