LPN schools in Vancouver

Updated: Jul 22, 2023 Published Feb 28, 2016

6 Posts

I just want to add this topic in General Nursing Discussion because there are quite a few topics for Private LPN schools, but the latest was in 2013.

According to CLPNBC, the CPRNE(licensing exam) passing rate for BC is quite high.

Around 90~94 percent.

This is link for CPRNE statistics for 2015.

https://www.clpnbc.org/Registration-Renewal/Canadian-Practical-Nurse-Registration-Examination/CPNRE-Statistics/2015-CPNRE-Statistics

Among the list of schools, many of private schools have high rate of passing for the licensing exam.

However, it does not show how many students wrote the exam.

When I was in LPN program in a private college, our class had only 7 students.

We were the only students who wrote the exam at the time.

Our class started as 20 students in the first term.

However, by the end of the school, there were only 7 students left.

Some students dropped out. Some students switched to HCA(Health care assistant) program. Some students failed the program.

If you are considering of going to a private school for LPN. Consider:

1.If the class start with 20 students in the program, how many students can make throu

gh the program?

2. The passing rate for CPRNE for the specific campus for specific school.

https://www.clpnbc.org/Registration-Renewal/Canadian-Practical-Nurse-Registration-Examination/CPNRE-Statistics

3. This is the most important one: If you graduate from the private school, can you get a job?? Where do you want to get a job?

From my own experience, it was so difficult to get a job for private school graduates.

When I was considering of going to private school for nursing, I went to see the program advisor in one of the private colleges. The program advisor said "Our graduates will have the same nursing license as those students from vancouver community college. For LPNs, the school name doesn't matter. The important thing for Licensed practical nurses is to have a valid license. That's all it matters."

Above is not entirely true. It is true that everyone will have the same nursing License as long as the program is recognized by CLPNBC.

However, when the school name matters when you look for a job.

I am not saying that it is impossible for students from private schools to get a job.

They can still get a job.

However, it is the manager who decides whether she/he will hire a graduate from private school or a graduate from vancouver community college.

All of the new graduates will have no experience.

Some of students might have some healthcare related experience to put on their resume.

For example,

There is a job posting available for LPNs.

There are only 3 seats available.

More than 100 LPNs applied for the job.

The manager will not contact all 100 applicants for the interview.

She/he will go through the resumes first, and decide who she/he will call for the interview.

It is based on the manager's preference. However, in most cases, the manager will choose the graduate from more recognized school.. .. It is widely known that Vancouver Community College has a good LPN program.

However, I'm not saying all graduates from VCC can get a job right away. It is just more known school for LPN program.

4. Consider of going for RN after graduation? Then I recommend for going for RN program directly instead of going for LPN.

There is no point of paying for LPN tuition and RN tuition.

The prerequisite for LPN to RN bridging program is exactly same as the prerequisite for the first year RN program these days.

In Vancouver, there are only two schools where they offer the bridging program.( VCC and Langara) Please let me know if I'm wrong.

Time takes longer.

Directly going for RN:

Waiting time and prereq preparation time for RN program +

3 years - The RN program in many schools is 3 years.

Going for LPN and then RN:

1 1/2 year(?) for LPN program +

waiting time and prerequisites preparation time+

3 years - LPN to RN bridging program keeps changing in schools, but it takes from 2 semesters to one year.(roughly one year). After the bridging program, students can enter the beginning of 2nd yr(2 more year of studying in RN program)

6. Private school tuition is a lot more expensive than VCC. I know that VCC has at least 2 or 3 years of waitlist. But, does it worth that much?

I am not saying that the private school programs are bad or anything.

They have good programs, and it is not easy to graduate from the private schools.

Students have to put a lot of efforts to pass and survive through the program.

I just want everyone to consider really carefully because going to private school takes a lot of money.

Please let me know if I'm wrong with any information.