Psychiatric Nurse to RN; U of A program (RPN to RN)

CodeteamB · Mar 24, 2014

I went to school with people completing the RPN to RN program. When I was in school the second year of the program was exactly the same as the after degree RN program. That was a while ago, I recommend you research further on the u of a website or contact someone in admissions.

The reason that the salary is the same is we are all part of the same union and it is simpler to collectively bargain for one contract than for two.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Mar 24, 2014

Many positions will accept either RPNs or RNs, for example if you were interested in working on a medical unit. There are also various opportunities in mental health too, but it depends how flexible you are.

MarcusVincent, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2014

Thank you both for your comments. This motivates me even more.

If someone else had experienced the RPN to RN program, please care to share.

AB_manda · Mar 28, 2014

I am an RPN with my 4 year Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing from Brandon University in MB, within 2 years the AB RPN program will become the degree program which is a 4 year course. Many of the jobs for RPN's are on designated psych units, many other areas require a Bachelor's Degree. I have worked adult, geriatric and child psych but also have recently worked with Home Care in Red Deer. I was the first psych nurse they ever hired, however I was told without the degree I would not have been hired as it is a requirement for the position.

A few girls I know are currently doing the bridge program through U of A to get their RN and they are finding the theory component of the classes difficult. One girl is doing most of it distance ED through Athabasca U and just taking practicum courses in Edmonton. What I find crazy is that when I looked at doing the bridge program even with the degree in psych nursing they still want me to take the 2 year bridge course when in reality it is about 4 courses and 3 practicums that i am missing. They will not let you do it back to back you have to wait to do the practicums with your assigned year of students. Money grab in my opinion, if you can have more nurses on the floor in 6 months vs 2 yrs why wouldn't you? However....I am not going to take it as I find there are many doors open for me having the degree in psych nursing, my colleagues who only have the 2 yr diploma find otherwise.

Novo · Mar 28, 2014

MacEwan has a new Bachelor of Science in Psych Nursing now. I thinks its only a year long if you already hold a psych N. Diploma