Phil RN's as LPN

Fiona59 · Apr 23, 2008

And CLPNA is facing a lot of hostile criticism from their membership on this one.

No one wants to work with them. LPNs don't want to work with and the RNs on the floor don't want to either.

We feel they are untried and potentially dangerous.

purplehippo · Apr 23, 2008

I think it is but fair that they still write the LPN exam. How come this is allowed in Canada? Being able to work in a licensed position wothout a license? Simply because they are NCLEX passers?

Fiona59 · Apr 23, 2008

The concensus on the floor is that a BScN from the Phillipine is a joke. Four years at university and they only graduate with the equivalancy of a PN? Either that or the PN eduation in Alberta is better than what is being taught over there.

Either way neither grade of nurse is happy about the few that arriving.

The union that covers the PNs will probably be on strike in the next month or so over wages and benefits.

linzz · Apr 23, 2008

Well if this is going on in Alberta, it is likely going on in Ontario. Not having to pass the licencing exam is so unsafe. How can we be sure of anything without this basic requirement.

purplehippo · Apr 23, 2008

In line with the education in the Philippines... I don't agree that what we undergo there, the 4 years of university taking up Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is not a joke! It depends on the university. There are really credible and outstanding universities back home! I can attest to that!

It is just that I don't agree with the idea that because there are nurses who are NCLEX passers, they can go ahead and work in a licensed profession without a license here in Canada.

Six hundred of them so far have been recruited and more are coming batch per batch. If this continues, there will be more NCLEX passers awaiting their application to US will use Canada as stepping stone to work eventually to US. Once their application is granted to work as an RN, goodbye Canada.

If only CARNA can realize that this is happening partly because their process of IEN's being registered here is too complicated, that the nurses will rather work as an LPN without any complication than apply as an RN...

Flipjlo_LPN_to_RNBSN · Apr 24, 2008

yep its true i see them at school here at norquest! its nice that they're getting help ..im my self am Filipino born and raised in the states..but to some of us its not fair without a license! i myself working my orifice off and boom here they come and work without a license they cannot even insert catherthers they're juss learning! its a joke sometimes..from speaking with them some lack some knowledge! no offense but they seem a step behind. now our nursing eastcort building is being used for them, and us PN's are moving to a new building

malaya · Apr 24, 2008

then a meeting with capital health is in order, don't you think? as they are the sponsoring agent for these filipino nurses who should have gone there to work as graduate nurses and preparing to sit for the CRNE. these nurses who will be going there in batches are bright, talented, skilled and qualified to work in canada's health care facilities. aside from a BSN degree they have have over 2 years of work experience in JCIA accredited tertiary hospitals in the philippines.

allow them the benefits of an adjustment/orientation period. in a short time they will soon ease your load. there's a bright side to all these !! how about a warm side? isn't it awfully cold in alberta this time of year?

no offense meant. thanks.

Fiona59 · Apr 24, 2008

Actually, no. The time spent at Norquest is supposed to give them an idea of what Canadian healthcare is like. How to talk to other staff, patients and learn what the role is.

It's not a time to teach them skills that they should already know how to perform.

purplehippo · Apr 24, 2008

Yup, all they undergo is an orientation, because they are all competent and equipped with skills as NURSES, not as LPN's... So if they are really smart and bright and talented, let them follow the legal procedure, write the board exam for LPN and obtain a license just like the rest of people do...

And we all know that they are not going to stay here in Canada and work as LPN's... They are NURSES!... even passed the NCLEX (with the primary goal of working as an RN in the US!)... So yes, no doubt about it, Canada as stepping stone ONLY.

So instead of Capital Health investing in hundreds of Filipino RN's being used as LPN's who will leave after a year or so anyway, why can't they help and rather support MORE of those equally bright and talented and competent nurses who intend to work as REGISTERED NURSES who are willing to follow procedure in the province... Besides these are the ones who have the intention to STAY and not use Canada as stepping stone...

Fiona59 · Apr 24, 2008

My, oh, my. Purplehippo you have a lot to learn.

Fact: LPNs ARE nurses. We are independent nurses who carry our own patient load, do our own medications, iv starts, iv meds, all treatments on our patients.

Fact: The difference is scope of practice in Capital Health is very small and is limited to a few skills, several of which are included in PN education but are not permitted under the facility policy.

Fact: The PN of today has more skills than a hospital grad RN of 20 years ago.

Fact: Canada cannot be used as a stepping stone to entry into the US by Phillipinos or anyone else. The US has limited it's green cards for all nurses. You don't get bonus points for coming from Canada.

If you truly want to nurse in Alberta or anywhere else in Canada, you had better develop an understanding of what an RN and an LPN is and what their practice regulations cover. Many PNs employed by Capital Health are disappointed by the hiring of overseas nurses. The feeling is that Capital Health should have been more proactive is sponsoring their existing staff in upgrading their education to RN rather than expecting them to work a minimum of a half time job and attend university in return for financial support.

purplehippo · Apr 24, 2008

Fact still remains... registered nurses are different from LPN's!