RN vs RPN Career

[NursetobeSil]

I'm a 26 year old stay at home mom to 2 little men (ages 2 years and 7.5 months).

I'm currently working on completing my prereq's so that I can apply for the RN program next year.

I've done a lot of research, and I feel like RN is the route for me, but my husband is extremely apprehensive about dedicating four years of my life to such a demanding program. I feel like it will pay off in the end, but he's really worried.

I've been looking into the possibility of becoming an RPN instead, since it's only a 2 year program (I live in Canada). How do you like your job? Are there many areas in RPN to specialize in as there are with RNs? I'm currently really interested in OB. Are there opportunities in OB and Maternity for RPN?

I hope I don't ask anything too personal, but do you find pay to be similar?

What about RPN duties? How do they differ from those of an RN?

What types of settings can RPN's work in? Is there as high demand for RPN as there is for RN?

I really feel a passion for nursing but at the same time, I want to do what's best not only for myself, but what's best for my husband and the kids as well. If I can get my passion satisfied through becoming an RPN, it may be a more practical choice for me, in terms of completing the education sooner and begin working earier too. I've been a stay at home mom for 2 years now, and living on one income is becoming tougher as the kids grow, so the sooner I can start earning money the better.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this!!