Interview with the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA)

Career Spotlight: Nursing in Canada

By Monster Contributor

By Brandon Miller
Monster Contributing Writer

What kind of person makes a good nurse? What opportunities exist in the field right now? What specialties are in high demand in Canada? These are important questions. I had to go to an expert for answers - and I went to the top, chatting with the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) President Kaaren Neufeld. Read on to find out what she had to say.

The time is right for Nursing in Canada

“It’s a good time to get into nursing because there are lots of jobs and we expect there will continue to be a lot of jobs,” Neufeld says. “If you are interested in choice and you are interested in people, now is a good time to get into nursing.”

Indeed, the demand for nurses continues to grow as Canada’s population ages. Between 2004 and 2008, the number of nursing professionals in Canada grew by a whopping 8.3%, a growth of almost 2% per year, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information. As of 2008, the number of Canadian regulated nurses totaled 341,431. Expect the tally to keep rising as older nurses retire.

Nursing Responsibilities are Growing

Nursing of yesteryear is long gone. Today’s nurses work in a vast array of roles and hold a variety of responsibilities in their hands. And you can expect those tasks to grow in the next few years, says Neufeld.

“There will be increasing opportunities for nurses working the full scope of practice,” she says. “They will be working more and more in collaboration with others. I would see the trend of an increasing number of collaborative care teams.”

In addition, there is talk of limited nurse prescribing, says Neufeld. In countries like Australia and Ireland, nurses with extended education can prescribe some medication. The Canadian Nurses Association is working on opening up the conversation in Canada.

What it Takes to Be a Nurse

“You do have to enjoy being with people in all kinds of circumstances,” Neufeld says. “People at their best and people when they are stressed at different times.” It’s not an easy job, nursing. Depending on where you work, the hours can be tough and the tasks unpleasant. They can also be inspiring.

Neufeld also stresses the importance of being a detail-oriented person. Nursing is a job where you must be on your game at all times. One mistake can mean a terrible outcome for your patient. “It’s a thinking job that requires a lot of attention,” she says. “It’s a job where you are always assessing.”

Some good advice

“Years ago, CNA had a recruitment campaign and they said to never ever let anyone tell you it will be easy, just (that it will be) worth it,” Neufeld says. “Nursing is not an easy job but it is a very worthwhile career and the choices are almost endless. I would encourage people to look into nursing because there is so much more there than what comes to mind.”

Where the jobs are

  1. Up North. “For people that want excitement and adventure, Canada’s north is always looking for nurses,” says Neufeld, at the same time stressing that Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners are in demand throughout the country. When working up north, nurses often get to take on more responsibility as leaders of community health centres.
  2. Emergency Rooms. Neufeld maintains that there is an ongoing need for nurses in critical care and emergency, especially in larger cities.
  3. Surgical Wards. “We are anticipating an increasing age in nurses in surgery in operating rooms,” Neufeld says. “And that’s because our demographics indicate people in those positions will be retiring in the coming years.” Time to swoop in, new nurses!