No nursing experience RPN-BSCN.

[Pixie2314]

Hello all,

I'm a new grad RPN in Ontario that's bridging to BSCN this September 2017. I became licensed in April 2017 so automatically that put a time crunch on finding my first nursing job. I did not hear back from the first two batches of applications for an interview except for a few that said they're hiring internally only. I will be going on vacation in two weeks and moving for school shortly after.

Given the circumstances, I will not be able to find a steady RPN job and gain a bit of experience before going back to school. Will this jeopardize my future when I'm finding work after graduating? Would I be lacking experience next to my peers? Or is it not a big deal because I'm bridging shortly after graduating Practical Nursing. Thank you all in advance.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Moved to the Canada Nursing Programs forum

[dishes, BSN, RN]

What made you choose to go directly to bridging without work experience? Are you hoping to improve your APA format paper writing skills? If so, than the bridging program is a good choice, if you are hoping to progress from a novice nurse to a clinically competent nurse, than direct bridging is a poor choice. If you haven't done so, suggest you read Patricia Benner's 'Novice to Expert' in order to understand the stages of clinical competence.

[Khow89]

Yes and no, your fellow peers will be other classmates who are bridging with you who might have a job right now and the 4 year bscn students who do not have any paid work experience.

[GBC_Student, BSN, RN]

Don't worry about it. You'll have clinical placements. You'll build on your skills (clinical and APA) and you won't be the only student who is bridging without having worked.

My bridging clinical group had students who have never worked as a nurse and students who have worked for years. I work in mental health so it had been a while since I hung an IV bag. Just remember you're there to learn and no one is expecting you to be perfect on your first day.

[shaelyn12]

Hey! I am going into the RPN to BScN bridge program in the fall too! I graduated PN last summer though, and I am working in a hospital right now but I have only been here for 4 months. I remember how hard it was to get a job when you first get your license! I was sending out resumes everyday for months. Just be patient, everything happens for a reason :)

You will be fine in the program, I am sure there will be people in your class who are in the same boat as you and have not found a job yet. Don't stress yourself out about it, you will have clinical experience and you're fresh out of PN so that's a great advantage! Just keep applying to places and eventually you will get a job, workplaces love to hear you are continuing your education too! It shows them that you are serious about nursing as a career choice and makes you look good :)

Best of luck!!