LPN Education and work in Alberta

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Has anyone taken the LPN program from NorQuest? I was looking at doing their distance program. From what I understand you do most of your work at home, go to Edmotnon for practice clinicals and then can complete clinicals in your own community.

I was also wondering about what kind of work LPN's acutally do? When I first started out reasearching nursing I thought that an LPN could pretty much only work in LTC. When I look at job postings I see everything form LTC to L&D and Surgery!

I cant move to a larger city to go to university as I have 2 small childern at home. My husband has a very good job where we are so this distance LPN program sounds real good to me. It was not my first decision but it is the best. The more I think about it the more excited I get.:yeah:

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OK, I'm starting with the basics. You are not taking an "LPN" course. It's a diploma in Practical Nursing. The "L" is only obtained after passing the national registration exam.

Norquest's distance ed course has been running for years. I've worked with good nurses produced by the course and some terrible ones. They all had previous experience working as care aides. The course had video content and skills kits sent to them.

LTC is NOT the only option for LPNs. I would have quit years ago as I am not an LTC nurse. Look at the AHS website for the different areas that hire LPNs. AHS is the major employer of all nurses in Alberta.

Do not expect to work in maternity or paeds (or any of the other "glamourous areas) right away. There's not that many jobs and they don't go to new grads. It seems to be the "dream" job of many student nurses.

You have to be very motivated and dedicated to study at home. You have to complete the course work by specified times. You'll need to consider childcare because it's not course work that can be done in two hours in the evening when the kid are in bed.

Weren't you accepted into the UofA's BScN programme a while back and determined to be an RN?

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I seen that you can you can become a healthcare aide and then bridge over into the second year PN. I think that just doing the 2 year course is a better option for me.

My husband is home every night and works 8on 6off so I have the time to dedicate to the program.

I was wanting to go to the UofA but I need to do some more upgrading for that. Also the school is just to far away from us right now to make it possible.

I had no idea that the role of a LPN was so diversified. That’s what was holding me back from even thinking about a PN diploma.

I will admit when I think about getting into nursing that’s what I think about is L&D… but I figure you never truly know. I could end up loving something that I thought I would hate.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTC/Geriatric.
I seen that you can you can become a healthcare aide and then bridge over into the second year PN. I think that just doing the 2 year course is a better option for me.

My husband is home every night and works 8on 6off so I have the time to dedicate to the program.

I was wanting to go to the UofA but I need to do some more upgrading for that. Also the school is just to far away from us right now to make it possible.

I had no idea that the role of a LPN was so diversified. That's what was holding me back from even thinking about a PN diploma.

I will admit when I think about getting into nursing that's what I think about is L&D... but I figure you never truly know. I could end up loving something that I thought I would hate.

I am a relatively new LPN in BC (2.5 years). BC's scope and areas of work are much more limited in than Alberta, however I love what I am doing! I would also LOVE to work in L+D one day, but I can't as an LPN in BC. However, the last line is what I'm replying to.

I am currenlty working FT in LTC. The same LTC facility that I did my very first practicum in as a student. When I did ths practicum, I came home every day sooooooooo depressed. I thought there was NO WAY I would ever work in LTC. It was acute care all the way. I have done a lot of work in acute care and I do love it as well, however I choose to work in LTC at the moment as I far prefer 8 hour shifts over 12 hours and the LTC facility is only 5 minutes from my house, I don't have to fight for or pay for parking. And the other part is I really, really like LTC now! I don't LOVE it, but I do like it a lot and I didn't think I ever would. It makes such a difference that I know my residents inside and out. I know their families. I am there consistently so I can implement new wound care treaments and see the results. I can assess pain, request a better analgesic from the doctor and then see the results. I can make their day brighter by knowing how they like their evening tea and giving the 88 year-old man a good night hug as it makes him so happy.

I do apply for acute care positions that appeal to me and would take one that I really like over LTC, however these positions are much more competitive to get, so I bide my time, build my seniorty, make $$$ and have generally less stress in LTC for the time being.

Best of luck with your decision. I took my program at age 31 with a husband, 2 kids, a mortgage to pay for etc and I love being a nurse.

:nurse:

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This is what nurses everywhere should strive to be like!

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New question...

Im wondering if anyone knows about or has taken the 'hybrid' option of study or I guess 'part-time study'

The school is 45mins from my home. I guess that you get something like 1 night a week with the instructor and then labs on the weekends.

I kept looking into the school in the city west of me that does not offer anything but distance. I was JUST looking into the school north of me and found this hybrid option.

I think it would be a bit of a better option as its a little more hands on.

...and hey I can get my grocery shoping done in town at the same time! lol its a win-win!

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