Nurses Helping Nurses
allnurses Network: Central | Jobs | Books | Newsletter
allnurses: A Nursing Community for Nurses
Home General News Blogs Articles Students Region Specialty Degrees F.A.Q.
Canadian Nurses /

Why the time difference in LPN courses in Canada?



Did You Know?
allnurses is the largest community for nurses on the web. We now have over 388,141 members! Join today to network with other nurses, laugh, share, and much more.

Mar 23, 2008 12:33 AM

Why the time difference in LPN courses in Canada?


Hi All,

I'm in the process of doing my upgrading (Math and Bio and I'm half way through with "A" averages.) to get into a LPN program. The one at my local college is 2 years (in Alberta), and because my DH is looking at a possible work relocation, I was looking into LPN programs in other communities. I found that many of these programs are only 1 year long! And also, about $3,000 cheaper than the one offered here.

Why the difference in programs - the pay scale is the same within AB I believe, and in BC, even with a shorter program, LPN's are paid more than they are in AB.

What gives here?? Does a 2 year program turn out a more well-rounded LPN, or is it a money grab by the college to get more tuition?


Share

Search Tags
None
Top

 
Advertisement
Sponsored Links
 
Reply
6 Comments
No. 1
from Fiona59
Old Mar 23, 2008, 01:18 AM
Updated Mar 23, 2008 at 01:22 AM by Fiona59

Default Re: Why the time difference in LPN courses in Canada?
PNs are for the majority unionized. The wages are set by how strong the bargaining committee is. Alberta is well known to be an anti-union province while BC has traditionally been more receptive to unions and have as a result a higher wage. That higher wage is it though. All PNs make the wage regardless of skills or experience. Alberta currently has five steps in the wage structure with increases based on hours worked. So, in BC all PNs make the same. In Alberta, new grads start at the bottom and work their way up. Alberta pays higher shift and weekend premiums than BC did a few years back. So I currently make more in Alberta than I did when I worked in BC.

The trend across Canada is to increased eduation for PNs. PNs in some provinces are eduated to a minimum acceptable level to be able to pass the CPNRE. Other provinces train to a higher degree depending on how utilized the PNs are. I was trained to insert an NG but my health authority doesn't include it in my acceptable skills. I did a L&D unit but can't work there but the need to know is on the exam. I never want to remove a cast but was educated to. You never know where you will work and what opportunities will come your way.

Alberta's anatomy course was taught to a higher level than BCs a few years back. This required PNs seeking registration to upgrade their anatomy in order to work in this province. For some reason I seem to remember it had to do with eye exam. We are trained to do them, apparently the education in BC didn't include it.

When I did my training it was a 53 week course with only a week between semesters. We did four academic semesters in one year. If they had followed a traditional college semester system it would have involved two years of education.

What colleges are you looking at? Bow Valley and Norquest turn out some of the best PNs in Alberta and their costs are comparable.
Top
 
No. 2
from Ogopogo
Old Mar 23, 2008, 05:38 PM

Default Re: Why the time difference in LPN courses in Canada?
My course in BC is 12 months, or about 49 weeks of instruction. We started Sept 4th, had 2 weeks off at Christmas and got strait through to Aug 22. We break it down into 3 semesters, each with their own practicum and a 5 week preceptorship at the end. It's all very compact.

Our anatomy doesn't include eye exams. I'm getting a very good LPN education at my community college. I'm not sure how other provinces compare in terms of education.

Although I believe the exam I will write in September is a national one, that all Canadian LPN's will take, so there must be some type of uniformity in what is taught throughout Canada. My school has an excellent pass rate on the national exam. 100% of the students have passed on the last few writings. A few years ago, there were 1 or 2 that didn't pass. But overall, an excellent pass rate on the national exam.
Top
 
No. 3
Old Mar 23, 2008, 05:45 PM

Default Re: Why the time difference in LPN courses in Canada?
I believe we all write the same PN exam but some courses teach more than required. My RPN course was 5 semesters long including 12 weeks consolidation at the end.
Top
 
No. 4
from Fiona59
Old Mar 23, 2008, 09:52 PM

Default Re: Why the time difference in LPN courses in Canada?
Yup, it is a NATIONAL exam. Written on the same day in the various provinces.

There is a core minimum level of education required and that is the common meeting ground for those who write the exam.
Top
 
No. 5
Old Mar 26, 2008, 11:55 PM

Default Re: Why the time difference in LPN courses in Canada?
Thanks for your replies. My only option is Northern Lakes College.

I was on here awhile back freaking out because I hadn't heard good things about them based on the 2005/2006 Sept. start up. If you recall, the day I stopped by to speak to somone in person, they were closed! Finally, I got a call back (a few days after my initial message) and was able to discuss my concerns. Apparently the day I stopped by was a "staff meeting", which is why they were closed. I addressed my concerns and they told me that the particular year in question was a terrible one, and most of their students had difficulty finding rentals, etc so their attendance was way down, etc. She said that currently there are 32 students enrolled, and they are using face-to-face delivery method since their numbers are high enough (as opposed to satellite delivery, etc).

I looked into Norquest's distance program, and I'd like to take their program, but it just isn't feasible. I spoke to someone from their distance program and they told me that one practicum is basically 15 weeks long. I can't leave my kids alone for that length of time, my husbands' work doesn't allow his schedule to accomodate them, nor could I afford to live in Edmonton while doing it.

Northern Lakes is my only option.
Top
 
No. 6
from Ogopogo
Old Mar 27, 2008, 12:07 AM

Default Re: Why the time difference in LPN courses in Canada?
Originally Posted by CuriousStudent1108 View Post
Thanks for your replies. My only option is Northern Lakes College.

I was on here awhile back freaking out because I hadn't heard good things about them based on the 2005/2006 Sept. start up. If you recall, the day I stopped by to speak to somone in person, they were closed! Finally, I got a call back (a few days after my initial message) and was able to discuss my concerns. Apparently the day I stopped by was a "staff meeting", which is why they were closed. I addressed my concerns and they told me that the particular year in question was a terrible one, and most of their students had difficulty finding rentals, etc so their attendance was way down, etc. She said that currently there are 32 students enrolled, and they are using face-to-face delivery method since their numbers are high enough (as opposed to satellite delivery, etc).

I looked into Norquest's distance program, and I'd like to take their program, but it just isn't feasible. I spoke to someone from their distance program and they told me that one practicum is basically 15 weeks long. I can't leave my kids alone for that length of time, my husbands' work doesn't allow his schedule to accomodate them, nor could I afford to live in Edmonton while doing it.

Northern Lakes is my only option.
Best of luck, I hope it works out for you!! It seems like you're very eager to take the couse and I'm sure you'll do great
Top
 
Reply




Thread Tools


Who's Online
86 members
1,218 guests
1,304

6

California Imposes Stricter Rules Regarding Drug Abuse In...

19

Are older nurses being forced out of the profession?

3

An outlook in California?

8

Australian surgeons successfully separate conjoined twins

41

Disruptive behavior by doctors, nurses persists a year...

31

Woman sues after police tackle her in ER during premature...

5

Beyond The Last Lecture -For Randy & Jai Pausch nurses...

18

WHO: Give at-risk groups anti-flu drugs early

21

Nursing, medical schools should work together, experts say

6

Army nurse honored after 100th birthday



1

Society Needs Care Too

11

Why am I doing this, anyway?

2

Nurse Heal Thyself

9

My Papa, why I am the nurse I am today.

17

I made it through

11

An angel's gaze

14

A Sister Never Forgets

16

Ruby's Marbles

37

What Do Operating Room Nurses Do?

14

My Little Old Jedi

20

I love this job......

23

"I hear voices"

19

Preventing FRUTI (Foley Related Urinary Tract Infection) in...

24

Error and Attitude

10

It's Just a Shower





Currently Reading This Page: 1 (0 members & 1 guests)

Interested in the hottest topics of the week? Subscribe to the Nurse-zine Newsletter.
Enter email address: