LPN Alberta questions

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Hi,

I'm taking a Practical nursing program right now and I'm interested in working in the ICU. Can you work in the ICU as an LPN? Do I need to be an RN for that? I'm planning on going for my RN after my LPN anyway. Also, I was wondering if anyone had any experience working as an LPN while going for an RN? Where did you take it? And how many classes did you take while working? The program I'm planning on taking you can pick how many classes you can take at a time, so I was wondering if anybody had any advice on what would be too much while working.

Thanks ? ?

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Hi! I’m an LPN in Alberta, hopefully I can help you out!!

How far along are you in your LPN? I would recommend just going for your RN. The only bridging program in Alberts is Athabasca University and it’s a horrible program (my mom works there!) if you plan on working while taking RN courses, your looking at 4-5years, and over $60000 to get your degree. The program has the highest drop out rate of all their programs.

As far as LPNs in ICU, I haven’t heard of any. That’s not saying there isn’t, but if there is any, they won’t be hiring new grads, you’ll have to have several years experience first. The ICU is one of those places like NICU and ER where new grad LPNs won’t even get an interview.

Good luck!!

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11 hours ago, amandab13 said:

Hi! I’m an LPN in Alberta, hopefully I can help you out!!

How far along are you in your LPN? I would recommend just going for your RN. The only bridging program in Alberts is Athabasca University and it’s a horrible program (my mom works there!) if you plan on working while taking RN courses, your looking at 4-5years, and over $60000 to get your degree. The program has the highest drop out rate of all their programs.

As far as LPNs in ICU, I haven’t heard of any. That’s not saying there isn’t, but if there is any, they won’t be hiring new grads, you’ll have to have several years experience first. The ICU is one of those places like NICU and ER where new grad LPNs won’t even get an interview.

Good luck!!

Why do you say Athabasca bridging program is horrible just curious as I’m currently taking courses while trying to get the required hours for the program and also considering applying for Uof C for the transfer 28 months program. As for working in NICU or ER, a friend who graduated with me in last year works in NICU she had zero experience and I know a few classmates who got ER position though in smaller towns.

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I say it’s horrible because: a lot of students underestimate the amount of time required. The AU constantly changes course requirements for cluster A. I’ve also heard a lot of horror stories regarding professors. I do know of a handful of LPNs who did finish, but they all took over three years to do it, most took 4+years. Which is rediculous.

Congrats to your friends on getting positions. I’ve been an LPN for 13+years it is very hard right now to get a position in AHS right now. Getting your foot in the door by going rural is the way to go. The last posting where I work had 300+ internal applicants. ?

I have never heard of the Calgary program. It must be new, and that’s awesome! We need other alternatives besides AU. I would love to see more options in Alberta. Ontario has several RPN (what they call LPNs there) to RN bridging programs.

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New grads get hired into NICU.

I've heard that LPNs work in the Calgary ICU's but don't know if it was a trial project.

Athabasca can be done but it's hard work. The goalposts change constantly. A few years back, it was hard to get a final placement because Athabasca had given the spots to RPNs from Ontario who had employer sponsorship! A friend was delayed for a year because of it.

If you want to be an RN do the degree straight out. My friends who did Athabasca found it frustrating to be working as a student with skills they already had under their belt. If you do Athabasca, take as many courses as you can at a local college or university in "real" time and transfer them over.

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I keep wondering why it’s so difficult to get a job with AHS, I keep hearing/reading of nurses working overtime and complaining of being overworked. It’s so frustrating applying nonstop and getting no interview.

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45 minutes ago, Gohealth said:

I keep wondering why it’s so difficult to get a job with AHS, I keep hearing/reading of nurses working overtime and complaining of being overworked. It’s so frustrating applying nonstop and getting no interview.

Alberta's economy tanked. AHS is publicly funded.

It was never easy to get a job with AHS or it's predecessors. As a new grad back at the turn of the century it took me three months to land a casual gig in LTC. Very few in my class walked into full time jobs. Most of us worked casual and at multiple sites.

Factor in the training colleges are pumping out twice the number of new grads. My class graduated 40 people. Norquest was the only college in the area. You wanted to be an LPN, you had to go to Edmonton, Calgary or Lethbridge.

There's your problem in a nutshell, more new grads than jobs.

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I applied 75 times in AHS Calgary and nearby areas and got no calls for interview. im an experienced nurse with 5 years US experience plus 3 more from another and 6 months in a nursing home in Calgary. its terrible in alberta. a lot of nurses told me if you don't know anyone from AHS they will not hire. now im going back to USA to work as a nurse in a hospital

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I’m sure I have applied more than 75 times ( AHS and LTC ) ?I will keep trying not giving up though I’m planning on going back to school to get my BN if I’m unable to get a job before September. I would have loved to move to US but as an LPN I hear I might not get a work permit or it might take years

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Hi!

Thanks, everyone for the replies. I'm in my first semester of an LPN program. Does know anyone knows of any programs that would take the LPN courses I've taken? I've heard that the University of Calgary takes LPN completed courses but don't have that much information on it. Do you need to have certain grades to get into the University of Calgary? Also, are there any other program options that you've heard of. I'm trying to take the cheapest route possible. I was planning on taking programs at Athabasca University so I wouldn't have lots of student loan debt and could work while taking the programs. Does anyone have any advice on cheaper options? Any other information that you have will be super helpful too. As I have just started my LPN program I don't have much information.

Thank you ?

You guys are amazing for all the information you've given me. ?

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I'm starting my initial registration to work In Alberta coming from BC. Hearing that you have applied in AHS 75 times with no calls or interview is very discouraging. Have you tried to apply to private companies? I have 8 years working in BC, I will try to apply to AHS as well but it seems like I have to start off at a private company before getting into AHS.

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54 minutes ago, Jose9 said:

I'm starting my initial registration to work In Alberta coming from BC. Hearing that you have applied in AHS 75 times with no calls or interview is very discouraging. Have you tried to apply to private companies? I have 8 years working in BC, I will try to apply to AHS as well but it seems like I have to start off at a private company before getting into AHS.

Private companies out here a bit dodgy. The staff there try and unionize as soon as they can, lol. Pay is usually lower. Work is mainly homecare or nursing homes.

You are aware of our recent government change? Staff at AHS are waiting to see what happens. Just remember last in, first out.

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