Question: Can someone explain the Canadian Nursing Titles for me?

lalaxton · May 30, 2005

In the US there is CNA - Certified Nurse Assistant, LVN or LPN - Licenced Vocational/Practical Nurse are they the same in Canada? What is RNA, the same as CNA or LVN/LPN? Thank you for your assistance in clarifying this for me!:)

Most provinces now use RPN for RNA or LPN.

z's playa · May 30, 2005

You're asking the wrong person here but I'll give it a shot.

LPN is used here..not LVN and yes its the same thing according to the nurse sitting next to me :)

RNA is the same as CNA but here they're called orderlys or PCA's.

Thats all I know.

Z

Fiona59 · May 30, 2005

Clarification -- RPN is Registered Psychiatric Nurse in Western Canada (a two year diploma programme, where all the training is/was done in psychiatric hospital, making them specialists in mental health nursing) I think its being phased out though.

The only province that uses Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) is Ontario.

PSW = Personal Support Worker

LTCA = Long Term Care Aide

Both are Nursing Assistants = NA

PamelaJean · May 30, 2005

LPN's vary from Province to Province. In Manitoba we we have a larger scope of skills compared to other provinces.

NurseBettyTexas · May 31, 2005

Thank you to everyone that has answered my post. I am originally from Canada but I went to college in Texas for my LVN. I was currious to what the Canadian equivallant to the LVN was. Thanks again!!!!

Dianne :)

loriangel14, RN · Jun 1, 2005

What I have always wondered was what are the differences in practice b/t the lpns in other provinces and the rpns(registered practical nurses). I am an rpn student and we will be able to pass meds, give injections,and insert catheters. Can lpns do these things?We are learning most of this stuff this summmer in our labs( I am a part time student).Can anybody tell me what the different titles can do? Thanks :)

Fiona59 · Jun 2, 2005

Of course LPNs do these things and more (depending on which province issues your license). I think it is just a wording choice.

In Alberta, we can immunize and work flu clinics doing the vaccinations. Currently LPNs are being recruited to work in health units with children. There are also specialty courses in Orthopedics and Operating Room that will give you a specialist tag on the license. Hospitals are starting to allow us to hang certain IV meds and rumour has it the skills will be changed to allow us to do IV starts. Every hospital has its own scope of practice and it just depends on where you work as to how much you will be able to utilize the skills we acquire in training.

I've worked in BC as an LPN and wasn't allowed to do meds, was employed as a glorified NA and the RN's didn't really respect our skills. Just saw as physical labour.

PamelaJean · Jun 2, 2005

In Manitoba we do IV starts, hang IV meds, pass meds, hang blood, insert catheters, and many more skills. There is also rumours that we may be trained to do central/picc line care and meds and also epidural care. Some skills do vary from RHA to RHA but it is pretty much the same across the board.