Apart from being one of the most noble and fulfilling jobs, the nursing profession is highly in demand in almost every country across the world, what with the global shortage of healthcare professionals. The job of a nurse is multi-dimensional, requiring that you interact directly with patients, administer treatment and tests, perform lab work, provide counselling and guidance, operate equipment, research treatment methods, and set up long-term patient care plans, among many other things. For this reason, all those who wish to become registered nurses today must first pursue a Bachelor of Science (BSN) or associate degree in nursing (ADN). These programs are meant to develop the multitude of skills that nurses need to manage their day-to-day duties and prepare for a real-world career.

The average cost of nursing school can vary widely, but nursing programs at two-year colleges provide inexpensive paths into nursing degree programs and have excellent transfer records. That being said, here is a list of colleges with some of the most affordable nursing programs in the US and Canada.

Valencia College – Associate in Science (Nursing), $12k yearly

Valencia’s Nursing Associate in Science (A.S.) degree program is a two-year program that prepares you to go directly into a specialised career in the nursing field. The nationally accredited programs at Valencia College are among the best for preparing men and women for nursing careers, by connecting students directly to situations nurses face today. These programs offer classroom curriculum together with real-life clinical experiences to help nurses build skills and confidence. 

Butte College – Associate in Science Degree in Registered Nursing, $8k yearly

Butte College’s two-year traditional Registered Nursing Associate Degree program provides theory and clinical content required for registered nursing licensure. Upon completion of the degree, the student will be eligible for the national/state licensure examination for registered nursing.

College of the Canyons – Associate in Science Nursing, $9,960 yearly

Approved by the California State Board of Registered Nursing, the two-year registered nursing program at College of the Canyons is designed to prepare the student with the knowledge required to assume the responsibilities of an entry level registered nurse. Upon graduation, students receive an Associate Degree in Nursing and are eligible to take the national licensure examination to become a registered nurse.

Lane Community College – $11.25k yearly

Lane Community College’s Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Program requires approximately three years of full time study. Graduates of this program are qualified to participate in a fourth year of study via online lecture and theory and local clinical experiences to earn the Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Oregon Health Sciences University (or, if the graduate prefers, any of many other RN to BSN programs available nationally).

Merritt College – Associate in Science in Nursing, $8.7k yearly

Also approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Merritt’s ADN program is designed to prepare students for beginning positions in Registered Nursing. The program includes instruction in applied nursing sciences, related natural and social/behavioral sciences, and clinical nursing experience in hospitals and healthcare facilities located in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Nipissing University: 21k

Nipissing University’s Scholar Practitioner Program is an innovative second degree nursing program for university graduates who would like to pursue nursing at the BScN level. Its learner-centred approach trains students to become responsive to changes in contemporary health care,  premised on the idea that nurses must be clinically competent and theoretically sound thinkers as developing “scholar practitioners.” 

Keyano College: 14k

The two-year Practical Nurse program at Keyano prepares students for a career in high quality nursing care in many different settings: hospitals, home care, and other health care agencies. The Practical Nurse works cooperatively with other health care personnel in the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of wellness. The program includes practical experience in job-related settings and prepares graduates for both the National Practical Nurse Examination and employment in the current healthcare environment.

Do you have your finger on the pulse of North American higher education? 

 

The inaugural GSP Cafe kicked off the first of a series of online events with over 40 participants in attendance. The GSP Cafe is an interactive discussion joined in by education industry leaders aimed to share valuable insights from GSP’s study destinations, Canada and the USA. The first event hosted by GSP’s Director for North America, Pat Colabucci and Senior Partnerships Manager, Catherine Wilson, featured Isaac Garcia-Sitton, Executive Director of International Student Enrolment, Education & Inclusion at Toronto Metropolitan University, Canada. Isaac talked about a topic that is often lumped together as being the same but is in fact, fundamentally different: the US and Canadian higher education systems.

 

Isaac Garcia-Sitton, a diplomat who has extensive experience in both North American countries demonstrated his in-depth knowledge of the admission processes, pathways, and entry requirements of both countries a the event.

The discussion offered lively, engaging and meaningful insights that participants are able to gather value in relation to their roles. The hour-long discussion was short considering the vast differences between the two systems which kept the entire event interactive yet intimate enough that everyone can participate and express their thoughts.

 

We have exciting topics coming up!

 

Recognising the need for our recruitment partners to stay ahead of the curve, GSP Cafe will continue to bring you live, interactive sessions every month on the hottest topics in North American higher education. From career opportunities and popular programs, to OPT and PGWP, to student visa rules and the different types of higher education institutions in Canada and the US, we’ve set out on a mission to keep you informed on this dynamic and exciting space.

Check out the lineup of industry experts for the next sessions:

 

February: Jacob Mercer and Shahzad Amad on  Visa & Immigration for Higher Ed SEVIS & IRCC

Jacob Mercer is the Assistant Director of International Student &Scholar Services at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He has worked in the field of International Education for the past 12 years: five years teaching English at universities in South Korea and Indonesia, and seven providing immigration advising to international students at U.S. higher-education institutions.

He is passionate about travel, cross-cultural exchange, and guiding students through their own life-changing international experiences.

 

Shahzad Ahmad is the current Associate Vice President of Centre for International Studies at St Cloud State University located in St Cloud, Minnesota. Shahzad is a former international student from St Cloud State University and has been advocating and supporting international students on the St Cloud State campus first as a student leader then as a professional. Shahzad has been in the Higher Education industry for several years. Since Shahzad assumed the role of Associate Vice president he had made several positive changes by increasing the international population at St Cloud State by building different relationships with partners all over the world.

Shahzad believes that once an international student step foot at St Cloud State they will always be valued and supported.

 

March: CPT and OPT 101 with Paul Hofmann

Dr. Paul Hofmann is the Assistant Vice President for International Affairs at the University of Louisville.  Previously served as the SEVIS Coordinator at San Jose State University, the director of the Centre for International Programs at Bowling Green State University, the Assistant Vice President for International Affairs at Fresno State University, and the Associate Vice President for International Programs and Global Engagement at California State University, Sacramento. Dr Hofmann has more than 25 years of experience in the field of international education and deep knowledge of the regulations governing international students and scholars. 

 

Don’t miss out on this excellent opportunity. Grab a hot drink, and a comfy chair, and join us to learn more about North America. Stay tuned for more updates about our next GSP Cafe!

See you soon!

International students in Canada now can work more hours while pursuing their studies, according to the recent announcement from the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). From November 15, 2022, to December 31, 2023, the number of authorised off-campus work hours for international students will no longer be capped at 20 hours per week. Foreign nationals who have already submitted a study permit application will also benefit from this temporary change, once their application is approved. 

The opportunity to work while studying is a priority for a significant proportion of international students in 2022. Canada’s 20-hour per week restriction is usually only lifted during breaks such as summer and winter holidays, but with the country’s record high inflation rate and rising cost of living, many international students have been urging for an increase in the number of working hours allowed off-campus. The rising inflation is hitting international students particularly hard since their tuition fees are often higher than those of Canadian nationals. But now that they are allowed to work more hours, they have much greater opportunities to earn money and pay off their tuition fees and living costs.