What a registered practical nurse (RPN) does
Registered practical nurses provide hands-on nursing care, assessing patients, administering medications, performing treatments and documenting changes. They are the backbone of many long-term care homes and clinics, often working closely with RNs and leading the work of personal support workers on a unit. For an employer, dependable RPNs keep daily care consistent, catch problems early and give residents and patients a familiar face they can trust.
RPN scope in Ontario is broad, but the right assignment depends on the patient's complexity and the support available. A good match considers your residents' or patients' needs, the RN coverage you have, and the technical skills involved, such as wound care or IV therapy. Finch discusses all of this at the start, then screens candidates for relevant experience, confirms their College of Nurses of Ontario registration and arranges interviews.
Typical responsibilities
- Assess patients and contribute to the development of care plans
- Administer medications and treatments according to orders and policies
- Perform wound care, injections and other clinical procedures within scope
- Monitor and report changes in condition to the RN or physician
- Lead and support personal support workers during a shift
- Maintain accurate documentation in paper or electronic records
Qualifications and credentials
- Current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario in the Registered Practical Nurse class
- Practical nursing diploma or equivalent education recognized for RPN registration
- CPR and first aid certification, as employers commonly require
- Experience in long-term care, community care or clinic settings, depending on the role
- Additional training in areas such as wound care, palliative care or IV therapy where relevant
Who hires a registered practical nurse (RPN)
- Long-term care homes
- Retirement residences
- Home and community care organizations
- Medical and specialty clinics
- Rehabilitation and complex continuing care programs
Where we recruit registered practical nurse (RPN) candidates
We fill registered practical nurse (RPN) roles for employers across Toronto and the GTA, including North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Oshawa and Pickering, and for employers across Canada. GTA employers can meet us at our North York office by appointment.
What Finch checks before you meet a candidate
- Confirm CNO registration in the RPN class and any terms or conditions
- Review experience with your resident or patient population
- Ask about specific skills you need, such as medication passes on large units or IV care
- Confirm shift availability and willingness to work weekends or holidays
- Check references from charge nurses or directors of care
Interview questions to ask
- Walk us through how you organize a medication pass on a busy unit.
- How do you decide when a change in a resident's condition needs to go to the RN or physician?
- How do you support a PSW who is struggling to keep up with their assignments?