[21] 1 year nursing programs in Canada for international students

This article detailed the 1 year nursing programs in Canada for international students to have on their list of programs for consideration.

Healthcare is one of the fastest-growing fields in the country. Any medical profession at all has been deemed as the most respectable and honorable occupation.

Nursing being the primary caregivers is the backbone of the healthcare system. As a matter of fact, a Nursing career in Canada is one of the worthiest to pursue because of some major reasons.

In this article, we will be looking at 1 year nursing programs in Canada for international students; programs that can be completed in one year or less.

We will also look at the top reasons why you should choose a nursing career in Canada.

Top Reasons to Pursue a Nursing Career in Canada

  • Demand
  • Job Security
  • Competitive Salary
  • Flexible Work Hours
  • Global Scope of Work

Demand: The world experiences a great demand in the healthcare system and without a doubt, nurses are the core of that demand.

As of 2019, Canada had over 17,000 job roles for nurses, waiting to be filled.

The Conference Board of Canada has also estimated the demand for nurses in their country to double in the next decade.


Job Security
: Job security is an added advantage. With the trajectory of demand, nurses can expect to always maintain their employment status.

Therefore, this is a great time to acquire a degree in nursing and embark on a fulfilling profession.


Competitive Salary
: As a registered nurse in Canada, you will earn anywhere between CAD 60,000 to CAD 104,000 per annum.

If you specialize in assistance during critical surgeries such as cardiovascular diseases, neuropathy, etc., you are more likely to have better career opportunities, as well as higher remuneration.


Flexible Work Hours
: Another beautiful thing about the nursing career is the fact that you get to choose your working hours.

You can choose between a part-time or full-time work schedule.


Global Scope of Work
: As a practicing nurse in Canada, job opportunities spring up on a global scale.

Not only do nurses help during surgeries, but they also take care of the patients post-surgery to assist in their recovery.

However, that’s not all, nurses also work in home healthcare, nursing homes, and charitable hospitals to attend to the needy and the sick.

Now, let us look at 1 year nursing programs in Canada for international students. These courses can be completed in less than a year.

The List of 1 year nursing programs in Canada for international students

The following nursing and critical care nursing programs are available in Canada. It is important to note that this list may not contain all the nursing programs available.

However, we suggest you make contact with the school or program provider in order to determine if the course you will pick from the list is the right one for you.

Additional information on the nursing programs in Canada can be gotten from the CNA website under Nursing Education.

1. Orientation Program for Adult Critical Care

  • Alberta Health Authority
  • Mount Royal University

  • Province: Alberta

OPACCA is a four-week educational program aimed at addressing the need for highly skilled critical care across Alberta.

The program addresses everything from how to use specialized ICU equipment, to how to care for ventilated or intubated patients. See program details.

Advanced Studies in Critical Care Nursing (ACCN)

  • Alberta Health Authority
  • Mount Royal University

  • Province: Alberta

The ACCN program is the perfect blend of semester-based theoretical coursework and hands-on clinical practicums uniquely offered through distance learning to adjust to where you live and your busy life. 

This program offers two distinct streams:

Critical Care Nursing: Four three-credit theory courses and a 210-hour clinical practicum prepare you to help achieve optimal outcomes for critically ill patients experiencing complex and multiple system challenges.

Emergency Nursing:

Four three-credit theory courses and a 210-hour clinical practicum prepare you for a range of minor to complex multi-system challenges among ill or injured patients in the emergency department.

Critical Care Nursing Specialty – Advanced Certificate

  • British Columbia Institute of Technology
  • Province: British Columbia

The BCIT Critical Care Nursing Specialty is an exciting and dynamic program that prepares registered nurses (RNs) with the knowledge, skills, and abilities that are required to work in all levels of intensive care units, coronary care, and cardiac surgery intensive care units and post-anesthetic care units. See Program Details.

Winnipeg Critical Care Education Program

  • Winnipeg Regional Health Authority
  • Prairie Mountain Health
  • Province: Manitoba

The Critical Care Nursing Orientation Program (CCNOP) offers nurses comprehensive training so they are fully prepared to work with critically ill patients in an ICU.

This 12-week training will fully prepare you for your new role. See program details.

Essentials of Critical Care Orientation

  • Winnipeg Regional Health Authority
  • Prairie Mountain Health
  • Province: Manitoba

This is an award-winning online orientation program that provides nurses with consistent training and knowledge to confidently achieve optimal outcomes for patients. See Program Details.

Critical Care Program

  • Centre for Nursing Studies Eastern Health
  • Province: Newfoundland

The critical Care Program is designed to enable registered nurses to acquire the necessary knowledge and practice expertise to care for clients in a critical care setting.

This program has received full approval from the Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador.

In the Nova Scotia region, the Registered Nurses Professional Development Centre offers a Critical Care Nursing Program.

In the Ontario region, Bloomberg School of Nursing, University of Toronto offers several Programs.

At Prince Edward Island, the University of Prince Edward Island offers Critical Care and Emergency Nursing Program, while at the Quebec, Ingram School of Nursing, McGill University has Programs for students.

In Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Polytechnic Critical Care Nursing offers Critical Care Nursing Advanced Certificate.

Furthermore, in the Ontario region, Centennial College offers RN Critical Care Nursing and Conestoga College also offers RN Critical Care Nursing.

In the Ontario region, other colleges on the list and the programs they offer are:

Michener Institute has its own Programs, while the School of Nursing, University of Windsor has its own Programs, all in Ontario.

More on 1 year nursing programs in Canada for international students

The following are 1 year nursing programs in Canada for international students that you should also look out for while choosing any school in Canada.

These programs are completed within one year or less, or maybe, just a little more.

Home Health Aide

Completing this program should take about 4 to 6 weeks. However, the full semester option may take several months. Any program on Home Health Aide should go over skills that you need to assist people in their homes. You will also learn how to take vital signs and monitor patients’ safety.

Home health aides generally take on tasks such as:

  • Providing companionship and support
  • Helping clients bathe and dress
  • Arranging transportation
  • Helping with housekeeping tasks such as laundry or dishes
  • Planning and scheduling appointments
  • Shopping for groceries and other necessities
  • Preparing meals that meet a client’s medical and cultural needs
  • Taking vital signs
  • Assisting clients with simple exercises
  • Reporting any changes in a client to nurses
  • Taking on any other care tasks assigned by a supervising nurse

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is another program that will take roughly one to four months to complete.

Nursing assistant programs are offered by nursing facilities, health departments, hospitals, community colleges, and technical skills.

It is a good fit for individuals who want to enter the field quickly.

You will be taught things like patient rights, medical terminologies, basic patient assessment, infection control, communication, taking and recording of vital signs, etc.

You’ll cover topics such as:

  • Medical terminology
  • Patient movement and body mechanics
  • Basic patient assessment
  • Basic wound care
  • Infection control
  • Patient rights
  • Communication
  • Taking and recording vital signs
  • Caring for patients’ daily needs such as bathing

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is another program that will take between 9 to 18 years to complete.

Upon completion of this program, you will see a significant jump in your salary. In this program, you will work closely with doctors and registered nurses and take on tasks such as medication administration.

Once on the job, you’ll take on daily tasks such as:

  • Administering patient medications and treatments
  • Interviewing patients about medication history and current symptoms
  • Monitoring patients after treatments
  • Drawing blood for lab work
  • Administering vaccines
  • Updating and reviewing medical records
  • Administering breathing treatments
  • Preparing IV medications

Also, Consider:

CourseDuration
Specialty Nursing – High Acuity, BSc1 year
Ontario College Graduate Certificate in Acute Complex Care for Internationally Educated Nurses1 year

Graduate Certificate in Enhanced Nursing Practice

(Clinical and Critical Care)


1 year

In Conclusion

The next decade will lead to baby boomers leaving the workforce. By the year 2029, the youngest members of this generation will be approaching retirement age.

This will create gaps in the workforce, and nursing is one area that is projected to be affected.

Have you seen the programs that will take around a year to complete in this article? Let us know what your thoughts are about these 1-year nursing programs in Canada for international students.

Editor’s Pick

Footnotes:

Nursing Programs: https://caccn.ca/education-certification-resources/nursing-programs/

12-Month Nursing Programs: https://www.allnursingschools.com/articles/12-month-nursing-programs/

Was This Article Helpful? Tell Us What You Think.