RN or RPN (Ontario)

[sdm242]

I have a dilemma...I'm considering entering nursing in the next couple of years (I'm currently a stay-at-home mom) and I'm unsure as to which route I should go: RN or RPN. I'm most interested in working in long-term care/geriatrics, probably part-time (at least until my kids are older).

I have a BSc in biology so I could likely enter the accelerated RN stream at McMaster which takes 2.5 years. I would not consider entering a 4-year program. The cost of this is more than RPN programs but the pay rate when working will be higher. It'll also take longer for me to complete and I'm assuming that the workload while in school will be higher. With a young family at home, I'm questioning how I'd handle the school workload.

The RPN program at Conestoga College is two years but I'm assuming I could complete it more quickly seeing as I already have my BSc. This is a cheaper option but the pay rate of RPN's is much lower than RN's. The RPN program is what I had initially planned on doing, but now that I've discovered the accelerated RN program, I'm questioning my choice.


Does anyone have any opinions or experiences they'd like to share?

[koft]

Depends what you want to do. RPN had limited role compared to RN especially in an acute care setting. The starting salary of a RN is about 25% higher than RPN and the ceiling is higher as well. And if you are interested to be involved in clinical partitioner, you need to be a RN not RPN. Can't really tell you, as I am not a nurse. I am a resident, but as far as I know most of the nurses that I interacted with are RNs.

Maybe you should find out what roles do each designation is allowed to do, and what are you more interested in? 2.5 years compared to 2 years is not a big different, beside it is your career, pick something that you would like to do. You need to be happy about your decision for the next 20+ years

[killoverme]

yeah half a year is not a huge difference, I would go RN mainly cause you have way more opportunities open to you, then a RPN, and it would look better on a resume when looking for jobs i would think.

[sdm242]

I guess I wasn't clear. The RPN program will take me less than 2 years as I should get some transfer credits from my BSc. I'm just not sure at this point how many I will get.

Also, the RN program is 5 terms straight, including summer. This means that I'll have to pay for childcare for an entire summer, while I'm in school.

I realize for most people, the RN program would make the most sense however for my situation (with younger kids at home and a single income family), I guess I'm leaning towards the RPN program. I can always do a bridge from RPN to RN later on.

I still welcome opinions from others though!

[Xtreme2001]

I'm an RN and after speaking with alot of RPN's who have completed the bridging program, they often wished to have completed their RN's initially, solely because it was really difficult to return to school again.

If you ever have the desire to continue on in management, administration, or anything in the health care field, having your degree will be an asset.

Best of luck!

[Bullseye]

My wife is an RN, and we're close friends with a woman who is an RPN who did it after an earlier career in legal clerking. She has expressed regrets many times about doing an RPN instead of an RN before she had a baby. Not as many jobs, the jobs are low-end (nursing homes, VON, etc), and the pay is so much less.

I see your dilemma, already having kids, it will be hard to do the schooling. My thoughts are that if you eventually want to be an RN, do it now, just get it over with. If you're happy with being what an RPN entails, then just do that route.

My wife definitely feels the value of doing her RN early on, with her BScN. She is offered opportunities that non-degreed RN's are not, although she currently chooses to work only part time as a staff nurse. Nice to know there are other options when you are ready.

[molala]

Like many posters said..getting an RN would give you better starting salary and types of job..

why don't u do a research on workopolis or something to see what type of jobs does each creditential offers and see which one you instrest more?

Why would you care about having to pay for daycare for one summer if you could find a job that can start you off at 40k?

[sdm242]

Like many posters said..getting an RN would give you better starting salary and types of job..

why don't u do a research on workopolis or something to see what type of jobs does each creditential offers and see which one you instrest more?

Why would you care about having to pay for daycare for one summer if you could find a job that can start you off at 40k?


I have looked at Workopolis, etc and it's hard to determine the difference between the two positions, besides pay rate. I've been persusing a nursing forum and it seems that, these days, RPN's are expected/allowed to do more and more.

Financially, it's a lot bigger committment to become an RN than just daycare for one summer. It means much higher tuition than college, having to buy a car and commute close to an hour instead of being able to take public transport, etc. And daycare for the summer (and likely before and/or after-school care would be a lot for my kids who are used to having me around all the time.

The hardest problem I'm having is convincing my husband that this is a worthwhile proposition. He's decided he doesn't want to be in debt again (thankfully we've paid off our previous student loans, etc and have no debt besides a mortgage). I can understand his position but I also understand what everyone here has said: the long-term advantages of becoming an RN should outweight the short-term sacrifices we'd have to make.

[sdm242]

My wife is an RN, and we're close friends with a woman who is an RPN who did it after an earlier career in legal clerking. She has expressed regrets many times about doing an RPN instead of an RN before she had a baby. Not as many jobs, the jobs are low-end (nursing homes, VON, etc), and the pay is so much less.

I see your dilemma, already having kids, it will be hard to do the schooling. My thoughts are that if you eventually want to be an RN, do it now, just get it over with. If you're happy with being what an RPN entails, then just do that route.

My wife definitely feels the value of doing her RN early on, with her BScN. She is offered opportunities that non-degreed RN's are not, although she currently chooses to work only part time as a staff nurse. Nice to know there are other options when you are ready.

Thanks for your perspective Bullseye.

I think what you posted above (in bold) is the key. I've got to decide if I would be content as an RPN for the long-term. I have to admit, your wife's situation sounds ideal: part-time work as an RN.

Can I ask you a personal question? Assuming your wife works shifts, how does that affect your family life? My husband (don242) has concerns about that, moreso than I do. Feel free to PM me if you'd prefer rather than posting here.

[boyoflondon]

I have looked at Workopolis, etc and it's hard to determine the difference between the two positions, besides pay rate. I've been persusing a nursing forum and it seems that, these days, RPN's are expected/allowed to do more and more.

Financially, it's a lot bigger committment to become an RN than just daycare for one summer. It means much higher tuition than college, having to buy a car and commute close to an hour instead of being able to take public transport, etc. And daycare for the summer (and likely before and/or after-school care would be a lot for my kids who are used to having me around all the time.

The hardest problem I'm having is convincing my husband that this is a worthwhile proposition. He's decided he doesn't want to be in debt again (thankfully we've paid off our previous student loans, etc and have no debt besides a mortgage). I can understand his position but I also understand what everyone here has said: the long-term advantages of becoming an RN should outweight the short-term sacrifices we'd have to make.


Long run benefits outweigh the short-term costs!!
I constantly see RN positions at various places with pay around $30ish an hour, putting you at $60k+ a year. Now, how much are your expenses going to be? For how long?

Sometimes it is hard, especially with kids, to make sacrifices like this, but in the long run, it will all pay off. You'll easily be able to get out of debt within a few years of completing your program and continue to make a good income as opposed to RPN.

[samm]

they are also part of different unions? not sure what the benefits are for each though.