Hello advice and thoughts

[sunnylovee]

I have struggled a "hard" life , I was out on my own at 17, and was unable to finish highschool...

I went to college for hairstyling at the age of 20 under mature student status I had to write a test to get into it.

However recently in the last 2 years my life has changed drastically I ended up in school as a Certified Holistic Nutritionist, medical science, health and well being really is where my true passion is.

However I am currently looking to add nursing, I do not have a highschool dipolma so it would seem my only option is LPN /LVN.

I live in ontario canada, and would indeed like to work in the ER or a walk in clinic.

Any advice or thoughts on the subject

[Balder_LPN, LPN]

While the great majority of LPN positions in the US are in LTC there is certainly no restrictions where LPNs work. Nursing unions work hard to get rid of LPNs as the unions represent RNs and try to make the best money job security for their members.

In my home in WA state LPNs work in all areas of nursing, Acute care, ER, Dialysis, Family care, PACU, etc etc. In fact, in WA the Scope of practice of LPN's allows IV Push meds, wound care, trach care, etc.

The primary difference here between an LPN and an RN is that an RN must do the initial assessment on complicated patients, and an LPN cannot initiate (or 'Hang') a blood transfusion, but may monitor the transfusion.

So in the PACU the RN does initial assessment and then can delegate full care to the LPN. In the acute care and ER settings the LPN is usually task oriented rather than assuming full PT care.

LPN's are often charge nurses and perform PT assessment and write care plans for stable pt's in the LTC setting.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

While the great majority of LPN positions in the US are in LTC there is certainly no restrictions where LPNs work. Nursing unions work hard to get rid of LPNs as the unions represent RNs and try to make the best money job security for their members.

In my home in WA state LPNs work in all areas of nursing, Acute care, ER, Dialysis, Family care, PACU, etc etc. In fact, in WA the Scope of practice of LPN's allows IV Push meds, wound care, trach care, etc.

The primary difference here between an LPN and an RN is that an RN must do the initial assessment on complicated patients, and an LPN cannot initiate (or 'Hang') a blood transfusion, but may monitor the transfusion.

So in the PACU the RN does initial assessment and then can delegate full care to the LPN. In the acute care and ER settings the LPN is usually task oriented rather than assuming full PT care.

LPN's are often charge nurses and perform PT assessment and write care plans for stable pt's in the LTC setting.

You do realize this is a thread in the Canadian forum, right? The employment options and scope of practice in Canada differs from the US in quite a few ways including significantly more LPN/RPN in hospital settings than in US, including critical care. Broader scope of practice. Minimum education for an LPN in Canada is a 2 year college diploma. Whereas the minimum entry for RN in Canada is a 4- year university degree/BSN or BScN.

LPNs can assume full patient care in much of Canada. Much of Canadian nursing is covered by provincial unions. Most of the US nurses are not unionized.

[ltothew]

it seems like LPNs have a much wider scope of practice in Ontario, and seems like you would be able to work in many areas! You could probably take your pre-reqs at a community college even without your HS diploma, as a mature student.

[loriangel14, RN]

While the great majority of LPN positions in the US are in LTC there is certainly no restrictions where LPNs work. Nursing unions work hard to get rid of LPNs as the unions represent RNs and try to make the best money job security for their members.

In my home in WA state LPNs work in all areas of nursing, Acute care, ER, Dialysis, Family care, PACU, etc etc. In fact, in WA the Scope of practice of LPN's allows IV Push meds, wound care, trach care, etc.

The primary difference here between an LPN and an RN is that an RN must do the initial assessment on complicated patients, and an LPN cannot initiate (or 'Hang') a blood transfusion, but may monitor the transfusion.

So in the PACU the RN does initial assessment and then can delegate full care to the LPN. In the acute care and ER settings the LPN is usually task oriented rather than assuming full PT care.

LPN's are often charge nurses and perform PT assessment and write care plans for stable pt's in the LTC setting.[/quote

Nursing for PNs is much different in Canada.

[Balder_LPN, LPN]

You do realize I was responding to a comment in this thread? Regardless of if it is a 'Canadian' forum. I made an appropriate response to a previous post. As I will respond to yours. This seems to be a quite appropriate venue to discuss the (few) differences in nursing between the US and Canada.

The scope of practice of an LPN varies from state to state. As I said (maybe you didnt read my whole post before you started snapping) in WA state the scope of practice is very broad for an LPN. And the reason there are fewer LPN's in the hospital setting in the US is precisely because of unions. In the non unionized areas there are more LPN's - its a fact. The 'nurses' unions in the US should be called "RN" unions as I am not aware of any (there must be a few) that include LPN's in the union. In my area the union works hard to try and disparage and eliminate LPN positions wherever/whenever possible as the unions job is to protect the jobs of the members (RN's)

[loriangel14, RN]

If we are discussing PNs in Canada how is the PN situation in the US relevant?

[sunnylovee]

You can apply as a mature student for a practical nursing program in Ontario. However, you will still need grade 12 chemistry, 12 english, 12 math, and either grade 11 or 12 biology to apply. Also, some colleges require you to write the HOAE to gain entrance. The practical nursing program is very competitive so you will need a good average in your prerequiste courses.

Hi to answer some questions sorry been busy at work

i do have chem , english and biology, i may need to get 12 math i dropped out of school right at the end of grade 12 and my grades were well above average.

I do have 2 years of schooling as a CHN, so I believe that may also help getting into it.

Thanks for all your responses folks!

I honestly wish I could find a job in my current field because CHN is what I stand for morally and ethically and nursing would put me in the field of being around non natural medicines which I dont believe in so much, however jobs are non existent in my current location for my current field and I still want to do something in terms of medical.

[Fiona59]

Hi to answer some questions sorry been busy at work

i do have chem , english and biology, i may need to get 12 math i dropped out of school right at the end of grade 12 and my grades were well above average.

I do have 2 years of schooling as a CHN, so I believe that may also help getting into it.

Thanks for all your responses folks!

I honestly wish I could find a job in my current field because CHN is what I stand for morally and ethically and nursing would put me in the field of being around non natural medicines which I dont believe in so much, however jobs are non existent in my current location for my current field and I still want to do something in terms of medical.

By your last paragraph you are not a good candidate for nursing if you can't believe and support the medical system. You have to be able to leave it at the door or find an employer who works along those lines.

You may be setting yourself up for unemployment and failure in practical placements otherwise.

[sunnylovee]

Its not that I dont support the medical system its that I dont support over use of pharmaceutical drugs when other means less damaging to the body can be done. Thanks for your opinion though

[loriangel14, RN]

You may have trouble dealing with the things you will be expected to do as a nurse then.