ADVICE for Students in Ontario RPN vs RN

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I have seen many threads, students asking advice/opinion on weather they should take the RPN or RN program.

I just wanted to share my experience and opinion on this subject as a RPN. I completed the 2 year full-time Diploma in Southwest Ontario, but if I could go back I would have definitely opted for the BScN program instead. I would like to share why.

When I decided on this route I never expected that my nursing ambitions and skills would supersede the opportunities that are available for RPN's in this part of Ontario. They are AGES behind when it comes to utilization of the RPN to their full scope of practice.

At the time I couldn't attend a 4-year full-time program because of the demands of my home life. Plus I thought, especially as I went through the program, that I would have a variety of choices as to what areas of nursing I would work in once I gained more experience. I have since learned that this is not the case, at least not in my area.

There are still many RN's (and general public) who do not understand the skills and education that RPN have received in nursing school and many facilities who are still not allowing RPNs to work to their full scope. RPN's are an autonomous profession who work under the EXACT same standards of nursing as RN's. There is no hierarchal system; it is simply based on experience and skill set. Which, most NEW GRAD RN's, can never have the skills set, experience and knowledge I do after this many years of actually working on busy acute floors as a nurse. And of course management opportunities are usually only available to RN's.

Because of this I have since decided to enroll in a part-time bridging program through Ryerson University to obtain my RN. I have also found that the pay difference is very unfair, and should also be based on experience and skill set. For example why should I get paid $25/hr verses $35/hr to start the exact same IV and push the exact same meds! I also have the same patient load as the RN for less money, I find this very unfair.

So if I had to advice anyone who is debating what route to take, I would say if you plan to work in this area (Ontario), just go for your BScN. Had I done this out of the gate, I would have been done by now and would not have to suffer through so much frustration and dissatisfaction with nursing.

I do not want to take any credit away from the RN (especially since I'm going to become one ;)) I give credit where credit is due, and if I received the respect I deserve as an RPN than I would have been happy keeping my designation.

So if you can and have the opportunity to do a full-time 4 year program, than MY ADVICE ... DO IT!! And what ever you choose remember we are ALL still NURSES!!!:nurse:

Btw, RPN is the same as LPN in the rest of Canada ... And the RPN/LPN scope of practice in the USA, is not anything like the training in Canada.

Specializes in NICU.

LOL "wannabeanurse"...do you even have a clue? You sound like a new grad RN who is up on their high and mighty horse...because those are the only ones I ever see with this attitude.

I am an RPN working on a very acute surgical unit. I get unstable patients all the time. Is it right? No, but when I get these patients i COLLABORATE with my RN coworkers to care for the patient together. As for code blues? Happen all the time on my unit. And yes, to my patients. And guess what? Most of them actually live, even though I'm just a stupid RPN who doesn't know anything. In the event of an emergency, no one is going "ok now where are all the RNs?"...the entire team steps in and works together. Are you really saying that you would trust a new grad RN more than a seasoned RPN? I mentor RN students and new grads all the time. on my floor there is zero differentiation between RN and RPN, we all work together. There are three (3) skills on my floor that I cannot perform as an RPN, and no meds that I can't hang (that we use on my floor). I'm not saying I should be paid the same as an RN with 4 years of school under their belt, but considering we do the exact same job...it would be nice to not cap out at a pitiful amount.

Now before you go crazy on me, recognize that I am not saying that RNs and RPNs are the same. I am actually currently in the RPN to BSCN program and there are differences in education, I'm not denying it. But does it really take an RN to insert an IV? Come on now, that's just laughable. I did the same IV course that RNs do...it doesn't take a rocket scientist to put in an IV. "Oh, this patient needs an IV...they must be way to unstable for an RPN!" Listen to yourself.

The only reason I am in school to become an RN is because I want to work in critical care areas. Pretty much all I've learned in this program is research and leadership, and maybe a little more anatomy and patho. But I'll tell you 99% of what I've learned to be a good nurse were learned in my PN program and on the job.

I have to say, I certainly wouldn't want you as my coworker if you have such an anti teamwork attitude towards your colleagues. Get a grip.

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You guys can all say Rns and Rpns are the same, maybe thats why the hospital I work at has gotten rid of all them on all the med surg floors....

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Specializes in Public Health.
You guys can all say Rns and Rpns are the same, maybe thats why the hospital I work at has gotten rid of all them on all the med surg floors....

NO BODY here is saying that. You are stuck in your own mind, move on.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

OK everyone enough

This thread is not about bashing each other. I have worked with some great LPN's and great RN's in the same context of working with bad LPN's and RN's. We all do a great job no matter where we work. We all have a role to do and hopefully do it well and to the best of our capabilities and at times our roles do cross over but hey............ at the end of the day we are there for the patient not to score marks against each other

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Specializes in NICU.
You guys can all say Rns and Rpns are the same, maybe thats why the hospital I work at has gotten rid of all them on all the med surg floors....

No where did anyone say that...if you actually read my post I said that I am NOT saying they are the same. Sheesh.

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I love how "iwannabeanurse" goes on and on about how the higher education is superior to hands on experience. It is even more so amusing when you go through their other posts and find out they want to do a masters degree but "hate writing, research, and essays" - vital portions of NP schooling. Question.....would 'iwannabeanurse' see themselves as inferior to those who DO the writing, essays, and research and dont try to find a way out of that schooling like 'iwannabeanurse'??? Seems like the pot calling the kettle black!!!!!

Now I'm all for finding easier ways to finish school....we all know its hard! But when you try to demean others for their lack of schooling yet are trying to find a way out of vital portions of your own.....aren't you A LITTLE hypocritical!??

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.
I dont get why so many Rpns are so buthurt? Do you guys really expect to get paid more even though you didnt get the same education? Its a university degree for a reason, you cant just get paid the same as an RN because youve been working for a long time, it may look like rns and Rpns are doing the same thing but theyre not, or they legally shouldnt be. For example, rpns are not supposed to take care of unstable patients, and imo thats enough to pay rpns less. The unstable patient is where the real critical thinking happens, its life or death not just skills like hanging meds and giving pills. An Rpn most likely doesnt deal with code blues, which can be very stressful. It only looks like RNs and Rpns do the same thing until an emergency happens and recognizing how to pick up on signs of approaching emergency. Most of the jobs of Rpns dont compare to critical care Rns, like a nursing home does not compare to an RN working in ICU, ER or med surg, on my floor we do have Rpns which are probably the most skilled an Rpn can get but their assignments are the easier ones, they dont deal with the serious stuff and if they do its unexpected and the rpns assignment would be changed and the unstable pt would be given to the RN.

RPNs DO start IVs and we can even access PICC lines. We do deal with Code blues. My floor has no RN on night shifts, only RPNs and PSWs. We deal with Full Code patients. I hear pushing meds is coming soon. My hospital has lot more RPNs than RNs.

[some one also commented saying theyre an rpn and can start IVs and push meds??? Not sure where youre working but thats not allowed]

You are seriously misinformed about RPNs can and can't do.

But I agree with SD. We shoulodn't make the thread about bashing and who's better.

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I love how "iwannabeanurse" goes on and on about how the higher education is superior to hands on experience. It is even more so amusing when you go through their other posts and find out they want to do a masters degree but "hate writing, research, and essays" - vital portions of NP schooling. Question.....would 'iwannabeanurse' see themselves as inferior to those who DO the writing, essays, and research and dont try to find a way out of that schooling like 'iwannabeanurse'??? Seems like the pot calling the kettle black!!!!!

Now I'm all for finding easier ways to finish school....we all know its hard! But when you try to demean others for their lack of schooling yet are trying to find a way out of vital portions of your own.....aren't you A LITTLE hypocritical!??

Thanks for reading through my previous posts, I like that youre trying to find out about my interests. But ya that is the main reason why I DO NOT want to go for further education, Im not looking for easy way outs nor am I going to complain and say I should be paid like an NP. I liked the NP job because it involves advanced assessment and patho which is what I'm good at, but its not worth it since its mainly focused on research and writing and FYI I didnt just get by in nursing school my writing skills are quite sufficient for the university level, do I care to work at it to make it up to the PHD level? Not really, because I hate it therefore grad school is not for me, at least I can accept it. So ya Im not going for further schooling, Im an RN and unlike others Im not demanding pay raises. And no one is demeaning anyone, you want to get paid more then go be an RN or work in a less stressful environment

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It suck that you didn't get accepted it into the RN program after pre health. Hoping you like it RPN. I was wondering if you did the bridge for the RN program? I also apply it to the RN program since I graduate it from high school and always got refuse. I did the General Arts and Science program at la cité and I recently got accepted it into a RN program. So I am waiting to see where else I get in so I can decide where I am going.

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Great advice but some people actually do pre college so they do not meet prerequisite for the RN program. So RPN can be a good start. I recently got accepted into a RN program and I am waiting for more offer, so I will be deciding later where I am going. I got accepted into Laurentian University for nursing, collège Boréal for RPN and their collaborative nursing program with Laurentian and Sault's collaborative nursing program with Laurentian has well. I will be deciding in May where I am going after I get more answer. So far, I will be starting nursing this fall. Looking forward.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Im in RPN, I start IV, IV meds, Access PICCs, Meds via PICC, Ports, ... Chest tubes, EVERYTHING!!! AS long as the patient is "stable" there is no difference in the "skills" we practice under the same Nursing Act (LOOK IT UP) ..the difference is ONLY the stability of the patient ..but even than the simple "RN" title doesn't mean they are competent of taking care of a unstable patient either, its about experience, competency level, policy .. and a designation does not determine that.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
I'm "bashing" Rpns because I dont think they should be paid the same, RN and Rpn have different responsibilities, people are going on about how everyone in healthcare is important, who said they werent? Rpns have a role in healthcare but theyre not RNs, Rpns are not supposed to have unstable pts, some on here are saying they still get them then go talk to your manager, not demand a pay raise. If RN and Rpn was the same then why not have everyone just become rpn and pay them the 35/hr. Why did they bother to make it a degree? As for diploma nurses, Im sorry to say this but yes sometimes those nurses dont follow the new policies and procedures because theyve been doing something a certain way for years and dont want to change it, and some of the old methods of doing things are not right.

I just wanted to say, Im an RPN .. completed 1 more yr of this bridge program ... qualified to take my NCLEX RN exam (had my education evaluated), and I PASSED!!!! ... This little Ol' RPN Passed!! 1st try! And sitting next to me were 5 BScN students 3 PASS 2 FAIL ... and I haven't even graduated from the BScN program yet!!! ... Proud RPN moment ..or shall I say RN! :roflmao:

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