mom with 2 kids - RN or RPN

dishes, BSN, RN · Sep 28, 2016

Apply to both PN and BSN programs and see which program you are accepted into, there is no point in getting stressed about making a decision until you know whether or not there is a decision to make.

loriangel14, RN · Sep 28, 2016

Nursing school is filled with dozens of exams, not just 3. Where I work RPNs work L&D.

CanadianRN16 · Sep 28, 2016

Regardless of your decision, sacrifices will have to be made from both you and your husband to achieve your goal. Focus on the essentials, take life one day/ test at a time, and don't be too proud to accept help when offered. It won't be easy, but it will be worth it in the end.

christylai1992 · Sep 28, 2016

Thanks for your advice. I am mainly stressed because this affects my career as well as my children's future. I also worked very hard to get my prerequisites while I am pregnant and finally received my final marks. I have faith that I will get accepted. I have spoken to a few nurses (RNs in Toronto, Ontario), and they have all advised me to get into the RPN program due to my current situation. Rpns are actually getting hired a lot more than RN's (that's how it is where I live at least). I decided that I will be going into PN for now and then hopefully in the future, while I am working as a PN, I can continue further into my studies.

RPNtoRN · Sep 29, 2016

I was in a similar situation and chose the RPN route. Now I'm in my second year of the bridging program and I wish I'd saved myself the trouble and gone straight for the RN. The upside is that I work as an RPN now, but I work in LTC and I don't make much more than a PSW. Although the experience definitely helps with school.

I'm not sure which bridging program you're looking into, but mine is a 3 year. So I did 2 years of practical nursing, then I have 3 years in the BScN program. 5 years in total.

Good luck with whatever you decide :)

christylai1992 · Sep 30, 2016

I was in a similar situation and chose the RPN route. Now I'm in my second year of the bridging program and I wish I'd saved myself the trouble and gone straight for the RN. The upside is that I work as an RPN now, but I work in LTC and I don't make much more than a PSW. Although the experience definitely helps with school.
I'm not sure which bridging program you're looking into, but mine is a 3 year. So I did 2 years of practical nursing, then I have 3 years in the BScN program. 5 years in total.
Good luck with whatever you decide :)

Thank-you for your advice. To be honest Im hearing alot of mixed responses. RNs are telling me to go for RPN given my situation, and RPNs are telling me they regret not going straight for the RN route.

I did do some thinking, and the only downside going into RPN first is the amount of time it will take to become an RN. However, it is just 1 year more.

The bridging program here in Toronto is 1 year. After the completion of the bridging program, there is 2 years of BScN. So its really the same.

If you dont mind me asking, how did you manage to get through nursing school with 2 young children? Also, how different is the RPN program compared to the BScN program?

Piaffe · Oct 1, 2016

I'm in my third year of a bachelors degree at a Canadian institution, so I may offer some insight. Nursing is challenging, and can be challenging before you even get into school. What are your grades that you will be applying with? When do admissions open for the fall intake? In my area, early admissions have already opened and programs fill up during the early admission period. This is something to look at with the schools you want to apply to. Some schools keep wait lists, while others start fresh each admission period. Apply to more than one school, and don't count on getting in the first time you apply. Nursing programs are extremely competitive.

I too considered PN vs RN before I applied to school. From your posts, it sounds like you are from the GTA. I would recommend you search these boards on people who have had challenges finding work in that region. The nursing shortage is a lie, and there are many new grads who are having to move to rural communities just to get some experience. I am concerned on finding my first nursing job upon graduation, but have the ability to move if necessary. Would your spouse be supportive if you needed to move to find work?

christylai1992 · Oct 3, 2016

I'm in my third year of a bachelors degree at a Canadian institution, so I may offer some insight. Nursing is challenging, and can be challenging before you even get into school. What are your grades that you will be applying with? When do admissions open for the fall intake? In my area, early admissions have already opened and programs fill up during the early admission period. This is something to look at with the schools you want to apply to. Some schools keep wait lists, while others start fresh each admission period. Apply to more than one school, and don't count on getting in the first time you apply. Nursing programs are extremely competitive.
I too considered PN vs RN before I applied to school. From your posts, it sounds like you are from the GTA. I would recommend you search these boards on people who have had challenges finding work in that region. The nursing shortage is a lie, and there are many new grads who are having to move to rural communities just to get some experience. I am concerned on finding my first nursing job upon graduation, but have the ability to move if necessary. Would your spouse be supportive if you needed to move to find work?

I'm applying with a 85 average. I know its not extremely high but maybe Ill e able to get in. They start taking in applications in November 2016 and they start sending out acceptances in January-February. School starts in September 2017.

As for finding work, I've spoken to several nurses and they all told me that PN gets hired more than RN. Also, I know quite a few nurses , one of them is a chief of Nurse at her hospital that told me she can refer me for work when I graduate.

My concern right now is not finding work. I mean, I cant be thinking about finding work when I haven't even been accepted to nursing school yet. Its getting into nursing school and which route to take that worries me at the moment.

Gohealth · Oct 7, 2016

I am in the same boat as you,I have 3 young kids all under 6, I have decided to go through the LPN route and bridge later. I am currently taking some of the courses online so as to reduce workload and will be starting classes in May 2017. I will advice you apply for both program and see what happens.

Good luck

danothemano · Oct 8, 2016

Many people don't relize the to take the briding program from Rpn to rn the majority of universities offering this briding course to rn requires no failed courses in the rpn program, and above a 3.0 GPA, in the Rpn program.

dishes, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2016

As for finding work, I've spoken to several nurses and they all told me that PN gets hired more than RN. Also, I know quite a few nurses , one of them is a chief of Nurse at her hospital that told me she can refer me for work when I graduate.
.

Some nurses have the perception that more PNs are hired than RNs in Toronto hospitals, but if you check various Toronto hospitals' websites for job postings on a regular basis, you will see for yourself that there is consistently a greater number of RN positions posted than PN positions.