Are LPNS in Demand across Canada??

markjrn · Jul 13, 2005

Well, I'm not an LPN (as you know), but my SIL is and she's very busy. She has worked in many different areas - right now she's working in maternity. I can't say for sure what's all in her scope though. She did mention recently that she can't work in the ER anymore, because I think they went to all RN's. She hated it anyways, so no big deal. :chuckle

Fiona59 · Jul 13, 2005

I'm asking because a poster from Ontario said in another thread that they were phasing LPNs out. I had classmates who went to Ontario and none of them have mentioned it.

I do know that Alberta has a lot of work, and there is a fair amount of work in BC (depending where in the province you are).

z's playa · Jul 13, 2005

I think that was me. Yes our hospital wants strictly RNs. I double checked.

The LPNs who are already working in the hospital have jobs and seem to be 'in demand'. There just wont be any more hired for a while.

I don't want you to think I speak for all of Ontario though. It may be only our hospital.

Z

markjrn · Jul 13, 2005

I haven't heard of or seen any LPN's being phased out here, but they were doing it in the US. They don't have LPN's working the Units, but there are lots working the floor.

fergus51 · Jul 14, 2005

When I worked in Toronto I know Mount Sinai was an all RN hospital. RPNs seemed to be mainly used in med-surg and geriatrics rather than specialties. I've never worked with an LPN/RPN on any other type of unit.

Fiona59 · Jul 14, 2005

Well, its just that in AB, they are everywhere, LTC, dialysis, OR, maternity, peds, ortho, neuro, about the only place I've never heard of one was ICU. A classmate who went to a rural hospital wound up in ER. City clinics, school health.

In BC, I've met some who picked up extra hours in ER when they were swamped, LTC, med-surg and one in a prison (working not resident)

fergus51 · Jul 14, 2005

Well, its just that in AB, they are everywhere, LTC, dialysis, OR, maternity, peds, ortho, neuro, about the only place I've never heard of one was ICU. A classmate who went to a rural hospital wound up in ER. City clinics, school health.
In BC, I've met some who picked up extra hours in ER when they were swamped, LTC, med-surg and one in a prison (working not resident)

I think that's why it's so hard to generalize what LPNs do. I've only worked L&D, PP and NICU in BC and none of the units I was on employed LPNs. I do think their use will increase in BC thanks in part to their lower wages. Some friends of mine work psych and their manager is constantly hanging that over their heads....

I know several LPNs in ICUs here in the US, but I've never heard of them in Canada either.

Paprikat · Jul 21, 2005

I am a full scope LPN in LTC. I do everything the RN does, except immunizations (ie: flu shots).

markjrn · Jul 21, 2005

I am a full scope LPN in LTC. I do everything the RN does, except immunizations (ie: flu shots).

What's your scope in acute care?

Tashia · Jul 21, 2005

I'm asking because a poster from Ontario said in another thread that they were phasing LPNs out. I had classmates who went to Ontario and none of them have mentioned it.
I do know that Alberta has a lot of work, and there is a fair amount of work in BC (depending where in the province you are).

I recently asked this question to a career advisor from RPANO and this is part of what she had to say...

" The RPN is not being phased out, as a matter of fact the number of seats available in the program across the province has increased.".......

PamelaJean · Jul 24, 2005

What's your scope in acute care?

I work on a busy med/surg floor in Northern Manitoba and I use my full range of skills. THere are certain IV meds I can't hang and I can't IV push but pretty much everything else I can do. Our hospital uses LPN's everywhere but ER/CCU.