HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT- RN vs RT

ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN · Apr 22, 2015

Austin,

I think you are off to a good start. I am not sure how it works in Canada, but in the states, getting into medical school is based upon your undergraduate degree GPA, courses, and MCAT scores. If you are strongly considering medicine, I don't think it's too late. Have you looked at the job market for both Respiratory Therapist and Registered Nurses? Have you talked to a counselor at your high school? They are equipped with many resources to help answer your questions. If they cannot answer your questions, they will know who can. Make it a point to speak with a counselor at the university where you would like to attend. Discuss your high school academic performance and career aspirations.

I wanted to go to medical school. But I returned to school in my mid 30's. It simply was not feasible for me. But you're young enough. So, don't solely look at the time investment. Decided what feels good in the heart. As a guy in nursing, I have had absolutely no problems. So, I do not consider that a con. Yes, you get to clean crap and vomit. You will quickly become used to it. You are caring for a person in his most vulnerable time. He will be grateful that you're there to help clean him up. That makes it all worth it.

Good luck to you!

tco12001 · Apr 22, 2015

Whats another 2 years of nursing school in the grand scheme of things though? Two years go by quick and will be worth the extra work for chances to advance in your profession and make more in the long run? And in nursing school you'll be one of the only guys there... that doesn't sound bad to me.

-Connecticut Nursing Student

Fiona59 · Apr 22, 2015

OK, you have got several things wrong in your post.

It is possible in Ontario to go directly from high school to uni and a BScN programme. Work on those grade 12 sciences and math courses.

Career advancement? Unless you go into management or go back to uni for a NP degree there is none.

Wages? Most Canadian nurses are unionized. The pay scale is clearly defined and there is no jumping steps.

Dirty work? Urine, feces, and bed baths are part of the assessment process. They let you see how the bigger picture of your patient and their healing (or lack of) process.

Male in nursing? No biggie. More and more men are joining the profession.

Our healthcare is government funded. Cut backs mean fewer nurses are being hired. In my province, they are hoping to lose a few due to attrition and not replacing them. It goes across the board, radiology techs, ECG techs, etc. Your province, Ontario is in the same position

You will not be guaranteed a job in the hospital when you graduate. You will have to look for a first job and in many instances, lower your expectations. I knew I was a hospital nurse but when I graduated the jobs just were not there. So, I wound up in LTC for a few years. Nursing school opens your eyes to areas you don't even know exists for a nurse.

Radiology, Ultrasound, Health Records all have interesting jobs. If I'd know they existed, I'd have gone a different route. No bodily fluids or family members in Health Records.

Oh, and a newsflash, poop happens all over the hospital. Patients void and vomit unexpectedly and there won't always be a nurse or an NA around to deal with it.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Apr 22, 2015

I'm wondering why you think med school is a dream? You would apply as premed. Most likely do a biology or chem degree then apply to medical school. Medical school will look at your college, not high school grades. I also think you can get your RN first. I may be wrong but I don't think you start as a RPN. Keep investigating your options. You may want to talk to an advisor at a college you are thinking of attending.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Apr 22, 2015

I'm wondering why you think med school is a dream? You would apply as premed. Most likely do a biology or chem degree then apply to medical school. Medical school will look at your college, not high school grades. I also think you can get your RN first. I may be wrong but I don't think you start as a RPN. Keep investigating your options. You may want to talk to an advisor at a college you are thinking of attending.

RPN depends on province. In some provinces RPN is registered practical nurse (similar to LPN but 2 year college degree in Canada. BScN is entry to practice for RN in Canada.). In western provinces RPN is registered psychiatric nurse, 4 year degree with specialization in psych/mental health and not recognized in every Canadian province

BellionRN · Apr 23, 2015

Why would you have to become an LPN first? Is it because of finances? Not all provinces have an LPN-RN bridging program so hopefully you've already confirmed that Ontario does or you'll have to do the full 4 years even if you're an LPN.

As for codes ... RNs are just as involved in code situations as RTs. Also, you can advance your career as an RT if you like, such as becoming an AA (Anesthesia Assistant). As a PP mentioned ... Once you're a nurse, that's basically it. You can change specialties and take courses but not much else unless you go back to school. Depending on the province, getting your NP can be a waste of money.

In the province where I started nursing, RNs made average 10$ more an hour than RTs so I'm not sure what to say about your comment about making more money as an RT out of school. As a new nurse I was making about 4-6$ more an hour than an experienced RT.

Have you considered pharmacy? Ultrasound tech (you'd need an imaging diploma of some kind first)? If I could do it over I wouldn't be a nurse. I love my job but I hate parts of it ... & it's very difficult to explain the what & the why unless you've been a nurse.

snown9 · Apr 23, 2015

Thanks for all your replies. Im looking to become a RPN/ LPN first because I do not meet the admission requirements for university. But

there is more than 1 RPN-RN bridging course available near me:up:. I've worked beside nurses and think it a GREAT job, and I feel like

they need more nurses who CARE about there patients! I know I want to help patients and both NURSES & RT's do that. Of course pay

will affect my choice as everyone needs to make a living(or at least all the people i know need to work. LOL). Both these jobs meet

my passions of working in the hospitals, studying medicine, and helping others. I feel that nursing gives me the chance to get a degree

and always further my education( NP or nurse anesthetist) but I feel that RT's have a little easier of a job(not that i want a

boring/easy) and RT's are more respected- doctors dont talk down to you; people wait for you vs nurse, your right there....etc

I TRULY appreciate EVERYONE'S Replies!

Fiona59 · Apr 23, 2015

Nurses don"t study medicine nor do RTs.

how hav e you worked as a bedside nurse? You are a hugh school student. You may have been side by side with a nurse but you haven't worked as one. Held the responsibility or have the knowledge to make the decisions independently.

Doctors respect nurses they know from working with them. They trust our judgment. One, I work with tells his new residents just that. At certain stages of their career we do know more than them and they need to listen to us. We spotted a PE before our doctors the other day.

Are you a first generation Canadian. Much of what you type and the way yo phrase it suggests this. Especially how you relate to status. We"ve had this discussion before in the Canadian forum, when poster your age were considering nursing but their families didn see it as a prestigious career, it was menial work, in manly, etc.

snown9 · Apr 23, 2015

Sorry. I have not worked as a nurse. I've helped nurses and have been with patients conforting them, and getting the basics; drinks, food/ feeding patients etc. I am as Canadian as they get. I'm not an imagrant. My mother and father where both born in Canadian and my mom's parent moved to Canada at a young age; my father's parents are from Canada. My mom encourages me to become a nurse my dad just wants me to be successful.