RPNinTO

I am so sorry for your experiences! I am an RPN(LPN) in Canada and have been practicing for 2 years. Even though I am not an RN I have been responsible for floors many times in long term care, making a fraction of the money with too much responsibility and not enough support. I am stressed out all the time, and generally work nights when management is not there, and some of the duties are lighter. Of course, working nights is making me sick. I am never fully awake and feel crappy half the time. I was going to bridge to RN to do Public health in the hopes of a job with regular hours with normal responsibilities. I wish I knew if this is the right thing to do. If I will be happy, or wasting more of my time. They make nursing very hard for people. I have heard in Canada that new grads leave within 2 years of entering the field, about the same percentage as you have heard in the states. I wish you luck in nuclear medicine. I hope that things look up for you!

Welcome, we need more male nurses!

I have found unions to be good and bad personally. I have seen them go in where places were not competitive money wise and those salaries went up! They try to look out for your interests. However, It seems harder to get full time jobs, and things are based on seniority rather than work performance. You have some people in senior positions that are not working hard anymore but getting rewarded just the same... I was doing staff relief for a place and was very well liked... so staff told me to apply directly( was at an agency) but with the unionization it is hard to get a job there.... I find that very frustrating

I don't know but you may be able to find out through an employment counsellor, sometimes they also list salary expectations on the web if you type it in a search engine! Good luck!

Congratulations! They would be lucky to have you! I know in Toronto they even have a course at Centennial for internationally educated nurses or ones wanting a refresher...it that enhances your confidence. I think its a year or something. You can always pick an assignment to get your feet wet and build confidence too! good luck!

I am glad you are looking after your needs, congratulations on the new job! You have already gotten great advice here. Two weeks is the standard notice time, she may not be happy but she can't begrudge you anything. Being courteous and professional by giving the notice in writing appropriately and fullfilling your notice to them will be all that you need to do. Be pleasant but firm... and good luck

what a bad shift sounds like you did a wonderful job hope things have gotten better!

I am in Toronto, and for RNs I have seen these jobs with regular hours oral surgery RNs - some will train you, they need rns around for putting the patients under, you monitor and assist day surgery public health -teaching health promotion family planning clinics doctors clinics diabetes educator have a talk with a career counsellor they should help you find something.. good luck

As a new RN can you get into the new grad initiative programs they mentor you and give you full time employment for like six mths... if you are uncomfortable you can leave to another place that give you a real proper orientation and support pls check it out! a lot of hospitals have it, and so do some LTC have some extra money for new grads to pair you with someone for a bit. New grad initiative ask RNAO good luck~!

I am bridging because I am miserable as an RPN I live in Toronto and there are not many job choices here, and of those so many posting are casual and part time. After going through a hellish time for 2 years, I am considering athabasca online bridging or will be in school full time I want a public health 9 t 5 job. I am too burnt out by all the shift work, overwork and lack of support. Even though I am not an RN I have been in charge many times with no real pay or support. I am very frustrated that they are making it so hard to bridge money and time wise but in the end I am going for it. They really need to give more support and better jobs to nurses! all of us, and healthcare aids too!

In Toronto where I am there are few clinic jobs unless its like a private family clinic. Some of those only want RNs... there are some diet clinics that hire RPNs that I have seen postings for. Personally I have found it very limited in Toronto for RPNs after practicing 2 years. I am going to return to bridge to RN. I didn't want to, but I am not happy personally with what I found bear in mind this is Toronto, and may be different other places I wish you good luck!

Hello, I am interested but this post is old are you still around? I was thinking the same thing, there is not proper support for nurses... would love to go to a group! please feel free to message me/private msg me I think what you are suggesting is wonderful

Canada has many nurses from the Philippines - I am in Toronto. I am not sure all the requirements. It may be that you just have to write the RN exam and pass...? they also have bridging for international nurses offered in schools. One thing I find about Ontario, too much casual and part time work in hospitals! But they always seem to need nurses... any others out there that have come from the Philippines that can weigh in?

I work in Long term care and a hosp in toronto but I do not like the hosp as I feel I am working at the level of a health care aide. I am not sure how it is in your area but there are RPN/LPN nursing jobs here in hospitals, clinics etc, but more in LTC

I am working 2 part time jobs which together guarantee me .7 shifts a payperiod. I am of course called to come in periodically which I can accept or not. I am working all weekends and all shifts. I am not particularly happy but I am a somewhat new graduate (June'05) RPN(LPN). I am at a hospital and long term care. I cannot keep up this schedule indefinitely am started looking at clinic jobs for mon to frid daytime hours..the problem? less pay. with my loans I will still be working casually somewhere if I get hired and accept one of these. Not sure what to do right now. My job is not family friendly for that reason. I am grateful to see that there are some other options out there. There is too much part time casual work in Toronto though. Good luck to everyone finding that perfect job!

HI I am a RPN(LPN) from Toronto and I always see jobs for LPNs in vancouver. Fraser Health authority is always searching I think from what I have seen you have great opportunity! GOOD LUCK :)

I was wondering if anyone knows or could recommend an advanced footcare course in toronto? I am looking for a course thanks very much everyone

hi, i am pretty new here too. i just graduated in june a rpn course and just wrote the exam. first, some advice for anyone who has not written, be sure to use the canadian exam guides. i did not, and while i studied like crazy, i think the exam style was quite different. if i could do it over again, i would use canadian guides only, and pay to take the on line test! (in fact, if i don't pass i may well get my chance to do it over again, haha) regarding the states, i have been to a nursing fair held by marskell which is coming again to toronto in october and i was told there were " problems" due to nafta agreement that made it harder to go to the states as a rpn. i dont know what these issues are, but you could look into it. i did not find any american recruiters interested in rpns as a result at this fair. i cannot believe that it would be impossible though, just more difficult. i am glad you are enjoying yourself, i hope the states works out for you! jennifer

HI there, I am new to the site and just graduated practical nursing. I went to school in toronto. It was 2 years, just recently changed to 2 years. Have you heard anything about your school? let me know I can try to answer any questions you have!

I graduated recently and have at times wondered if I could get through some of my experiences. I feel for you. Could you be doing something managerial in nursing with more administrative duties? In canada we have something called telehealth nursing, giving advice over the phone only...another job that came to my mind. Is there any kind of career counseling you could get? There is a place for you in nursing with your education, I know you will find it! best wishes