13,952 Posts
498 Posts
I would assume it would have to be at the discretion of the BON, but there are Bridging programs in Canada. Looks like another year of courses, if I'm interested. Is the scope different in that RPNs actually make treatment plans/nursing diagnoses?
RPNs definitely do that stuff in Canada, and more. We study for 4-5 semesters so it's a huge difference in scope up here.
13,952 Posts
I would assume it would have to be at the discretion of the BON, but there are Bridging programs in Canada. Looks like another year of courses, if I'm interested. Is the scope different in that RPNs actually make treatment plans/nursing diagnoses?
Canada has colleges of nursing. There is no bridge from US vocational/technical diploma to a RPN/LPN college diploma (which is similar to a US ASN program and runs 4-5 semesters or 2-2.5 years) as its not really needed because 10 month vocational nursing programs do not exist in Canada. The entry to practice for RN is BScN minimum.
They do have college RPN/LPN diploma bridge to university BScN programs in Canada.
You would have to review the CoN requirements for RPN/LPN and have your education assessed by NNAS. If you were deemed educationally equivalent for coursework in theory and sufficient clinical hours you would need to pass the CRPNE exam. Unless you have work rights in Canada LPN does not meet the requirements for a TN Visa.
13,952 Posts
From the College of Nurses of Ontario:
http://www.cno.org/globalassets/docs/prac/41062.pdf (RN & RPN)
RPN competencies
http://www.cno.org/globalassets/docs/reg/41042_entrypracrpn.pdf
9 Posts
Oooh, I must have mistakenly read the RPN to RN Bridge from the college website? Or they just mean RN to Canadian nurse? Or they mean you have to complete the bridge in addition to the RPN program? Haha, I'm slightly confused. Here are the sites I found (these are legitimate colleges in Ontario):
Bridging for Internationally Educated Nurses Certificate | Continuing Education | Mohawk College
Bridging for Internationally Educated Nurses (BIEN) | Fanshawe College
Thanks for the links, JustBeachy! Great resources. Just to add, I hold dual citizenship. So I am legally able to work in both countries, no problem besides the actual recognition of license.
6,931 Posts
13,952 Posts
Oooh, I must have mistakenly read the RPN to RN Bridge from the college website? Or they just mean RN to Canadian nurse? Or they mean you have to complete the bridge in addition to the RPN program? Haha, I'm slightly confused. Here are the sites I found (these are legitimate colleges in Ontario):Bridging for Internationally Educated Nurses Certificate | Continuing Education | Mohawk College
Bridging for Internationally Educated Nurses (BIEN) | Fanshawe College
Thanks for the links, JustBeachy! Great resources. Just to add, I hold dual citizenship. So I am legally able to work in both countries, no problem besides the actual recognition of license.
The first is IEN RN and the second includes RPN but you must have paid working experience as a nurse. The few US educated LPN had to complete a full RPN program to qualify. Most IEN that report qualifying as RPN were educated as BSN/RN overseas but their BSN was not equivalent to Canadian BScN and partially equivalent to RPN and needed a bridging course.
717 Posts
My scope of practice is exactly the same as an RN. According to the college of nurses...what I can do is based on the stability and predictability of the patient. Skills wise...it's based on knowledge, skill and judgement. On my busy surgical floor...there is zero difference in scope of practice...except that I'm not assigned in the step down room (which is based on the stability of those patients).
JustBeachyNurse, LPN
13,952 Posts
US 10-18 month LPN is not equivalent to associates level Canadian LPN/RPN. It's their old RN 2yr diploma program. I've never seen anyone successful without returning to school