Athabasca University LPN to RN progam

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Hi everyone, I'm an RPN from ON, and I would like to know if it is worth it to do the LPN to RN program in Athabasca or to do it in Ryerson University. I would also like to know if after getting the Athabasca RN degree I will easily find job in ON?

The med/surg clinical and public health clinicals were ran in both Calgary and Edmonton this year as far as I know. The psych clinical that I was on was only ran in Edmonton so everybody had to come to Edmonton to do it. However, in the past I think everyone had to go to Ponoka. I think it depends on where the instructor is and where they can secure a location. Athabasca does say that you may be placed anywhere in Alberta so you need to take that into consideration. I live in Edmonton and I was lucky because I did all my rotation right in Edmonton. I don't think they will let you do any cluster A courses before you are enrolled in the program itself, however, you can start on the electives. Although, you might want to hold off until you see what they will credit you for. The length of time to complete the program really depends on a number of factors so it's hard to say. I had been out of school for around 20 years and had no prior University so it took me awhile to get into writing papers, readings and taking in large amounts of information, as well I worked off and on and have 3 kids, etc. If they give you credit for some courses or not you could still complete it in under 3 years and it is self-paced. The only requirement is the order of the courses so you can pretty well go as fast or slow as you want as long as you complete the program within 7 years.

I just want to first of all thank you so much for taking your time to answer some of my unanswered questions, you give me lot of courage to go for this program. I am 37year old and left school about 11 years ago and thought it was late for me to go back to school, but after reading your posts i got inspired and believe i could do it too. It's nice to see that there are people like you out there who wants to help others. May the lord continue to bless you. Aother question i want to ask is , do they let you know way in advance where and when the clinicals will be held and their locations for one to take off from work? Also, how many times in a year are the clinicals.

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No problem, feel free to ask all the questions you want. I had so many questions at first as well. I think the clinicals courses run three times a year starting in May, Sept and Jan. But I think it depends on how many students there are ready to do the clinicals. I found the instructors to be very good. I knew a couple of months in advance for each one. I did my public health last March, then psych in the spring , then med surg last fall and now my last placement starting next week. But it really depends on when you are ready to do them, etc.

I thought about it a lot before I starting taking the program too, but to me it's all about personal satisfaction and life long learning, etc. Although it was hard at first as I had been out of school for a long time and had no prior University I have learned so much (not just about nursing) and had some great experiences throughout this program. I have also met some great people. Actually, I loved it so much I am looking around to see what else I can take when I am finished this program, maybe my master's in nsg in a few years. I also considered my age when I started the program but came to the realization that I had a lot more years to work.

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I'm a Registered Practical nurse from ontario. I finally got my license for Alberta and have applied for this program. I hope to get accepted. I still have alot of questions on picking courses. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I felt this program was the best route for me to becoming an RN. Being a single parent to two girls means I HAVE to work and cannot afford to go to school full time. Wish me luck!!!!

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There are a lot of interesting electives to pick from. I picked all nursing and psych courses as electives. For humanities I did biomedical ethics, I also did occupational health. There is also a chat board on the AU site where you can ask questions about electives. But I think it's really a personal choice.

Good luck and happy studying!!!

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I just applied for the lpn to rn in Athabasca. I just wanted to find out information about student loan. If you did apply for student loan, could you please explain to me how it was done? cause i am so confused about the whole thing. For example how many course is considered as full time? can someone help me out, so confused. Thanks :confused:

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Student loan? Fill up the forms honestly and wait for the government to decide. It's in their hands.

Full time is three, three credit courses.

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Also if you want any information just call student services at AU.:):):)

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Student loan? Fill up the forms honestly and wait for the government to decide. It's in their hands.

Full time is three, three credit courses.

Full time is three, three credit course. Is it three, three credit courses for the whole year or per three months. Thanks,

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.
I just applied for the lpn to rn in Athabasca. I just wanted to find out information about student loan. If you did apply for student loan, could you please explain to me how it was done? cause i am so confused about the whole thing. For example how many course is considered as full time? can someone help me out, so confused. Thanks :confused:

I'll just jump in here and tell you that when applying for a student loan, the government will be looking at your husband's income as a supporting person. The maximum income allowed under the program is fairly low, so you may find that you won't qualify for a student loan and have to apply instead for a student line of credit at your bank. the difference is that with a line of credit you will have to pay interest from the very beginning and once you are no longer registered with an educational facility you have to start paying on the principle. I have one daughter who lived at home while going to university and although there were two other children living in our home and our family income was not generous, she did not qualify for a student loan. the other daughter didn't live at home so she only had her own income to base her application on, and she did qualify.

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I'll just jump in here and tell you that when applying for a student loan, the government will be looking at your husband's income as a supporting person. The maximum income allowed under the program is fairly low, so you may find that you won't qualify for a student loan and have to apply instead for a student line of credit at your bank. the difference is that with a line of credit you will have to pay interest from the very beginning and once you are no longer registered with an educational facility you have to start paying on the principle. I have one daughter who lived at home while going to university and although there were two other children living in our home and our family income was not generous, she did not qualify for a student loan. the other daughter didn't live at home so she only had her own income to base her application on, and she did qualify.

Thanks for your reply. Do you know the maximum income requirement for student loan? I made $73,000, my husband $32000 for last year (2009) tax year. My husband presently is unemployed since January 2010, and he will be going back to school in August. Do you think my husband's present situation would make any difference?

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Thanks for your reply. Do you know the maximum income requirement for student loan? I made $73,000, my husband $32000 for last year (2009) tax year. My husband presently is unemployed since January 2010, and he will be going back to school in August. Do you think my husband's present situation would make any difference?

Again, do you have any idea if there is any big difference between the sudent line of credit and a government loan, i mean interm of interest rate. With the government student loan one is required to complete three, three credit courses within four months period as a full time student, is it the same with the bank loan? I would really love to start taking courses as soon as possible, if there is no big difference between the two loans, i might as well just apply with the bank. I think paying the interest wouldn't be any big trouble. Thanks so much for your time.:confused:

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Kelseya:

You are going to have to do this research for yourself, rather than rely on us. Only your bank can tell you if you qualify for a student line of credit and what the rates will be.

A big part of the degree process is being able to do your own research and use of the critical thinking process.

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