Question about LPN opportunities in Alberta

Fiona59 · Sep 9, 2007

Most PNs in Alberta are unionized so the money is good. It all depends on where you live how difficult it is to find a job.

But as a new grad, you are not going to get to have your pick of the positions. Many hospitals and LTCs are going to 12 hour shifts which can be very hard when you have young children. Nor will you likely get straight days nor the out-patients jobs.

If you are able to work casual and don't need benefits you will have better control of when you work.

Our contract expires at the end of March next year and we are expecting to get some serious money as our scope of pratice is being fully utilized in most active treatment facilities. But seeing as we're not allowed to strike it could be very interesting.

Look at clpna.com it has a jobs listing section and usually has links for all areas of the province.

Guest233447 · Sep 9, 2007

Thanks for your response Fiona.

I will start in any position as an LPN wherever I can, however I can. My income would be simply supplementary, nor are benefits crucial since my husband has what we need in those areas.

I'm looking to get into the program Sep '09. I just started my Math upgrading, and I'm very excited!

My oldest is now in Gr.7, I got pregnant with her just after I graduated highschool, so my life initially went on a different path than I had planned. At that point, I was going to be a Legal Secretary. Now I've had this time to have my children, be at home with them, and discover that I would have made a HORRID LS. I am excited to enter this new realm of "school as an adult". And it is a good lesson for my daughter to learn "it's never too late!"

I'm having such a good time reading up on all these nursing topics - a view into the world of nursing. What a great forum to learn from!

I hope that the contract negotiations go well!

Guest233447 · Sep 9, 2007

Wow. There are 15 open positions right now, some have been posted for months.

Looks like employment opportunities are fairly good. :)

Guest233447 · Sep 9, 2007

Have any of you heard of anyone doing the PN training through Northern Lakes? It's a four semester program and the costs are broken down as follows:

Program Fees: Year 1:

Tuition: $4664

Learning Resource Fee: $1,677

Student Association Fee: $130

Supplies & Clothing: $800 estimate

Student ID card: $25

Year 2:

Tution: $4,452

Learning Resourse fee: $1,333

Students Association fee: $130

Student ID card: $25

Supplies & Other costs: $800 plus $600 CPNR exam

Tuition & Fees subject to change.

I don't know if those fees are considered high or not, or whether the program is as good as something offered in Calgary or Edmonton?

Fiona59 · Sep 10, 2007

Find out about the student association fees. Some places add the student medical and dental insurance into them. All you have to do is show proof of your man's benefits and they will remove them.

Learning Resource Fee? What's that? All the course modules?

I've never paid twice for a student ID, usually they last the length of the programme, unless they mean one is for local hospitals to issue for clinical?

I think they show all of the fees like that so you know how much to apply for your student loan. Just remember you never get all you need. I wound up taking a student line of credit on top of my student loan to cover child care cost.

I don't know how much upgrading you have to do. Is it bring up your science and math marks? If so, you might want to consider doing the Psych and English credits between now and 2009. Usually you can transfer those credits right into the programme and give yourself some much needed free/study/family time.

Guest233447 · Sep 10, 2007

Yes, my upgrading is to get the courses I need - in highschool (I graduated '94) I took only Accounting and Earth Sciences to get my grad credits. So I have to go back and get my Math and Sciences to meet their prerequisits.

I don't see that they include Psychology in their modules, there is an English course - I should look into getting that done prior to the LPN program, that would help!

Here are the courses, and the semesters in which they are taken:

Term 1 Anatomy and Physiology: Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology ANPY1000

It also says that if you don't have your Biology 30 credit you can apply, but you have to take their Anatomy and Physiology course within the first term. I wonder if I could do that instead. My local college offers those courses, but each one costs just under 450 by the time you pay for everything - I have to Bio 110, 120 and 130. If I could skip having to pay $1500, I would. I'm going to call tomorrow.

Fiona59 · Sep 10, 2007

Anatomy and Physiology was a must everyone at Norquest, didn't matter if you had Grade 12 Biology.

I understood that when they changed PN education from certificate to diploma that the first year Arts were included.

Anyhoo's good luck. It's really not that hard, it's just getting used to class politics after being an adult!

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Sep 10, 2007

I don't see that they include Psychology in their modules, there is an English course - I should look into getting that done prior to the LPN program, that would help!
Here are the courses, and the semesters in which they are taken:
Term 2 Psychology for the Health Care Professional PSYC1060

You've included a psych course on your list of courses to be taken... did you miss it somehow?

Guest233447 · Sep 10, 2007

Yep. Whoops.

Guest233447 · Dec 1, 2007

Bumping this - I am just finishing up my first Math upgrading course. I was quite scared going into this, as in high school I was never any good at Math and really disliked it.

I am proud to announce that I have a 95% average, and write my Final on Tues.

I start my Bio course (equiv. to Bio 11) in January. I'm LOVING being back in school!

Slowly, but surely, I'm on my way to getting into the LPN program.

:)

OgopogoLPN, LPN, RN · Dec 1, 2007

Bumping this - I am just finishing up my first Math upgrading course. I was quite scared going into this, as in high school I was never any good at Math and really disliked it.
I am proud to announce that I have a 95% average, and write my Final on Tues.
I start my Bio course (equiv. to Bio 11) in January. I'm LOVING being back in school!
Slowly, but surely, I'm on my way to getting into the LPN program.
:)

Hi and welcome! We could be twins! Well, sorta :lol2:

I'm also 31 and mother of 2. 7 yo and 4 yo. I began upgrading in August of '06 and am now a 1st semester LPN student in Kelowna, BC!! I'm attending Okanagan College, which is a public college. The experience has been pretty good so far.

I don't know much about LPN opportunities in Alberta, except that I've heard pretty good things about Norquest in Edmonton. But I also know a woman who moved here because she was making $16/hour as an LPN in Calgary and here and LPN starts about $22-$23/hour (that's with Interior Health Authority). Private LTC homes and such can either pay more or less.

Anyways, just wanted to say, keep going for it!! It can be done as a mother of young children and "mature" student like us. There are actually 3 women in my class of 26 who are in their mid to late 40's.

Best of luck!! :)