PotentialRPN

I know the Liberal candidate in my district is promising more health care worker jobs.

Ok, really good to hear!

Thanks for replying everyone, I really appreciate all the answers. I'm only 5'2, will this be a problem with lifting patients? What advice would you give to someone thinking about this profession?

So, the work is the same in both facilities then? Do you find a difference between working night and day shifts? If the night shift is different, how?

As for what I envision a rpn doing depends on the facility. I'm guessing one wouldn't deal with IV lines in a LTC but would do wound cleaning, meds, washing, lifting? I'm thinking there is a heavier patient load at a hospital as well?

*sigh* That's a bit frustrating. I can understand the privacy and liability side of things. I wouldn't expect to be able to do any of the jobs the nurses did but just see what a day was like. I'm trying to get an idea by looking at job listings to see expectations. I guess my only option is just to volunteer in hospital which I don't mind.

Hi, I'm considering being a nurse but before I decide completely I want to see what a normal shift is like for a rpn. I have an idea what the job entails but I'd rather make sure the job is how I view it instead of a romantic version. Who would I approach in a long term care facility and a hospital? Can I even job shadow in a hospital? Any help would definitely be appreciated!

Thank you, that's really encouraging to hear.

Thanks for the great tips xoko! I don't have a problem working in ltc as long as I can work as a RPN.

What's vocational adjustment?

Yes, I believe that was the problem. When I hear 'colleges' I tend to think of Mohawk etc instead of Nursing regulatory boards. Good to hear I could use my volunteer experience for my applications to different programs though.

Sorry, I meant placements. Wow, love the idea of having placements at different facilities, it would give you a great idea about the areas of nursing. You'll have to forgive me if I ask stupid questions, I'm still just learning about the profession and the different schools.

Hi Eh Team, I have a quick question. I'm currently volunteering at a LTC facility for a dementia study. When I apply for the RPN course, does this mean I can't mention this as some experience of working with the elderly? I'm not volunteering as an RPN at all, I'm just talking to patients and trying to understand how dementia affects the elderly.

Hi vintagePN, Thanks for responding to my question. I'm guessing you took the RPN at Mohawk College? How did you find it? I was thinking of taking that course but noticed it didn't have a Co-op option available, has that affected you at all? I'm also considering St. Lawrence College bc of the co-op program there. There doesn't seem to be anything about the RPN course on here.

Thanks for replying. I definitely will watch my area for new jobs. I know a new hospital is being built here in the next couple of years but currently there really isn't a nursing shortage here. I live in a big university/college town so there will be big competition at the new hospital. I'm very much willing to work in rural areas if it allows me to work as an RPN. Sorry if this a repeat post, I'm new to this site and am trying to research the profession.