Where in the world can an LPN work?

[koflaherty]

Hello,

I was wondering besides Australia, where else in the world can LPN's work?

I understand there will be additional classes and requirements.

Thanks,

Kathryn

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Most countries do not recognize the credential. Canada has RPN/LPN but it's a 2 year education (similar to ADN , minimum for RN in Canada is BSN) The other issue is that LPN does not usually qualify for work visa rights as most countries require BA/BS minimum with preference for citizen/permanent resident.

[Nurse Medicine Woman, ASN, RN]

LPN'S can also work in South Africa except in S.A. they are called Enrolled Nurses (EN) To be a EN in SA you have to go to nursing school for 2 YEARS FULL TIME and have 2000 clinical time to graduate.

You are taught everything from complicated dressings, to foley insertions, to all nursing procedures and you have to pass ALL those clinical s/procedures sometimes tested over and over again even after showing competence. In SA to be an RN you HAVE to do 4 years of FULL TIME school either a 4 year course or a BSN. Common across the world. RN do not do 2 years of school in SA. It is 4 years and EN nurses are 2 years full time.

After all this whether a RN or EN both groups of nurses write an external Council exam and have to pass that to get a license to practice nursing. EN in SA can work in ANY department of a HOSPITAL. ICU, OR, ER, Burn Unit, Labour and Delivery, Pediatrics, Medical surgical. Outpatient department - because of the excellent EN training. And getting a position as a EN or RN is SA is doable because of the excellent training and the Matron (DON) knows this.

When you go for an interview they ask where you did your training (clinical s) and a few other questions - license up to date and you are hired because the Matron KNOWS what a EN and RN had to endure in school to be licensed. EN do everything an RN do except push IV meds and spike the blood bag. EN are circulating nurses in the OR. EN do rounds with doctors and carry out oral and telephone orders as well.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

Not to change the subject, but there are really some countries that use the word "matron" as a job title?

[Fiona59]

Matron is a British term. Matron was a dragon in hospitals. Oversaw the entire building.

There were also matrons in prisons and boarding schools. (and yes, many of the UK boarding schools were a bit like prisons).

[Nurse Medicine Woman, ASN, RN]

Brandon LPN

Yes Matron IS used in hospitals and as Fiona 59 said "dragon" is a really good descriptive term!! She oversaw the WHOLE hospital and everyone in it. When I started nursing school she came to talk to our class and said the only time a student will get to see the matron is if the student did something VERY good or something VERY,VERY BAD!!

And since South Africa is HEAVILY influenced by UK yes we had Maron's and A LOT of other things British in SA.

[Fiona59]

Matron = she who MUST be obeyed.