Why the program length difference? CAN/US

[Cherry2]

I start my LPN program in fall 2007 and the program is 2 years long (4 semesters). Why are LPN programs only 1 year in the US? Are they more condensed, and therefore more difficult?

As long as I have read these boards, I don't think I have yet seen a US LPN program that was two years..

[Cherry2]

My program is at a college, George Brown in Toronto to be exact. The computer course and communications I am exempt from, thank goodness!

I *think* part of the reason they have us do so much, is in prep for RN, as they do have a bridge program run through one of the collaborative colleges that run half of their RN program as well.

[roseweed]

heyy i am from canada 2 .. doing my lpn..and its 1 year program...here in british columbia>... i guess it differs for each province:nurse:

[Fiona59]

The PN is now two full years or four college semesters in Alberta. You are granted a diploma at the end.

Basically in many provinces the PN is becoming the old two year RN.

The Canadian Nurses Assoc. is rethinking nursing education in Canada. At the CLPNA convention last week, there was a speaker via technology from Ontario who was the Chairman or some such title. He mentioned that by 2020 the CNA would like to see Canadian Nurses offered a 2-4-6-8-10 year progression to education with two years being the entry level required for all nurses, and that all nurses would have to start out as PNs and work their way through the ladder to NP and doctorate level of education.

I can really see the RNs who hold BScN degrees going for this. But it seems a fair and logical education progression.

[Cherry2]

Really Fiona? That is great!

Honestly, I have been wondering why it WASN'T like that all along. It just makes sense to do that in my opinion.

[Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN]

I went to University of ND @ Williston (now Williston State College) and there was a 2 year and 3 year LPN program. North Dakota requires an AD for LPN's. I took the 3 year route and was able to also receive an AA.

:monkeydance:

[Fiona59]

Cherry, what is simple and logical never happens in this country. The proposed plan was mentioned at work and the ones who howled the loudest were the BScNs. The hospital trained nurses thought it was a great idea.

"Will you get a BScN?" was all the others could ask.

Education is a great thing. I just get P*ssed off when people are that wrapped in the degree status that they loose all objective reason in what might be a perfectly viable option. I know people in the military who are specialists in their fields who are enlisted because they don't have degrees and in many cases make more $$ than officers who have degrees. Medics, MPs, mechanics who are Cpls and above often make more than infantry officers who have a degree. The reason, their SKILLS, not their education or an old boys network.

Personally, I think the CNA is an old girls network but hey, the next 15 years should be fun to watch.

[linzz]

Fiona59, I always like your posts. Ontario's LPN program is now 2 - 2.5 years. Sometimes I wonder if they are filling up semesters with courses just to grab everyones hard earned dollars. I also agree with your thoughts on the CNA and yes the next decade or so will certainly be entertaining as we see the results all these changes to nursing standards.