Stellabells

Hi Fiona! Sorry I disappeared for awhile, locked out of my old e-mail to retrieve my forgotten password. Anyway, thank you for responding! Just as an update, I am still in school for SW diploma - I had to take my final semester off ($$$$ happens) and have now returned to complete it within the next few months, as I am way too far into student debt and time to turn away at this point. My practicum placements have been very helpful in showing me that this is not what I want to do haha. Knew it from the first day but did not want to admit it because I did not believe I was capable of pursuing anything else. I cannot sit at a desk 9 - 5, I hope that it will compliment a nursing education in the near future!

Wow, sounds like you wear many hats! Thank you very much for your insight into the field, it is appreciated. After weighing my options over the long weekend I will be moving forward with becoming an LPN, I am so excited! Also, thank you for the work that you do, doesn't sound like an easy job. & to take the time to respond to questions here is incredibly kind. Take Care!

Yes thank you loriangel14, I can distinguish the two. More concerned about how fulfilling the role is, and what it's like to be a unit clerk before nursing school if others have experience or information on that ...

I feel that in the long run I'd prefer direct patient care. As a unit manager what do your roles include in addition to clerical work? I am considering doing the work to put myself through nursing school in the future, like you said many people do & earning an income to pay off my current student loans seems very appealing right now! Thanks for your response

Hello Everyone! Happy Thanksgiving weekend! I am hoping to receive some advice from anyone with knowledge/experience about becoming an LPN or Unit Clerk in Alberta. I need to upgrade 2 courses to get into the LPN program. My husband & I would really like to pay off some debt (yay for weddings) & purchase a home in the near future. We started a contracting business, however there is not enough work for us to keep me at it even part-time right now. Basically I need to earn a stronger income soon. I was doing some career research and came across Unit Clerk jobs and noticed that the course work at NorQuest is a condensed 4 month program, a fraction of the cost of the nursing program, and the pay scale is not far off from LPNs on the AHS website & alis.gov.ab.ca/occinfo site. So I'm trying to gather some input from you guys, has anyone went into the unit clerk program and moved to LPN later? Did you end up enjoying being a Unit Clerk and stay? If my end goal is nursing, would it be a waste if time to take the course? What are your thoughts? Sorry for the lengthly post! I know ultimately it is my decision, but some input from those with experience would be greatly appreciated! Cheers!

Hello everyone! Long time lurker of allnurses.com here, I finally decided to join. I am having difficulty making a decision on my next education move, and was hoping someone could provide their opinion/advice! I am a social work diploma student, I have another 7 courses plus 340 practicum hours before I receive my diploma. However, I have always held interest in becoming a nurse. I would have to upgrade a couple courses to enter into the LPN program. I am just so torn between these courses. If I stay in SW I will continue to get my BSW - more opportunity and double the pay ($30 + per hour @ Alberta Health Services!) and the hours are m-f usually. LPN worries me because the pay is much lower and the hours require shift work, at least that is what I've seen for most positions. I am worried that as a SW I will become burned out from listening to people's sad stories all the time, I already feel tired! I love helping people but I don't know if I will last in SW. I really want to work with seniors in either field. I enjoy being busy and doing practical things. I am just so lost and need to decide soon because I will be going back to class in the fall! Any advice/input will be appreciated Thank you for listening!