Unit Clerk or LPN?! Alberta

joanna73, BSN, RN · Oct 10, 2015

The pay is similar but the role is not. Are you content with clerical work or would you rather contribute to direct patient care through assessments and interventions?

As a unit manager, my role includes administrative duties but I would not thrive if that was the extent of my day. It depends on what you enjoy doing and what your future goals are.

Some people take the clerk course and then work as a clerk while attending nursing school.

loriangel14, RN · Oct 10, 2015

They really are two different areas. Being a ward clerk is not close to nursing.

Stellabells · Oct 10, 2015

The pay is similar but the role is not. Are you content with clerical work or would you rather contribute to direct patient care through assessments and interventions?
As a unit manager, my role includes administrative duties but I would not thrive if that was the extent of my day. It depends on what you enjoy doing and what your future goals are.
Some people take the clerk course and then work as a clerk while attending nursing school.

I feel that in the long run I'd prefer direct patient care.

As a unit manager what do your roles include in addition to clerical work?

I am considering doing the work to put myself through nursing school in the future, like you said many people do & earning an income to pay off my current student loans seems very appealing right now!

Thanks for your response

Stellabells · Oct 10, 2015

Yes thank you loriangel14, I can distinguish the two.

More concerned about how fulfilling the role is, and what it's like to be a unit clerk before nursing school if others have experience or information on that ...

joanna73, BSN, RN · Oct 10, 2015

I am responsible for leading the unit and directing the care. Care conferences, clinical support and teaching for nurses, health care aides, and students.

The unit clerk also works under my direction. She makes appointments for residents, schedules conferences, files documents, processes orders, orders supplies and thins charts.

My administrative duties include performance appraisals, attendance management, payroll and budgets.

Stellabells · Oct 13, 2015

I am responsible for leading the unit and directing the care. Care conferences, clinical support and teaching for nurses, health care aides, and students.
The unit clerk also works under my direction. She makes appointments for residents, schedules conferences, files documents, processes orders, orders supplies and thins charts.
My administrative duties include performance appraisals, attendance management, payroll and budgets.

Wow, sounds like you wear many hats! Thank you very much for your insight into the field, it is appreciated. After weighing my options over the long weekend I will be moving forward with becoming an LPN, I am so excited! :geek:

Also, thank you for the work that you do, doesn't sound like an easy job. & to take the time to respond to questions here is incredibly kind. Take Care!

joanna73, BSN, RN · Oct 14, 2015

You're welcome. I am busy but I enjoy what I do. Good luck with your schooling!

clynn44 · Dec 20, 2015

I am in the same boat! Although I think due to money and bills I am going to have to take the longer route of unit clerk to lpn. I just hope I am making the right decision.