RPNs that remain RPNs?

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Hi everyone. I'm in my early 40s, a mom of young children, live in Ontario and starting to take on new high school/college courses so I may gain admission to an RPN diploma.

I've been using the SEARCH feature on this board heavily and finding all the RPN and RN discussions I can.

I see so much talk about RPNs that want to upgrade to an RN but I'm wondering how many Canadian RPNs are quite happy with their current status.

Twenty years ago, I was accepted into the Mohawk/McMaster Occupational Therapy program ... I withdrew half-way through it - found their method of learning grueling and I didn't particularly like OT although I did enjoy the medical studies and thought of nursing. I ended up with an Honours Pysch degree and worked in a non-medical field for several years.

I can't afford the RN tuition and frankly I don't think I'll get the marks necessary to get into the program. (seems my university credits only help me after I get admitted).

I'm just curious about RPNs - how many of you feel really good where you are, are challenged, and have little desire to upgrade.

If I do get into the RPN program, sure I'd love to continue learning but I don't want to feel it's a stressful "must" ... it's not something I'll be able to afford easily.

I hope you can figure out what I'm asking here ... feel free to share thoughts.

Thanks.:redpinkhe

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There are a couple of things you need to know.

The term RPN has TWO different meanings in Canada. In the western provinces, it is the designation for Registered Psychiatric Nurse a RN who has specialty education in Psychiatric Nursing. ONLY Ontario uses RPN for their Practical Nurses.

I've been an LPN for a decade. Initially I thought about upgrading to RN but they did away the diploma bridge in my province. I didn't want my degree to be in nursing. I'm a few courses away from a degree that I want in a non-nursing discipline.

I learn as a nurse every day. In nursing your education is never ending. Your facility constantly runs in services, there are advanced courses to take.

I'm fortunate, I work in an area that for most of the time I love. Hey, patients and co-workers annoy every nurse sometime during their working life.

Yes, there is a pay difference between the two grades of nurses. For what I'd make before I retire, it's not worth it financially to stress myself out.

Think of nursing along the lines of the military. RNs being the officer class with PNs being the NCOs. I have NO desire to be Charge or go into management. I'm a bedside nurse (a stint in the OR convinced me of that). My patients until they read my tag don't know and I've never had one care that I'm an LPN. If anything they are amazed that PNs and RNs work the same patients on the ward and if anything have wound up questioning why an RN is paid so much more for caring for them.

The scope of practice in Canada for an LPN is very different to that of the US.

The current education for the PN is based on the old diploma RN curriculum.

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Very detailed and helpful reply, Fiona. THANK YOU! :)

(I saw your username popping up a lot in all those early threads I read LOL!)

Yes, I used to work in the legal field as a legal secretary (known as assistant in some circles). The legal field was very much a structured hierarchal entity. I thought I wanted to be a lawyer then after a few years of watching the stress and hours involved with those jobs ... I preferred to be lower on the totem pole.

I have already had one RN say to me if she had to do it over again, (40s etc.), she'd go the practical nurse route.

I definitely am a people person and prefer people over management. I am hopeful that like you - I'll find a good niche for myself!

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

I can echo what Fiona had to say.I went the PN route because I was a single mom that needed to work and there was a part time night school program starting up near me. I am lucky to be working in an environment where I get to practice pretty much to my full scope of practice.I enjoy bedside nursing and have no desire to be in charge ever. I have been an RPN for 3 years now and at 44 I am not willing to incur a debt that I would still be paying for when I retire.

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I have been an RPN for 3 years now and at 44 I am not willing to incur a debt that I would still be paying for when I retire.

Loriangel - thanks for your reply. Yeah, I'm turning 43 this year. I'm in the same frame of mind ... not really willing to incur a huge debt. I'm challenged enough know that I will need As in all my admission requirements for the PRN program!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTC/Geriatric.

Here's my story...

I am now 34, married, mother of two elementary aged kids. I wanted to be a nurse my whole life, but didn't apply myself in high school. Worked as a medical secretary for 12 years. When my youngest was 3, I decided it was time and began to upgrade my education. I would have liked to have gone into the BSN program, but finances and time would not allow it.

I was accepted for the LPN program--started in Sept 2007. Finished Aug 2008. So I'm almost 2 years in. I have dabbled back and forth from the beginning as to whether I would go back. And I have decided I will. I AM very happy being an LPN. I love what I can do in acute care (although our scope in BC is even less than that of Alberta). THey are funding tons of spots for LPNs to work in the OR. Here are my reasons for doing it:

1. I still have 30 years of working left. I can be an LPN in 10 years, making $30/hour. Or I can be an RN in 10 years making $35/hour with room to go even higher. I may want to go into management when I am older and not up to the physical challenges of the job. I cannot as an LPN---or it would be VERY limited.

2. I have worked on, BY FAR the most interesting and challenging med/surg ward that LPNs can work on in my hospital. I have done amazing skills that a lot of RNs may not even do. I have done dozens of very complex VAC dressings. I don't feel there is anywhere else for me to go as an LPN. LPNs in my hosp can work in the ER, which I have NO desire to do.

3. I would LOVE to work in L + D or peds. I cannot as an LPN. I would love to do more advanced wound care, possibly specialize as an ET nurse which I cannot do as an LPN. There are just so many more places I can work as an RN.

4. There are so many more job opportunities for RNs. There might be 0-5 postings for LPNs on any given day. For RNs, there will be 10-20+. Brand new grad RNs are getting permanent positions after only a few months of work. There is so much competition for LPN positions. I would be looking at a minimum of another year or more before I have enough seniority to get a position.

5. BC is so screwed up that LPNs are in the Hospital Employees Union which also has support staff. Any HEU member can retrain as an LPN and they bring all their hours with them. I have lost out on at least 8 positions that I applied for by a BRAND NEW LPN who has zero nursing hours, but has 15,000 HEU hours. It infuriates me. As a member of BCNU, no other member could overtake me like this. Everyone will have NURSING hours.

So, that is my story and reasons. It will be a definate financial struggle, that is for sure. I will use every resourse I can to fund my education. I am looking forward to the future. :)

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What a wonderful response. Thank you for taking the time to create it.

So helpful and honest - thank you.

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I can certainly understand where you're coming from. I've spend the last 2 years trying to get into a Practical Nursing program. My plan is to get through the next 2 years of school. I have kids that are school age as well as a preschooler. Depending on how well I like the different locations after I'm done school will determine if I try and get into a bridging program from RPN to BScN. It wouldn't necessarily be the money when I'm done the bridging, but the mobility within the medical field. I'd love to work in L&D but don't think that I can do that as an RPN (although would consider taking the courses to become a doula). When I finish, I'll have kids that are going to be leaving home to go to school themselves. I intend to use the next couple of years to help me decide if I want to continue on to the RN programs as I'll be 36 this fall.

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See, I've never had the desire to work L&D (postpartum over a couple of years put me off Mums and newborns for life) or the ICU.

Depending on how old you are when you finish you really have to weigh the cost of the degree vs. potential earnings & pensions. I know that if I did the degree, I'd have to work full time until I'm over 60 to pay the student loans. Then the lost wages, being low RN on the seniority list and the value of the lost pension. In reality not worth it. I intend to be working casual or less than half time by then. I'm not a management person (there are LPN jobs here that manage LTC type programmes and services and train HCAs for facilities) but I know they aren't my kind of job.

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Fiona - you said : Depending on how old you are when you finish you really have to weigh the cost of the degree vs. potential earnings & pensions. I know that if I did the degree, I'd have to work full time until I'm over 60 to pay the student loans. Then the lost wages, being low RN on the seniority list and the value of the lost pension. In reality not worth it.

Although I like the sounds of acquiring my RN and who knows what the future will bring, this is a reality I'm facing as well. I'm turning 43 and I'm just starting to acquire my admissions requirements.

My goal is to get into the RPN program and see what happens from that point. Another goal - which is hugely different than my approach in the past - is to enjoy this journey right now! Instead of fretting and worrying about when I get the diploma in my hand - just enjoy my studies and my life as it is right now.

I'll have to bookmark this thread to make sure I stick to my word.:o

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Specializes in ICU, ER.

You can always become a RPN and then bridge to a BScN if and when you are able to/want to... I believe you need several years of experience as a RPN to get into the program and then it is a 2 1/2-3 year program. I have not researched this so this is only what I have heard from others - if I'm wrong on the time frames please correct. I graduated with a woman who is 52 and another who I believe is 48 so don't feel it is too late.

Good luck in whatever you choose. I just graduated and I know how much it sucks to have a you-know-what load of debt. But to me, it is worth it. I will be starting at over $29/hr base pay. RPNs in my area are very lucky to start at more than $20 and at the hospital they reach top pay at $26, but they make more/less depending on where you are.

I am also a bedside nurse through and through and I do not have any desire to go into management now, but we never know what is ahead. What if I get hurt and am unable to work the floor? Being able to score a desk job at that point would be ideal.

Good luck in the path you choose.

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Specializes in home care.

Where abouts do you work? are you an RPN?

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