Is the Sprott Shaw LPN prog. respected?

Fiona59 · Nov 11, 2004

Well, it depends where in Canada you are. I trained in Alberta and had never heard of Sprott Shaw before moving to BC.

How LPN's are utilized depends on the hospital that employs you. I have a friend who works ER in Alberta. My local hospital doesn't even let LPN's pass meds. CLPNBC says thats their choice and they are a bit different from the other regional hospitals because they are run by the Catholic church.

LPN bridges to RN are difficult to get into. The bridging course I require has an 18-24 month wait list. I'd be faster applying as transfer from another faculty and taking no credit for my license. But I can't go that route because I know I will only be here for another 2.5 years.

It all depends on what you want. If you are determined to be an MD, go that route. Student debt is student debt.

If you really want to be an RN, do directly there.

The RN programmes have all sort of rules that can thwart an LPN: lab sciences must be less than five years old; some provinces require Grade 12 in Chem, Bio, and Math. Others require Gr. 11. My previous employer was disappointed none of their LPNs were doing the bridge. They thought it would be more of a go back to school for advanced nursing classes depending on the experience of the LPN. My CNE didn't think they'd expect us to redo our Grade 12 to be able to apply! Most of us were over 40 and had been out of formal education for at least 10 years.

The role of an LPN is changing rapidly in some provinces. Depending on where you are makes a big difference in what skills you can utilize. IV start training was available to LPN's in Alberta. But very few facilities allow LPN's that skill, so most don't spend the money aquiring a skill that will never be used. LPN's work immunization clinics in Alberta but not BC.

Good Luck. Just another thought. Have you thought of training to be a paramedic. Money is usually better!

Janice8551 · Nov 11, 2004

Hi Mark!

Call the College of LPNs to see what they say. The Practice Consultants can answer your questions, and they are LPNs themselves. Please remember that LPN practice looks different in BC than it does in Alberta, so have a discussion with someone where you can get some context for your answers.

Good Luck!

Hello,
I am a 36 year old male considering a career change and considering Sprott Shaw for the LPN program. Sprott Shaw offers me a January start date which is important to me, but not at the cost of a valuable program.
Is it respected in the nursing community?
Do LPN work in the ER?
How difficult is the transition from LPN to RN?
How difficult is the transition from RN to physician?
Thank you for your input/
Mark

aussie rose · Nov 13, 2004

Hi Mark, I understand your concerns. I planned to take an LPN course, but wasn't sure of Sprott-Shaw's reputation...so I phoned facilities in the Fraser Valley, and the Fraser Health Authority to ask whether they hired graduates from Sprott-Shaw. They all said the same thing...if you can pass the exam and get your license, you know your stuff...basically, that's all they were interested in...I started at Sprott-Shaw last September.:)

mmarquis · Feb 16, 2005

Hi Mark, I understand your concerns. I planned to take an LPN course, but wasn't sure of Sprott-Shaw's reputation...so I phoned facilities in the Fraser Valley, and the Fraser Health Authority to ask whether they hired graduates from Sprott-Shaw. They all said the same thing...if you can pass the exam and get your license, you know your stuff...basically, that's all they were interested in...I started at Sprott-Shaw last September.:)

Oh I am soo glad I finally found someone who has attended S.S. I really need some advice and just curious to know what you thought of the school, instructors, practicums and getting a job after graduation.

Do you think spending $20,000 with no wait list was really worth it?

Did you have a job offered to you when you did your practicums and graduated? Sprott said that 95% of their graduates get hired.

This is a very big life change and decision for me as I would be leaving a well paying, secure job (which is very meaningless and boring to me). In the end I will end up with a debt of approx. $35,000 (with mortgage and bills) will this be worth it for me?

I cant wait to hear your reply. Thanks again! I am open to all the advice you have.:)

Hawaiigirl · Mar 26, 2005

My Brother and Sis both graduated from Sprott Shaw in New West. It has an excellent rep for the lpn program. They both got a job during their practicum at the local hospital. They get called at least 2x a day for being casual!!!! Today they made $53 per hr each. They call alot so there is major work out there. They loved their teachers at Sprott Shaw. I am planning to go to the nurse program there in Surrey in Nov/05. Hope this helps! ciao

Hello,
I am a 36 year old male considering a career change and considering Sprott Shaw for the LPN program. Sprott Shaw offers me a January start date which is important to me, but not at the cost of a valuable program.
Is it respected in the nursing community?
Do LPN work in the ER?
How difficult is the transition from LPN to RN?
How difficult is the transition from RN to physician?
Thank you for your input/
Mark

daisy74 · Mar 26, 2008

wow reading all the different inputs on here are very helpful! thank you! i am grad from sprott-shaw new west.(rca program) and i loved the whole thing there the teachers where awesome and very helpful not the mention the rest of the staff! i did get a job right away after grad from one of the practicums i worked in which was awesome and now i am in one of the ecu units in a local hospital as a casual. but i have been struggling to with wanting to upgrade and go back to school for my lpn! i orginally wanted to do the rn but with a small family and at my age by the time i would even get into the rn program at kwatlen and grad i would be 40, so been tossing the idea of lpn again and going back to sprott shaw in new west just because i trust the staff etc...but have been really worried about what will be there for jobs afterwards in bc...not to mention that my hubby really wants to move back to alberta...so what is the whole job situation out there for both provinces..yeah wage is a big one but the love of the job is more for me...and i am not really happy with being a rca not exactly where i wanted to be...wanted to be more acute and doing a bit more than being a glorified babysitter in a sense....so can anyone help me with details???

Aroha22 · Apr 13, 2008

I disagree.

im currently an LPN student at sprott-shaw and i cant believe what a gong show the entire sprott shaw organization is.

yes you should have no problem getting a job after but that is likely due to the massive nursing shortage.

i cant begin to tell you how disorganized the program is. so not worth the $21,047.48

I would try VCC instead. unless you are absolutely desperate. dont do it.

RichmondLPN · Jun 25, 2008

I would take the sprott program again if i did it over only for one reason... I got in right away and was out in a year.... if you are crap with studying and dont know the material you are doomed.... I paid to get my license is what I did... I taught myself and took the exam... and was it worth it? HECK YES.... I wanted to do teh RN program but wait was too long... wanted to do LPN at VCC.... again wait too long... so heck yes I am glad I did it at sprott... I have made a crap load of money and gained TONS of experience that no school can teach you.....

I have never had an employer say EW SPROTT.... They go HEY what did you learn... and you then say BLAH BLAH and show you know what you are talking about....

It honestly doesnt matter where you go, it's what you know and what you have retained..... When you are writing that 7 hour licensing exam... it wont matter where you took your coorifice

Like any schooling, you should always rely on yourself, because when school's out, you will have no teacher to tell you the answer.

Good luck everyone!:loveya:

Atiyya · Oct 27, 2010

I was looking at SS too but i met with a CARE advisor and she recommended that since i plan on moving from BC UFV would be better recognized than SS and that they do have a better nursing program than SS.