Valkyrie

Hi all

My Uni invited me to apply for an international clinical placement next year.
I have made the decision that I would like to go and apply for this. Now I would like to get a placement in Canada, either BC, AB or Manitoba.
Now, I know that Canadian nurses share a very similiar Code of Conduct with UK nurses, are there any differences in mental health practise in general? What is the general public's attitude to mental health? Do the services get sufficient funding? How similiar/different is it to UK?
Sorry to bother you with all these questions, but I need to write a statement why I want to go and I do not think they would accept: "I would like to experience mental health care in a different setting."
I personally believe it would be a fab experience, considering that hubby and me are considering immigration once I have graduated.

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Julia

kazchug

Do they do these placements with Canada? This was not on the list when I did mine. I came out here with a mental health nurse who would be based in Vancouver working with adolescents and there various problems which was her speciality. I'm sure you'll get information from nurses in this field. Sorry I can't help more.
Karen

Valkyrie

Hi Karen

Thanks for your reply.
According to my tutor they have Canda on their list, a former student from her previous tutor group went to Alberta. I study at Northumbria University in Newcastle.
I am aware that mental health nurses who wish to live and work in Candada have to re-sit an exam and can only do so in BC, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
At the moment I am considering additional study courses for certification in CBT and substance abuse. Maybe solution focussed therapy. (All these subjects to choose from ).
Would be helpful to find out beforehand what would be most appropriate in Canada, too.

Thanks again for your reply

Julia

betty2009

Im probably a bit late with this reply but from my own experience (working only in a Psychiatric Hospital in BC), if you are interested in developing skills in CBT or SFBT then persue opportunities in Alberta as I am aware that some of the health employers recognise these therapies, as I have seen vancancies adverstised requiring such skills.
I have training in SFBT but my employer (and most of my colleagues) haven't heard of it, and to be brutally honest, I would advise caution to any MH Nurse who is considering coming here to BC - here, RNs without any specialist mental health knowledge/skills can work in the "psychiatric" facilities.

Valkyrie

Hi Betty

Thanks for your reply. At the moment I am negotiating with various Health Authorities (SK and MB) who would facilitate a placement. Alberta is rather impossible as their Health Services are facing major reconstruction. Have read that there is a lot of discontempt in the workforce regarding this.
Guess the remaining hurdle is to purchase/sort out indemnity/liability insurance for that month as neither Uni nor the RCN cover Canada or the US.
Issue after issue, but I believe it would be boring if everything would run too smooth.

Yoong

Hi Valkyrie, Looks like you are in the process of arranging your placement
with SK and MB. I was about to suggest UBC placement and you can choose what areas in Mental Health you would like to gain experience in.

In North America,RNs are allowed to work in Mental Health facilities .
On my unit,RNs and RPNs work as equals and we compliment each
other because there are medical procedures an RN can perform.When there
are difficult situations with psychiatric issues,the RPN's experiences are
greatly needed.There is mutual respect between both professionals on
all our 6 psychiatric units.

Any lacking in skills either psych or medical,we motivate each other to
sign up for hospital inservices.Working in acute psych environment,both
professionals have to put much efforts to maintain unity and respect to make the units safe for everyone.

Yoong

Valkyrie

Hi Yoong

That sounds really good. Thanks for the info.
I will certainly consider it, but I will need to await further development regarding my existing negotiations.
I am so excited about the prospect of this placement. Especially as my uni almost tried to discourage students from applying for internships in Canada (apparently too much "red tape" and paperwork). Yes, there surely are hurdles, such as the RCN's indemnity insurance not covering British students on placement in Canada or the US, but this is nothing that could not be solved. Well, so far I can say that all the health authorities I contacted have been extremely helpful and supportive.
Where about in BC do you practice?

Valkyrie

Yoong

I work at St.Paul's Hospital in downtown Vancouver.
There are some UK nurses working on different psych units and they
seem to like working here.I can't see any problems about you being
covered,if a hospital accepts you,I think they will have to cover you
under their malpractice insurance-I could be wrong.

We have RN and RPN students on clinical placements every week.
The instructors and the nurses working with them are responsible
for their clinical practices due to their student status.

We used different names for our CBT groups,easier for patients to
remember and for compliance.Eating Disorders are very well funded ,lots
of groups and a yoga session every week.As a student ,I would go there
for placement,friendly place and lots to learn from the psychologists,psychiatrists , dietitians and OT.

We just leased a community garden lot a few yards from the hospital
for staff and patients to grow veggies , herbs and flowers.
Hope that helps.
Yoong

betty2009

Sorry to hear that Alberta is not possible as they do create positions for "Mental Health Therapists" open to suitably skilled/experienced RPNs etc (seems equivalent to UK Mental Health Practitioners).

You mentioned being in negotiation with the health authorities have you also contacted the relevant registration bodies? i.e College of Reg Psych Nurses of Manitoba (CRPNM). They might be able to signpost you worth a try but sounds like you have done a lot of research already. I only advised caution as I was a MH Practitioner in UK and in my experience here Ive had to re-learn and work to a more medical based model. Its certainly been a learning curve and I will be returning to UK soon. I can say though that working in a different culture can only enhance one's personal development. Im glad I did it. Good luck with your endeavours.