Background

RPNAO, with funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) offers a Career Development Centre. The Centre's development is in response to recommendations regarding recruitment and retention from the provincial Nursing Task Force.

The Centre's goal is to provide assistance to RPNs seeking employment in Ontario through career development services such as resume writing, interview skills, job search initiatives, career planning and planning for continuing education. RPNAO's Career Development Centre is staffed by an experienced RPN who explores career options with RPNs and students.

The Centre has produced three publications designed to provide quick references to those needing assistance with resumes, interview skills or job search techniques. The Centre has developed a "Mock Interview" which further assists those who identify the job interview process as an area of concern.

Career Choice Video
Nursing is a career choice for those who are looking for diversity and challenges. It is also an opportunity for those who want to give back to society in a caring and educated way. The opportunities are limited only to the imagination and the passion of the individual.

For those who choose the road less traveled post-graduate continuing education is key to achieving one's professional goals. Working in research, for instance, will require that you have knowledge of how to collect data, how to pull out the statistical information and how to disseminate the data for utilization. Those of us, who choose the mainstream of nursing, must become experts in our particular field. Since nursing science and the essence of caring are so closely intermingled, it is critically important that the provider of care can acknowledge and critically apply these qualities to practice.

What you need to know falls into three distinct categories, the basic and post-basic educational preparation for a specialty area, what made it appealing and what you can bring to the position. Finally self-assessment and reflection on outcomes is key to career growth and success. Today, for recruitment and retention purposes, we will highlight a number of nursing career choices that may appeal to most RPNs. They cover areas such as emergency nursing, mental health, long-term care, the community, rehabilitation and pediatric complex continuing care. For those who are looking for something beyond the beaten path, we will highlight emergency nursing, OR and research policy development.

The RPNs in this video highlight those areas where the largest numbers of nurses are presently working. Highlighted are the personal thoughts and experiences of experienced RPNs who have contributed to the nursing profession in the only way they know how, by delivering quality patient care. We have attempted to cover a broad topic of career choice but there are countless others where RPNs make a difference. The choice is yours. Click here to view one of the videos.

Choosing Nursing As a Career
Registered Practical Nurses play an essential role in all sectors of health care and are employed in a vast array of career paths. Statistics indicate that there is a growing need for nurses, which means a growing opportunity for employment.

Where do RPN's Work?
Nurses work in a variety of settings inclusive of but not limited to the operating room, long-term care, and specialty areas such as emergency, pediatrics and community settings. The Practical Nurses work with individual clients, provide education to groups in addition to provide support to family members.

Typically, RPNs are attracted to positions where they can work with people through the healing process and provide hands on nursing care.

How Can I Become a Registered Practical Nurse?
If you are thinking about a career in nursing, you will require the entrance requirements to a community college. (Contact specific school calendars for pertinent requirements).

In Ontario, the College of Nurses has determined that by January 1, 2005 all practical nursing graduates entering the profession must have the two-year diploma in nursing.

Thinking of Becoming a Nurse?
Read carefully the College of Nurses website and read the list of approved practical nursing programs in the province of Ontario. If you do not take a program from one of these institutions you will not be allowed to write the practical nursing exam. Typically, RPNs are attracted to positions where they can work with people through the healing process and provide hands on nursing care.