carz

Alberta LPN Just curious to know if you had to take any added skills to work in the dermatology clinic, sounds like you have a large role inclusive of suturing ....wow, sounds like a very interesting place to work. Never seen those postings come up.

How much does the program cost to become a BSN prepared nurse in the states? Here in Canada it is about 30,000 with no funding from our employers!

Dont you worry about the cost of financing the RN program at this time in your life? Not to be rude but I too consider taking the program (and I have taken a few of the courses, but 27000.00 is a lot of money when you may still have kids that you are assisting through school. Just curious to know what your program will cost you.

Have not done it but have taken a few courses towards it.... I think at your age it is totally worth it! Not too sure for me though as I am 49.

Just curious to know how many older LPNs are making the bridge to RNs and do they feel it will be worth their while from a employment perspective. I think it will take me approximately 5 years part-time as I work full-time I worry that it might not be beneficial to leave a full-time LPN job to start over as a RN when I finish. Anyone share my thoughts? The program definately is not easy, I find I am tired when I come home from work , I know blah blah blah.

[i am so glad to hear all your comments and they all sound very positive.... I hope this is the trend, as I would hate to think that all our skills and experience would not be recognized as a vital contribution to our over extended healthcare sytem.

I hope you are right, sometimes we tend to follow suite of other areas, sorry not trying to sound like a pessimist, but just concerned. I was the cray woman in her late 4os who started the RN program but I just don't feel like putting all that work in at this point in my life, so I will continue as a LPN, but I do worry about our future. Whats with the new hospital in Calgary will they staff LPNs?

"]I have been checking many blogs lately USA and United K iIngdom looks like many areas are reducing the amount of employment for LPNs and some areas have actually stopped offering the programs (such as enrolled nurse in England.) It is kind of scarey, I have about another 15 years to work (as a LPN) and I see many have been displaced after about the same amount of time or more. Do any of you feel this trend may happen in Canada?

]I just wondered if they are doing away with Enrolled nurses in Australia, I have been told they no longer offer the program in England is this correct? I am curious because the states seem to want to do the same thing with LPNs.

Wow, yiou are an ambitious lady! I use to live in Southern Ontario, I worked at the Dieu, are you familiar with it?

Just curious Whoopi Did you have any trouble finding employment as a RN when you graduated? I know that age is not suppose to be a factor but I just wondered if it was hard to find work. Also wondering where you are located. Cheers, Carz

well.... speaking from years of experience as a LPN I would say it would be well worth your time and effort to become an RN, Far more job opportunities, recognition ,learning opportunities, perks, and lets not forget a way better earning potential. If I had the opportunityto do it all over again I would not waste my time with the LPN route. (no offense fellow LPNs.)Go for it!

["]Thanks, yes I will try the ice, as for my friends it seems we are always fighting some sort of battle for equality after all these years! As far as the certificate vs the diploma , well, thats just plain garbage! I cant begin to count how many continuing ed courses I have lumped on to my certificate. I bet if I were to calculate I would equal a 3 year diploma.

I dont know, I have been toying with the idea for so many years, and I am concerned that if I dont at least try, I might regret it. Fiona, you are probably right. I dont know if it will be worth it in the long run, but I have heard from some of my friends who are lifer LPNs that say when they go for job interviews they are being passed over . Not for lack of experience, or competence, but because they are at the top of their pay grid. (wow big deal) I do not want that to happen to me, RNs always seem to be in demand. That being said..... I may a take a few courses and realize it is just not worth the aggravation. Be kind I am fagile and battling early menopause!

]:Well I did it, I signed up for athabasca classes at the ripe old age of 48, Not sure if I will be able to cope with more then two courses at a time , I work full time so it should be interesting. I imagine I will graduate around age 54 or 55. Just wondering if anyone else out there is as crazy as I am, my husband thinks I am nuts! I just wonder if it will be harder for an older nurse with no prior RN experience to be hired, especially with all you young grads around.lol