I really need advice

[Sary]

I want to be a registered nurse, but I do not have all the prerequisite. If you were in my shoes and got accepted to the practical nursing program for this january, would you take the practical nursing program and then bridge to the bachelor of science programs, or would you just take correspondence courses to get your prerequisite for the RN program? I wont be able to take start the RN program until next year If I have to take the prerequisites now. It would take one extra year to graduate If I took the practical nursing program first, so I should still graduate at the same time no matter what route I take, granted that I do not fail any courses. I'm just scared that the RN program will be hard to get into and it will be extra tough If I get in. Also, would it help that much if I volunteered at the hospital? Please help!

Thanks in advance!!!

[2bNurse-88]

I'd take the RPN course for now. That way, you always have your RPN whether or not you decide to continue into RN. RPN is a really good program. It'll be extremely helpful if you do decide to continue into RN, making your RN degree completion probably a whole lot easier.

I don't know where you live, but here in Toronto, & the GTA, being an RPN is turning out to be a lot more useful right now rather than RN's. The hospital I work at laid-off 60+ RN's every except ICU. A lot are being replaced with RPN's, and RN's being moved up to management positions, in offices. You have to think though, there's only maybe what, 10 management positions for RN's in a hospital, that means the 50 other RN's have still lost their jobs out of the 60. Do your RPN for now, two years down the road, you can make your decision based on the situation then.

[Fiona59]

All I can say, it's not that easy to get into either nursing programme in my province. So apply for the practical nurse education.

But if you don't have the prereqs for the BScN, do you have them for the PN diploma?

[Guvner]

I'm kind of in the same boat, and ended up deciding to apply for the RPN course instead knowing that I could bridge later on if I wish. The good thing is that the RPN course is 2 years, less tuition so you can get working in half the time with less debt, work for a year maybe and then bridge if you want, either go back to school or do it part time. My concern with the BScN was it was 4 years to commit to, university tuition costs and its very very competitive to get into whereas I have heard that the RPN courses are not as competitive. Either way I don't think you can go wrong, sure BScN on paper is the way to go, but RPN to RN is a perfectly good route to go.

[Fiona59]

Also remember that not everyone who graduates and passes CPNRE is still working in nursing after two years. In my class of 42, I personally know four people who walked away from nursing forever.

Better to only be in debt for a diploma.