CmacD

Just a question out of curiosity! I am an LPN in Canada, specifically Alberta. I know the scope of practice in Canada can vary from province to province and I know that it does in the states as well. There are things I am allowed to do that my colleagues in other provinces may not be able to such as titrate insulin and heparin drips whereas I cannot spike a blood bag however I can monitor and ID the patient (with another RN) and other provinces they are able to. I understand that this is something Alberta is looking at changing but I digress. Anyway! Let me know what kinds of things you can and can't do and how long your program was! Thanks in advance!

We had multi dose vials per patient. Just recently we have gone exclusively to insulin pens.

Thanks so much everyone for your feedback and encouragement! I feel much better now and had great support from my instructor (who absolutely does take responsibility) and the charge nurse on the unit. She has told me she still trusts me and that I am one of her strongest students. I was told that I was extremely professional and that my primary should have taken earlier steps. My instructor does have seven of us and she cannot be everywhere which is why we are also under a primary nurse. I have also spoken with some of my friends who are nurses and I hear the same thing over again. It is good that I care so much because it will only make me better. I have done much reflection over the past few days and have some ideas that I will try to help me in the future! Thanks again!!!

I feel terrible, I have made a med error in clinical. Somehow, I missed giving a prophylactic heparin injection. I go over my MARs numerous times in a shift and I don't know how I could have missed it. My instructor is wonderful and understanding, she says she has made med errors and I will never forget it and it will make me a better nurse. I am doubting myself so much right now and I fear if I have no confidence it will happen again. I don't want to hurt anyone and I want to do well and be a competent nurse. I could use a little encouragement right now. How did you get over a med error?

I wish I was starting my LPN in September, However I have to wait until January!! I will be taking the 2 year program here in Alberta.

I don't start full time until Jan 2015 because of money, however I am doing some of the courses distance in advance starting soon. Very excited!!

I just don't have the resources to go full time for 4 years. Also, I have not decided what I would like to do after as of yet. I am considering doing the Ortho Tech or the OR Tech programs, or I can continue on the LPN to RN route later. So I need to find out what area I like and then go for that! Also I am newly married and would like the chance to have children possibly, being in my early thirties I can't see myself going for a 4 year program.