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Hi everybody, my name is Robert and I currently hold an RPN diploma and have been practicing for 6 years in medicine. I just graduated from my bridging program for my BsCN, and am prepping to write my Canadian NCLEX at the end of Sept to early October. I have been using Kaplan as my prep, and was wondering if anyone else is or has utilized Kaplan in the past. My marks are: Diagnostic: 61% Qt1:55 QT2:56 QT3:57 QT4:61 QT5:60 QT6:63 Im a little worried about these marks. Before using Kaplan I was reading exam review from Saunders. When I started Kaplan I read their exam review guide, watched the videos and did those above tests. I find that the Qbank questions are very hard with my marks going from 40's to 80's depending on the length of test. I have made cue cards for stuff I think is important i.e lab values, medications, and associated diseases. But as I am coming to the date of my exam, Im wondering if there is anything else I should be doing? A friend of mine suggested U-World. I find the questions of Kaplan helpful, but very difficult. I utilize the decision tree, but there are some questions where the decision tree just is not helpful. Any ideas? Robert

Hey everybody, I have been browsing the site on various threads on this topic, and wanted a clear understanding for Canadian nursing students when it comes to prepping for the NCLEX-RN. What worries me is the avilable textbooks. Im from Nipissing University, and have been doing the Bridging Program for the last 5 years online. Needless to say, I want to make sure I am adequately prepared when I write the test in Octoberish. Here are my concerns: 1. What textbooks have you all found that are useful, and are they Canadian versions? My University simply stated they recommend Lippincott: Pass point/Prep U, as well as elsevier 'HESI' products. When I search for these items, and because they are quite expensive, before purchasing ANY products I want to make sure they are Canadian versions (previous to me creating this thread, I just emailed my university 2. Prep courses? Because I've been doing this program for the last 5 years, has anybody taken any prep courses (NCLEX only pls), and if so which ones? I am in the Greater Toronto area. 3. How long did all of you study for? I remember when I was fresh out of college for my RPN program I studied for about a month, but I was a full-time student at the time, and the information was fresh in my mind, as opposed to now coming up to the 5 year mark from RPN to RN bridging program part time. Any information helps. We are all different learners, but I am eager to hear from Canadian nurses that took the NCLEX test to become registered nurses within CANADA, and not the US :) Robert

Hi everyone! Taking a Nursing Research course, and we developed a research question using PICO(T) for an assignment in which we are asked to review studies (journals) based on our research questions that we developed. Here is mine, because it interested me a lot and when I was creating it I assumed there would be lots of research on this seeing as how safe handover affects the overall quality of the care being delivered. I am a practising RPN, and have been for 5 years now, and working on my degree. I work on an Inpatient acute general medicine floor, and so we a lot of times have ER calling to give report during the time when day shift nurses are giving report to night shift nurses, and often, patients are brought up onto the floor and are waiting in the hallway until nurses are done giving report. Anyway, below is my research question, feel free to guide me in any direction, at this point after searching various terms on journal websites I am coming up with nothing: Are newly admitted patients that are being transferred to an inpatient medicine unit from the emergency department at risk of worsening admitted symptoms during shift change between nurses, as opposed to patients admitted during regular working hours? Thanks for reading! Robert

I took my RPN program at Centennial. IMO they really test you hard, make you work hard, but in the end it basically guarantees you a pass for the CPNRE test - if you work hard. I struggled with Theory, because no matte rhow much you study and read the book they will test you on something completely different than what you read, what I mean is that youll never recognize the same wording from the textbook because they want to see how you apply it - scenerios, which is what you'll see on the CPNRE test. Also, the fact that you are worried about your GPA is actually a good sign. Some anxiety is good and normal. It means that if you work hard you'll get good marks. Teachers there want to see students ask questions. As for bridging, try to maintain at least a 3.0GPA there are other ways to bridge, for instance Nipissing University is an online RPN to RN bridging course that is offered to RPN's that are working at certain hospitals. You need to be working in these institutions and get permission from your employer to apply. Check out www.nipissingu.ca for info (just look up RPN to RN). Nursing school is not easy. But keep working at it, don't stress yourself out - a little anxiety helps, and don't be afraid to ask questions and seek assistance from your professors, that's what they're paid to do and that's why they are there! Say Hi to Patricia Brown for me, tell her Robert says Hi :)

Don't give up! My friend failed once and he is now an ICU nurse and has worked really hard to get where he is. Ask yourself honestly what did you do, and what can you do next time that will improve your chances. I haven't taken the test myself, Im bridging right now; I can't imagine what you are going through, but you can't look at how many times you have left, just keep your head up, work on the test anxiety; study, and go into the exam saying "I'VE GOT THIS".

Absolutly!! I totally agree with you! I haven't even completed my BScN bridging and know that after taking this course PART-TIME for almost 5 years next year, I will need a refrescher course to top up my knowledge before I take the exam! Its motivation. I deeply feel for those who have failed 3 times, honestly, would never wish that on anyone, but there comes a time when you have to ask yourself "what did I do wrong the FIRST time, and what can I do to make sure that I increase my chances and be prepared for the next time?" A colleague of mine failed the first time, because he told me in honesty "I didn't study as much as I should have". He's now an ICU nurse and quite smart! He took the refrescher course after he failed the first time, which costed him like $800, but in the end that's NOTHING compared to some of the stories I heard on here! Robert

Not a consolation prize but if they took a 4 year nursing program then they SHOULD have the knowledge to take the 2 year PN exam. Just IMO :) R

OMG! I don't know what I would do?!? I wrote my PN exam in 2009 and actually found it quite easy (besides all the maternity stuff)! I am currently enrolled in my RPN to BsCN program; it is a 5 year blended program affliliated with my hospital, and the fact that its taking me 5 years to become an RN (it's Part-time) I ALREADY know that at the end of the program BEFORE I attempt the exam, I WILL take a REFRESHER course to fill in some of the holes my school may have missed! Lilke some people have mentioned, if you failed it the first time did you ever think of taking such a course to re-learn some of the things that you may have not known, or stuff the schools failed to include in their program. If you passed the RN program you should not have a problem writing the RPN exam, and don't feel bad about doing so. The RPN (when I took it) was only 2 years compared to the RN program which is 4, consider this. Work for a while as an RPN and then bridge to become an RN. What I like about the route I chose was I was able to gain my confidence as an RPN on a medical floor. I teach students, and train new hires. I am constantly reviewing work as I teach others. All the best! R

I also work in ON (hospital) and RPN's here work to the full scope of practice. We hang IV meds, start IVs, work with PICCS, Heparin drip (monitor), hang blood; I've worked with trachs (stable, long term), TPN. The only thing we are not SUPPOSED to do is take a transfer out of ICU patient, a patient who is on insulin drip, or don't administer Chemo. I am working towards my RN (almost done), and we're ALWAYS going to require RN's based on the fact that right now RPN's aren't working with the acuity of pateints. I heard (rumor) that the RN role will one day be you'll have to get your Masters just like how RN was once a diploma program. And besides, once all the senior nurses retire (RN) those positions will need to be filled. In short, we are always going to need both RPN and RN positions because the communities are just going to get bigger and bigger. Hospitals in my area are contantly being built and they are HUGE! Nursing is not the type of job that can simply be phased out, we will just evolve and grow more specialized. Continue with this profession (if you like it). I'm quite enjoying it! R

Hey everyone! Really appreciate the responses! So far, I have a tutor! Im going to be working with him once a week, pick up a workbook and learn as much as I can! I have to say that my agenda is quite full now, but as nurses we become so good at multi tasking! So far nights at work are turning into me glancing onto my iphone and downloading apps that test your french! What's good is that the BASIC that I do know are coming back, but it is definatly going to take SOME TIME! Going for a trip to Montreal in a couple weeks, gonna test my skills there hahahhahah...I''m pretty sure I will get a couple 'cut-eyes', but who the heck cares! R

Thanks for all your responses. This is a tricky situation. I took French in school as a kid, and in high school but because I never thought I would need it I didn't pursue to take it any longer, until now. I am still in the preparation phase of this move. I will continue my studies as an RN and work as an RPN - it's a good year ahead of me. I can see myself learning the basic's of the language, but to be completely fluent is a long shot, that would most likely occur when I am working with that community. I don't see myself working taking the extra initiative to be licensed in Montreal (Quebec) the process is horrifying; I understand it, but I can't see myself doing it, which leads me to step 2, which is Ottawa. Luckily being part of a University I was actually speaking to my director of the nursing program today and I 'toyed' with the idea of doing my pre-grad in Cornwall because my school is affiliated with it. That way I can gain some experience as an RN working in a bilingual hospital while studying french (Rosetta Stone here I come), to then hopefully working towards getting my foot in the door, as it is so close to the border of Montreal, and combine that with where we would potentially locate our home (outside of Montreal) it seems that I DO have A LOT of work a head of me, but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. My last option would be to find a job in English speaking hospitals, but that would require a lot of dedication, commitment and travelling. I hear that the Civic hires english speaking nurses. Im wondering if they would consider me, if they knew I was taking classes and working towards learning more French, because let's just face it, I'll learn more working with the community than I would in a classroom and at home. Also, as you may or may not know, we work with various cultures around the world where a lot of people that come to this country seeking health care have no clue how to form an english sentence, we turn to our colleagues sometimes as interpreters, so I am just wondering if this would be the same type of scenario in a bilingual care centre. Robert

Hey everybody, and thanks for moving my tread to the correct place, still trying to get used to this website. This situation is quite unique. My partner is taking on a job opportunity that will in the end (if he likes it) guarantee a job basically for life with the type of law he does, without having to go back to school. He's accepted the job in Montreal downtown. He will rent for a year, while I staty behind and visit to complete my degree. If within the year things are still good, then the question comes what now? (I know this sounds like a Dear Abby). We discussed my career, which is important to me; me learning a new language is likely, but very unlikely as it is a lot of work, so my only other option is to nurse from Ottawa. We considered meeting halfway and purchasing a place 45 mins outside of montreal closer to Ottawa, and hoping that Cornwall would be a good opportunity, but again is this very realistic? I mean if I was fulltime I would either have to pray to get 2 days 2 nights 5 off as I have here in Toronto, or switch to Part time and work 2-3 times per week. I dunno just a bit frustrated. Robert

Hi everybody! My name is Robert. I have been practicing as a RPN in Mississauga, ON for just over 4 years now. I am currently working towards my degree, and will be done in less than 2 years (YAY!). I'm sure this question has surfaced before, however I am new to this and wanted to get people's perspective. My partner just accepted a job opportunity in Montreal. I've read that in order to practice in Quebec there are many 'hoops' you have to hurdle in order to gain licencing there. I am by no means fluent in French, I'm actually part French, my mom was born in Quebec; she used to speak, but lost the language when she was young because she didn't use it growing up. My only other option is to work in Ottawa. There is a town called Cornwall that is not too far from Montreal. Does anybody know if you HAVE to be fluent in French to work in places like Cornwall or other places in Ottawa? I am so discouraged that I have no other options at this point. It would mean a lot to get your advice! Robert