After what year can an RN student work as an LPN?

Fiona59 · Jul 8, 2009

I'm not sure of what your question is?

Unlike the US, in Canada you can't option out of the BScN programme to become a PN. You are permitted to work as an employed nursing student with a similar scope as a LPN (but not as a LPN in my province, the CPNRE exam is specific as to who can write it)

So if you want to be a RN you have to commit to the four years. In my province it's two years for LPN and no we can't jump into year three of the RN programme.

newstudentinbc · Jul 8, 2009

I'm just wondering at what point in the RN program can you start working as a student nurse. I just looked at my Health Authority's website and it looks like after you complete year 2, you can become an Employed Student Nurse in hospitals.

Right now I'm just debating if I should take the LPN and further down the road take the RN or if I should just go for the RN now and skip the LPN step.

RNAnnjeh, MSN, CNS · Jul 9, 2009

You don't have to be a LPN before you can become a RN.

They are two different programs, with different sceopes of practice, and different scopes of employment.

If you are not already enrolled in a program, I would advise that you look at these two very different nursing roles and decide which you feel suits you best...then enroll in a program.

If you are looking for employment while you are a student, there are many different things you can do. If your Health Authority states you can work in a student capactiy, then make sure you understand the scope of that role. If you are looking for part-time employment while in school you can always apply as a unit/ward clerk, nursing assistant (but may need a certificate to do so) etc.

I hope this helps.

loriangel14, RN · Jul 9, 2009

They are not that different. The programs both cover much of the same material but RN in much more depth. Scope of practice does not vary that much in most places. Where I work policy dictates that the RNs must handle the PICC lines and hang blood. Everything else is open to the RPNs as well as the RNs. Our pt loads are the same and our responsibilities are the same.hardly what i would describe as "two very different nursing roles".

newstudentinbc · Jul 9, 2009

I know you don't need to be an LPN before becoming an RN - I'm just trying to decide which route to take. My plan was to take the LPN program and a couple of years later, take the RN. But the waitlists are crazy to get into the LPN and it's looking like it might be more likely that I would get into the RN program quicker. Both are careers that I've wanted to be in for as long as I can remember. It's more of a question if I can commit to 4 years as we were wanting to add to our family in the next couple of years.

I currently am a Nursing Assistant (RCA) so I'll do that through my courses, but I would like something more in the direction of what I'm training for, which is why I'm wondering what year an RN student can work as a student nurse. Right now I'm in home care and it's not in the direction I'd like to be!

Thanks for any input :)

2bNurse-88 · Jul 9, 2009

An RN student, can at no time during their RN schooling, work as an LPN.

You can work as a Personal Support Worker, or Health Care Aide, after your first year of schooling in the RN OR RPN program, but you can't work as an RPN at all anytime throughout schooling for RN.

newstudentinbc · Jul 9, 2009

An RN student, can at no time during their RN schooling, work as an LPN.
You can work as a Personal Support Worker, or Health Care Aide, after your first year of schooling in the RN OR RPN program, but you can't work as an RPN at all anytime throughout schooling for RN.

Thanks :)

newstudentinbc · Jul 9, 2009

I'm now just curious about being able to work as a Student Nurse. I guess I was mixing the LPN work with a student opting out of the RN program, being able to write the LPN exam after a certain point. At least that is what a friend of mine did years ago.

I think I'm just making this thread more confusing - lol.

loriangel14, RN · Jul 9, 2009

There is no provision for working anywhere as a student nurse. As a previous poster said you may be able to find work as an aide or PSW. As far as I know you cannot write the PN exam after doing part of an RN program.

4chun_cookie · Jul 9, 2009

I'm not sure what the structure is from BC, but I'm in alberta and I've had a nursing-related job since year one finished. =)

after year one, i worked at a nursing home as a Nursing Assistant for $13/hr

after year 2, I worked as an Auxillary care worker (ACW.. aka LPN role) for $18/hr

After year 3, I worked as an Undergrad Nurse Employee at the hospital for $23/hr

Now that I'm DONE DONE, I am a Graduate employee making $30/hr, awaiting my results from my licensing exam!! =)

hope that kind of gives you an idea. good luck with your decision!!

Valhalla_Pure · Jul 10, 2009

From your user name, you are likely a BC nursing student :) I am currently a BC nursing student and think I can give you some answers.

You can work as an Employed Student Nurse (ESN) after year two of your RN program is complete. There are intakes for this program throughout the year for the different health authorities (Vancouver Coastal Health, Fraser Health, Providence Health, etc). The rate of pay is 24$/hour plus shift differentials, and you can work up to 400 hours for the fiscal year (April to March). I currently work as an ESN and I really enjoy it. You schedule your own shifts according to your availability, which makes it very easy to plan your life around work, while gaining valuable nursing experience. You take half of an RN workload, which is generally two patients on most wards.

My school (BCIT) informed us that we were eligible to write the LPN exam if we wished to do so. Most people simply went the ESN route because you don't have to pay to write a licensing exam, which is quite expensive.

It looks like your dilemma is planning to expand your family around going back to school. If your goal is to ultimately become and RN, I would just skip the LPN route to save yourself time and money. Some people in my class had their babies during nursing school, and while it is a challenge, they are making it work for them. Something that also may influence your decision is if you get your LPN, have children, and still want to go for your RN, you will be heading back to school with young children to care for. Each situation has its own unique set of challenges, and only you can make the decision that is right for you.

Good luck! :redbeathe