Why the time difference in LPN courses in Canada?

Fiona59 · Mar 23, 2008

PNs are for the majority unionized. The wages are set by how strong the bargaining committee is. Alberta is well known to be an anti-union province while BC has traditionally been more receptive to unions and have as a result a higher wage. That higher wage is it though. All PNs make the wage regardless of skills or experience. Alberta currently has five steps in the wage structure with increases based on hours worked. So, in BC all PNs make the same. In Alberta, new grads start at the bottom and work their way up. Alberta pays higher shift and weekend premiums than BC did a few years back. So I currently make more in Alberta than I did when I worked in BC.

The trend across Canada is to increased eduation for PNs. PNs in some provinces are eduated to a minimum acceptable level to be able to pass the CPNRE. Other provinces train to a higher degree depending on how utilized the PNs are. I was trained to insert an NG but my health authority doesn't include it in my acceptable skills. I did a L&D unit but can't work there but the need to know is on the exam. I never want to remove a cast but was educated to. You never know where you will work and what opportunities will come your way.

Alberta's anatomy course was taught to a higher level than BCs a few years back. This required PNs seeking registration to upgrade their anatomy in order to work in this province. For some reason I seem to remember it had to do with eye exam. We are trained to do them, apparently the education in BC didn't include it.

When I did my training it was a 53 week course with only a week between semesters. We did four academic semesters in one year. If they had followed a traditional college semester system it would have involved two years of education.

What colleges are you looking at? Bow Valley and Norquest turn out some of the best PNs in Alberta and their costs are comparable.

OgopogoLPN, LPN, RN · Mar 23, 2008

My course in BC is 12 months, or about 49 weeks of instruction. We started Sept 4th, had 2 weeks off at Christmas and got strait through to Aug 22. We break it down into 3 semesters, each with their own practicum and a 5 week preceptorship at the end. It's all very compact.

Our anatomy doesn't include eye exams. I'm getting a very good LPN education at my community college. I'm not sure how other provinces compare in terms of education.

Although I believe the exam I will write in September is a national one, that all Canadian LPN's will take, so there must be some type of uniformity in what is taught throughout Canada. My school has an excellent pass rate on the national exam. 100% of the students have passed on the last few writings. A few years ago, there were 1 or 2 that didn't pass. But overall, an excellent pass rate on the national exam.

loriangel14, RN · Mar 23, 2008

I believe we all write the same PN exam but some courses teach more than required. My RPN course was 5 semesters long including 12 weeks consolidation at the end.

Fiona59 · Mar 24, 2008

Yup, it is a NATIONAL exam. Written on the same day in the various provinces.

There is a core minimum level of education required and that is the common meeting ground for those who write the exam.

Guest233447 · Mar 27, 2008

Thanks for your replies. My only option is Northern Lakes College.

I was on here awhile back freaking out because I hadn't heard good things about them based on the 2005/2006 Sept. start up. If you recall, the day I stopped by to speak to somone in person, they were closed! Finally, I got a call back (a few days after my initial message) and was able to discuss my concerns. Apparently the day I stopped by was a "staff meeting", which is why they were closed. I addressed my concerns and they told me that the particular year in question was a terrible one, and most of their students had difficulty finding rentals, etc so their attendance was way down, etc. She said that currently there are 32 students enrolled, and they are using face-to-face delivery method since their numbers are high enough (as opposed to satellite delivery, etc).

I looked into Norquest's distance program, and I'd like to take their program, but it just isn't feasible. I spoke to someone from their distance program and they told me that one practicum is basically 15 weeks long. I can't leave my kids alone for that length of time, my husbands' work doesn't allow his schedule to accomodate them, nor could I afford to live in Edmonton while doing it.

Northern Lakes is my only option.

OgopogoLPN, LPN, RN · Mar 27, 2008

Thanks for your replies. My only option is Northern Lakes College.
I was on here awhile back freaking out because I hadn't heard good things about them based on the 2005/2006 Sept. start up. If you recall, the day I stopped by to speak to somone in person, they were closed! Finally, I got a call back (a few days after my initial message) and was able to discuss my concerns. Apparently the day I stopped by was a "staff meeting", which is why they were closed. I addressed my concerns and they told me that the particular year in question was a terrible one, and most of their students had difficulty finding rentals, etc so their attendance was way down, etc. She said that currently there are 32 students enrolled, and they are using face-to-face delivery method since their numbers are high enough (as opposed to satellite delivery, etc).
I looked into Norquest's distance program, and I'd like to take their program, but it just isn't feasible. I spoke to someone from their distance program and they told me that one practicum is basically 15 weeks long. I can't leave my kids alone for that length of time, my husbands' work doesn't allow his schedule to accomodate them, nor could I afford to live in Edmonton while doing it.
Northern Lakes is my only option.

Best of luck, I hope it works out for you!! It seems like you're very eager to take the couse and I'm sure you'll do great :)