Search results
Fiona Ross: Conference Welcome [28Mb-28m31s] Mark Bostridge: A Florence Nightingale for the 21st Century [51Mb-53m29s] Lynn McDonald: The Nightingale system of training and its influence worldwide [13Mb-13m34s] Carol Helmstadter: Nightingale Training in Context [15Mb-16m42s] Judith Godden: The Power of the Ideal: How the Nightingale System shaped modern nursing [17Mb-18m14s] Barbra Mann-Wall ...
- Overview
- Introduction
- Nursing Programs Across Canada
- Level of Education for Nurses
- Attrition of Nursing Programs
- Footnotes
Office of Nursing Policy
Health Canada
November 2006
ISBN: 978-0-662-44710-8 (PDF Version)
This fact sheet examines the education of nurses and pertains to the following groups:
•Registered Nurses (RN, Reg.N.). RNs (inclusive of Nurse Practitioners) represent the largest regulated health care provider group in Canada. Registered nurses must complete a nursing program either at a baccalaureate or diploma level and register with their respective provincial or territorial nursing regulatory body which permits them to perform the authorized functions of a registered nurse. All provinces and territories have RNs, who work in a variety of settings.
•Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN). LPNs are the second-largest regulated health profession in Canada. Prior to 1945, "auxiliary workers", as they were known, were employed and trained on the job to meet nursing service needs in hospitals and nursing homes. LPNs now receive theoretical and clinical education in one to two-year community college programs. Like RNs, all provinces and territories have LPNs, who work in a variety of settings.Footnote 1 In Ontario they are called Registered Practical Nurses. (Please see note in next paragraph.)
•Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPN). RPNs represent the largest single group of mental health professionals found in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia where they are a separate regulated health profession. (Note: LPNs in Ontario are called Registered Practical Nurses and the acronym should not be confused with Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs) in the four western provinces). RPNs must complete an education program either at the diploma or baccalaureate level.
Registered Nurses
In the 1960s and 1970s, many nursing students graduated from two- or three-year hospital programs with a diploma in nursing. Few nurses earned a baccalaureate degree because it was generally not required to practice, but was an expectation for teaching or administration. By the 1990s, most educational programs in nursing were provided either by community colleges (a three-year diploma) or universities (a four-year baccalaureate degree). This evolution in nursing education came about as a result of several factors, including: changing technology; increased patient complexity and acuity; increased responsibility and accountability for RNs; changes in scopes of practice; changes in health care delivery; and particular requirements for specialized care. By the late 1990s, most provinces had announced a four-year baccalaureate degree as a requirement for entry to the practice of nursing in their respective jurisdictions within the next decade. As a result, some diploma programs in nursing closed while others merged with university programs.Footnote 2 The tables below outline by type, the total number of nursing programs offered in Canadian educational institutions in both 2001 - 2002Footnote 3 and 2002 - 03.Footnote 4 As the tables show, the number of nursing programs for baccalaureate, Post-RN, Master's, Doctoral degrees and Nurse Practitioner certification have remained steady, while the number of nursing programs that provide graduates with a diploma have declined by over one-third.Footnote 5 Proportionately, enrolment rates for diploma programs in nursing have declined by almost half since the late 1990s while enrolment rates for baccalaureate programs have increased almost threefold, as the above table on enrolment data shows.Footnote 6
Registered Nurses
Given these developments, it is not surprising that increasing numbers of RNs are entering the workforce with a baccalaureate in nursing. Admissions to entry-to-practice nursing programs rose to 12,361 (60%) from 1998 to 2004. The trend shows a peak of 13,068 admissions in 2001, with a levelling off in the subsequent years. In 2004, 8,076 nurses graduated from entry-to-practice programs. This is a 76% increase in the number of graduates since 1999. In 2004, more than 400 faculty members were recruited; however, projections indicated that by 2005 there were 500 faculty vacancies. A number of schools commented on the difficulties encountered in attracting and retaining faculty, including equitable compensation levels. In common with the rest of the nurse workforce is the reality of an aging professoriate. The data show that the proportion of nurse educators in the 45-64 years age group significantly exceeds that seen in the total nurse workforce. Faculty retirement projections considered in conjunction with current staffing challenges indicate a need for 3,673 master's-prepared nurses annually. While more RNs are entering the profession with baccalaureate degrees, there is a continuing shortage of RNs with nursing education at the master's, doctoral, and post-doctoral level. As noted by the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) and the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN), RNs with master's, doctoral, and post-doctoral education are needed to: enhance quality care and improve health outcomes; conduct research that advances nursing knowledge and practice; assume faculty positions; provide professional leadership; and, influence nursing and health policy.Footnote 7 In 2003, only 275 (approximately 0.11%) of the 241,342 RNs within the nursing workforce reported that they had earned a doctorate level of education in nursing,Footnote 8 practically unchanged since 1996.Footnote 9 The number of graduates from doctoral programs in nursing in Canada from 2000-2004 varied widely, but ultimately the number of graduates are on the rise. Since 2000, the number of graduates from master's and PhD programs has doubled.Footnote 10 CNA and CASN note that the current general nursing shortage and the shortage of nursing faculty within Canada, act as barriers to increasing the number of nurses who are able to achieve a doctoral degree or post-doctoral opportunities. These Associations recommend that professional nursing associations, educational institutions, employers of RNs and governments share responsibility to plan collaboratively, remove barriers to higher education, and support students and academic programs.Footnote 12 An analysis of the 2004-2005 data reveals some positive indicators, including program innovations, a consistent level of interest in continuing education, and an increase in the number of students graduating from entry-to-practice and some post-graduate programs. New program innovation include fast tracking and distance education. In 2004, there were 31 programs offering to fast-track the nursing educational preparation process. These include accelerated, fast track, second degree entry, and bridging programs. The number of programs offered increased by 16% in 2004. In 2004, 41 programs (20 baccalaureate, 16 master's, and 5 PhD) were offered, in full or in part, electronically. This innovation facilitates access to education for students living outside urban centres, and for working nurses seeking to update credentials.
Licensed Practical Nurses
Registration or licensure as an LPN in Canada requires graduation from an approved LPN diploma program, offered in post-secondary institutions. Equivalency status can be granted to individuals from LPN programs in other jurisdictions or educated in another country. In 2003, all provinces and territories reported that 92% of LPNs or higher had an initial education of a diploma, as opposed to equivalency status.Footnote 13
Registered Psychiatric Nurses
Most RPNs currently employed in psychiatric nursing earned diplomas before entering practice. The first baccalaureate in psychiatric nursing was offered only in 1998 in Manitoba. Manitoba has the highest percentage of RPNs with a baccalaureate as their initial education (5% in 2003) at 3.3%, British Columbia has the second-highest. In Alberta and Saskatchewan, less than 1% of RPNs enter practice with a baccalaureate.Footnote 14
RNs, LPNs and RPNs
Research has noted that students leave nursing programs mainly within the first two years.Footnote 15 Top three personal reasons why students withdraw from programs: Baccalaureate programs: finances, health, stress, and family responsibilities. LPN programs: finances, stress, and family responsibilities. RN (diploma) programs, RPN program: personal health, stress and finances. Top program reasons prompting students to withdraw from programs: Baccalaureate programs and LPN programs: academic standards (too demanding), structure of program and lack of academic support. RN (diploma) programs and RPN program: academic standards, structure of program, and other. Top three professional/career reasons students withdraw from programs: Baccalaureate programs: poor fit with nursing, negative feedback from practicing nurses, and treatment of students in clinical. LPN programs: poor fit with nursing, treatment of nursing students in clinical, negative impressions from practicing nurses, and dissatisfaction with status and respect. RN (diploma) programs and RPN program: poor fit with nursing, negative impressions from practicing nurses and other.Footnote 16 Research has suggested actions schools of nursing could take to try to reduce attrition. They include: Explaining the current state of the health system to students, including the impact on nursing as a profession and on the satisfaction of some nurses with their careers, including dissatisfaction within nursing about the role of nurses in the health system. This, as well as policies and practices to improve the system and how nurses can survive and develop rewarding careers, should be the subject of ongoing discussion. Attempting to make clinical placements for nursing students "student-friendly." Accrediting bodies for organizations that have clinical practice opportunities for students should add the quality of the environment for student learning for review and develop standards against which these organizations will be assessed. Examining the issue of faculty support to students and whether courses are meeting the needs of mature and diverse groups of students, particular in RN programs. Schools of nursing should develop strategies and programs to ensure that students receive the support they require, especially early in their programs. Many nursing students require sources of funding to ensure their success. The significant number of clinical hours demanded of nursing students leaves little available time for them to earn money to support themselves. Nursing schools should develop solutions that will allow students to work less and therefore potentially stay in their programs and succeed.Footnote 17 Despite concerns by nursing organizations and employers, most nursing programs of all types consider attrition to be a minor problem to which they are responding well. Between 50 - 75% of nursing programs investigate why attrition occurs.Footnote 18 There appears to be major difficulties with calculating attrition. Only some nursing programs have a definition. There is a lack of information about all aspects of attrition; this is compounded by different reporting periods when students are admitted to nursing programs. Several programs also have difficulty tracking transfer students.Footnote 19 CASN advocates having student attrition carefully defined and analyzed to reflect: 1) differing philosophies in entry requirements between universities and colleges; 2) gender-related challenges to nursing students; and 3) two very different types of students: those who, due to academic failures within the nursing program, are required to withdraw and are not eligible to return; and those who discover that their desire to become a nurse has changed and leave the program to undertake studies in another profession or program. CASN believes that students who encounter a program extension should not be counted within attrition numbers until at least one academic year after the semester from which they withdrew has been completed (i.e., equivalent to four academic semesters). In addition, extended program students (i.e., those who withdraw because of failure of prerequisite course(s), personal circumstances, pregnancy or health problems and subsequently re-enter the program) should not be calculated in student attrition statistics.Footnote 20
Footnote 1
Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). Licensed Practical Nurses Database: Workforce Trends of Licensed Practical Nurses in Canada, 2002, 2003, p. 36.
Return to footnote1 Referrer
Footnote 2
CIHI. Registered Nurses Database: Workforce of Registered Nurses in Canada, 2003, 2004, p. 25.
Return to footnote2 Referrer
Background. In June 2018, the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) started a new chapter in its history with an overwhelming vote by its members to open membership beyond registered nurses and nurse practitioners to include licensed and registered practical nurses and registered psychiatric nurses. But it became clear during consultations with ...
(registered and practical), made it illegal to practice nursing without a license, and provided the first definition of the scope of nursing practice.5 By 1930, most state boards required high school diplomas for admission to nursing schools.7 Despite the new, more restrictive requirements of licensure, the title of RN remained the same.9
A registered nurse (RN) is a nurse who has graduated or successfully passed a nursing program from a recognized nursing school and met the requirements outlined by a country, state, province or similar government-authorized licensing body to obtain a nursing license. [ 1 ][ 2 ] An RN's scope of practice is determined by legislation, and is ...
Beginnings of the Nursing Profession. It is believed that the first recorded aspects of nursing place the inception of the profession during the height of the Roman empire, around 300 A.D. It was during this time that the Empire sought to place a hospital within every town under its rule.
People also ask
When did nursing become a profession?
What is the evolution of Nurse Licensure?
How did a nurse become a registered nurse?
When did nursing become a profession in Europe?
Where did nursing come from?
How do I become a registered nurse?
Jan 31, 2020 · The three regulated nursing categories in Canada numbered 431,769 nurses in 2018 as follows: 301,146 registered nurses, including 5,697 nurse practitioners (all registered nurses): 122,600 licensed practical nurses (titled registered practical nurses in the province of Ontario); and 6,023 registered psychiatric nurses.
