Do RPN/LPN or directly BScN?

[Trying1]

Hi,

I am around age 30. I did my secondary school and 4 year post secondary education in health field outside north america. Finished my post secondary education in 2011. I would like to become RN. My gpa in post secondary education is around 3. Which will be fastest way to become an RN? Which way will be easiest to get admission? I am willing to study anywhere in Canada where it is easy to get admission and where the program won't be so tough

Option 1 = Doing LPN/RPN and then do bridging through Athabasca etc? Do I need to take pre health courses or HOEA, etc to get admission into LPN/RPN program in canada?

Option 2 = Or go directly to BScN 4 years? Since I have post secondary education, is it easy to get admission to BScN? Or do I need to take some courses as my gpa is only around 3

Any feedback will be helpful. I am willing to work very hard. Currently working in Alberta

Thank you so much

[dishes, BSN, RN]

Look at the admission requirements to determine if you need to take pre-health or HOEA for PN program.

Taking the PN program and bridging typically takes longer than 4 years.

Both the PN and BSN programs are competitive throughout Canada because many applicants are under the misguided idea that nursing is always in demand and that they will be guaranteed jobs right after they graduate. The reality is that the nursing job market goes through surplus and shortage cycles, currently it is in a surplus cycle and new grads are finding if difficult to obtain their first job.

[dishes, BSN, RN]

@Trying1, you say you were educated outside of North America, are you currently licensed and working in the health field in Alberta? Or are you working at a survivor job?

[loriangel14, RN]

There are no "easy" RN programs and none are easy to get into. A GPA of 3 will likely not be enough. Most RN programs have prerequisites that you would have to finish first and that will hopefully bring your GPA up.

[Trying1]

Hi loriangel14,

Thank you for your reply

Since my gpa is low, is it better to do RPN and then do bridging? I am worried after doing RPN, if I will have good gpa to continue with RN program.

Or is it better to spend one year working on pre requisites and then apply for RN program? I am worried with this route, I would not have income and also if I don't do well on my pre requisites, I will be wasting my time and money.

[Trying1]

Hi dishes,

Thank you for your reply

I am doing a job that gives me income for now. So, which route will be better for me? Do RPN and then bridging OR work on pre requisites and then apply for RN?

[loriangel14, RN]

It would take more than a year to do the prerequisites for an RN program. There are no guarantees of what your grades will be. You will just have to do your best.

[Trying1]

Hi loriangel14,

Thank you

So is it better for me to go for LPN/RPN program rather than doing pre requisites? Or it will be difficult to get in LPN/RPN program also?

[xokw, BSN, RN]

Hi loriangel14,

Thank you

So is it better for me to go for LPN/RPN program rather than doing pre requisites? Or it will be difficult to get in LPN/RPN program also?

I'm sorry but you do understand that there are many prerequisites to get into an RPN program and it is also extremely competitive, right?

My best friend is a first year BscN student who got wait listed for the RPN program last year while applying to school. This is simply because so many people apply therefore the average needed to get in is driven up.

[loriangel14, RN]

RPN programs are also a challenge to get into. Which path you take is up to you.

[dishes, BSN, RN]

@Tryng1 if course credits from your previous degree in a health related field are counted it may exempt you from taking pre-health courses.

[loriangel14, RN]

Although the credits are from outside of North America so they likely wouldn't transfer.