Hi, I'm a first year nursing student. This is a mix of a rant and asking for advice. I don't use reddit too much, so please bear with me.

I was essentially forced into nursing by my parents, telling me that nursing was an amazing program, and that it's just hard to get into while being an easy program (turns out, its definitely one of the most demanding programs out there). Later in my grade 12 year when I was considering other programs, they told me that I either study this or get disowned. I didn't consider being disowned or getting on their bad side, so I agreed.

I'm now studying something I frankly have no passion or interest in. It's already tiring and its only going to get worse. I can't imagine myself as a hospital nurse. I stayed in my hometown to save money as well, and I hate it here so much. I thought that if I could stay here for a year and apply to UofT Bloomberg then I could make it out and hopefully improve my social life at least. But now I don't know if I'll have enough for the admission requirements or if I'll make it to then.

I brought up changing my program and going somewhere else for uni, but because my family is heavily patriarchal, my dad decides everything and he would definitely wouldn't approve (despite my mom slowly agreeing with me to transfer). I also deal with mental issues that I am trying to get help for, but I'm somewhat confident that this situation isn't helping whatsoever.

I know I could maybe apply to McMaster Nursing to switch up the social life and hope for the best (I think my father would be fine with that) or secretly apply to uni again using my grade 12 marks (interested in UW GDBA), but that invokes the wrath of the patriarchy. I just feel hopeless about my future and feel nothing but doom. Any advice/tips for what to do or what I shouldn't do?

Hey hey!

I was recently offered an interview for a clinical extern position in the Mother & Baby Unit, and I’m so excited! This has genuinely been my dream unit and a huge part of the reason I wanted to become a nurse in the first place 🥹❤️.

I was wondering if any L&D, postpartum, or Mother & Baby nurses (or nursing students who have interviewed for similar positions) could share some insight into the types of scenario-based questions I might be asked.

I’m especially curious about scenarios involving teamwork, prioritization, patient safety, communication with patients and families, or situations that could arise on the unit.

I know every hospital and interview is different, but I’d really appreciate any advice, examples of the types of scenarios to prepare for, or tips on how to approach these questions as a student nurse applying for a clinical extern position!

Thank you so much 💕

Im a clinical nurse specialist in a small team at our hospital, we are part of ONA. Im only entitled to 3 weeks vacation as i only started with the org for 2 years.
Summer 2027- my sister is gonna have a wedding in Asia and I need at least 2.5 weeks off. My husband already planned another vacation this January that will deplete and owe a banked vacation. This vacation is non negotiable as we paid for it already.
My question is: do any nurses have experience of getting their unpaid LOA approved or not bec of a milestone celebration? What did you do in the event that it was not approved? Go to ONA? I know theres a provision of unpaid LOA in the bargaining agreement, but not sure how people go about it.
I cannot miss my sister’s wedding and not sure if quitting just because of this is very smart.
Any advice?

Nurse - City of Toronto Jobs https://jobs.toronto.ca/jobsatcity/search/?createNewAlert=false&q=nurse

Note this one is for 10+ vacancies they're trying to fill.

And this one is 5 full time permanent positions.

Good luck if you choose to apply :)

If you’re an RPN and finishing RN school this December, are you gonna renew your RPN license this December?

I work in a hospital full time and am going on mat leave in April 2027.
How does it work with ONA?
Any information is appreciated as it’s a lot of information all over the place.

Hi there,
How long does CNO takes to approve education requirement? I am an IEN and completed my education pathway from Humber college and my completion certificate was received by CNO on Aug 24 but still I haven’t got any update? Is this normal or should I start worrying? Anyone have any idea about this?
Thank you

For anyone who’s interviewed at Markham Stouffville Hospital, roughly how long did it take to hear back afterward? Just curious about the usual hiring timeline. Thanks!

I would really like to get into corrections preferably psych but would be open to general RN positions in a correctional facility as well. I only have medsurge experience but I’m not even sure where to begin or how hard the process is. I’ve heard on this sub that they are always hiring and needed but I’ve never heard or saw anything and we didn’t really cover it at all in school either. Id even be open to taking courses and relocating if that would help as it somthing I really want to pursue.

Anyone done a prescreen interview with mount Sinai? How long and what kind of questions do they normally ask?

Currently, I work in perioperative support (also called a surgical systems technician). I work in a hospital and support our main ORs and the OR in L&D. I graduated in August with a certificate in Medical Device Reprocessing from Seneca and I was lucky enough to obtain a job. Since starting this position, I’ve fallen in love with the OR. Obviously, my role is limited, so I’d like to become a nurse. I want to continue working and go back to school.

I am 43 and my current union is CUPE (same as RPN, which would count towards seniority at my hospital). I’d still have to complete a couple highschool classes before applying to programs. I’m thinking of just applying to RPN programs so I can start working (as a nurse) faster. Ideally, an RN would be better but it would take much longer and I am not sure if I have time, considering my age. Also, I think I’d have a better chance of getting a perioperative RPN position after graduation, considering my building of seniority at my hospital. This wouldn’t apply to RN roles due to the different union.

Question - do you think it is a mistake to just aim for RPN? I am aware RPNs can just scrub and RNs circulate. I realize can bridge later but it is difficult to get into those programs. I guess I am just worried about making the wrong decision.

I’m looking to move to Waterloo Ontario by spring/ summer 2027. I recently started a public health job in vaccine preventable diseases but my previous experience was in emergency medicine. What are the hospitals like in the Waterloo/Kitchner/ Cambridge/Guelph area like? I am aware bedside nursing is going to shit across the province but when I worked emergency we had no PSWs and ECG/phlebotomy between 1100-2300. I would love to steer clear of bedside and go into a public health nurse job in Waterloo but I’m not sure what the job market is like.

hello everyone!! I have been an RPN for 5 yrs and recently started the perioperative program to transition into the OR as it is an area I have always been interested in. Recently got diagnosed with chronic pain and now I am worried about the strain on the body doing a scrub role. OR scrub nurses do you notice a difference with standing etc. over bedside on your body after work? chronic pain nurses where do you work? I understand pain is different for everyone and everyone has different limitations with chronic pain. Just feeling defeated as I have been trying for 5 yrs to find a good fit nursing wise that pays well, with a healthy medium between busy and relaxed(maybe that does not exist lol) without being toxic

I have a plan to move from California to somewhere in Canada after completing an LPN/LVN education. There aren't a lot of posts about LPN/LVNs trained in the US moving to Canada. Has anyone done that? How was the transfer process from the US to Ontario (was it just credential transfer or additional testing or anything? Did you originally move from the US to a different Canadian province and then move to Ontario?) Thanks!

hi everyone! has anyone gotten an interview for the William Osler Medicine/Surgery extern position? I believed it closed 1st week of October

hey guys this question is targeted towards mostly the healthcare/nursing related audience but I was wondering how can a first year nursing student land a externship? I’ve noticed most if not all hospitals only accept 2nd to 4th years as they have done their clinicals already. Was wondering if anyone has any suggestions or any ideas!

I’m in YorkUs nursing program.

Thanks again

Hi everyone! I’m moving to Ottawa to be closer to my aging parent. I’m just wondering if anyone knows whether TOH is hiring externally at this time? Im really hoping to find something, but I know things have been pretty stagnant with provincial cuts. If anyone has any information/insight into this, I’d so appreciate it! Please feel free to DM as well. Thanks :)

Hi everyone! I’m a newly licensed RPN looking for a reputable place in Toronto to get my CPR/BLS certification.

Should I be taking the Healthcare Provider (HCP) course, or would a regular CPR course meet the requirement? I’m a little confused by the different course names.

Also, I’ve seen AED training listed as an add-on. Should I add this, or is it usually included in BLS?

Would appreciate any recommendations. Thank you!

how big of a deal is not wanting to work at your consolidation unit/hospital? i know i should be grateful and take whatever advantage/opportunity i can get, esp. in this job market. does it actually increase ur chances of a job?

Hello everyone,

I'm stuck between RN or RPN... would you say its worth it to just go straight into an RN program and finish it as opposed to RPN ---> RN?

Also, how did you guys finance the education, i know theres barley time to work in a full-time RN program.

Thanks so much for your insights, I'm just really stuck on this lol!

Hi everyone! I’m a newly licensed RPN in Ontario looking into part-time or casual positions and hoping to understand how scheduling works.

For part-time, how many days per week do you typically work? With casual, do you pick up available shifts, or are you required to work a minimum number each month, including weekends and holidays?

I travel quite a bit, so I’m also wondering how requesting time off works for both. Is there usually a maximum number of consecutive days or weeks you can be away?

For casual positions, would I need approval for time off, or could I simply provide my availability around my trips?
It doesn’t need to be paid, I’m completely okay with unpaid time off. I know policies vary by employer and collective agreement, but I’d love to hear your experiences and what’s realistic. Thanks!

But it's not just Toronto, municipal elections are occurring across the province and here is a chance to make all 200,000 of our voices heard at a time where cuts are high and jobs are low. Everyone is struggling and they're pulling the safety nets out from under us and our patients.

Municipal decisions can impact everything from mental health services and general healthcare, to housing and homelessness, and the overall wellbeing of our communities such as the bike lanes that protect commuters or transit policies that make everyone's lives easier.

Wherever you are in Ontario, r/OntarioNurses strongly encourages you to get out and do your democratic duty to participate and vote in your local elections. Do the reading and find out which candidate aligns with the policies that support us and our patients. Talk with colleagues, friends, and family about it. And get out and vote!

Here in Toronto, Mayor Olivia Chow has already proven her policies align with the health and wellness of healthcare workers and the general population, and is miles ahead of the other guy who speaks from both sides of his mouth and was a completely useless city councilor.

So if you haven't voted early (last date is Saturday the 11th in Toronto but check your local dates for other regions) make sure you and your friends and family and colleagues get out to vote this OCTOBER 26!

And if you're working on OCT 26 you may be entitled to up to 3 hours off to be able to go out and vote. Find out what your region and employer are doing to give you the break you need to be able to vote for your city's future.