RN requirement changes

[mayana]

Is anyone up to date about how the RN status is going to require a Bachelor's degree instead of college diploma from now on? What happens to people that get an RN college diploma just before that change?

I'm asking because I'd like to get an RN college diploma, but not a B.N.

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

Most provinces have already gone to a degree as entry-to-practice. If there is still a diploma program open in your province, the College in that province will have to "grandfather" graduates for as long as the program remains open. The entry-to-practice competencies have to be met by the program and those competencies are decided on by the College. The problem would be if you decide to leave your province for one that requires a degree for entry to practice later on; right now it isn't a huge problem for nurses with some years of experience, but I see it becoming one later. Each province makes their own rules and if they decide they just won't register anyone without a degree you'd be out of luck.

If you're hoping to go that route, you need to get going on that ASAP. Waiting lists are huge and they don't accept about 70% of the people who apply because of space considerations. If they put you on a wait list you could find yourself waiting for a program that closes before you get to the top.