Licensed Registered Nurse Career Guide and Counseling

Question: I am a New Zealand registered nurse, how can I become licensed to work as a registered nurse in Canada? What do I need to do to become a registered or licensed nurse in Canada so I can work there as a nurse?

Answer: Well first, being licensed as a nurse in Canada isn't the same as having a work visa, those are two separate things. I have included a link to the Canadian Nurses Association below. It seems to me that you should be eligible for some sort of reciprocal licensing since you are licensed in NZ, rather than having to take the board exams in Canada. I have also included a link to Canadian immigration. You could also go through a travel nursing agency and they can handle all of the paperwork for you and also pay for at least some of your transportation costs (link below) I'm a U.S. nurse, and I want to work/live in NZ! I love Canada but don't like cold places. The grass is always greener, I suppose! Good luck.

Question: What is the difference between Licensed Practical Nurse and Registered Practical Nurse ? What is the differene between a Licensed Practical Nurse and Regsitered Practical Nurse ? Obvioulsy RN is registered nurse however the above dont appear to be any different , does anybody know ? Thanks

Answer: The titles Licensed Practical Nurse, Licensed Vocational Nurse, and Registerd Practical Nurse are used to describe the same level of occupational health care specialty. The RPN is used primarily in Ontario, Canada. California is the largest state using the title LVN. Most of the states in the US use the title LVN. These three all perform the same functions essentially, however each state will vary slightly dependent on state or provincial law.

Question: Do LVN to RN programs make you a licensed Registered Nurse? i was looking into different ways to get into the nursing field. i like the lvn to rn programs because while your working as a LVN you get work expierence and after youve worked as a lvn for a while you can go back to school and become a RN or even BSN...but my question is do you have to start at ground zero as a lvn? or do you start somewhere in between? see im confused. lol i would love everyones knowledge. thanks!

Answer: LVN or RN you start from the bottom up. First prereq's, then you apply to the school's nursing program. It is very competitive, so your grades have really good. In my opinion, don't even mess with LVN, the pay is horrible and it would take you the maybe 2 more semesters to go RN with an associates degree. Whatever way you choose to go, no school "gives" you a license to practice. You have to complete and pass nursing school and then take the test with the state board of nursing. The test usually cost about $200. The school is only to prepare you for that test. If you are planning to go on to get a Bachelor's degree, I would get the associates RN first and then work for a while. Then usually the hospital you work for will pay for you to return to school to complete your BSN.

Question: I'm 18 years old, a freshman in college. Do you think I can become a licensed Registered nurse by age 23? Also, what classes should I be taking in college to pursue a career in nursing?

Answer: You do not need to go to medical school to be an RN, you need to talk to your nursing dept counselor. They will get you going in the right direction. You can easily reach your goal, I am graduating in Dec with my LPN and going on for my RN while working Good luck to you!!!!

Question: How long does it take to go from a Licensed Practical Nurse to a Registered Nurse?

Answer: I am sure there are several learning institutions in your area that offer the LPN to RN bridge. The amount of time to complete the coursework will no doubt depend on the institution you select. I have seen this offered (in the area I live in) with 8 -12 months of study.

Question: What is the difference between an LPN(licensed practical nurse) a medical assistant & a RN(registered nurse)? An LPN is lower than an RN do almost everything an RN except do assesments and supervisory work. Where does a medical assistant fit in the scheme of things?

Answer: Medical assistants are used mostly in Doctor's Offices, and depending on the state and the courses they took, they are able to take blood pressures, and some certified MA can draw blood, but they are mostly receptionists at the Dr's Office. The LPN's scope of practice is defined by that states board of nursing but as a general rule the LPN handles the most stable patients in a setting, which is why they are mostly utilized in nursing homes, home health care agencies and the like. There are LPN's in hospitals it is up to that agency, LPN's can not make the first assessment on a patient, they can reassess, and they don't teach, they reinforce teaching.

Question: What is the difference between a registered nurse, nurse practitioner and a licensed practical nurse?

Answer: A licensed practical nurse (LPN) has twelve months to two years of training. They must operate under the supervision of a registered nurse or a medical doctor. The duties of an LPN might include administering medicine to patients, taking blood pressure measurements, training in first aid and CPR, record-keeping, or assisting in surgery. They must pass state or national exams and periodically re-take those exams to remain licensed. A registered nurse (RN) has at least two years of training in nursing. They may obtain their education through a two-year college program (yielding an associate of science in nursing), a hospital diploma program, or a four-year college program (yielding a bachelor's of science in nursing). The diploma program won't give you credit to transfer into a college. An RN's duties may include the duties I mentioned for LPNs, as well as supervising LPNs and nursing assistants. Most elementary, middle and high schools have a nurse to attend to students, and this person is probably an RN. RNs also must take an exam to become licensed. A nurse practitioner is a RN who has completed graduate study - at minimum, a master's degree. A nurse practitioner provides much of the same care provided by physicians, but in many states, are required to operate in collaboration with a physician. However, that means that in many states, they are able to operate a practice without a physician. According to wikipedia, they can prescribe medicine in 49 states. All of the above pertains to the United States, I suspect there would be different names for these positions in other countries, because these names relate to the regulations that are in place for nursing.

Question: do licensed vocational/practical nurses work under registered nurse license?

Answer: Yes they do. You would always work under the direction of an RN. That does not mean in certain cases that they are there ( as in some nursing homes etc)

Question: what should be done in order to renew a registered nurse license when it has expired a year ago? I have a tx-rn license.I am currently here in the Philippines and i'm planning to go back there in the USA soon.

Answer: According to the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners, a delinquent RN license over 90 days past renewal requires a $176 fee and proof of 20 contact hours taken within the last year. If you'd thought of placing your license in inactive state, the fee to reactivate would've been less, even lesser if you'd renewed on time. Good luck.

Question: Differnce between (Licensed Practical Nurse) and a RN (Registered Nurse)? Is there anybody that can help me out with the difference between a LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) and a RN (Registered Nurse). I already know that the LPN studys for about 1 to 2 years and the RN studys for about 3-4 years, and the RN supervises the LPN, what else can you tell me about the 2? Is it better to be a LPN and then go get your RN degree?

Answer: LPN cant do anything really without the RN. LPN's cant administer alot of things without a RN's signature. RN's make twice the amount of money of a LPN(aka. Low Paid Nurse). If you can afford it i would just go for the 4 years to be a RN. Because it doesnt matter if you have a LPN license you will still have to take the same classes as people without a license. You would end up not really learning when you go for your LPN because they rush and force all of the information in within 2years. And you would end up taking clinicals twice. Once to be a LPN and then again when you try to be a RN.