LPN or RN - Page 3

??? I think it's doing the opposite. The scope is expanding and lpn/rpns are being used in more and more areas including those once reserved for RNs

Yes our scope is expanding by leaps and bounds.

Here in AB we are in ICU, ER and NICU. I think with the way health funding is going and the cost of RN contracts, PNs will be found in more and more settings that were once the domain of the RN. Our basic PN education here is the old diploma RN programme, so it will be interesting to see what happens when US ADN's try to relocate here or ON.

LPN's are in the ICU? Interesting. I know for a fact we have none at the PLC and far as I know none work at the Foot either.

I am interested in critical care, and as a practical nursing student messaged our provincial RPN association asking them if RPNs can work in the ICU and other critical care areas. They replied to me and said that these areas are not within the scope of practice of an RPN due to the unpredictability of the patients. So I don't know if RPNs are in these areas in Ontario.

I work at a 600 or so bed hosp in SW ON. The only times RPNs are in the ICU is if they are short. They are working quite a bit in Emerg, and some in L&D, not the NICU. The ICU is very difficult for RNs to get into. You must have quite a bit of experiences and many additional courses to be considered. Some small hospitals have less requirements, but also ship out many pts to us or other more equip hospitals.

You will see LPNs/RPNs utilized in every area of nursing across the country, which is a positive for everyone. For one thing, although there are funding cuts, in the very near future, LPNs and RNs will be needed in large numbers as the mass exodus and the aging demographics take hold. RNs will continue to be encouraged to obtain Masters degrees (although realistically, this is another over rated piece of paper). And aside from the fact that my RN salary is not cost effective, many RNs and LPNs don't want to work full time. So in order to fill some of these lines, the mix of RN and LPN is required.

I've applied and hope to start my MN at the U of C in Sept. It all depends on what you want to do with that "over rated piece of paper".

That's great Pete! I'm all for higher education, and I enjoyed nursing school. At some point, I will also pursue a Masters. However, a Masters degree is still over rated, IMO. Many of the current nursing positions aside from the NP role did not require a Masters before. You needed x years bedside experience and a few certifications. But it is what it is.