Help in RPN or RN

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Hi EveryoneI am from Ontario, Canada and I want to make nursing my 2nd career. Here is a bit of my history. (the below is kind of long....I apologize in advance).I am in my 30's, no kids or husband. In the mid 2000's, my grandmother fell sick and after her hospital stay, CCAS arranged for VON to start visits 2 times a day. At first, this was very strange as no-one knew anything about this service but we were grateful. During the time, I used to help the PSW's turn her and help with the washings. I did this because I felt strange that they were helping her and we could help. In any case, a few of them asked if I was a PSW because apparently I was naturaly at care. As I had no kids and could do what I want, I went to Sheridan college part time and started the PSW's certificate. (I should add that I have a degree from UofO and work FT in a totally unrelated industry). While taking my cerificate, I realized that I loved health care. When we were in our 2nd or 3rd last day of clinical, my instructor (a Masters RN who was currently working on her Ph.D.) pulled me and 3 other girls aside and recommended we pursue RN degrees. I guess she saw something in us (and I can say for myself I worked my butt off and did not slack in classes and graduated with honors & an A average..I guess some people would think that is fine as it is at the college level but I was proud).I was so excited about her advise that I looked into the RN programs in my city (it felt right...if that makes any sense). I immediately got discouraged as this takes 4 years to complete (and for me an additional year to get my prereq's as I have been out of school for so long). Disappointed, I left it alone and was lucky to get a PT position at VON where I have been working ever since (about 6 yrs since). I still have my FT job and do VON on a PT basis. It works for me as I cannot stand being bored and enjoy working.My FT job transferred me to our Kitchener location for a year in 2012 and I also worked at Paramed there for that time (PT). I had a very good time working for Paramed and came to Love my clients. I had an Aha moment if you will, 1 week before I leaft PM (I was moving back to the GTA office) while working at a retirement home. I won't go into it but at that moment life felt perfect and I knew I had to get more into health care. So, when I got home I made a list of pro's and con's and then researched shcools. (I did not want to work as a PSW FT as it is not enough $ for me to live on and I find the work rewarding but not satisfying) I even asked my parents to let me back into their home so I can study with little bills and they gladly agreed (my mom has been encouraging me to enter nursing for years but like a real rebellion, I resisted). My question (finally) is, if you were me, would you go for the RN or RPN program? I am so nervous because of the time it would take to accomplish the RN (BScN) degree. As I stated, I am not young and going back to school for another 4 years seems so daunting and very annoying. Also, I must admit that while in university, I did not do too well as it was just plain hard for me. I did much better at the college level and wished I did not attend uni at all because it was a mini disaster.The RPN program is so much less time (also George Brown has a PSW to RNP bridge program which I applied for and got in as my PSW average was pretty high) so I know I can at least get in...if I do well in the bridging.I have been agonizing about this for a while and cannot come to a decision. I really want to help people and specificially would like to work in ICU (and RN's are the only ones allowed there overall from what I read so far...at least in the GTA area). I do think I can get thru the RN program but am really nervous about the university portion. I feel that I am not smart enough but want to be a nurse so badly. I actually feel it is my calling in life. The 2nd I made the decision to actually return to school for nursing, I felt an inner piece and am ready to devote the $, blood, sweat and tears to accomplish it. I am just stuck on my age, my brain and RN or RPN.I would appreciate if anyone can give me some advise on what you would do personally. I want to actually apply for all programs/schools by Feb '14 and just concentrate on saving like crazy, working extra hrs at VON and planning my caring future. Sincerely, scared to death

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P.S., I don't know why the msg is run on with no breaks and paragraphs. I set it up that way but the format changed. Sorry.

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Hi libby, I'm currently finishing my 4th and final semester doing RPN at Mohawk college and while doing this program I've encountered many nurses that have either bridged from PN or know of people that have. All have recommended this path as it only adds one semester to your time back at "school" and you can work as a PN during the summers which you will have free doing your bridging course (FYI the Mohawk RPN course runs continuously for 16months through the summer).

Your other fears about age are not an issue, I myself am 34 and I am far from the oldest in my class, yes there are many younger students but that is to be expected. Also your worry about being smart enough for the RN program by doing the RPN course you will get to know if you are able to handle the more academic side of nursing, something some of the PSW that bridged into the RPN program found out the hard way.

Short answer to your question, if you are able do the RPN course find out if it is for you, you never know you might love being a RPN and look no further for RN.

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Thanks so much Relaxinbath for the advise. I have a few weeks to mull this over.As you are currently in the RPN program, can you tell me how hard the program is? I am reading some books on nursing students and what to expect (for BscN RN really) and they all say it is super demanding and difficult. How have you found the program thus far?

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I have a degree in Genetics and a postgrad in Information Technology from the UK, so going in the RPN I have a good understanding of Anatomy and Physiology something that most of my classmates have found difficult. I have found the more nursey stuff difficult, courses that try to get you to think like a nurse and come up with nursing diagnosis (something i find very difficult as I focus on medical diagnosis) and care plans. I am near the top of my class with 90% average across all semesters, on the deans list and good feed back from my practical teachers.

Most of the program I have found easy and if i had committed myself more fully I would have achieved higher grades. Mohawk college offers a PSW to RPN stream which might be an option you can look into.

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Specializes in NICU.

I just graduated from the RPN program and I would say that it was a lot of work but I didn't find it too difficult. I loved it and have found many oppourtunities for RPNs, and many things are opening up for RPNs that weren't available before.

I have applied for the bridging program which I;m not sure i'll do yet....it's 3 more years full time...so if you do RPN it will take you 5 years instead of 4 if you go straight into the RN program. But like relaxingbath said, you can work as an RPN while doing it which is nice. I wanted to get my foot into nursing so that's why I did it this way and I don't regret it. As an RPN I can do 90% of what my RN colleagues do, but like you I'd like to work in the ICU one day.

I have friends who are in the RN program and friends who are bridging and I have heard that the jump from RPN to RN in terms of academics and difficulty is quite big....the RN program is a lot more "academic" in terms of papers, research etc. while the RPN program is more practical and hands on.

best of luck

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Thank you vintagePN. Are you now working as a RPN as you just graduated?What was the hardest course?I am currently reading 'How to Succeed in Nursing school' and ant and phy seem to be the biggest concern for students.

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Specializes in NICU.

I'm not currently working. The hardest courses in the program for me were anatomy/pathophysiology. But that's just personal, a lot of people are really strong in that area. It really depends.

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hey , I actually admire this post because I am asking almost the same questions, I am currently taking RPN program in Seneca college and I was wondering if I should go straight into the collaborating program (RPN to RN) and if I would be able to work as either a RPN or PSW while taking full time classes in the bridging program. Like is this possible? I also am interested in going to mohawk/Mcmasters for this program.

In terms of going into RPN To RN , the RPN program is intense yet very manageable once you have your focus and excitement.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Why would you work as a PSW if you were an RPN? You maybe able to work during the bridging program but I don't know if full time is feasible.

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Why would you work as a PSW if you were an RPN? You maybe able to work during the bridging program but I don't know if full time is feasible.

Because I was thinking that psw would get less hours than RPN so in that case I would be able to work and do my full time as well

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Why would a PSW get less hours? They have part time and full time just like RPNs. You wouldn't get a full time RPN position as a new grad likely.

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