Working as PSW while RN student

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Hello, I live in Ontario. I'll be pursuing a compressed BScN this September. I'm just wondering whether it is recommended to work as a PSW to gain work experience, and whether it would be beneficial for future employment as an RN (or is the clinical experience enough?). I've received calls for interviews for casual PSW positions but turned them down since I think I should wait until I get some ​level of experience in community care through the clinical components.

Specializes in Psychiatry, Cardiology, Gerontology, Occ. Health.

So, after reading this thread, I gather I should have no trouble finding a job as a PSW? I'm a licensed practical nurse in the US, but the Ontario College of Nurses wouldn't accept my credentials to sit for the RPN exam. I'm attempting to get into a BScN program, but wanted to work in the medical field doing something related in the meantime. My practical nursing education was 12 months of full-time study and I've had an additional 2 semesters of general course work at university. Also, 12 years working as a practical nurse in the US.

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Specializes in Public Health.
So, after reading this thread, I gather I should have no trouble finding a job as a PSW? I'm a licensed practical nurse in the US, but the Ontario College of Nurses wouldn't accept my credentials to sit for the RPN exam. I'm attempting to get into a BScN program, but wanted to work in the medical field doing something related in the meantime. My practical nursing education was 12 months of full-time study and I've had an additional 2 semesters of general course work at university. Also, 12 years working as a practical nurse in the US.

Like I said, it depends on the facility. Where I live (southwestern Ontario) many facilities hire nursing students. Not sure if your previous PN education will suffice as it isn't Canadian (I just don't have any idea, so I can't say) but if you get into a BScN program after a semester or two you can begin to apply for jobs as a PSW or health care aide.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Cardiology, Gerontology, Occ. Health.

Ok, sounds good! Thanks for the info!

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

In my area of Ontario you need the certificate except for some small LTC facilities

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Specializes in OR/PACU/med surg/LTC.

I was able to work in a LTC after my second year of nursing school as a nursing assistant. If I remember correctly they can't call you a PSW. It would be helpful in nursing as you can focus on skills while at clinical, having mastered the bed bath and ADLs. Just let them know that you don't have any nursing experience beforehand so they are aware.

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I work as a PSW right now for home care while going through nursing school. I live east of Toronto, and once I finished my 1st year of BScN program, i applied for it as a nursing student and got the job. It's very helpful in terms of how you interact with people in hospitals during clinicals. It has also helped me in recognizing various different things in patients that I have learned through my job. I personally love it. My working hours are very flexible. During the school year (Sept-Apr), i work on weekends and during the 4 months of summer break, I work as much as I can depending on how many hours I can get. So in short, yes it will be very helpful to work as a PSW. I can't really tell you how helpful it will be in the long run to apply for RN jobs. Hope this helps!

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xokw, yes sorry registered. It wa a slip of the keyboard I guess. Wow, that was intense!
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