RPN student at a crossroads

Silverdragon102, BSN · Oct 19, 2015

Moved to the Nursing in Canada forum

loriangel14, RN · Oct 20, 2015

Why do you seem to think RPNs only work in LTC? There are many avenues open to RPNs. At my facility ICU is the only area they don't work. RPNs do much more than just bed baths. RNs do personal care as well. It's something that is a part of a nurses responsibilities.

bootzie · Oct 20, 2015

I kind of summarized it a bit re: LTC. I know they're also in the ER and other hospital areas. But from all the nurses I speak to they seem to feel that's either a rarity or only comes after years of LTC experience. On the floor I'm on (LTC) I can't actually tell the difference between RN and RPN so I understand what you're referring to when you say there's much more to the scope. RN's would give report but that's essentially the only time I'd notice. That's a really teeny little window of perspective though.

When I enrolled I didn't realize that things such as office jobs and teaching were left to RN's. I think I've heard of the odd RPN who will instruct in clinicals but typically for PSW. The courses to further their education are mostly for RN save for a few. I have only looked at Ontario, I honestly have no idea what's outside it as I don't really intend to move outside the province. I also had a goal to combine my experience in outdoor education with nursing but am now seeing they only hire RN.

I'm still learning, clearly, I just am very stressed out by what appear to be a lot of limitations for RPN. RN has worlds to explore academically and outside the hospital (yes, I understand the RPN can work in patient's homes but I'm unaware if there is more). If there's more I'm unaware of or if I'm incorrect I'm more than happy to learn!

loriangel14, RN · Oct 20, 2015

Yes actually RPNs are more in use in hospitals than RNs in Ontario due to budget constraints and our ever widening scope of practice. RPNs in the hospital is the norm not the exception. Many start off there.There are quite a few continuing education options for RPNs such as foot care, cardiac care, OR nursing, peri anesthesia nursing, OB nursing, oncology nursing, mental health, just to name a few. I know RPNs that work in occupational health in factories as well.

anxiouspn · Oct 25, 2015

But nurses - RNs, and RPNs - aren't responsible for bed baths, wiping poo, feeding residents, etc in LTC, unless things have changed since I was placed there at the beginning of this year. As students they had us doing that kind of thing just to get us started on caring for people, but in real life PSWs are responsible for all that. Now once you get into hispitals, you're going to be doing that, regardless of whether you're an RN or RPN. So if bedbaths aren't your thing then you wouldn't want to be there either.

I agree with you on the RPN or RN dilemma though. In particular your line about RPNs always continuing to RN, I had to laugh because that's the thing i've noticed. We even had someone come in and talk to us from the RPNAO in firs semester and I was hoping to get some positive perspective on becoming an RPN but she said she was in the bridging program :sniff: . It SEEMS like RNPs are limited to direct pt care, like on a ward, wheras RNs have a broader range of settings in which they are allowed to work. I could certainly be mistaken, if so, I'd love to be corrected.

Personally the plan is to finish RPN, and apply for bridging for the Sep '17 start. I'm close to your age,so I hear you about settling down, starting family, etc., the ol biological clock is ticking but I don't know.We'll see what happens.

YOu mentioned having preivous university experience? In my opinion it wouldn't hurt you to apply for 2nd entry or acelerated BScN if it's something your grades could get you into. RPN or RN, either way you're in for a challenge. If I were you, I'd apply and see waht happens.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Oct 25, 2015

I work in LTC and if necessary I will do cares, hygiene needs, toileting and anything else a client needs to be comfortable. Yes care assistants do most of it but I have a lot of other stuff to do like audits, medication rounds, meetings, dealing with other team members, poorly clients and anything else management deems necessary to do in my working day

loriangel14, RN · Oct 26, 2015

There are plenty of RPNs that have no intention of becoming RNS. Direct patient care isn't all they do.

anxiouspn · Oct 26, 2015

Speaking for myself and not the OP since that appeared to be directed at me, I'm aware that not every single RPN intends to bridge, but whenever you hear career profiles, success stories etc it seems the person is always in the process of bridging. Like I said someone even came directly from the RPNAO to speak to us and she had her foot out the door so to speak. It was just disappointing that's all.

If there are other areas RPNs can work I'd absolutely love to hear it. Other than working for the RPNAO I haven't heard of anything. The main reason I'm planning to bridge is because I know myself and that I can't work long term as a "ward nurse" (for lack of a better description) so I want to have the options to do something else. Plus the RPNs at the facility I am placed at now were encouraging us to bridge while we still can (ie. before kids, mortgage, commitments etc) because they do the exact same job as the RNs for less pay.

RAIC17 · Oct 29, 2015

I am currently an RPN and have worked in LTC for almost 5 years. I originally stated that I never wanted to work in LTC and only wanted to work in a hospital. My final placement was in a LTC facility and was offered a job on the second last day of my placement. Honestly my job was fairly easy. I was not responsible for personal care or anything in that nature unless absolutely needed. I was responsible for doing the medications and treatments and obviously anything else that happened along the way such as falls or doctors orders etc.

In my facility Registered staff were also needed to complete RAI-MDS which is essentially assessing all of the residents ADLs, continence, cognitive, moods and behaviors, etc which in turn reflects the budget for the home. I found I loved doing RAI more than nursing and went to get a diploma in Health Informatics as it involved Health Care and Technology. I currently work as a RAI coordinator in a long term care facility, I have my own office, pretty much set my own hours, have weekends and holidays off and absolutely love my job! I am still an RPN at the end of the day but don't do the RPN work on the floor.

Long story short RPNs are not just for LTC they can work in a large variety of areas, after graduating from RPN I started the perioperative course.. dropped out halfway through but still surgery is an area RPNs can work. The RNs in LTC at least in my facility prior were responsible for paperwork or just as a back up Nurse and as our supervisor. I found through out my career and schooling in a hospital setting the lines are blurred between RN and RPN as it is very much a team setting where as LTC there is a clear definition on who is a RN and who is an RPN

sunship88 · Nov 2, 2015

Most of my LPN friends and LPNs that I know similar to me in age (aka mid-late 20s) are going back for their RN. So I feel that says something? I live in BC, and I do feel there are more opportunities if you have your BSN, while I've heard in Alberta LPN scope is wider, although we're moving towards that as well.

Fiona59 · Nov 2, 2015

Most of my LPN friends and LPNs that I know similar to me in age (aka mid-late 20s) are going back for their RN. So I feel that says something? I live in BC, and I do feel there are more opportunities if you have your BSN, while I've heard in Alberta LPN scope is wider, although we're moving towards that as well.

Alberta LPN's have a hurdle to "bridging" that the rest of Canada doesn't. We don't have a "bridge" as such.

There is only the Athabasca route. It requires almost one full year of employment before an LPN can be accepted. Many work on the electives during this time. There is no going straight from passing CPNRE into a course.

Yes, we have a very broad area to work. Dialysis, OR, Ortho specialist, school/immunization programme, bed management, ICU and L&D in some areas.

A huge reason for this and many others believe it as well, is that UNA has priced RNs out of work. Their top rate before shift diffs and charge pay is $48 and change. Top rate currently for an LPN is $33.94. Why have five RNs and three LPNs on a unit when they can pay for two RNs and six LPNs and still have safe nursing care.

The degree was brought into the nursing world to have management/research trained RNs off the floor not at the bedside.