In between deciding to become a nurse and actually working as a nurse is earning your degree. Like any other type of commitment, going to nursing school requires that you give your options some serious thought. Depending on the area that you live in, there could be a dozen different schools for you to choose from. But how do even begin to narrow it down?

There are so many factors to consider when choosing a nursing school.  Among which are a few essential elements, namely; location, convenience and funding.

Location

Basing your decision on where you study can be pretty tricky. For one, you may want to consider a school that is close to where you live because of the convenience. But you may also want to give some serious thought to the idea of applying to a school that is located in the city that you want to work in. Knowing where you want to work or live in four or five years is difficult, as are any considerations of the future. But if you have an idea of where you would like to live, then do your best to study there, mainly because it is during your time as a nursing student that you will be exposed to people in the healthcare industry. It is always good to start your career with an already establish network of professionals, and working in the same city that you studied in makes that all the more easier. .

Online classes

Whether you have your eye on an out-of-province school, or if you are planning to juggle school and work schedules, online classes are definitely something you want to look out for. The convenience and effectiveness of distance learning really adds to the entire nursing school experience. If you require a flexible schedule and mobility, then schools with online courses will likely be a better match for you.

Funding

If you anticipate taking out a loan to help pay for your studies, you may want to first look into schools who offer partially subsidised financial aid or scholarships. Most institutions will offer general financial support insofar as students studying in any program can apply for it. Other institutions will also offer program-specific bursaries, loans and scholarships, most notably for nursing programs.

Financial support programs differ from school to school, so take the time to look into all of the opportunities offered by each of them.

Of course, these three qualities are only some of those that need to be considered when deciding which nursing school to apply to. You also want to look into the nursing specializations that they offer, the faculty, and the graduation rate. Ultimately, what it all comes down to is how comfortable you are with the school.  Go and walk around the campus, visit the department office, and just get a real feel for how the nursing school functions as a whole.

Visit Mohawk College for more information on how to enroll in a school of nursing.

No nurse is a fan of debt. And while some people think that incurring debt is an inevitable outcome for every student, there are definite tricks that anyone can use to prove them wrong.

Avoid it

The best way to get yourself out of the hole is to not fall into it to begin with. Admittedly, this is harder than it sounds. But any healthcare professional around the globe will tell you that the best way to steer clear of any unwanted condition is to practice prevention. Granted, debt is not a health condition, per se, but it is similar as far as its ability to affect our daily lives goes.

Debt can be very overbearing, and can add a lot of unnecessary stress to your life. The best thing to do is plan ahead. Most colleges and universities will have a variety of loan and bursary programs, as well as scholarship opportunities, available for students. Before you even apply to nursing school, do some research to find schools that offer financial aid and scholarship programs. Even a small bursary can go a long way, and can really be a big help when it comes to covering tuition and books. Make an appointment and speak with the school’s financial advisor and have them guide you through all of your options.

Also, do what you can to save as much as possible. This extra bit of cash will come in handy when pulling all-nighters to study for exams and write papers cuts into the hours you put in to your part-time jobs.

 

Don’t ignore it

As any teacher working in a nursing program will say, the worst thing someone can do is ignore the symptoms of illness. The first thing anyone needs to do to bring down their debt is own up to it. Leaving bills unopened or pretending that nothing is wrong will put you on the fast track to nowhere. If the amount you owe has become too much to bear, then talk to someone about it. Speaking with a financial advisor or even your parents or other family members can do wonders to help you figure things out.

Fessing up to your debt does not mean you have to be super stressed about it all the time. A huge part of not ignoring your debt comes down to taking care of it, and the more you take care of it, the less stressed you will be. 

Control it

Believe it or not, debt is not evil. What causes it to become such a burden is our own inability to take care of it. If you can maintain your budget and make sure that your debt is always below a certain line, then you will constantly be in control of the situation.

Part of this control comes down to tightening up your spending habits. Do you really need another pair of shoes? Is it necessary to go out for dinner every night of the week? Go over your spending habits and reassess where you should try to hold back some. At the end of the day, you are the one that dictate where your money goes.

Visit Mohawk College for more information on enrolling in a school of nursing.

Much like the entertainment industry, the fashion industry is often glorified as being a dreamland, a place where only the most talented designers exist.  The seasonal collections, draped over stoic models walking across illuminated runways, come out in such regular intervals that the labour behind their creations are somewhat forgotten. It is easy for anyone who is not a designer to overlook the actual level of creative input that is necessary to produce that amount of constant output.

Despite the ridiculous depictions you see on TV, designers do not spend 24 hours a day draped in black from head to toe and screaming ridiculous demands in a foreign language. Designers are, above all else, artists. And like any artist, especially those who have gained substantial praise, a fashion designer is under a lot of pressure to perfect his or her craft.

For all of those who thought that being a fashion designer would be a piece of cake, think again. A career in fashion is more akin to the life led by Sisyphus. It is not only incessantly difficult, demanding, and stressful, but it is also quite isolating. At the risk of sounding too existential, designers need to escape time and place in order to tap into their creative fuses.

But (and there is a but) the ability to create something from start to finish is undoubtedly a reward in itself. In order to really become masters of their own craft, designers need to perfect every single aspect of the clothes-creating process, from the initial pencil sketch to sewing on the tag. To give you an idea of what is expected from a designer, here is a list of courses in a continuing education Fashion Design Certificate program:

- Pattern Design and Drafting - Intermediate           

- Dress Design - Advanced     

- Fitting Analysis Workshop   

- Designing Workshop

- Fashion Drawing      

- Colour Study for Fashion     

- Costume Influencing

- Fabric Awareness    

- How to Start a Small Business         

- Silk Screen Printing

It is obvious now just how large their scope of knowledge is. Also, fashion design involves the development of so many manual skills that most colleges or universities will offer classes on-site rather than through distance education.

From an outside perspective, fashion design seems like one of those extreme end businesses: either you make it big or you do not make it all. This is obviously untrue, but either way, whether fashion functions on fame or craft, designers are in for a life of creative struggle. But, in the words of Albert Camus, "The struggle itself [...] is enough to fill a man's heart.”

Visit Mohawk College for more information on online learning.

Nursing

A nursing career can look completely different from one nurse to the next. Nurses can opt to specialise in one particular domain and be stationed on the same unit for the entire length of their career. Other nurses prefer to spend time on different units, allowing them to gain experience in a range of different healthcare areas.

Cardiovascular Technology

Cardiology Technologists (CT) work alongside doctors in identifying cardiac conditions in patients. CT’s are responsible for administering and monitoring routine cardiac and/or vascular tests, inserting catheters, pacemakers and other medical devices used to treat cardiac patients.

Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography

A sonographer is relied on to take internal images of patients in order to help a doctor diagnose a patient. At times, having these images taken can make a patient feel uncomfortable, thus it is important that sonographers always extend levels of patients and  Taking these images can be quite invasive, and can make patients feel very uncomfortable, so sonographers are expected to exercise a lot of patience and consideration in order to lessen their discomfort.

 

Medical Radiation

Much like the title implies, a Medical Radiation technologist (MRT) practices radiant energy techniques in order to diagnose and treat patients. Admittedly cancer is the first thing to come to mind when we think of radiation in a healthcare setting. And while there are MRT’s who can go through an entire career treating cancer patients, there are other who tend to lean towards other specialities, such as radiography, fluoroscopy and computed tomography. Most schools of health science will ensure that students get an education that covers all  patient populations and healthcare issues related to radiation.

Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant

A career as an Occupational Therapist is demanding on so many levels. Primarily, OT’s are trained to help patients regain lost mobility skills. This can be an extremely long and slow-moving process, which is why an OT has to have, above all else, an exemplary level of patience. Secondly, OT’s will see patients go through an unimaginable difficult time. Whether they have lost complete feeling in their limbs, or they need learn how to walk again, patients are undoubtedly encountering a life hurdle that demands physical, psychological and emotional strength. Through support and expertise, an OT is the gateway to a patient self-confidence and determination.

Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy technician training prepares students to work alongside certified pharmacists and assists in preparing and overseeing pharmaceutical medication distribution. Due to the probable vastness of a pharmacy’s clientele, a pharmacy technician is required to be completely fluent in prescription regulations and practices.

Visit Mohawk College for more information on Health Sciences college and programs

Frank O. Gehry’s architectural designs make his job looking incredibly fun. From the Dancing House in Prague to the EMP Museum in Seattle, Gehry’s creations are eclectic, and stand as testaments to the creative liberty within the architecture field.

But of course, Gehry, along with every other architect, had to go through the long process of learning and mastering every single angle of architecture. The architecture field covers a broad range of different topics, so learning all there is to know is no small task. To give you an idea of what is involved in becoming an architect, take a look at a few courses that are typically included in an educational curriculum.

Environmental Technology

Designing a building is not only about creating an aesthetically appealing structure. Part of any architectural design is the building’s functionality because frankly, a building is no good to anyone if it collapses. To ensure that a building functions properly, an architect must integrate elements of environmental technology into the design. Such elements include the integration of water supply systems, waste management, and noise pollution control.

Drafting Fundamentals & Standards

Architects will likely learn to drafting techniques for all different sectors within the field, including construction, civil, and transportation engineering. Drafting is where an idea begins to take shape on paper, or on the screen, and will allow an architect to present his ideas in tangible form.  

History of Architecture

Before jumping into anything, an aspiring architectural technician must first learn the beginnings of the industry, and how it has evolved over time. From learning about what inspired the greats to projects that never made it past the drawing board, students definitely benefit from taking a close look at the success and failures of past architects.

Sustainable Construction Techniques

Despite the rather recent focus that has been put on the importance of sustainability, the architectural technique has been around for quite a long time. A crucial factor that is considered in a new design is the sustainability of it. Now, of course this has to do with the building’s future effect on the environment, but it also has to with its longevity. If a building is made of durable and green materials, it not only plays well with the environment, but it will likely stand for a long time.

Some engineering technology colleges that offer architecture programs and courses will provide students with the opportunity to gain work experience while they are still earning their degree or diploma. The obvious benefit with this is that students will not only be able to put their knowledge to the test, but also work closely with professionals that will likely become their colleagues in the future.

 

Visit Mohawk College for more information on architectural technology programs.

A recent Canadian study indicates that women spend 600 dollars annually on daily facial beauty cosmetic products and treatments. And that’s just on the face! Imagine what that total amount would look like if it included the cost of hair, manicures, pedicures, and waxing. How is it possible that women are not taking on extra part-time jobs just to cover the cost of all this stuff?

Before we jump in on the details of a fool-proof way any woman can save money on beauty costs, let me first assure you that I am not criticizing the female tendency towards beautification. We all want to feel great, and taking care of our body is a part of that. If it so happens that polished nails or a fresh haircut makes you feel good, then more power to you. But, there is a difference between grooming to feel good and being overly-obsessive about how you appear to others. Be wary of how much time and focus you put on your appearance. Looks only matter as much as you let them.

Now, back to the part about saving money. The easiest way to cut back your spending on aesthetics is to do as much of it as you can on your own. That is not to say that you should be handling piping hot wax right off the bat. Like any other practiced trade, the aesthetics field involves specialized skills that take many years of experience to perfect. To jump start your knowledge of the craft (or potential career path), you may want to enroll in a continuing education program in Aesthetics. Here is a quick look at the types of courses you can enroll in:

- Skin Care

- Body Massage and Treatments       

- Colour Theory for Make Up and Fashion Co-ordination     

- Business and Marketing for the Cosmetics Industry           

- Manicure and Pedicure Techniques

- Waxing                     

- Make up; Bridal, Glamour, Runway

- Hot Stone Massage

Because aesthetics is a very hands-on trade, most colleges will not be able to offer the related courses through their distance education programs. Whether you want to find ways to save money or are thinking about starting your own beauty salon, taking aesthetics courses is the first step you need to take.

And remember, even when you do become a money-saving, self-beautifying aesthetics expert, you can still drop some coin to indulge in the occasional trip to the spa.

Visit Mohawk College for more information on online learning.

From an outside perspective, accountants seem to work with one thing and one thing only: numbers. It is perhaps surprising, then, to learn that accountants are also expected to have impeccable research and writing skills, as well as be well versed in marketing trends and legal concepts.

 

Here is a closer look at areas of expertise that accountant’s practice within their own trade.

Marketing

Part of an accountant’s job is to implement strategies into a corporation’s overall business direction. Financial plans and diligent approaches are key components of these strategies. Needless to say, in order to position a corporation for increased success, accountants are required to think beyond the spreadsheets and into the marketing world. 

It seems counter-intuitive at first to think of accountants as marketers. But if you consider how accountants are often required to help devise plans to help a business boost figures, then it only makes sense that they understand the business itself in relation to the shared market. Accountants are expected to compile a marketing plan, which illustrates consumer behaviour patterns and business performance, and includes suggestions as to where a business could or should be headed in light of new market trends.

 

Research and Reporting

We already know that an accountant’s day-to-day involves more than just numbers. With reports, reviews, contracts and various other business documents, accountants also need to exercise exemplary writing skills. 

Equally as important are an accountant’s research skills. There will come times when an accountant will need to undergo extensive research pertaining to a corporation’s position in the current market, potential strategies it can employ in order to gain leverage against competitors, various developments that should be pursued for the prospects of growth and stability, and various other industry-related topics. His or her ability to provide a thorough and succinct research report directly affects the overall efficiency of their work.

Business Law

Although it is clear that those who graduate with accounting training are not lawyers, it should be noted that professional accountants are expected to be well versed in legal concepts pertaining to various commercial institutions and transactions. By understanding the intricacies of certain laws, accountants will be better equipped to assess a business’s practices, as well devise strategies for a business’s future performance.   Although it goes without saying, an accountant is not a substitute for a licensed lawyer, thus it is always vital that a corporation hire counsel for any legal matters.

Visit Mohawk College for more information on accounting courses and programs.

Welding

Welders are trained experts who merge pieces of metal or thermoplastic together for building, construction, and sculpting purposes. The process of merging materials together can be done in several different ways, but will invariably involve the application of heat. The sources of heat that can be used depend on the welder, the project at hand, and the materials that are being coalesced. Typically, however, heat is applied through an open gas flame, arc discharge, electromagnetic radiation, and friction, just to name a few.   

If we stop to think about the various constructions that require welding, it quickly becomes clear how many different working environments welders can choose from. From ground-level environments, such as factories, construction sites, aviation or automobile manufacturers and repair shops, to underwater tasks, such as repairing or building ships and pipelines. There are many different work environments that welders can choose from. 

Steamfitters

Steamfitters hone a completely different craft than welders, however, welding is still a huge part of their skill set. The focus of a steamfitter’s work is on pipes (explaining why steamfitters are also referred to as pipefitters). Working with piping systems requires a great level of specialized expertise. In order to properly execute the task at hand, steamfitters will need to consult a variety of blueprints, layout plans, and technical provisions before launching the project. From there, the steamfitter will decide which tools and materials are best suited for the pipe assembly or repair, and will then begin to map out the estimated progress of the project.

A steamfitter’s job is very technical, and requires a variety of different skills, including but not limited to, precise measuring, welding, soldering, cementing, and being able to handle a wide range of power tools and machinery.  Most employers will require applicants to have completed a steamfitter apprenticeship or certification program before being hired. 

Sheet metal

Sheet metal is made from various types of metal, including steel, aluminum, silver, copper and gold. Although not immediately obvious, sheet metal is widely used, and can be seen in everything from art pieces to roof tops.  Much like steamfitters, sheet metal workers also need to be able to read and interpret intricate blueprints and design plans in order to successfully carry any given project. incorporate welding into their trade.

A sheet metal worker apprenticeship program will most likely introduce students to the various ways sheet metal workers handle the material, both of terms of the ways metal is formed (i.e. bending, rolling, ironing) and the energy source used to form it (i.e. laser cutting, drilling, shearing).  

Visit Mohawk College for more information on welding apprenticeships.

Deciding that you want to become an electrician is only part of narrowing down your career options. There are several different specializations within the electrician industry, so it is important that you explore these specializations before enrolling into a program and earning your certification. Here is a quick look at some of the different types of electricians out there.

Domestic electricians are likely the type of electrician who we are all most familiar with. Ultimately, domestic electricians are responsible for installing and repairing any and all electrical wiring in a residential setting. From the breaker unit to the wire running across the walls in the attic, domestic electricians are the go-to pros for any house-hold electrical work.

Commercial electricians extend their skills to trade settings, such as stores, shopping malls, schools and hospitals, restaurants and office buildings. This line of electric work involves installing, testing and repairing lighting and air conditioning systems. Also, many commercial facilities will need to be equipped with security systems. Most importantly, commercial settings are often obliged to adhere to health and safety standards, which electricians are responsible to know and implement.

Construction electricians are trained to install and design the electrical structure of a new building, be it residential, commercial, or industrial. That said, construction electricians typically work closely with engineers, architects, and carpenters during each step of the construction process.

Industrial electricians are responsible for installing, repairing, maintaining, and testing electrical equipment in factories, workshops, or any other industrial setting. Typically, most industrial electrician apprenticeships will train students to become specialists in instrumentation control systems, electronics and robotics, and blueprint interpretation.

Linemen (also referred to as Journeymen or outdoor electrician) specialize in building electrical power systems. From the construction of support tower to the installation of overhead power lines and underground cables, the work of linemen allows everyone to go about their day with modern conveniences, including street and traffic lights.

Regardless of which area you decide to specialize in, most electrician apprenticeships will teach the Canadian Electrical Code, meaning you will need to learn and know the code thoroughly. The code itself contains information on requirements and provisions pertaining to all electrician work, as well as details on alternative materials and resources that electricians can use instead of their traditional counterparts. 

Depending on the situation, industrial electricians may prefer to work as independent contractors rather than permanent technicians for corporations. There is no good or bad choice. It all depends on your preferred career setting.

Visit Mohawk College for more information on apprenticeships in Ontario.