RPN's can bridge to RN in the USA in one year!

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I'm speaking from experience. I got my RPN in Sarnia, Ontario and I wanted to upgrade to RN. I seen that the schools were not recognizing the work I did as an RPN so I looked in the USA. Just on the other side of Sarnia, Ontario there is a college in Port Huron, MI. At that college they have a 1 year LPN-RN articulation program. The only thing I had to do was send my transcripts, write MI NCLEX LPN, and prove I had 1,088 hrs of work experience as an RPN. I did one semester of pre-reqs and I will graduate after doing a full year of studies, this May. The school does everything for you regarding the student visa. I still live in Ontario and I just drive over the border each day. The only problem is that you can not come back to Ontario unless you upgrade more in the USA to get a BScN. Usually hospitals in the US pay for that though. If anyone is interested you can see for yourself at http://www.sc4.edu I was so frustrated with the way Canada treated RPN's that I don't even care to come back.

Specializes in Hospital, Foot Nurse, NRSNG Educator.
I cannot agree with you more Talia!! I have been an RPN for over 5 years and I was interested in becoming an RN but when I informed myself it would take me 3 years approx. of full time education!! Also, since I only have my certificat in RPN and not my diploma. I still considering taking the bridging cert. to diploma program but not right now since I will be starting a new job in a hospital. It's almost an insult for us RPN's to do 3 years of schooling! I think the bottom line is money! I live in Ottawa so I can't just cross the border like you do...consider yourself lucky!

I know this is an old posting, but where is there a bridging cert to diploma program and where is there a 3 yr, program as well ????

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The confusion arises from the introduction of the PN Diploma about 5years back. Certificate PN's are "grandfathered" Most LPNs I know already had the university level English, Psych, and Soci. courses completed (heck, I know more than a few LPNs who have BAs in other subjects but became nurses before the 2 yr accelerated BScN for degree holders was introduced)

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Specializes in Hospital, Foot Nurse, NRSNG Educator.

Yes, thanks, I remember. I teach in nursing. Our nursing as well as our health care, is a confusing mess. It is in many places.... but in the "North Americas" both U.S. and Canada, can drive a person mad.

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Specializes in acute care med/surg, LTC, orthopedics.
I know this is an old posting, but where is there a bridging cert to diploma program and where is there a 3 yr, program as well ????

Ontario has many PN certificate to diploma bridging programs which I believe is about 8 mos or so of study.

PN to BScN bridging programs exist in many of the larger cities in Ontario as a collaborative program (ie Algonquin College/University of Ottawa, Centennial or George Brown/Ryerson University) are just a couple examples.

I know in the Algonquin/University of Ottawa pathway, you're admitted into Year 3 of the BScN, but not before you've done about a year of prior learning assessment and other stuff through the University - either way no matter how you go about it, it's about 3 years full time to get your BScN.

The "grandfathering" for certificate RPNs doesn't exist here though, you must bridge twice - first to the PN diploma, then to BScN.

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Specializes in Hospital, Foot Nurse, NRSNG Educator.
Ontario has many PN certificate to diploma bridging programs which I believe is about 8 mos or so of study.

PN to BScN bridging programs exist in many of the larger cities in Ontario as a collaborative program (ie Algonquin College/University of Ottawa, Centennial or George Brown/Ryerson University) are just a couple examples.

I know in the Algonquin/University of Ottawa pathway, you're admitted into Year 3 of the BScN, but not before you've done about a year of prior learning assessment and other stuff through the University - either way no matter how you go about it, it's about 3 years full time to get your BScN.

The "grandfathering" for certificate RPNs doesn't exist here though, you must bridge twice - first to the PN diploma, then to BScN.

Ahhhh, ok, but there is nothing that is "Online" . I know I can do my prereqs, but there all full time, and not close. We in the niagara region are out of luck. Driving to Toronto on a daily basis for 3 + yrs.... is not going to work, and Athabasca is terrific, other than the fact that you must .... and I quoate....

"If accepted to the program you must maintain an active Alberta LPN license until all program requirements have been met.

and

"The theoretical courses are all completed by distance education, but 3 of the clinical courses, NURS 435, 437 and 401 must be completed at designated sites in Alberta.They cannot be done in any other province. NURS 435 requires 2 weeks attendance in a clinical setting and NURS 437 and 401 require 1 month each. They can not be completed back to back -- you must be prepared to make 3 separate trips to Alberta to complete these courses. All arrangements and expenses for travel, accommodations and living involved with these courses are the students responsibility. NURS 441, the final clinical may be completed in the area you live, provided a preceptor can be found. Note that the clinical courses are only offered on a semester basis.

Now its great that that option is available.... but certainly not a doable for everyone !

The U.S. option even with the other setbacks, still seems the only way for this areas nurses to continue... unless anyone else has any ideas or info... ! thanks for the reply with yours !

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Specializes in PICU.

Just a quick note from someone who has worked as an RN in both the US and Canada. Be careful about those ADN courses in the US. They are equivenlent to a dipoloma in Canada and a degree is required for entry to practice. In fact in many specialties in the US they will only consider applicants with a BSN. I am currently working in the US as a travel nurse and can't wait to get back to Canada. The nurses here in the USA are burdened with heavy patient loads, poor breaks and meal periods, and poor benifits in comparison to Canadian Nurses. All I can say after 2 years in the USA is "Oh Canada" can't wait to come home.

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I cannot agree with you more Talia!! I have been an RPN for over 5 years and I was interested in becoming an RN but when I informed myself it would take me 3 years approx. of full time education!! Also, since I only have my certificat in RPN and not my diploma. I still considering taking the bridging cert. to diploma program but not right now since I will be starting a new job in a hospital. It's almost an insult for us RPN's to do 3 years of schooling! I think the bottom line is money! I live in Ottawa so I can't just cross the border like you do...consider yourself lucky!

I am a BSN-RN in the Philippines. I also passed the US-NCLEX RN. Right now, I am here in Toronto, Ontario as a RPN and working as a PSW. The College of Nurses of Ontario is telling me to do a bridging program for 3 years and get a BScN degree.

If doing a 3-year program to get a BScN is an insult to RPNs, how much more insult it is for a 4-year BSN degree graduate+RN (Philippines and USA) +RPN to do a 3-year program to get a Canadian degree of BScN?

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Specializes in acute care med/surg, LTC, orthopedics.
I am a BSN-RN in the Philippines. I also passed the US-NCLEX RN. Right now, I am here in Toronto, Ontario as a RPN and working as a PSW. The College of Nurses of Ontario is telling me to do a bridging program for 3 years and get a BScN degree.

If doing a 3-year program to get a BScN is an insult to RPNs, how much more insult it is for a 4-year BSN degree graduate+RN (Philippines and USA) +RPN to do a 3-year program to get a Canadian degree of BScN?

This is not at all unusual for a foreign trained nurse.

The reason you are being told to do the bridging program, despite your past credentials, is because the educational requirements in the Philippines and USA are diminished compared to Canadian standards. It's as simple as that. The bar is set high, as it should be to ensure quality patient care, which is why each applicant is scrutinized individually to ensure they are qualified to continue practicing nursing in this country.

You say you are an RPN, why are you working as a PSW??

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I am a BSN-RN in the Philippines. I also passed the US-NCLEX RN. Right now, I am here in Toronto, Ontario as a RPN and working as a PSW. The College of Nurses of Ontario is telling me to do a bridging program for 3 years and get a BScN degree.

If doing a 3-year program to get a BScN is an insult to RPNs, how much more insult it is for a 4-year BSN degree graduate+RN (Philippines and USA) +RPN to do a 3-year program to get a Canadian degree of BScN?

Passing the NCLEX doesn't make you a "US RN". Working there legally does.

NCLEX isn't worth a thing north of the 49th.

Unfortunately, Canadian Health Authorities have learnt the hard and expensive way that all BScNs from the Phillipines (and other countries around the globe) aren't equal.

Obviously, after assessing your credentials, you just don't meet the educational standards required to work in Canada as an RN. I've worked with several nurses who were recruited in the last three years from the Phillipines, they've ranged from really good to scary (as will all nurses no matter where they were educated). Not one of those nurses when there education was assessed were deemed to have the education of a Canadian new grad BScN. They took a while to make competent PNs.

How many Canadian BScNs have been issued papers in the Phillipines? None, because we're not allowed to write the exam there. How is this fair to Canadian who may want to work there? Insulting, no???

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Hello,

This message is to Talia Vde and ssaw..

Talia; what kind of marks did you need to be accepted into the sc4 program? i am currently doing the rpn program at lambton college and im interested in bridging as well. anything important i should know about the sc4 program?? let me know please i am very excited. or anyone else who knows about it please chip in.

ssaw: it takes an additional 2 years in the US to obtain your BScN.

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Specializes in Hospital, Foot Nurse, NRSNG Educator.

Hey MollysMum, I have seen many courses offered now by U.S. colleges, for the ADN-RN to go one more year for the BScN ! I am back on the search and look forward to any new info and updates on all of this.... !

and as far as the comments on "Bad practice by foriegn nurses " have any of you (unnamed) that "hinted" toward that, or just downright "threw bricks", ever looked around at some of our own ? where ever and who ever we are ?? Believe me, after working for some 25 yrs, THERE ARE GOOD AND BAD EVERYWHERE, AND IN EVERY SHAPE COLOUR AND STYLE !!! AND OFTEN THE LENGTH AND DEGREE OR TITLE OF ONES EDUCATION MEANS ABSOLUTLY NOTHING !

one more thing....... Nursing's obligation is to be fair minded and not to JUDGE, to embrace one another, and mentor.... what happened ??? I THINK WE AUGHT NOT TO THROW STONES !

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

This is an old thread and since current info is what everyone wants, I'm going to close this thread and respectfully ask that you start a new thread with current info.

Thanks.

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