Registered Nurses (RNs) and Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) both provide direct nursing care to patients, extend health education programs, and respond to consultative services within the scope of nursing practice. They collaborate with members of an interdisciplinary health team to plan, implement, coordinate and evaluate patient care in consultation with patients and their families. RNs and RPNs have a current Certificate of Competence for Registered Nurse and Registered Practical Nurse respectively from the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO).
Because an RN’s education is more comprehensive, they have a broader and deeper knowledge in clinical practice, critical thinking, and research utilization. They can care for patients with more complex needs in unpredictable situations. On the other hand, an RPN’ education is less comprehensive in which they are most appropriately suited to care patients with stable and predictable conditions.
An RN with advanced university education who provides personalized quality health care to patients can be called Nurse Practitioner; while an RPN may also have title as Registered Nursing Assistant, Certified Nursing Assistant, or Licensed Practical Nurse according to the National Occupational Classification (NOC) of Canada. As members of Total Care for U healthcare staff, both RNs and RPNs have basic core competence and clinical nursing expertise, effective English communication skills, and not less than one-year experience in the nursing field.
Personal Support Workers (PSWs) provide dedicated and compassionate personal care and healthcare support to patients in all aspects of personal hygiene, grooming, medication, mobility and communication; assist in meal preparation, feeding, leisure ambulation and rehabilitative exercises; provide social and meaningful companionship, observation, safety and conservation; and report behavioural changes of patients to designated superior. They also perform light housekeeping duties (when applicable) such as laundry, washing dishes and making beds; and other duties related to patient health care and comfort.
All our Personal Support Workers have obtained a PSW Certificate of Competence and/or an NACC certificate from an approved Ontario caregiver program.
Depending on work setting and scope of duties, a PSW may be assigned as Patient Service Assistant, Sitter, Constant Caregiver, Personal Care Provider, Family Caregiver, or Homemaker. As members of Total Care for U health care staff, PSWs have acquired supervised practical training, completed CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation) course, and gained at least one year job related experience.