Salary question, something doesn't seem right to me.

[MeginSchool]

I am looking at start school in September. I live in a really small town, that may or may not offer a BSN program in 2010. If not, I will be taking the practical nursing course instead. So I wanted to find out what a practical nurse makes. I have looked on here, and searched through google. I have checked the local hopstial website, and my husband asked a friend who's fiance is a practical nurse at the local clinic.

The fiance said she makes about $25 an hour working at the clinic (the clinic website offers no info or job postings to compare with).

The local hospital website only mentions RN's, and says the pay is 23.80 an hour, with several postings listed.

Is it actually possible in the same town for RN's to make less than a practical nurse? Because if that is the case it seems like taking the 2 year course instead of the 4 would be a better choice.

I haven't talked to the woman myself, but I am thinking of calling and asking her about this, just incase her fiance was wrong. But I feel really wierd asking someone I met once what she makes, even though she knows I am planning to start school once I do my pre-req's (I am from a different country, so I didn't take all the needed classes).

Can anyone tell me about this salary question? Is that a normal salary for practical nurses? Or is it possible that the hospital website has an error and that is for practical nurses not RNs?

[loriangel14, RN]

It was probably an error.RPN pay varies from province to province but I make almost $25 an hour in a small hospital and the RNs make about $20 more.

[BabyLady, BSN, RN]

Yes, it is possible, but you are not looking at the entire picture.

You cannot compare jobs by base pay alone..you have to look at what kind of benefit package she is getting, time off, etc.

[Fiona59]

Which province are you in? All you have to do is a search on the local authorities website. There you will find the job listings for LPNs and RNs with the hourly scale listed.

The vast majority of nurses of both grades are unionized and the wages are the same whether you work in a clinic or a facilty. If it is a private practice, you will not be unionized but your wages are very close to the union rates. I've heard of some LTC's and specialty clinics paying a higher base rate than unionized sites to attract staff BUT usually the patient ratio is horrible or the Drs. are "challengin" and it is the only way to attract staff.

I know that if you add in my shift premiums to my hourly rate (I'm nearly at the top of my pay scale) I make more than a new grad RN but then I have experience and skills that they haven't yet developed.

[linzz]

Salary comparison alone is not enough information to go on when considering a nursing career. Depending on what province you are in, the biggest challenge will be finding a job with a supportive environment and somewhat reasonable workload. If you are from Ontario and live anywhere near the GTA, and desire full time, permanent hospital employment, best to get your RN.

[MeginSchool]

I am in Ontario but in NW Ontario, so nowhere near GTA. I am almost inbetween Thunder Bay and Winnipeg.

[linzz]

That's good that you are from the Northern area, I have heard there are some good opportunities for RPN's up there. Check the hospital websites and you could also check the RPNAO's website. Good luck.

[caliotter3]

There are situations where an RPN may be making more than an RN, but these cases are isolated, and there is some reason for it. You can't expect that to be the norm. I would encourage you to get your RN if possible. Even in a small town, RNs have an easier time getting work. But if you have to go the RPN route, that is also ok. You can go through an RPN to RN program later, or you might find it easier to get into that BSN program once they start it. Good luck.

[Fiona59]

. . . But if you have to go the RPN route, that is also ok. You can go through an RPN to RN program later, or you might find it easier to get into that BSN program once they start it. Good luck.

In Ontario, and most of Canada, the only way to obtain an RN designation is by obtaining a BScN or BSN. There are no bridges similar to the ones that exist in the US. It's either PN Diploma or BScN.