I have applied to a RN and RPN program in southwestern Ontario, but so far have only been accepted into the RPN (Registered Practical Nurse). I do still have hope that I will be accepted into the RN program, but just in case I am not I would love to hear from anyone who has had a fulfilling career as an RPN.
A lot of people told me to do RN because there are not as many jobs for RPNs so i'm a little nervous.
Thanks in advance!
I also don't mean to offend anyone, I am just asking based on what I have researched :)
I'm have been an RPN for a while now and I regret it!
In this current economy, the career prospects (especially for RPNs) are restrictive and minimal... and I work alongside many veteran RPNs who feel this way too! Majority of RPNs are relegated to LTC, palliative care, or nursing home settings only. The majority of this patient demographic suffers from some form of advanced/ severe dementia and are often physically violent and verbally abusive. And as much as I care about helping people, the institutional practice supports and staffing levels are never sufficient to help you care for this population. NEVER! Working in these settings overshadows your scope of practice/skill sets, and providing care for 8-10 totally physically dependent (i.e. feeding, ambulating, positioning, toileting, dressing) violent-aggressive patients/ per RPN takes its toll. EVERYDAY, I go home from work feeling exceptionally exhausted, hopeless, and stuck in a dead end situation. I have been actively seeking other options as an RPN for the past 3+ years to no avail. All that's hiring right now are the exact areas I'm trying to avoid (i.e. nursing homes). I wish I'd just accomplished my RN degree in the first place!
If you have the option now, just do the freaking BScN and get your RN!!! At least then you'll have more career options. From my experience, most employers want the RN as a basic qualification requirement. Don't waste your time going the RPN route with hopes of bridging later on, you'll just be wasting more of your own time and money. I'm presently struggling to complete my RN degree just to dig myself out of this restrictive career hell.
Lastly, do not listen to nursing school instructors or administrations about alleged "career flexibility as an RPN" because that is a boldface lie. Remember education is a business and colleges/universities want your money. Also, should you obtain employment in Ontario as an RPN it will most successfully come from networking, not necessarily a great resume or credentials. When you're in your clinical placements or consolidation, make sure you network like crazy with staff nurses... because they will be the ones who help you get your first job. I work in gerontology in a large hospital and I got my job exclusively via networking.. .Many of my peers remain underemployed, unemployed, had to relocate out of province, changed careers, or just went back to full-time studies to get their RN degrees because RPN job prospects continue to be bleak. Sorry to be a Debbie-Downer, but I feel people deserve to know the truth about what they're getting themselves into... wish someone had given me this advice when I started that blasted RPN diploma.
It is just an option until you make a career out of it, just like an ADN-RN and BSN-RN are optional entry points into nursing. I have no negative attitudes towards RPNs, but the simple fact is RN compared to RPN = more upward mobility, larger scope of practice, more job opportunities (yes I understand that everyone has some anecdote about the opposite being true, myself included, there are exceptions to every rule), and more money. However Obtaining an RN also requires more time, money, responsibility and effort and isn't for everyone. RPN is a fine career.
Point is, someone who applied to both an RPN and RN program should be able to receive viewpoints from both.
also @fiona59: forum stalking, creepy
like Prpper said American and Canadian nurses are two different creatures.
Are re you aware that several ADNs who have moved up here have only been issued PN practice permits, their education was only deemed the equivalent of a PNS?
RPN is also the term used for specialized psychiatric registered nurses west of Ontario.
if you're read this board for any length of time, you would know the job market in Ontario is terrible for any new grad nurse with the urban are being saturated.
if they are willing to move out of Ontario, a PN can have a very fulfilling career.
forum stalking? Don't flatter yourself, it's common practice on this board to look at a new posters history, especially when they suddenly appear in an area they're not recognized in spouting views that are out there, demonstrating limited knowledge of the subject under discussion
I am an RPN and currently in the bridging program to get my BSCN. Like others have stated, the current market in Ontario is moving towards opening up more RPN positions in areas that were previously RN only. I'd say right now is a great time for RPNs in terms of expanding their scope. I work on a busy surgical unit in a hospital and am able to work to my full scope, with the only 2 tasks that I can't do that separate me from my RN colleagues. The downside I find from being an RPN (this is in my area...could be different elsewhere) is that our scope continually increases but the pay does not (although we did just get a raise). I do 99.9% of the job of my RN colleagues but get paid substantially less. Also, I personally feel limited in my role as an RPN for what I want to do, I want to work in the NICU, specialize and become a leader in my field. I love leadership and research. I want to be able to become certified in areas that interest me and teach others. However these things do not make a good nurse, they are just MY personal goals...which is why the BscN is a better fit for ME. Being an RPN is a fulfilling career that will give you a lot of opportunities as a bedside nurse. RPNs are competent professionals! The choice boils down to what your long term goals are in nursing.
Only meant to share info regarding the OPs questions, not step on any Canadian toes. Everything I said is true, regardless of the apparently amazing job market for RPNs in Canada, it doesn't change the fact that RNs have larger scope, earn more, and have a more job opportunities.
I'll politely excuse myself from this angry RPN convention now.
Only meant to share info regarding the OPs questions, not step on any Canadian toes. Everything I said is true, regardless of the apparently amazing job market for RPNs in Canada, it doesn't change the fact that RNs have larger scope, earn more, and have a more job opportunities.
I'll politely excuse myself from this angry RPN convention now.
I don't even hear a bit of anger in this discussion. Anywhere. Very strange.
But yes, the role of an RPN is vastly different in Canada when compared to the U.S. Canadian practical nurses have more than twice the amount of education, and therefore a much larger scope. This is why we point it out to U.S. posters when they comment on Canadian posts. The roles are just not comparable between countries.
And I don't think anyone would argue and say that RNs don't make more money or have a wider scope of practice. It's the truth. The longer you go to school, the more those will increase... No arguing there. However, some people have no desire to move up that ladder. No different than BScN RNs not furthering education to become an NP.
It is all about where you want to go with your career as an individual. Like vintage, I am also an RPN working on my BScN, and as with her, it's also because the areas I want to pursue are just not open to me as an RPN.
Think hard about the areas you want to work in, as well as the time and money you want to commit to your education.
Becoming an RPN is still hard, I found it moved at a much faster pace than my BScN program, but this route can get you in the field within 2-2.5 years. Becoming an RN will take you 1.5-2 years longer, and in my experience, having been in both programs, it really is harder academically. Both programs are very doable though.
Just weigh your options, both are fine choices. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise or attempt to steer you from what you want to do.
Starting as an RPN is not just an "option". It is actually a respectable career and, believe it or not, many people have NO desire to be RNs.
In some areas RNs are being laid off and replaced by RPNs (I have witnessed it first hand in two different facilities and heard about it happening at many others), so job prospects will likely depend on your area. It also depends where you want to take your career. While many new positions are opening up to RPNs, there are still limitations in most areas away from the bedside (management, policy development, research, etc.).
It depends what you want.
YOU JUST SAID: In some areas RNs are being laid off and replaced by RPNs (I have witnessed it first hand in two different facilities and heard about it happening at many others),
I am working in a Hospital in Toronto and I can tell you that this is true, the last year they laid off a bunche of nurses twice and they has been replaced by RPNs
RPNs are being trained to do practically everything, and their scope of practice is becoming wide; even though the salary does not increase
With the way things are going, watch by the time I'm finished school RPNs will be able to work in my desired specialty (with my luck😂)....regardless, I don't believe additional education is ever wasted.
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CaffeinePOQ4HPRN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN
475 Posts
I'm have been an RPN for a while now and I regret it!
In this current economy, the career prospects (especially for RPNs) are restrictive and minimal... and I work alongside many veteran RPNs who feel this way too! Majority of RPNs are relegated to LTC, palliative care, or nursing home settings only. The majority of this patient demographic suffers from some form of advanced/ severe dementia and are often physically violent and verbally abusive. And as much as I care about helping people, the institutional practice supports and staffing levels are never sufficient to help you care for this population. NEVER! Working in these settings overshadows your scope of practice/skill sets, and providing care for 8-10 totally physically dependent (i.e. feeding, ambulating, positioning, toileting, dressing) violent-aggressive patients/ per RPN takes its toll. EVERYDAY, I go home from work feeling exceptionally exhausted, hopeless, and stuck in a dead end situation. I have been actively seeking other options as an RPN for the past 3+ years to no avail. All that's hiring right now are the exact areas I'm trying to avoid (i.e. nursing homes). I wish I'd just accomplished my RN degree in the first place!
If you have the option now, just do the freaking BScN and get your RN!!! At least then you'll have more career options. From my experience, most employers want the RN as a basic qualification requirement. Don't waste your time going the RPN route with hopes of bridging later on, you'll just be wasting more of your own time and money. I'm presently struggling to complete my RN degree just to dig myself out of this restrictive career hell.
Lastly, do not listen to nursing school instructors or administrations about alleged "career flexibility as an RPN" because that is a boldface lie. Remember education is a business and colleges/universities want your money. Also, should you obtain employment in Ontario as an RPN it will most successfully come from networking, not necessarily a great resume or credentials. When you're in your clinical placements or consolidation, make sure you network like crazy with staff nurses... because they will be the ones who help you get your first job. I work in gerontology in a large hospital and I got my job exclusively via networking.. .Many of my peers remain underemployed, unemployed, had to relocate out of province, changed careers, or just went back to full-time studies to get their RN degrees because RPN job prospects continue to be bleak. Sorry to be a Debbie-Downer, but I feel people deserve to know the truth about what they're getting themselves into... wish someone had given me this advice when I started that blasted RPN diploma.