Advice for future nursing students; 2 year vs. 4 year

[Burno]

I'm from Ontario, so I'm not entirely sure if this advice is universal or strictly my province. If you're debating between a 2 year RPN course and bridging later vs. going directly into a 4 year RN program, I think I can help ease your decision.

Do the 2 year RPN first. Why?

-It's MUCH more hands-on

-After your first 2 semesters, you can work as a certified P.S.W (This may be the same with an RN program)

-After you finish, you can work part-time as an RPN while attending school to become an RN. Less debt, friends!

-Most employer's will pay for you to go back to school.

-It's only one semester longer!

Doing it this way is, in my opinion, much more beneficial. You get more hands-on experience, you can work as a nurse mid-way and make much more money (equalling less debt), and often times even get an employer to pay for some of your education. All for the small price of an extra four months. Worth it? I'd think so!

The one thing to keep in mind; the RPN-->RN bridge program is fairly competitive to get into, so if you decide to take this route you'll need a minimum 80% average throughout your RPN course.

Best of luck!

[Fiona59]

You are in your first semester. There is so much to this that you don't know.

Ontario is the only province that calls PNs "RPNs". The rest of the nation uses LPN. In western Canada the term RPN designates a Registered Psychiatric Nurse.

The bridges are different in every province. In my province there is little to no employer funding to do the bridge. A co-worker tried and was told no. We have to work nearly 2000 paid hours before we can bridge.

Posters from Ontario have calculated with the electives required for the Ontario bridge it takes just over five years in total education to complete.

It's good to be new but you really should read a few of the older threads around here to come up to speed.

[loriangel14, RN]

What do you mean it's only one semester longer? The bridge from RPN to BSN is 3 years at least.You go to college for another 1-2 years and then do the degree completion portion at university which is 2 years.Yes employers will give you money towards your education but it's usually only about $1000. That won't cover much.

[Burno]

My mistake. I was more or less reiterating what my instructor (a nurse practitioner) told me. I should have looked into it first.

[MizzMo]

definitely things to consider.

What it really comes down to is making the best decision for yourself. i'm currently taking the RPN program at Centennial College and would like to leave the option open to bridge to RN in the future. at this point in time i don't know what the future holds. i've been debating what career path i'd like to try and get into (well more so i mean what area of nursing, i've found myself interested in OR but not really sure if that's the right place for me)

[klovesedamame]

"We have to work nearly 2000 paid hours before we can bridge." I had absolutely no idea it was this many hours you had to work. I had originally planned to do the RPN program in January, but wasn't accepted. Instead, I'll be doing pre-health science and then from there going into my 4 year RN program if I get a high enough grade.

[loriangel14, RN]

The 2000 hours isn't a requirement in Ontario.