RPN Wages in Ontario

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I'm currently a PSW in ontario, & i'm almost done the Practical Nursing program.

I'm curious to see what type of monthly income any other RPN's in Ontario are currently making.

I'm a single female, no kids, and still struggle on a PSW salary, at $16/hour, i'm curious to see how much of a life-change will take place financially once i'm a graduated RPN.

If you feel comfortable, how much do you make a month, after taxes, as an RPN in ontario? & where do you work?

Also, is it hard to find full-time, well paying work after graduation? I heard it's quite hard for new grads to make full-time pay?

Thanks :)

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I currently work as an RPN here in Ontario, I graduated in 2006. I have to say that the pay increase from PSW is not much more. The most I have got paid since being an RPN is $24 but that is union pay at hospital. Every other place like nursing homes start at about $18.50 It is quite pathetic actually, you spend all that time in school, learn the old "RN" program and get paid very little for it.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

I make almost $25/hour. I work in a small hospital that is merged with a larger one in the next town. I am part time but usually I am turning down shifts because I pick up quite a bit of work, usually at least 10 shifts/pay, more during the summer. The nursing home down the street from where I work pays about $4/hour more than the hospital.

I think the job market depends on where you are.When I graduated two years ago there were many jobs to be had.

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I live in the GTA, so jobs anywhere from Mississauga, to Toronto, Scarborough, etc.

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nursebetty1975 said:
I currently work as an RPN here in Ontario, I graduated in 2006. I have to say that the pay increase from PSW is not much more. The most I have got paid since being an RPN is $24 but that is union pay at hospital. Every other place like nursing homes start at about $18.50 It is quite pathetic actually, you spend all that time in school, learn the old "RN" program and get paid very little for it.

Wow, $18.50? that's horrible! Where in Ontario is that?

I've been looking at hospital job listings on Workopolis, hospital career websites, etc. and they all start at $25/hour.. That's Trillium, Credit Valley, Scarborough General, etc. The least amount was I believe $22/hour, at North York General, to start.

I notice that as you go more North, like Barrie, and places like that, smaller towns, the pay is pretty low, but here in the GTA, by the looks of the recent job postings i've browsed, RPN's make a pretty decent living.

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Specializes in ED.

The RPNs at my hospital make $23-25/hr. At the nsg home I worked at during school they started at $20 and PSWs make $19. PSWs at the hospital make $21.

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MobileNurseSara said:
The RPNs at my hospital make $23-25/hr. At the nsg home I worked at during school they started at $20 and PSWs make $19. PSWs at the hospital make $21.

Yea, I work casually in a hospital and i'm getting $21/hour there as a PSW as well, their RPN's start at $25/hour though. Plus shift premiums, $2 for evenings, or nights.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Med-Surg..

Personally, I have found PSW work to be very physically demanding and even if I am only getting a few dollars more per hour as an RPN, it is still quite a bit less slugging and lifting and it is possible to upgrade to an RN if that is what you want.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I have found that places like Toronto pay allot more for RPNs than Southwest, Ontario. Upgrading to RN is not that easy, everywhere with the exception of Toronto, does not give you credit for any of your college education to university. Therefore, you have to go back and do 4 yrs. Which really sucks when you just spent 2 1/2 yrs of full-time school to become an RPN. I wish that they would make some type of program similar to in the USA, where you can test for your RPN half way through the program and than return to finish your RN or upgrade when you're ready. I so regret the RPN program and wish I would have known all this before I started. But while in school, the instructors really glamorized the whole thing as if it was the right route to go and the pay was excellant and we would have plenty of jobs to pick from. I guess at the end of the day they are still a bit of a salesman. The only jobs we have to pick from are what nursing home you would like to work at, and if Long term care is not your thing than your pretty muched screwed. At least this has been my experiance. So my advice to anyone starting out, if you plan to eventually become an RN just do it out of the gate.

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Now, now, the generous bridge admits us to year two. It's worse for those with all the academic prereqs from previous educational lives. We can't even condense the nursing courses. I'd be looking at three years part time (one year I'd be doing two courses....)

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Yes, but Like I said before Fiona59... Im sure your in the Toronto srea right?

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

I am pretty sure Fiona is in Alberta. Toronto is not the only place that gives you credit for your PN eduacation.

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