Do all BC Nursing programs have waitlists based on seat availability?

Fiona59 · Mar 30, 2016

Do all LPN to BScN programs in British Columbia have wait-lists for seat availability? I have been doing some research and this seems to be a common stipulation for BC. Meaning... a person with all the admissions requirements could wait up to 5 years or more for a spot in these programs... the prospect feels like playing the lottery hoping to win the next jackpot. I don't like those odds. Someone please prove me wrong

They did did when I looked into it a decade ago.

It's a way to limit the numbers of PNs upgrading. An all RN workforce is too expensive to support.

CaffeinePOQ4HPRN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Mar 30, 2016

They did did when I looked into it a decade ago.
It's a way to limit the numbers of PNs upgrading. An all RN workforce is too expensive to support.

At this rate, with all the additional restrictions placed on RPNs/ LPNs wanting to upgrade, I will have to either emigrate to the US (because the US RN won't be recognized here in Canada if I tried to return), or stay in Canada and give up on nursing altogether. I am getting exhausted. Honestly, what is any of my education or skills worth when my only option in Canada is to apply to the 4-year BScN program with no recognition that I already know how to do most of the skills. Sigh :cry: . I'm feeling pretty down about all this. I feel stupid for becoming an RPN in the first place. I'm restricted to jobs in LTC only and there's so little hope for educational advancement. This is why I discourage people from going the LPN/RPN route in Canada... If you have the chance to do the BScN in the first place, just do it. I wish I had the opportunity to complete the BScN when I was enrolled in that program.. but then life happened, my mom got breast cancer and I figured the RPN route would be a stepping stone while I helped my family. Boy was I wrong.

Sorry, RANT over now

CaffeinePOQ4HPRN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Mar 30, 2016

@Fiona59 Did you eventually complete the BScN and become a Registered Nurse?

Fiona59 · Mar 30, 2016

Nope. I worked it out that student loans, lost income due to practicuums and coursework, loss of pension for the years I'd be working casual while at uni, wasn't worth it. I'd have to work full time until 65 to make it balance.

I can can walk away any time now, debt free, still with a back and reasonably good knees. My pension as an LPN isn't great but it's about the same as if I'd done the degree and had to play catch up.

i work in a province where I can work acute care at full scope. The number of LPNs registered to work has doubled in the last 15 years, so we aren't going anywhere.

become active in your Union and provincial college and fight for what you are worth

CaffeinePOQ4HPRN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Mar 30, 2016

Nope. I worked it out that student loans, lost income due to practicuums and coursework, loss of pension for the years I'd be working casual while at uni, wasn't worth it. I'd have to work full time until 65 to make it balance.
I can can walk away any time now, debt free, still with a back and reasonably good knees. My pension as an LPN isn't great but it's about the same as if I'd done the degree and had to play catch up.
i work in a province where I can work acute care at full scope. The number of LPNs registered to work has doubled in the last 15 years, so we aren't going anywhere.
become active in your Union and provincial college and fight for what you are worth

Thing is...I'm starting to lose steam/motivation. This is pushing me towards depressive feelings. The never-ending struggle to advance education, constantly upgrading, applying, hustling, battling with schools to recognize my previous university degree and my nursing diploma/clinical work and getting nowhere. It is draining the life out of me and making me think Nursing isn't worth all this sacrifice anymore. I'm almost ready to give up on the profession. If I won the lottery OR met a tall, dark, handsome stranger who wanted to sweep me off my feet, run away and marry tomorrow... I think I'd rather just do that then to continue this never ending uphill battle. I have the worst luck.

Guest960718 · May 9, 2016

Hello!

I decided to apply in the fall of 2014 to Vancouver Island University (Nanaimo) for their BSN program, 2015 admission.

I found out in April 2015 that I didn't quite make the cut, so I figured that I would have time to upgrade some of my high school courses. I got a call in late August 2015 to tell me that a seat had opened up if I wanted it. I had 10 days to quit my job, pack up, and find a place to rent. Not to mention start my student loan application. I also didn't have any of my prerequisites complete as I didn't plan for this. Talk about stressful!

But I did it. There are a few LPNs in the program, so I am not sure about if there is a wait list for them to enter the program. I could give you names and phone numbers of people to talk to if you were interested.

The university is beautiful and not too big. I originally came from the prairies so I can really appreciate the mild winters here :)

If nursing is what you truly want to do, please don't give up. We are all here to help each other.