BRIDGING LPN to RN

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Dec 17, 2008

Are you in Canada?

fiandgrace · Dec 17, 2008

Yes I'm in Canada, Ontario to be exact :)

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Dec 17, 2008

Blanchettea, post this in the Canada forum. I have no idea what their requirements are to bridge. Fiona 59 might see your question there, though - she's a Canadian RPN.

:)

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Dec 17, 2008

Thread moved to Canadian Nurses forum.

Fiona59 · Dec 17, 2008

OK, you're in Ontario. I'm out west. Ontario is the only province that calls a LPN a "RPN".

If you have a degree, look into a two year accelerated BScN programme. (I'm not sure a social science degree works for that). Lori or Linzz live out your way and know what happens where in Ontario.

I can only tell you that the various bridge programmes can be difficult to get into. Two out of the three ways to bridge in Northern Alberta have ended, leaving distance ed the only way to do 90% of the degree.

If you truly want to be a RN go the direct route. If you honestly don't know if you want to do nursing do a PN diploma. But you need to know if you will be investing four years of your life to get a BScN as opposed to two do obtain a PN diploma.

You have to ask yourself do you really want to stay in school that long (and nursing school is very different to regular university classes). Do you want to deal with the elderly and very ill? You have a lot of bodily fluids ahead of you in your student placements. You have to deal with a lot of verbal abuse from patient (who may or not be competent) and their families (who don't give a damn about how they treat you)

Looking back, I would have become a Health Records Coder. They make more than LPNs, work better hours, and don't have to interact with patients and their families.

If you're going into nursing because "there are lots of jobs and the money is good", think again. Healthcare budgets fluctuate. The oldtimers remember the layoffs of the 1990s. I've been told that staffing today still isn't at the pre-slash levels. There are easier ways to earn a paycheque.

linzz · Dec 17, 2008

I am going to say this only because you are in Ontario, if it is a hospital you want to work in, do the RN program as it can be difficult in some areas for RPN's to get hired in hospitals. If you want to do long term care, you only need an RPN diploma.

I have to agree with Fiona59, nursing is not an easy occupation. You will feel very stressed no matter where you work as you will likely have too many patients and yet you will be held responsible if anything goes wrong. I don't want to dog on nursing but there is a shortage of nurses for a reason. It can take a long time to find a job that is secure and doesn't stress you out. Also right now, some Ontario hospitals are considering laying off as they have to close beds due to lack of govt funding. I am not wanting to discourage you, just being realistic.

loriangel14, RN · Dec 17, 2008

Looking at your age I would recommend you go straight to the RN program. I was in a much different boat, being a single mom in my late thirties. I needed to keep working and the RPN program was the only part time program in my area. I could take the bridge now but the closest program to me is a hour away and would cost $15,000. I am 43 now and I don't like the idea of going that far into debt.If it is feasible for you spending 4 years now would be the best route in my opinion. Depending on what area of Ontario you are in you may have an easier time finding work. My area is fairly RPN friendly but I know that in some areas of Ontario that is not the case.

fiandgrace · Dec 19, 2008

OK, well more specifically I should say that my options are only to go the RPN route. First of all because the accelerated programs only take you if you have exceptional marks in University and if you are one of the 30 they choose. And so I have decided that I want to take the RPN route because I want to have the option of working in between if I want to. So basically what my question is more centered upon is the following: am I limiting myself as far as being able to find a bridging program. I know McMaster in Hamilton and Nipissing is now getting a bridging program, but I want to know if anyone knows of those being really difficult to get into? And I was hoping for some advice about succeeding in the nursing program. And yes I know I have to be prepared for all of perks of the job which include hard days and good days, that's the whole reason I'm going into it. Just looking for advice from those who have been through either nursing program or those who have been a different route in a Nursing program and can offer some advice for success. Thanks!

loriangel14, RN · Dec 19, 2008

What area are you in? That would also influence where you would be able to enter a bridging program. Unless you were going to move. Georgian College is starting up a bridging program next year. I think Humber college has a bridge program as well.

Advice for succeeding in the program? Do your reading, don't let your homework get ahead of you, don't get involved with the gossip girls, ask questions, pay attention to the stuff that seems irrelevant(it isn't) and believe in yourself.Best of luck and don't hesitiate to come to allnurses with questions.

senecagirl · Dec 23, 2008

I am an RPN student in ontario, and I hope to bridge to RN.

I only started RPN because RN is not offered part time. I can not do full time with a job and family.

If you can, I would just go to RN.

Get some info on the bridging programs though. It is offered at a few colleges, but is extremely competitive, and that will only get worse over the next few years!

good luck!