Trouble choosing RPN or RN

suzanne4, RN · Feb 22, 2006

Something to consider, if your husband remains military, and you wish to work in another country, you will not be able to with the RPN. This is per immigration, not Boards of Nursing, or their equivalent.

allthingsbright · Feb 22, 2006

I am an older (35) prospective Nursing student and am having a very difficult time choosing the route to take. I have 2 small children aged 4 & 6 as well as a husband in the military. I have applied to the RPN program in a small Ontario town and will likely be accepted but the more research I do online, the more I find that the jobs I would be interested in are filled by RNs. I did go to university way back but I didn't finish so I have an idea about attending that type of school. 4 years just seems so long and I feel as though I'm running out of time. On the other hand 2 years seems achievable but will I be happy at the end? Bridging programs are few to nil. I have all the requirements for the RN program but my math mark is low so I might not even get accepted to the university program in my area and then there is the cost...........I would appreciate any insight or thoughts about this dilemma.
Thanks,
TJC35

If you want more flexibilty and desire a certain specialty, RN is the way to go. I wouldnt advise anyone to go PN if they have a chance to go RN. PN is a last resort in my opinion (like if you are really short on money/time, cant get into an RN program, etc).

Fiona59 · Jun 18, 2006

The OP lives in Canada. Our overseas postings are few and far between. Germany has been closed for over a decade and the vast majority of overseas postings are for the serving member only.

It will really depend on how long her spouse will be in one posting the viability of taking the BScN as opposed to the PN diploma. Also depending on where they are posted she could bridge in the future. Athabasca U. has distance ed programme in place for the PN-RN bridge.

psychnurse101 · Jun 19, 2006

hey, if you want to do this, go for it! i will be 40 this year and i am going to go for it next fall. heck, if i can do it, i know you can, lol. and if i dont make it in, at least i put forth the effort and did by best and then some. i will probably go into sociology then. but in the meantime, im a medical assistant student, divorced with 5 kids, 41 credit hours towards a human service degree i obvoiusly didnt finish, and i suck at math, but im going to use this opportunity to study, get some free tutoring, and get myself ready for this!