The "Nursing Officer" Merged Thread

[stefwills]

I'm applying for ROTP nursing as well, but when I bring my application in to the CFRC, I won't have an acceptance letter yet, all I will have is the letter saying they have received my application. Is this sufficient for the time being, and bring the acceptance to the CFRC when I get it?
Cheers,

 

[shjbryan]

Stefwills,

  Give them what you got, but I would think that they will consider the applicant with acceptance letters more seriously than the one with letters stating their application has been received.
  Ask your CFRC, they can provide the best guiding answer.

Good luck!

 

[kincanucks]

Acceptance to an university must be provided before you are enrolled not when you apply.

 

[stefwills]

Anyone know the number of ROTP civy U nursing spots that are granted per year?

 

[Nemo888]

From my personal point of view, NOs in the military do more administration and other military activities then actual patient care nursing. We (medics) tended to joke that if you hate taking care of patients as a (civilian) nurse, join the military.

Seconded here. If you want to make less money and rarely touch a patient this is the place for you. My wife was thinking about it but went civvie after thoroughly checking out her options. She was promised a DEO spot but decided against it. Finished her first year at the hospital Jan 4th. Looking at her pay stub the extra 18K came in handy, now she gets a big raise on top of that. She also has no military hassles like postings, career managers, etc. She is a great nurse though. Three hospitals were fighting over her. I could see going military if you had less career potential.

 

[aesop081]

I could see going military if you had less career potential.

I'm sure every nurse in the CF is glad to hear they are the bottom of the nursing gene pool

:

 

[jalara]

ROTP Nurse:

Yes, like any other degree you must be accepted before you can enrol, but you can receive a conditional offer of employment should you be selected, pending you'e university acceptance.

Nursing is obviously the most competitive undergrad, so I wish you all the best of luck.

What else do people want to know?

 

[jricRN]

Hi there, this is a call-out to all of the NO's out there, as well as anyone who is familiar with their role. I have been reading numerous of posts and topics, which have answered some questions and created new ones. This question pertains to the actual role that nurses play in the CF. I read some old posts (2005) saying that the CF is moving away from the “nurses do only admin stuff” to a more hands-on role. Is this true and has anyone experienced it?

I am a University graduate that is pursuing a career in Nursing. What I see myself doing is working in a fast-paced environment (I want to specialize in ER/ Anesthesiologist Nursing). I see myself volunteering for many deployments (war and humanitarian). I am still trying to figure out if the Reserves or the Regular force is for me. If joining the Regs means that I work a desk job, I will probably just join the reserves.

Any insight into this CF career would be greatly appreciated.

 

[2fly]

Multiple roles actually.  RN's work on both admin roles, triage, assessments, intake, etc but for the most part it is management of the walking wounded unless you are in theatre.  Once you get to theatre you can see some trauma depending on where you end up.  As for the anesthesia...  Are you talking about OR/Scrub nurse or are you talking about Nurse Anesthetists?  For OR/Scrub, there are positions in the OR and assisting with proceedures.  As for the NA role.. That is not defined in Canada as of yet; only in the States.  Too bad really since down in the US, the NA's make a whole truck load of money (100K +).

 

[421_434_226]

You may find this site helpful

http://www.forces.ca/v3/engraph/jobs/jobs.aspx?id=57

 

[jricRN]

2fly - Thanks for the info. I am specifically talking about NAs. I was under the assumption that that nursing specialty was offered in Canada. I say this because my friend is also planning to go that route and has some extensive research. My comment was based on passing hearsay, but since he is a domestic fellow and does not like to leave home, I assume he is talking about an Ontario University.

Could you expand on where NOs actually work? I have received a reply from another member stating that they do some clinical work at civilian hospitals, but outside of that, where do they work? MIRs?

421_434_226 – Thanks for the website. I have pretty much memorized that page and the recruiting centre cannot provide me with some of the specific questions that I have. I am therefore turning to people who have been there and done that.

 

[2fly]

I am specifically talking about NAs. I was under the assumption that that nursing specialty was offered in Canada. I say this because my friend is also planning to go that route and has some extensive research. My comment was based on passing hearsay, but since he is a domestic fellow and does not like to leave home, I assume he is talking about an Ontario University.

Could you expand on where NOs actually work? I have received a reply from another member stating that they do some clinical work at civilian hospitals, but outside of that, where do they work? MIRs?

Yeah, I heard that McMaster, Queens and UWO are working towards ANP Anesthesia but before all of that is brought into play CNA has to have the framework in place for the NA's Role in practice and have the provinces on board.  As it stands, it has taken many years for the NP's Role and scope to be defined in all of the provinces and some of the Provinces are just starting to get the kinks ironed out now.  Saying that, I am specifically speaking of CCNP and ACNP.  There are still a fair number of Provinces that only have NP working in the rural areas as advanced practice outreach nurses and not in the cities as acute care (ER) or critical care settings.

With all of that being said, the NP's role in DND is still in the trial phases.  DND hired a few for trials around 2004 (ish) and they have not implemented them as a career field as of yet... Long way to go.  With respect to the Advance Practice Nurse Anesthetist, I am suspecting that it will be a number of years (5+) before that is introduced in all of Canada.  Expecially since DND requires RN's to be registered in the province that they are practicing in.  With DND being National, that means that every province in Canada will have to allow NA's to be licenced.  That will take years to get coordinated.  As for the Anesthesia Assistant, that would be a whole other topic. lol

As for the NO's, base clinics, base hositals (MIR walking wounded with the 1-4 cases of emerg visits a day if the base hosital has one) and yes civi hospitals are all places of employ.  Keep in mind, the civi hospitals are used only to keep skills current and not a permanent solution.  NO's do not work long term in civi hospitals.  For acute care, you see most of the bases having a working agreement with the local EMS for transport to civi hospital by both amb and medi flight as required.

Hope this helps...

 

[jricRN]

Wow, thanks for the amazing answer!! Yes, the program at McMaster is the one I was referencing. I am starting my two-year second-entry Nursing Degree at U of T in September, so after that time, and the required 2 years of clinical experience, I will apply for my NP. Hopefully by that time, the CF will have something in place.

Based on your best guess, do you think that working in the CF will give me the necessary two years of clinical experience needed for the NP application. I have sent an email to U of T regarding this, but have not yet received a reply.

 

[jricRN]

Is there a website or some resource that lists the locations of the MIRs?

 

[2fly]

No, not really.  All bases in Canada have an MIR.  The size of the MIR is the question, some are bigger than others ranging from a small clinic to a base hospital with surgical ward.  As for the locations and facilities/services provided, sorry I would rather not say where they all are in a public forum.

 

[jricRN]

My next question pertains to where I will be placed.

Do the CF place you just based on where there is a need. I received a reply from another member saying that it costs the Crown more to ship you away farther from your family, but is that only true if you have a family (IE spouse/ common law)? Currently, I am single, but my situation is that I am an only child, and my mother is divorced living alone? Would they take that fact into consideration when placing me? I currently live in the GTA area, so ideally, I would not want to go farther than Ottawa. Is this reasonable??

 

[2fly]

A member is strictly at the mercy of the career manager.  Annually you will have an interview with him/her and they will ask you where you want to be posted.  Normally, they ask for the top three locations you want to be posted to and they try to post you to that location "dependant on the needs of the forces".  That catch all is there way of saying they will try to post you where you want but dont be upset if you get posted some place else.

It is true, they try not to move you away from your family (married, kids, etc) but unless your mother is a living in your home with you or a situation exists that warrents being on a compassionate status, they will not take that into account.

Hope this helps...

 

[Kristeng]

Hey everyone just a quick question about Nurses in the CF. I know Combat medics (med techs) are on the front lines but can nurses be too? After finishing schooling for BScN and enrolling do you have that option to say if you are deployed for non humanitarian missions that you want to get your boots dirty? Please someone let me know.

Thanks

 

[Armymedic]

Before the staff throws up the rainbow instructions, there are a bunch of threads discussing CF medical services found here:
http://forums.milnet.ca/forums/index.php/board,45.0.html

As a nurse (officer) there is not many opportunities to get your boots dirty. Your nursing role is purely support in the rear areas, i.e. Role 3 unit in KAF or 1 Cdn Fd Hosp back here at home.

There are nurses in the 2nd line units, but their roles are more administrative and leadership than patient care.

DART is your best go. Afghanistan, you'll get lots of work, but it is the same hospital work as here at home, but in someone else's country.

 

[ComdCFRG]

For some more information again, get on the chat with the recruiters at www.forces.ca - they can connect you offline to some med specialists including nurses to expand on what SFB has described.

MKO