RN vs RPN Career

Airidis · May 8, 2011

I am a fresh RPN grad. I graduated on April 29th 201w. On May 6th I was offered a permanent part time line in a LTC home. There are also the NGG which is the new grad guarentee for new grads which offers up to 7 months in a hospital of full time employment and then while working there you can apply to any of their internal placements. The nice thing about the NGG is the ministry of health pays the hospital your wages for those months. I'm in ontario with a 3 and 2 year old and had good grades. The choice is up to you. I took the rpn route because I can work as an rpn right away and the bridging program to B.Sc.N is 2 days a week the first year so I can continue to work and go to school

future_hero · Jul 20, 2011

I am a fresh RPN grad. I graduated on April 29th 201w. On May 6th I was offered a permanent part time line in a LTC home. There are also the NGG which is the new grad guarentee for new grads which offers up to 7 months in a hospital of full time employment and then while working there you can apply to any of their internal placements. The nice thing about the NGG is the ministry of health pays the hospital your wages for those months. I'm in ontario with a 3 and 2 year old and had good grades. The choice is up to you. I took the rpn route because I can work as an rpn right away and the bridging program to B.Sc.N is 2 days a week the first year so I can continue to work and go to school

Hi there, I am new to all nurses.com. NURSETOBESIL - Thank you for raising the question pertaining to the role and scope between RNs and RPNs; in addition AIRIDIS, thanks for the the quick notation on the bridging program - the feedback from everyone is great! I just wanted to confirm with you, despite the bridging program being 2 days a week, should a student get accepted in the bridging program, is the workload demanding to the point where you can not work? The reason why i ask is because like NURSETOBESIL, I too have completed all necessary prerequisites with an average of 86%. Its unfortunate on my end for Fall 2011, I have been wait-listed at all the schools i have applied to (Ryerson, GBC, & Centennial). I am now thinking of applying as an RPN in January because it might look like i have reached a dead end getting in this fall. For me, obtaining a rewarding career is my objective which i get with working with and helping people. (I was working at a major bank in Toronto and collaborated with all kinds partners of different career backgrounds - I realized trying to make the bank richer wasn't really for me as it wasn't rewarding) My goal is to be a nurse of some sort with the hopes of attaining a leadership/managerial role in the future. Household finance and Family responsibilities are commitments of mine as well - I am 27 now with a daughter to take care of. As we all know, children get more expensive by time. I look forward to anybody's feedback on what would be the most ideal thing to do. Thank you and God Bless!

CanadianGirl79 · Jul 21, 2011

Hi, I am student in Ontario. As far as I have seen and heard the scope of practice is fairly similar, RPN’s can suction, but RN’s can deep suction. The biggest thing that RPN cannot do is hang some of the IV meds, but they can still care for these patients. At my school we have finished picking our pre-grad placements (last semester you work full time in an area with a preceptor) and there were 20 maternity placements, 10 ER and even an ICU placement and if you want peds there is that in the community setting. From what I understand this is a big change even since last year.
You have to consider that in the RPN program tuition is lower and you will be working two years sooner. Right now with the economy there are also more jobs for RPN’s. But as an RN once you start working you would be making more money and your potential to earn is higher. If you took the RPN program, you can upgrade to RN while making a good wage. You need to weigh your options and figure out what is best for you. Having a family I think would be a big consideration.

I am an RPN, and on my unit, there are no meds that an RN can hang that I cannot. The difference between RNs and RPNs is in the patient populations they care for. In terms of skills (such as catheterization, wound care, etc) we can perform any of these skills, just as an RN can, so long as we have the knowledge, skill and judgement to safely perform it.

There are some things that RPNs did not used to do, but have been doing in recent years. For example, doing an IV push of certain meds...an RPN can perform this skill, so long as they have been taught how, and have the knowledge, skill and judgement to perform it safely. Generally speaking, RPNs do not do IV pushes of meds that sedate, because then the patient's acuity level changes, and they become less stable, with less predictable outcomes.

If you look at the CNO website, it states RNs and RPNs can all perform the same controlled acts, and that the main difference is in patient populations, as RNs have often studied more about higher acuity conditins...however, individual places of employment vary. Some places make no distinction in who takes care of which patients, whereas others most definitely do. In terms of who can do what, this also varies by facility...I know some hospitals that do not even let RPNs mix IV meds, whereas others allow RPNs to practice to their full scope.

Being an RPN is an excellent career, and there are lots of oppertunities. As others have said, getting into maternity is tough, but it is possible. Good luck with your nursing career, no matter which route you ultimately decide on! :)

Daisy_08, BSN, RN · Jul 21, 2011

Hi there, I am new to all nurses.com. NURSETOBESIL - Thank you for raising the question pertaining to the role and scope between RNs and RPNs; in addition AIRIDIS, thanks for the the quick notation on the bridging program - the feedback from everyone is great! I just wanted to confirm with you, despite the bridging program being 2 days a week, should a student get accepted in the bridging program, is the workload demanding to the point where you can not work? The reason why i ask is because like NURSETOBESIL, I too have completed all necessary prerequisites with an average of 86%. Its unfortunate on my end for Fall 2011, I have been wait-listed at all the schools i have applied to (Ryerson, GBC, & Centennial). I am now thinking of applying as an RPN in January because it might look like i have reached a dead end getting in this fall. For me, obtaining a rewarding career is my objective which i get with working with and helping people. (I was working at a major bank in Toronto and collaborated with all kinds partners of different career backgrounds - I realized trying to make the bank richer wasn't really for me as it wasn't rewarding) My goal is to be a nurse of some sort with the hopes of attaining a leadership/managerial role in the future. Household finance and Family responsibilities are commitments of mine as well - I am 27 now with a daughter to take care of. As we all know, children get more expensive by time. I look forward to anybody's feedback on what would be the most ideal thing to do. Thank you and God Bless!

Yes I believe the work load is demanding, however if you have worked a nurse before hand then most of it will seem like a review. There are time consuming essays, but they're not impossible. I'm not sure about what school NURSETOBESIL has heard about, but the first year at mine is three or four days a week for full time, on site classes. Online options are available (not many though) or deals between hospitals and universities. I am familiar with one that runs a satellite program right at a hospital for its employees. The program runs one day a week for 5 years. Most are unable to keep full time but can do 3/4 at least.

If you want to go the RPN route my suggestion would be to take some time, even if its a year, to gain work experience and take your electives during that time. The hands on experience will be very beneficial to your learning and by getting the electives out of the way you will be able to work during school. Also, you can get a feel for what nursing is and see if you like it. For you paternalnurse it would be good for you to experience what an RPN role is and to get as much bedside experience as possible if you do want to get into management one day. I met a girl who was in her last year. She said it was very easy for her. She had been working surg for 5 years and had been teaching the PSW program for one. She said the more challenging part was getting her essays done because they took so long. I know a few who worked 30 hour weeks that had gotten the electives out of the way before hand.

Anyway good luck to you.

future_hero · Jul 22, 2011

Yes I believe the work load is demanding, however if you have worked a nurse before hand then most of it will seem like a review. There are time consuming essays, but they're not impossible. I'm not sure about what school NURSETOBESIL has heard about, but the first year at mine is three or four days a week for full time, on site classes. Online options are available (not many though) or deals between hospitals and universities. I am familiar with one that runs a satellite program right at a hospital for its employees. The program runs one day a week for 5 years. Most are unable to keep full time but can do 3/4 at least.
If you want to go the RPN route my suggestion would be to take some time, even if its a year, to gain work experience and take your electives during that time. The hands on experience will be very beneficial to your learning and by getting the electives out of the way you will be able to work during school. Also, you can get a feel for what nursing is and see if you like it. For you paternalnurse it would be good for you to experience what an RPN role is and to get as much bedside experience as possible if you do want to get into management one day. I met a girl who was in her last year. She said it was very easy for her. She had been working surg for 5 years and had been teaching the PSW program for one. She said the more challenging part was getting her essays done because they took so long. I know a few who worked 30 hour weeks that had gotten the electives out of the way before hand.
Anyway good luck to you.

Thank you Jme Daisy for your prompt feedback. Much appreciated. I am really considering the RPN route should i not get a call from any of the programs i have applied to. Correction - I don't have any nursing experience. I re-read my post and it might of interpreted that i did. Sorry about that. I see nursing as a profession where one is expected to be committed to life long learning. With that being the case, I believe this could be the route to start a very solid foundation. Thanks again!

rpnjames · Jul 23, 2011

I was looking into applying for a housekeeping position at a local retirement home. Do you think working in such a facility would help me even if it's not in a nursing capacity?

Yes! You will become familiar with the environment and talk to some of the patients. You can talk to the nurses as well. I hope the local retirement home is not a private one. Government run homes are the best pay.

I work in a hospital as a housekeeping attendant on a casual basis while in schoo. The pay is good $20+ an hour and I talk to nurses all the time. In fact, I am on a clinical in September in the hospital in which I work.

Good luck.

nightingale2011 · Nov 10, 2011

thank you nursetobesil for your post and all of your questions. they are pretty much exactly what i wanted to know. i have a very similar situation to yours -- i'm 31 with 2 little boys, 3yrs and 8 months, and i've become seriously interested in the nursing profession since my wonderful experience following the birth of my second son.

i have a passion for helping people and really feel this would be a demanding yet fulfilling job. i also want to push myself out of my "comfort zone" and learn something i've never attempted before. i've been thinking about which road to take - the rn or the rpn route - and although i really would love to take the full 4 years of schooling for rn it really seems out of reach right now, especially being on maternity leave still.

after reading the answers to your post i feel so much better about my decision to return to school. in the grand scheme of things, whether it's 2 years or 4 years, it's only a short period of time to sacrifice to be able to do a job that i will be happy with for many years in the future.

future_hero · Nov 10, 2011

I was looking into applying for a housekeeping position at a local retirement home. Do you think working in such a facility would help me even if it's not in a nursing capacity?
Yes! You will become familiar with the environment and talk to some of the patients. You can talk to the nurses as well. I hope the local retirement home is not a private one. Government run homes are the best pay.
I work in a hospital as a housekeeping attendant on a casual basis while in schoo. The pay is good $20+ an hour and I talk to nurses all the time. In fact, I am on a clinical in September in the hospital in which I work.
Good luck.

Hi there rpnjames! I too am looking for some exposure. Aside from what the placements offer. Can I ask for your feedback on volunteering/working in a hospital setting? Are housekeeping attendant positions easy to come by if they they know you are a nursing student? I plan on volunteering in the summer just so that I can be in the field even if its not nursing related. Working alongside them would be great!

NUNurse007, BSN · Apr 11, 2012

I know this is an old thread, but just want to suggest that if you are thinking of going into nursing in Southwest Ontario, just try and go straight to the BScN program and get it over with. This part of Ontario is AGES! Behind in utilizing RPN to their full scope of practice. It's actually crazy how many RN's have no idea what a RPN is trained and educated in since the Diploma program requirement. We as RPN's are our own autonomous profession that work under the exact same standards of nursing as RN's with the exception of the unfair pay difference in many ways. Nursing is should still be based on experience and skill set not designation. I have since returned to a bridging program, but simply because as an RPN in this area of Ontario, I'm still denied the possibility to work in certain areas and of course I would not mind getting paid $ 35 per hr vs $25 for starting the exact same IV and administering the same meds!!At the time I went to college, I could not attend a 4 year full-time program because of my home life, so I opted for the 2 year full-time RPN program instead. ... Which now I regret and wish I would have just done this out of the gate, and I would have been done my now. Plus I didn't know that my nursing skills and ambitions were going to supersede the opportunities that a available So my suggestion, just get your RN

loriangel14, RN · Apr 11, 2012

Really? I am an RPN in Ontario and I find we are able to practice to our full scope.Where I work RPNs are everywhere except ICU.What skills are you finding you are being denied use of?

Insomniac-88 · Apr 12, 2012

Hi, I am student in Ontario. As far as I have seen and heard the scope of practice is fairly similar, RPN's can suction, but RN's can deep suction. The biggest thing that RPN cannot do is hang some of the IV meds, but they can still care for these patients. At my school we have finished picking our pre-grad placements (last semester you work full time in an area with a preceptor) and there were 20 maternity placements, 10 ER and even an ICU placement and if you want peds there is that in the community setting. From what I understand this is a big change even since last year.
You have to consider that in the RPN program tuition is lower and you will be working two years sooner. Right now with the economy there are also more jobs for RPN's. But as an RN once you start working you would be making more money and your potential to earn is higher. If you took the RPN program, you can upgrade to RN while making a good wage. You need to weigh your options and figure out what is best for you. Having a family I think would be a big consideration.

I'm a new RPN here in Ontario & I hang IV medications as well as blood. I also start IV's. My employer offered to train me to perform these tasks, but I hear the RPN program is now integrating IV/blood into their training of students.

In reply to the OP, as far as schooling goes, the RPN program cost me a total of around $10k (mind you I lived on campus one semester). My tuition-only was $1700 a semester (4). Books cost me $600.

As far as wages, I make $25.xx + 14% in lieu of benefits so my hourly wage works out to $29.xx/hour. I don't want a full-time line right now for this reason. If I work full-time in one position I automatically receive benefits, therefore don't get the extra few dollars an hour. I have a regular part-time position as well as a casual position (2 different units). It's very easy to reach full-time hours if you're willing to pick-up extra shifts, except you get the extra few dollars an hour this way! :) Mind you, I'm 23 with no children, living at home so benefits aren't of much use to me at present. The RN's on both of my units start at $29.xx/hour + their 14%, but their pay increases quite a bit maxing out at $40.xx/hour where as ours only increases a few more dollars before we're maxed out.

Somewhere down the line I'd love to get into a leadership or management type position, or even an Nurse educator position, so I do want to become an RN. It honestly all depends on what you want. It's an individual thing. What you can manage financially, your family dynamics, if time permits there's a lot of factors to consider. For me, if it wasn't for the fact that I want to begin travelling right now, I'd go straight into the RN program after I graduated this past winter. Everyone's reasoning is different. What I can say is that if you do your RPN, you're never limited. You can always upgrade and become an RN anywhere down the line if you wish. That's how I like to think about it :) Good luck to you!

Insomniac-88 · Apr 12, 2012

I know this is an old thread, but just want to suggest that if you are thinking of going into nursing in Southwest Ontario, just try and go straight to the BScN program and get it over with. This part of Ontario is AGES! Behind in utilizing RPN to their full scope of practice. It's actually crazy how many RN's have no idea what a RPN is trained and educated in since the Diploma program requirement. We as RPN's are our own autonomous profession that work under the exact same standards of nursing as RN's with the exception of the unfair pay difference in many ways. Nursing is should still be based on experience and skill set not designation. I have since returned to a bridging program, but simply because as an RPN in this area of Ontario, I'm still denied the possibility to work in certain areas and of course I would not mind getting paid $ 35 per hr vs $25 for starting the exact same IV and administering the same meds!!At the time I went to college, I could not attend a 4 year full-time program because of my home life, so I opted for the 2 year full-time RPN program instead. ... Which now I regret and wish I would have just done this out of the gate, and I would have been done my now. Plus I didn't know that my nursing skills and ambitions were going to supersede the opportunities that a available So my suggestion, just get your RN

That's really odd. I work for a fairly large hospital system and they push RPN's to work to their full scope of practice. Like I said above, my employer offered IV start, admin, and blood educational courses to me as well as pretty much any RPN willing to do so, that way we can work to our full-scope. I have quite a few recent graduate friends employed at other hospitals in Southern Ontario & they're being asked to work to their full-scope as well. The only place RPN's aren't working yet in the hospital I'm at is ICU.