CanuckLPN73

One can obtain a Bachelor Degree in any field and then later on, if they wish to change careers, can enter the After Degree RN program which is 2 years! Otherwise, one can enter University right after HS and do their BSN in 4 years. The Athabasca University offers the LPN to RN, (approx 3 years as the program is distance) and one is allowed to take up to 7 years to finish. I'm debating this route, over a 5 year plan as I have kids attending College and at this point in my life I want to sit back and relax, rather then rush through and finish the program in 3 years.

From Alberta, Canada.....$25.17/hr plus $1/hr when I'm in the Charge Nurse position, plus $5/hr for nights and $2.75/hr for evenings and $3.25/hr for w/e's. Just graduated and started work last summer :)

Passed....first attempt!! :)

Hi sjamesrn, Just received an email from CLPNA and yes, you are correct, if there is no Active LPN available, then I can work under an RN or RPN (any one with full registration)!! Not that it really matters to me, I also asked the CLPNA about GPN and the reply I was given by the CLPNA is, is that there is no such title as a GPN. That once one is licensed, they are a LPN, that the only difference is the level of license. As my license is Temporary, I have to have access to an Active LPN, RN, or RPN until I write and pass the national exam. :) Thank you to you and the others who replied who actually answered the question I was asking instead of nitpicking over a title!!

I thought I would ask the question here first, however yes I did email them as well. And again my question is not about what to sign...but if one could work with an RN supervising them or if the supervision needs to be through an Active LPN. Now that I know questions are not welcomed here, have a nice night! :)

Hi Fiona, I am in Alberta as well. However right on the CLPNA website it states So I am not going to argue that point. All I was inquiring about is whether one is able to work if there is an RN on the floor rather than an Active LPN. The reason I am asking is that I have an interview and was asked if I was allowed to work as a temp LPN if there were no Active LPN's but rather RN's. The policy states that as temp LPN's we still need some type of supervision... The way the policy is worded I'm assuming that as a temp LPN I would have to have an Active LPN that I could have access to, however I wanted to see if working under a fully licenced RN would cover this as well.

GPN? I haven't heard that before, but yes. I write in Sept. As a GPN though, from my understanding on the CLPNA site we sign as a LPN though, http://www.clpna.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/doc_PracticeStatement2_REV2011.pdf I know we need an LPN (with full licence) available in the facility, however if there are no Active LPN's in the facility but there is a RN (fully licenced) would one still be able to work? That is where I'm confused. Thanks :)

Hi , I know as a Temp LPN, one is not allowed to work in a facility unless there is another LPN in the facility, however if there were no other LPN's in the facility, would the temp LPN still be covered with an RN working the floor? Curious...thanks in advance :)

Thanks...reading this and starting to put things together...:)

Sorry I am completley lost here.... I thought that when one had low oxygen (Im assuming low O2 because of the low Hemoglobin) that their BP would be high, which is why when we put one on Oxygen the BP drops. However this patient (case study) has her hemoglobin drop more post op (95 preop down to 69 post op-RBC are still within normal value), BP further decrease (from 100/60 to 90/60) and Respirations and Pulse are still quite high. Would the patient have hypertension? And why wouldnt the BP increase as she becomes more O2 deficit? The O2 has decreased as well (fallen from 94% to 92%)...maybe Im overthinking things?

If someone's HGB is low (preop 95) shouldn't their RBC's be low as well (in this case it's normal)? having a low Hemoglobin value would indicate insufficient oxygen, which would increase respirations and pulse, but then shouldn't their BP be high instead of low? Confused here!! Help!

I have one year left for the PN diploma(grad in April) and Im scared to death as well. Burnout here too but am gonna hold my breath, close my eyes and go for it! I will be so glad when this is all done!

That's why I said that it depends on the person...:)

I remember being at camp years ago and the girls were having farting contests in the cabin I was in....

As a mom of two teenage boys I would have to disagree... sure some are gross however the same can be applied to girls... IMHO I think it depends on the person...I know mine are like day and night compared to each other however that said both are great and well mannered! I was told by a teenage girl that their cabin was way worse than the boys cabin was while at a camp recently!! Gosh even comparing my husband and I, I would have to admit I am the one who is very unorganized where as he is very anal when it comes to having everything in order...

You are absolutley correct when you say it varies even amongst the same province! Some places will not allow a HCA to do bowel care, eyedrops, nasal drops, medicated creams (Voltaren), etc...and others it is our job :).I am not allowed to pour or pass out medication, that said, if I were working in homecare then yes we would as we would be assisting the patient to take their medication, which in that case is usually prepackaged and prechecked by a pharmacist. There are someplaces assited living facilities, however that have the HCA assist with medications (giving the medication to the resident), not sure how that works as when one pours the med then they have to be the one to give it. I myself would be interested in knowing how that works? However that is one reason why the HCA program now has the medication delivery course where as prior it never. And you are correct...the nursing field is much more than handing out drugs. Communication (listening) is a huge part of nursing that I think many of us dont spend the time doing, whether it is lack of time (always rushed), or laziness some days, Teaching is another part of nursing, assessing as you said, adl's, ROM, research....list goes on and on and on

In Alberta LPN's start out about $24 and go up to $29, however this doesnt include wage differential which is $5 for nights and $2.75-$3.25 for weekends and evenings(so in the mid $30's for those at the high end of the increment level)...:) As an HCA (equivalant Im assuming of a CNA) I make way more than $13 an hour...between $18-$28 depending on what increment level one is at (highest is abt $21) and the wage differential (same as above).

That doesn't apply to all of Canada, as I mentioned it depends on where one works. We can do very basic dressings, LPN's and RN's do the majority however. We don't insert cathetors however we do change the bags, empty the bags, watch for bypassing etc), we collect specimens for C & S when needed-urine or bowel) and at times have taken vitals when asked. We are also assessing residents on an ongoing basis when we do personal care, as we are the ones who report any skin breakdowns, rashes, edema, neurological problems, etc to the RN and LPN's to look and treat). We also do ROM, some places we assist with meds (depending on the facility) which is why many places now ask for a medication delivery course (unless it was included in the program which many are now including). Im lucky that I am able to work to my full scope as a HCA as I have found being able to do so has helped with the PN program that I am currently taking. Im lucky that as a HCA I can work to my complete scope as it has been very helpful with the PN program .

Depends on the school. My course was 5 months, however now I see they changed some of the courses, added a few and shortened the program (would make more sense if it were longer). Also some places will pay $13/hr +, yet if one is hired by AHS or other places in the AUPE union they're wage starts at nearly $18/hr. However we also get a differential wage of $5/hr for nights, and then something like $3,25 and $2.75 for w/e's and evenings :). That said depending on where one works they are allowed to help with meds (NOT needles), they do bowel care (micros, dulcs, glycerins, and change ostomy's). At times we are allowed to do simple dressings, medicated creams, eyedrops, nasal sprays, eardrops etc, other places will not allow any of that, it boils down to policy. HCA's do alot of hard work, bedside nursing, however HCA's are much different than LPNs/LVNs. The LPN/LVN program is a 2 year diploma course, not a one year certificate, and there are no RN diploma's any more, as RN's go for 4 years. A RN that quits after 2 years however cannot work as an LPN, at least not here, they need to take the LPN diploma. LPN's do meds, needles, dressings, IV's, hang blood, Pap smears, etc!! The role of the HCA, LPN and RN's are always changing (More responsibility and more education). A side note, I really believe that the HCA course should expect more than Gr 10 english, I really think it should be grade 12, along with a few other gr 12 subjects as IMO it is a carreer and one that should be regulated, which Alberta is trying to do!! http://bowvalleycollege.ca/programs-and-courses/health-care/health-care-aide-certificate-full-time.html http://www.norquest.ca/programs/certificate_diploma/health_care_aide.asp LPN Scope... http://www.clpna.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=ft0sHV6yN5A%3d&tabid=149

What is ALF? I wear scrubs...any kind I want...I have flowery ones, black ones, pink, blue, Christmas scrubs, Valentines day scrubs, Spring Scrubs, I have scrub pants that are capri style...I have warming jackets, sometimes a shirt under my scrub top...just depends on the day and mood...for school however we have school uniforms...sometimes Ill even wear the pants or top to work with another pair of scrubs...

Thankyou ...:) More info then what I actually need at the moment but am sure that will help in the near future :)

oxycodone for prn (acute) and Oxycontin if the pain is chronic? arthritis would be one...can be acute at times and chronic at other times...

Ahhh Thanks :) And being SR the person would either not get the amnt needed as fast for their pain control (as it the drug is being released slow and longer) or if they chewed it or had it crushed (accidentally thinking it was Oxycodone) then that is when they would be in danger of an overdose that could be fatal :) Just like anyother drug though in a sence that one doesnt want to confuse a SR tab with a reg tab...

Looked up Oxycontin and on same page...and is under oxcodone...then under Availability it states for oxycodone has controlled realease tablets (Oxycontin)...so Oxycontin would be a SR tab where as oxocodone would not. But other than that they would be the same. So is the reason it states under Implications not to confuse them is because of Oxycontin being SR?

Reading in my med book. oxycodone-Endocodone, Oxycontin, Percolone, Supeudol oxycodone/acetaminophen-Endocet, Magnacet, Oxycet, Percocet oxycodone/aspirin-Endodan, Oxycodan, Percodan Soooo I'm doing research and wrote down patients med as oxycodone and then Oxycontin as brand... then in interventions it say...not to confuse oxycodone with Oxycontin... Say's not to confuse Percocet with Percodan, understandable, one is aspirin, the other tylenol, but...the first confuses me as Oxycontin is the brand name of oxycodone so what is the reasoning of why the nsg implication saying not to confuse oxycodone with Oxycontin?