RPN to RN, Morgan’s Adventure

As a nursing student in Ontario in 2008, we were told that the added schooling we were taking – the extension of time and breadth of knowledge for our registered practical nursing diploma was to replace the diploma registered nurse. Our scope increased far faster and far greater than at least one province – British Columbia.

I moved to BC and my scope was diminished greatly, I was told that my 10 years of experience and education only allowed me to be an LPN with a minimal and very restricted scope. My experience and extra training to become a critical care and pediatric nurse would never be recognized unless I became an RN in BC… the Canadian system gave me one option: I must go back for another minimum 3 years of university.

I have a saying: there’s always another option. Everyone has choices – one option gives no choice… so, I found another option.

I spoke with IntelliStaff Medical and told them I was interested in travel nursing but was not willing to do it as an LPN; I wanted to become an RN to open more doors. I was asked about my education and my experience, to which Nitya explained that there could be an option to challenge the NCLEX. It would not be an easy road, but it could be done. And there was option.  I geared up to take a journey down a difficult path with my backpack filled with determination, optimism, and perseverance.

At first it was a daunting and confusing mess of roads… where do you start? Let me break it down for you:

1. It’s now your fight to write. Take a breath and enjoy the journey… you will get through it all and come out ahead. Then, choose a State Board to work through – I chose Montana. Why? Well why not? Seemed like a new adventure – a state kind of right in the middle but close to the Canadian border.
2. Enroll in CGFNS. The process can seem a bit convoluted but here are my tips for this part; make sure you are in the right section! I did not understand which path to take for my education and experience to be assessed (CES was what I eventually had to do) – there are numerous pathways through CGFNS. If you don’t know which path to take: ASK. The CGFNS staff are unbelievable helpful – they, just like IntelliStaff Medical, want to see you succeed.
3. Grab your NCLEX study guides. Start filling your brain with medical knowledge that is NOT metric, new meds, and different lab values. If you want used books or advice on the NCLEX or studying tips: ASK! I know I am always available to help a fellow nurse out, as are most of those that work in or with IntelliStaff Medical.
4. Fill out the forms online. Send them ASAP to your school(s) and your licensing board. Stay on top of it all – hound the licensing boards weekly if necessary – they will put up blockades – they don’t want to lose you here in Canada, but also aren’t really willing to recognize you for your hard work and education – catch 22 situation.
5. Book a vacation to the US. You are going to need a records check and fingerprint verification completed, FBI runs it all too by the way. I did mine in Nevada (another fun story for another day) and had them sent to Montana. Make sure you send them to the right place too – if you aren’t sure where to send them ASK!
6. Register to write your NCLEX-RN. Send the registration info to the State board you are going through.
7. Sit back and wait impatiently patiently for your NCLEX ticket to come through – your permission slip: this is called an ATT.
8. Schedule your NCLEX-RN. Don’t worry, you can write in Canada – I wrote in Victoria.
9. Take a deep breath and take the test. You’ve learned a huge amount in what feels like a very long journey. Whether you passed first try or get to re-write, you made it here. Remember that part – you accomplished so much so far!
10. Choose a place to work and get your TN visa or green card
11. Time for another adventure! Remember to breathe and enjoy the journey!

My pocketbook got a lot lighter through all this – the cost of CGFNS, Registrations, Fingerprinting, Transcripts, etc. but in the end, I am sure it will be worth the cost.

The process itself turned out to be a lot of worth-it work; I am now an RN, recognized in the US and many other countries.

Unfortunately, despite the “cry for nurses” in Canada, specifically BC, they will still not allow a 15-year nurse, one educated with the equivalent education of a diploma RN in the US and Canada, numerous specialized certifications, a degree, and a post graduate degree, work as an RN. I do have the knowledge, skill, and judgement. It’s quite sad… My fight to write will now become a crusade to practice.

I am very determined to bridge a new path for those nurses who have the depth and breadth of knowledge, skill and judgement to become RNs in Canada. In my opinion, going back to university to redo schooling and take courses that aim to give the “bridge-in” student “an introduction to the profession and discipline of nursing” is not necessary. Allowing RPNs to be grandfathered in as diploma RNs in some provinces but only until a certain year, will always baffle and frustrate me. Requiring a personality test to determine if a career you have been in for 10+ years (Casper) is the right fit for you, will always make me shake my head and furrow my brow. Having your experience and education as a medical professional (doctors and nurses from other countries are often unable to work in Canada) ignored because you do not have a certain degree or country’s choice of school, causes me to question why? Question is this all red-tape and cash grabs instead of really truly wanting to have good nurses work in Canada.

Opinions aside, there is always another option… I found one and I will continue to find other options for current and future nurses. Good luck on your journey(s) wherever they take you. And remember that IntelliStaff Medical and myself are always around if you just ask.

Morgan McGiffin, RN