RN school wait lists in BC

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First off, hello everyone. I'm new to the forum and stumbled on it while spending hours trying to research my alternatives.

I'm in Vancouver, BC (permanent resident) planning to go for my RN. I'm a mature student with 19 credit hours from a US university, but most of those credits are liberal arts, so I'm not sure what will really count except for the math and English. I know I'll have to take the A&Ps and Psychs- biology was much more than 5 years ago, but I did make an A! lol

When I first started looking, I found that VCC has a relatively new RN BSN program and I spoke to the academic advisers who told me that there was no wait list. I got approved for my student loan, requested all my transcripts and registered as a student. Today (only a week later) I spoke with a different adviser who informed me that not only is there a wait list, but that there are 49 students on it and that they will only be taking 24. VCC only has a fall intake so she told me that if I'm "lucky" I could get in the class of 2012 but likely 2013! ack. I suppose the only positive there is that they are a first come, first serve school so I will eventually move up the list for sure.

In the meantime, the adviser suggested I apply to multiple schools in the Lower Mainland, and choose one to attend for prerequisites while biding my time, hoping for one of them to eventually send me an acceptance. I'm sure many of you are in the same boat. I applied to Douglas and will probably actually attend there because it is much closer to home than VCC, plus they do two intakes per year so that's a plus. Will anyone be attending the Douglas psych or A&P for summer 2011? Would be nice to know someone going in.

So I guess the purpose of my post is to first make contact with anyone else currently waiting out their time, and also to compare any up-to-date info you have on wait lists. As far as Douglas' preferential placement goes, with a max number of points at 14, what is a "good" number of points to have to be competitive? I'm thinking I will have around 8. >

Thanks for reading!

I had to upgrade my Math too it was so brutal lol I hated every minute of it. At least it's done now though. I have 62 transfer credits from the University of the Fraser Valley but am worried because I feel like most people at BCIT have degrees already. I don't know, it's so up in the air with everyone I talk to. Some girls at my work are in the nursing program at Langara. I've looked up Langara and it's like.. a 2.5 year waitlist or something like that. A bit excessive haha. I'll be 24 next month I don't know if that qualifies as a mature student? Either way, it's been 7 years since highschool. What are the Libs courses at BCIT? If you can get your hands on an Anatomy & Physiology textbook that'd be a good read before you start the program. I have one that I haven't cracked open yet but plan to before I start the program (whenever that is...)

I'm hoping we get to hear back before September!!

yeah, I had to get a tutor for math :) saying I'm a mature student is just a basically a nice way to say i'm old....er :). I have a huge anatomy textbook that I have been flipping through. Also found this great website called anatomy arcade, with games to help you learn bones, muscles etc. At BCIT they have the 7 "in your spare time" courses which are mandatory but usually taken over the summer. For my situation (single mommy) I decided to get as many of those out of the way before even applying, to maybe free up some time in the summer for my little girl. Since you already have 62 credits (which is alot!) you might have some that can transfer. They want an Eng 100 level, 2 levels of psych, 2 lib electives (must be 200 level or higher, can be more psychology, sociology, women studies etc....I took philosophy) and the 2 Libs courses that don't transfer from anywhere else....Libs 7001 (critical reading and writing) and Libs 7002 (ethics). There is also a health care management course that can not be taken until you are in the program. I don't think EVERYONE that gets in has a degree, it just depends on the pool of applicants. Right now to be competitive, you need 60 credits....so we're good ;) I like that BCIT doesn't keep a waitlist, either you are in or out. If I don't make this intake, I can apply again as early as October for Aug 2012.

I don't think BCIT admits any students straight from highschool anyway so we're good! I'll check out Anatomy Arcade, that sounds awesome haha. Is there a reason you're only applying to BCIT?

I know there are other very good programs out there and in the end we all write the same exam but for me, BCIT is the only option. They are in clinical by week 2, they have an amazing simulation lab, Problem Based Learning, and it is the only school that offers the advanced specialty option...which is what I want in the end. It's intense but it's done in 3 years, a lot of the grads are getting jobs before they even graduate thanks to their hands on experience, and it's not too far for me to travel (coming from North Van). I have been communicating with an advisor for the past year and no, they don't accept people right from high school.....which might be why their success rate is as high as it is. It is very competitive, with approx 600 applicants and only 88 seats :eek:. I did a day there with the "spend a day" program and sat through a PBL class.....it just confirmed what I already knew....that's where I want to be.

AAAAAAAANNNNDDDD my status just changed to "pending department review"....making progress :)....kinda crazy that I am so excited about this little status change lol

Any status change is good!!!!! BCIT is a good school it's where my boyfriend went for 4 years so it would be nice to go there but really, whoever takes me, I'm happy lol. 600 applicants... Ugh, that is a lot. I wonder how many they select for interview. Probably 130 or so. I remember reading that somewhere.

Everyone that I've talked to has loved BCIT...I think you're right, around 150 get shortlisted....:yeah:

today I received "important communication from the registrar..." basically was just a letter saying that my application is completed and is now under review...the waiting continues

I love that we are both so impatient with the waiting lol. Honestly, I just wish I knew I was starting the program come January!!! I really, REALLY don't want to wait for the August intake. I like that BCIT allows you to specialize in your last year as well. Do you know what you want to specialize in?

lol...I know. We are going to get shortlisted, then have to wait MORE, then get accepted and have to wait MORE, then be so busy that we will look back on this time and wish we spent it doing something other than refreshing our email every 45 seconds :) ok, not that bad but I REALLY want to start in Jan too!! Right now I am about 92% sure that I want to specialize in neonatal or pediatrics....that could also change to labour and delivery....but I haven't really done anything so I might end up super passionate about the older crowd or..... we'll have to see. I do know that I eventually want to become a specialized Nurse Practitioner though, so my road ahead is a long one :) how about you? any specialties in mind?

I'm really interested in working in the OR or ER but also my main plan is to do some remote nursing courses and travel abroad. I love to travel and this is also one of the reasons nursing was so appealing to me. You really can go anywhere with it! I work at a retirement community so I don't think i'll go the geriatrics route. But you never know!!! It's all pretty exciting lol. I'm ready to have a real job haha.

Hi smiley65 and karlyac,

I just wanted to let you guys know I was in your position not too long ago. I applied to BCIT in January for the August 2011 intake and the wait has been brutal but I finally received good news in April so just hang in there! Let me know if you guys have any questions :)

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