Mischa G

I'm an RPN and I have a history of c-difficile. I have been ok for 1 year and started working at a hospital in April. I am fairly certain that I have it again, went to the clinic today and will be confirmed in a few days. I will advise the hospital of my situation ASAP, I assume I will be out of work since I have this...right?? Has anybody ever been in a similar situation?? Last time it took me 6 months to completely get over c-diff. Kinda scary to be going thru it again and most likely jobless in the mean time

I live in Ottawa, Ontario and I know they hire RPN's (LPN) in certain hospitals in the med/sug units. My friend is also an RPN and sometimes working the the Emerg when they are short. Apparently there are also RPN's in the ICU, but in my opinion those who work in the ICU must have extra courses and more years of experience. There are also RPN's in the maternity units but NOT in L & D. RPN's are also hired on Rehab Units and Dialysis. And they are of course hired in LTC's. They also hire RPN's in a long-term type environment for palliative care for sick kids.

I cannot agree with you more Talia!! I have been an RPN for over 5 years and I was interested in becoming an RN but when I informed myself it would take me 3 years approx. of full time education!! Also, since I only have my certificat in RPN and not my diploma. I still considering taking the bridging cert. to diploma program but not right now since I will be starting a new job in a hospital. It's almost an insult for us RPN's to do 3 years of schooling! I think the bottom line is money! I live in Ottawa so I can't just cross the border like you do...consider yourself lucky!

Wow, that's REALLY good! I WAS considering going for RN and informed myself but now I'm completely discouraged since now in Ontario they have new regulations (I think since 2001) about RPN (LPN) to RN. Here I would have to take a bridging course in college that would last 1 full year to get an RPN (LPN) Diploma since I only have LPN certificat level (Now there's no such thing as LPN certificat.) Afterwards depending on your grades which as to be at least B's you get accepted into University where you join the 3rd year RN University students of a 4 year RN program where you get your BScN. In Ontario BScN are now mandatory, no more Bachelors in Nursing (BN) What a joke!!!

Hi, I'm from Canada and I was just curious how much schooling is required for an LPN to become an RN? Thanks

Trust me nursemama2be. I would listen to m chatelaine. This is coming from an RPN. I continued and finished my program but if you want to be an RN just see what/ if they would credit in your courses but don't bother finishing PN. The bridging RPN to BScN is a fiasco! You really can't go wrong by taking the program you REALLY want to be in! It might be a little more trouble and hassle to get out but it should be worth it! There's ALOT more opportunity for RN's than RPN's especially if you wanna work in a hospital environement! That's my opinion. I wish you good luck!

Have you ever thought of working at Canadian Blood Services or in a Dr's office where they require RN's. If you don't mind NOT having hands on maybe research would be a good idea. -like with the governement. They sometimes need RN's or maybe TeleHealth. Also you could be a case manager with CCAC. (Community Access Centre) There's also RN's in dentist offices where they do minor surgery and they need to somebody to assist the dentist and regulate the anesthesia. Hope this gives you ideas. It's just a matter of finding it and getting in!

If you really think you are meant to be a nurse and love helping others maybe you would enjoy working in at a LTCC. It's different from the hospital but I can't garentee that you won't be dealing with BS. That's everywhere..almost. When you'll be doing you clinicals just try and see what you enjoy the most. You should have some in an active setting and LT. Think of the clinical as an orientation.

I've been an RPN (LPN) for over 5 years. I like it...it depends on where you work cause one job differs from the other. I work in Ottawa in a Retirement Home. I will know this week if I got a job at the hospital in the medical unit. They need LOTS of LPN's!! Where I work they are running out of nurses so they are compensating with UCP's (Unregulated Care Providers) It's sickening and more work for us nurses cause obviously UCP's are limited in work tasks. I thought of RN and the pay is nicer but of course with more responsibilities..example taking care of stable pt's, taking telephone dr's orders..etc. Here RN's start @ $23.80/hour. (that's at the hospital in a medical unit) Regarding pay rate, it's bad cause I'm working in a private care facility. To start, you can believe me if you want but it's $13.00/hour for LPN's!! But don't let that infulence you in thinking LPN's get a bad pay. Employees in private facilities are USUALLY under paid and work hard!!! My potential job at the hospital would pay $21.00/hour and a raise in 3 months depending on how many hours I worked in my career. My advice, be yourself, believe in yourself..sometimes school have it's up's and down's but it's worth it at the end. Good luck!

Yes I did. Acctually 3 times. It's very difficult. But I pulled thru. I had perseverance. You just have to tell yourself you can do it and believe in yourself. That's what I did. I also had the exam prep guide which helped me a great deal cause they are the same type of questions that they asked in the real provincial exam. It's gave me an idea on what to expect.

I totally understand when people talk about private retirement homes. I've been working in one for over 5 years now. My opinion. It's a great place for new grads to learn but the disadvantage are that working in retirement homes are that you usually work alone and it's sometimes difficult learning when you are alone. I am alone with a personal support worker and 60 residents. It's very difficult. Like what was said in previous messages, we do have some residents that should NOT be in our facility cause they are wanders or palliative care even!! It's crazy and not fair. But it's all comes down to money. We do have some help from agencies but we are now told that we won't have any more help that we do now even if we have a new admission that would require extra help cause the agency don't have any more employees to offer care. Whether it's true I don't know, but there always something!We don't even have anybody to assess these patient before they comes in..and yes I am serious. Again, it's good to work in retirement homes if you plan just being employed for the summer of a limited time, not for long term. Too many things happend behind closed doors!!

Hi, I'm from Ottawa and did my course for RPN at la cite collegiale 6 years ago. I still live in Ottawa.

I am an RPN (LPN) and I am interested in pediatrics. I'm not sure if RPN's are hired in a children's hospital. I have over 5 years of experience in a long term setting. What are the requirements? Does anybody know of an RPN working in pediatrics. Thanks

Here in Ontario, Canada RN's get paid $23.80 (canadian) to work in the OR.

I'm new on this site. I would like to know if there's any nurses who are working as an OR nurse and what duties do they do exactly. I am interested in taking the course, but I just wanted to know what the job is like. I don't really know what I would put myself into before I'd acctually start the clinical. I'm an RPN in Ontario, Canada. If any has any info for me i'd appreciate it.