RPN/LPN Vs... RN Or... $30+ Hour work offers/opportunities?

Fiona59 · Nov 27, 2014

We don't get up every day and "do good".

You sound too idealistic.

Nursing for the most part is boring, pressured and just plain depressing in the hospital setting. We are verbally and physically abused by those who you think will be appreciative of our dedication and care.

Nursing is NOT a golden ticket to a guaranteed paycheque. Check out this forum some more and read up on the lousy job market.

Nursing in the western provinces is unionized. Last in, first out when cutbacks happen. Full time right away is not the norm. Casual with no guaranteed hours and no benefits is the reality for many new grads. Or temporary lines for 6-8 months and then the scramble to find another one or wind up in the float pool.

Those dream jobs in ICU, ER, the OR and flight nursing are few and far between and highly sought after.

As you state you are in BC are you thinking of Registered Psychiatric Nursing or Licensed Practical Nursing? Ontario is the only province that uses RPN for Practical Nurses.

Do some more research.

Novo · Nov 27, 2014

Geez, do you have anything positive or encouraging to say? The above poster posted a very grim picture. I'm not an RN yet but I work in a hospital (get paid) I know it's not that bad. Your experience largely depends on the unit culture among other things and it sounds like Fiona works in a toxic one.

Yes, it's a bit of a gamble but I'd go for the full 4 years, think of it as an investment. LPNs also have a terrible union that knows nothing about nursing.

Fiona59 · Nov 27, 2014

Geez, do you have anything positive or encouraging to say? The above poster posted a very grim picture. I'm not an RN yet but I work in a hospital (get paid) I know it's not that bad. Your experience largely depends on the unit culture among other things and it sounds like Fiona works in a toxic one.
Yes, it's a bit of a gamble but I'd go for the full 4 years, think of it as an investment. LPNs also have a terrible union that knows nothing about nursing.

OP, is in BC. Totally different union situation.

I've worked there as a nurse, Novo, you haven't.

I speak from experience, you speak from the perspective of a student. Working as an aide, porter, or food services delivery person is far different from working as a nurse.

ltothew · Nov 27, 2014

LPN's and RPN's have joined the BCNU this year, but I am not sure if they are happy about, hopefully it is helpful for them, it certainly makes for a stronger union. 4 years is a big commitment. They do max out, and Im sure they do overtime, but they are attempting to cut back on this for patient safety sake. You can start student nursing in third year, which is a unionized position and you acquire your seniority that rolls over once you are a RN, and is helpful for getting a job. Unfortunately (or fortunately lol) to get a position as a RN in most places you need extra specialty training. Yes, the health authorities will sponsor it eventually,but if you want to specialize right away, you have to begin paying for it, which is difficult. As a RN, you are ultimately responsible for making judgement calls for patients, which is to say if you work on a team with a LPN, their 4-5 pts are under your care in a roundabout way, as well your own 4-5 pts. You have to perform skills for those pts that the LPN cannot do (such as NG insertion, IV meds), and basically the LPN can look to your for some guidance if needed. I only speak for BC btw, not other provinces. Health care is definitely defer to the most responsible person if something is happening, and that is the RN when on the hospital units. So extra responsibility = getting paid more = being ultimately responsible. I can definitely speak to unit culture being a huge part of whether you like or dislike nursing, I have seen both good and bad units, but I found a really great one, and enjoy it for the most part. The wonderful thing about being a RN is there are many different types of opportunities as a nurse as you progress. Only you can really know if it is right for you, or worth the 4 years.

xokw, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2014

LPN's and RPN's have joined the BCNU this year, but I am not sure if they are happy about, hopefully it is helpful for them, it certainly makes for a stronger union. 4 years is a big commitment. They do max out, and Im sure they do overtime, but they are attempting to cut back on this for patient safety sake. You can start student nursing in third year, which is a unionized position and you acquire your seniority that rolls over once you are a RN, and is helpful for getting a job. Unfortunately (or fortunately lol) to get a position as a RN in most places you need extra specialty training. Yes, the health authorities will sponsor it eventually,but if you want to specialize right away, you have to begin paying for it, which is difficult. As a RN, you are ultimately responsible for making judgement calls for patients, which is to say if you work on a team with a LPN, their 4-5 pts are under your care in a roundabout way, as well your own 4-5 pts. You have to perform skills for those pts that the LPN cannot do (such as NG insertion, IV meds), and basically the LPN can look to your for some guidance if needed. I only speak for BC btw, not other provinces. Health care is definitely defer to the most responsible person if something is happening, and that is the RN when on the hospital units. So extra responsibility = getting paid more = being ultimately responsible. I can definitely speak to unit culture being a huge part of whether you like or dislike nursing, I have seen both good and bad units, but I found a really great one, and enjoy it for the most part. The wonderful thing about being a RN is there are many different types of opportunities as a nurse as you progress. Only you can really know if it is right for you, or worth the 4 years.

LPNs in your area can't insert NG tubes or hang IV meds? Is that typical? I didn't realize there was such a difference from province to province!

Fiona59 · Nov 28, 2014

Yup, in AB we insert NGs, initiate IVs, maintain, prepare and hang IV meds. From what CLPNA is saying, we'll also be hanging blood within the next two years.

BC can be restrictive on an LPNs practice. It all depends on the hospital, some utilize PNs to full scope and others treat them as glorified NA's (at a wage that doesn't differentiate between those working full scope and those not)

vintage_RN, BSN, RN · Nov 29, 2014

Crazy, in Ontario (at least on my unit) the only things I cant do are pull a central line or give a bolus through an epidural (but I still have to monitor the patient...the RN just pushes the button on the pump). We even hang blood now....I can't imagine not being allowed to hang IV meds!

Aside from that, I work in the hospital and love my job. I am very passionate about my job. No disrespect, but I see a lot of negativity around here. I don't know if that's because you all have poor working conditions or you're burnt out or what. There are a lot of crappy politics at my job that I hate, but that doesn't make me dislike my job. My job is the furthest thing from boring, I am very rarely physically or verbally abused...and if I am, I attribute it to the patients condition/circumstances. OP, I can't tell you what to do. The push around here in Ontario is toward more RPNs, but it doesn't seem that way in BC. I am going for my RN for more oppourtunities within nursing and because I love nursing so I seek more knowledge. Fiona is right, nursing does not give you a guarenteed paycheck anymore. You probably wont get that dream job right out of school. You may have to work casual (which isnt that bad, I'm casual and I work almost FT) and take whatever you can get. If it's what you really want to do, I say go for it. Life is too short for "what if's." And I say just go for the RN and get it over with, more oppourtunities in the long run.

Good luck!

vintage_RN, BSN, RN · Nov 29, 2014

Oh, and I do wake up every day and try to always "do good." That's why I went into nursing. I love my patients. Call me naive and idealistic, I welcome the title with pride :)

Fiona59 · Nov 29, 2014

When I was a "fresh" new grad, I too was idealistic. I went in every shift I could pick up.

But after a few years, the joy in the job is gone. I've been assaulted and WCB twice trying to "do good and help". I've been bitten, punched, kicked and verbally abused by patients of all ages. My hospital is inner city and we can all expect this. Doesn't matter what unit you work on.

When you've worked with enough critically ill patients who are suffering and the family just wants to keep them going because they can't face "saying good-bye", you have to wonder why? You question everything but your desire to do good and no harm are over ruled because they are a full code and coding for the third time and off to ICU again. How are you doing good when your patient's eye's are pleading for release from the shell of a body they are in? You can keep them clean, comfortable and medicated, so yes, I do good there but mentally it's draining.

Drug addicted babies getting apprehended. Experienced that. Held the hand of a Mum who miscarried. Done that.

Find a nice quiet, relatively healthy based patient population on a unit with a good rotation? Bully's on the floor and verbally abusive family members, toss an ineffective manager into the mix and let the good times roll.

Nursing is a predominantly female profession and the passive aggressive behaviour, mind games, and sheer high school nastiness of cliques will get to anyone.

There are far easier jobs for a male to make $30/hr in.

I don't define myself by my title of "nurse". Too many people around here do.

The OP hasn't been back since he posted. No daily check ins to see what people have to say, to check his poll results. The excitement seems to be lacking

emt2lpn2 · Nov 29, 2014

team forum, it's up to you. On what career path is right for you. If you have kids and cannot devote 4 years of education then go for the LPN. I had the same situation. I had to keep applying if I didn't get in to nursing school for RN and I didn't have the time to wait. So I decided to do my LPN and then continue my education at the same time at my own pace, to bridge to my RN. This kept me knowledgable and kept my career opportunities open so that my work ethic could be displayed so it could guarantee me a spot with my current employer that would not want to let me go after I obtained my RN. In a nut shell. Do what works for you at this time and weigh your options while setting long and short term goals for whatever plan you do decide.

ltothew · Nov 29, 2014

I know, its strange the scope is so different province to province!

(sorry meant to quote!)