If you’re planning to come to Canada after completing your BSc Nursing in your home country and aim to earn more than $100 per hour, this post is for you. I want to talk about one of the best nursing fields that can help you achieve your financial and career goals—obstetric nursing.
Many internationally educated nurses struggle to find registered nurse (RN) jobs in Canada. The reason? They lack experience in specialized fields. Obstetric nursing, which focuses on maternal and newborn care, is in high demand in Canadian healthcare. With the right skills, experience, and certifications, you can stand out and secure the job you dream of. Let’s dive into how you can prepare yourself for this field.
Why Choose Obstetric Nursing?
“Obstetric nurses work with life’s most precious moments—helping mothers through pregnancy and childbirth.”
Obstetric nurses, also known as OB nurses, specialize in caring for pregnant women, assisting during labor, and providing postpartum care. If you’ve already worked in this field in your home country, you have a significant advantage when applying for jobs in Canada. Hospitals in Canada highly value international nurses who bring hands-on experience from their previous positions. They know that you’re ready to handle both the joy and challenges that come with caring for mothers and babies.
Why is obstetric nursing a good choice for international nurses?
- High Demand: The need for nurses in obstetrics continues to rise, especially in Canada where population growth and healthcare expansion are ongoing.
- Job Security: Specialized skills in a field like obstetrics increase your chances of getting hired quickly. This is especially true if you can demonstrate that you’re capable of managing complex pregnancy cases and deliveries.
- High Pay Potential: Many obstetric nurses can make $100 or more per hour, especially those working in private hospitals or specialized care units.
The Importance of Gaining Additional Certifications
“Experience opens doors, but certifications open minds.”
While experience is essential, gaining additional certifications will make you a stronger candidate when looking for jobs in Canada. Certifications show that you are continuously improving your skills and adapting to new healthcare standards.
What certifications should you consider?
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP): This certification equips you with the skills to handle newborn emergencies, which is critical in obstetric nursing.
- Fetal Monitoring Certification: This allows you to monitor and interpret fetal heart rates during pregnancy, a key responsibility for OB nurses.
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS): This certification is often required for nurses in labor and delivery settings since you may need to manage emergencies that involve both the mother and baby.
- Phlebotomy certification equips healthcare professionals with the skills to safely draw blood for tests, transfusions, and donations, ensuring proper procedures.
- CTAS (Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale) certification allows healthcare professionals to assess patient urgency in emergency settings, prioritizing treatment based on severity.
- BLS (Basic Life Support) certification equips healthcare providers with the skills to perform CPR, use AEDs, and manage choking emergencies, ensuring effective immediate care.
If possible, try to obtain these certifications in your home country before coming to Canada. These credentials will increase your employability and help you stand out from other applicants. “The more prepared you are, the easier it is to land your dream job.”
Preparing for Obstetric Nursing Jobs in Canada
“Your mindset is your most powerful tool in finding your dream job.”
Many international nurses find it difficult to break into the Canadian healthcare system because they aren’t sure which field to focus on. Choosing a specific nursing specialty like obstetrics will help you target your job search more effectively. You’ll know exactly what positions to apply for, what skills to emphasize in your resume, and what certifications to pursue.
I’ve met many international nurses who regret not specializing in a particular field before moving to Canada. They had general nursing experience but didn’t focus on specific areas like obstetrics, pediatrics, or critical care. As a result, they struggled to secure jobs, especially in competitive hospital environments.
How can you prepare to enter the obstetric nursing field?
- Get Experience: If you’re still working in your home country, try to gain as much experience in obstetrics as possible. Even if your current role isn’t strictly focused on maternity care, ask your employer if you can assist in labor and delivery units or work with maternal health programs.
- Research Canadian Hospitals: Look into hospitals that have a strong obstetrics department. Many hospitals in Canada, such as Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto or BC Women’s Hospital in Vancouver, are well-known for their maternal and neonatal care. Applying to hospitals with these departments can give you a higher chance of landing a job.
- Stay Open to Learning: Be ready to adapt to Canadian healthcare standards. Even though you’re coming in with experience, every country has its own guidelines and protocols. Be willing to learn and grow in your new environment.
How to get a job easily in Canada?
Simple tips to help you secure an RN job in Canada after getting your license:
- Update Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your skills, experience, and education relevant to nursing.
- Create a Strong Cover Letter: Write a compelling cover letter that showcases your enthusiasm and qualifications for the position.
- Network: Connect with other healthcare professionals and attend industry events to learn about job openings.
- Use Job Boards: Regularly check job boards and websites like Indeed, Glassdoor for Obstetric nurse job postings.
- Apply Widely: Submit applications to various hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities to increase your chances.
- Prepare for Interviews: Practice common nursing interview questions and scenarios to feel confident during interviews.
- Seek Out Recruiters: Contact healthcare recruitment agencies that specialize in nursing to help find job opportunities.
- Tailor Your Application: Customize your application for each job, emphasizing how your skills match the job requirements.
- Follow Up: After applying, follow up with the employer to express your continued interest and check on your application status.
- Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest nursing trends and practices to show potential employers that you are knowledgeable and current in your field.
Requirements for applying for JOB for Obstetric Nurse:
- Ontario Registered Nurse (RN) License (required)
- COLLEGE OF NURSES ONTARIO LICENCE (required)
- CNO Membership (required)
- Fetal Heart Monitoring Certification (required)
- Neonatal Resuscitation (preferred)
Requirements:
- ACLS: Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support certificate
- CTAS: Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale certification
- Active RN license and BLS certification.
- Prior experience in an emergency room or critical care setting is preferred.
- Proficient in medical terminology and case management.
- Competent in phlebotomy and conducting laboratory tests as required.
- Knowledgeable in pain management techniques.
- Experience working with both pediatric and adult patients.
Duties:
- Conduct patient triage, assess conditions, and develop appropriate nursing care plans in an emergency room setting.
- Administer prescribed medications, treatments, and procedures as directed by the physician.
- Collaborate with the healthcare team to deliver efficient and effective patient care.
- Accurately monitor and document patient progress, including vital signs.
- Educate patients and their families on treatment plans, aftercare, and discharge instructions.
- Ensure a clean, safe, and organized environment for patient care.
Popular websites where you can apply for RN jobs in Canada:
- Indeed Canada – A comprehensive job search engine with numerous RN job listings.
- Glassdoor Canada – Offers job postings along with company reviews and salary information.
- Workopolis – A well-known job board with listings across various healthcare sectors.
- HealthCareCAN – Focuses on healthcare job opportunities across Canada.
- Canadian Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA) Job Board – Features job opportunities specifically for nursing professionals.
- NursingJobsCanada.com – Dedicated to nursing job postings throughout Canada.
- Monster Canada – Offers a wide range of job listings including RN positions.
- SimplyHired Canada – Job search engine with various nursing job opportunities.
- Job Bank Canada – Government-run job board with listings for RN positions.
- LinkedIn Jobs – Professional networking site with job listings and company insights.
High-profile healthcare recruitment agencies in Canada that specialize in nursing and RN job placements:
- Hays Healthcare
- Known for its extensive network and focus on healthcare roles.
- Kelly Services
- Provides staffing solutions in various healthcare fields.
- Maxim Healthcare Services
- Offers staffing solutions with a strong focus on nursing roles.
- AMN Healthcare
- A leading provider of healthcare staffing services.
- Nurse Next Door
- Offers nursing job placement services and home healthcare.
- Healthcare Recruiters International
- Specializes in recruitment for various healthcare roles.
- VON Canada
- Known for its community healthcare recruitment and staffing.
- KPMG Executive Search
- Provides executive search services including healthcare roles.
- Bayshore HealthCare – Home and Community Health Care
- Magnus HRS
- Ontario Health atHome
These agencies are well-regarded in the industry and can help you find RN job opportunities across Canada.
What’s Next? A Series for International Nurses
“Knowledge is power, but action turns it into success.”
This post is just the beginning of a series I’m creating specifically for international nurses. Each post will focus on a different nursing field, highlighting the required skills, certifications, and job opportunities in Canada. My goal is to help you choose the nursing path that best suits your interests and gives you the highest chance of success.
In upcoming posts, I’ll provide more detailed information on how to excel in fields like:
- Pediatric nursing
- Oncology nursing
- Critical care nursing
For each field, I’ll include the certifications that can help you stand out in the Canadian job market. If you’re interested in obstetric nursing, keep an eye out for my next post, where I’ll break down the exact certifications, training, and job strategies that will set you up for success.
Final Thoughts: Start Planning Now!
“Failing to plan is planning to fail.”
Don’t wait until you’re already in Canada to start thinking about your nursing career. Start planning now by choosing a nursing field that you’re passionate about, gaining experience, and obtaining additional certifications. By the time you arrive in Canada, you’ll be ready to land your dream job and live the life you’ve always wanted.
6,000+ Nurse Jobs, Employment in Ontario 5 September 2024| Indeed.com