[Strandysmommy]

Hey all. I'm an LPN of 1 year aprox. from Minnesota. My husband and I were entertaining the idea of moving to Canada, probably somewhere in Ontario, and somewhere urban, like Toronto. I currently work full time in a clinic in Pediatrics, and I was wondering if LPN's are used in clinics in Canada- especially in the area's I mentioned.

Here in the US, in MN, anyways, they seem to be favoring Medical Assistants over LPN's in clinics, and Hospitals have gotten rid of all LPN's and are now working on phasing out ADN's as well in favor of BSN's (which I think is so very sad, because not all of us have an extra 70 grand around to spend on school).

So yeah, I was wondering that. I currently make $15.09/ hr (American dollars, not sure what the exchange rate is). The most I'll make in this company, in this setting (outpatient) is 19.70 I think.

Also, are there any websites you could reccomend for people such as us who are considering moving over the border?

Thank ya!

[Fiona59]

Ontario is a mystery to me.

But bear in mind that most nursing jobs in Canada are unionized. Family doctors and medicentres are not and as a result pay slightly lower wages (and always appear to be looking for staff).

Hospitals are government funded and run directly by the regional health authority or by a church under some type of contract to the provincial government.

The best jobs (ie clinic, outpatients dept) in hospitals are hard to come by due to seniority issues.

Ontario's nursing website probably has links to lead you in the right direction.

Linzz, where are you??

[linzz]

Hi Fiona 59, Here I am. I am in agreement with what you said. Hospital clinic jobs are hard to come by. I find that in Ontario, it really depends on how underserviced the area is which will determine to a certain extent, the opportunities for RPN's. In most cities, urgent care clinics will hire only RN's but I haven't noted that they have to be BSN educated as our universities and colleges are heavily government funded so there are very few seats for BSN's which is creating a shortage of RN's. As Fiona 59 said, our Dr.'s offices hire only LPN's and RN's, not medical assistants. Some Dr.'s will only hire RN's but others will hire LPN's. It is a matter of researching the area. If you are in Ontario, I would call the RPNAO, (Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario) and talk to a practice consultant. Good luck.

[linzz]

Dear Strandysmommy, I think you also need to contact the College of Nurses, that is the Ontario licencing board. Our LPN program is now 2.5 years long, so you would have to talk to them to see if you are able to write the RPN licencing exam. They have a website, I think it is cno.org. Good luck.

[RPNinTO]

In Toronto where I am there are few clinic jobs unless its like a private family clinic. Some of those only want RNs...
there are some diet clinics that hire RPNs that I have seen postings for.
Personally I have found it very limited in Toronto for RPNs after practicing 2 years.
I am going to return to bridge to RN. I didn't want to, but I am not happy personally with what I found
bear in mind this is Toronto, and may be different other places
I wish you good luck!