ATTN: RPN's need some advice

Published

Hi Everyone!

Looking for any RPN's that can help me decide if I am taking the right career path. I am 35 yrs old, separated Mom of 2 and wanting to go back to college, but looking at a few different options. My first career was 10 yrs as a Travel Agent, for the past7 yrs I have been a stay at home Mom while running a small daycare in my home. I am currently taking P/T the Medical Office Assistant Certificate and are half way to it's completion. I am thinking of the RPN course as it's more hands on helping/caring and seems to provide better pay. The college I am looking at attending seems to offer alot of pratical/clinical classes. Wondering what the course load is like??? This College is also telling me I have to update my grade 12 biology and either chemistry or physics. So before I can apply to college I have to go back and redo highschool at age 35??? Does that not seem BIZARRE??

Any thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated!!!

Looking forward in hearing from you...Cheers....Lea

Up Vote Up Vote ×

HI,

I took the course from 96-98 at the Ponoka Campus via Grant McEwan Comm College. It was pretty intense as it was trimesters instead of semesters. It was a good program and it was easy to get a job after. You make as much money as an RN and you only have 2 years training. Yes, you will likely have to upgrade bio class, or you could have a really difficult time with pathophysiology and some of the other classes.

Goodluck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Are you asking about Practical Nursing and live in Ontario or asking about Psych Nursing and live in Western Canada?

Either way, you don't have to redo High School, I redid Gr. 12 Biology in one semester on Saturdays at the local high school.

Let us know which one you are thinking of.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks girls for the info. It's Practical Nursing that I am interested in. Really wanting to know about the courses...is there alot of science?? Biology and anatomy I like, its the chemistry I struggle with. The course outline at the college I am looking at lists alot of practical/clinic work. I am definately a hands on learner. How did you find the course load at college? I am a single mom of 2 little ones with a p/t business on the side. Just hoping I can juggle everything, and getting back into the school mode.

Look forward in hearing more from you!....Lea

Up Vote Up Vote ×

where are you located? I am in the GTA area of Toronto and I attend George Brown College. I am taking my first 2 semesters part time (it ends up taking 2 years to complete both semesters, you take 2-3 courses per term) and will be going full time for my final year in Sept 2007.

I absolutely love my school. They are flexible and the classes are fine. It is alot of reading, but most people in my class are managing just fine.

As far as sciences....biology seems to be the more important one. I never took chemistry and I am an A student in the program! As long as you work hard and make an effort, you will be fine.

Clinicals are in each semester...so 4 in total.

hth and pm me if you have any questions!

I should add that I am a mom of 2 young kids and I work quite a bit as well, and I am managing just fine. Just be prepared to be buried in books rather than tv etc!! lol

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm also a 35 y.o. mother of 2 children going through a mid life career change I'm starting my BScN at Ryerson in September so I'm afraid I have no information on the RPN program but like you I had to go back and "upgrade" a few highschool classes (math and chemistry for me) and I found a really easy way to do this. If you are in Ontario check out this website for the Independent Learning Centre

http://www.ilc.org/cfmx/COU/About/cou_AboutMain.cfm?Menu_ID_Sel=600&Lang_Sel=1

You can sign up for Ontario certified highschool classes and do them online (or distance) for free and at your own pace. I had originally started with a night school to do my math but with the kids and my husband and our schedules, leaving the house even twice a week became a rather large burden. I found the Independent Learning Centre and was able to do math and chemistry online and got them done much faster than if I'd stayed in night school. Just thought this might help you with redoing your highschool classes.

PS - if you're in a province other than Ontario I think you can still sign up with ILC but I think there is some cost involved for being out of province. I'm not sure you can probably check it on their website.

Good Luck.

-Michelle-

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Oops, thought you were talking about RPN=Registered Psych Nurse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks girls for all your responses! Your information is very helpful!

Hope to chat with u all soon!!!...Take Care...Lea

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

I had to pick up my grade 12 chemistry and biology for my rpn and I was able to take it through the college I am attending. I am in the third semster of a five semster program and the science side of things has not been too bad. Any questions about the program?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi there,

I am 45 yrs old and just quit my 18 yr career.

Since I haven't been to school in 25 odd yrs, I had to go back and upgrade my biology and Chemistry. It is only grade 12 bio and chem. If you are in Ontario, the government is paying for all upgrades..free of charge. It was part time and only 2 nights per week. What a deal!!!

The biology is fairly simple. Cells, organelles and their functions, as well as the body's main systems.

Chemistry, I found to be a bit tougher. It's the abstract thinking that is difficult. Organic chemistry, which is also part of it, is easier.

I just finished all my upgrades and ready for the RPN course at Georgian College, Ontario.

Good luck to you. It's easier than you think. If I can do it, you can do it!

i

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion