And to think I wanted to take the BSN program!!

The PN programme has always been intense. People just don't realize how much work there really is until they get there. And in no way is it a "Nursing for Dummies" course.

The PN education in Alberta is basically the old diploma/hospital based nursing route.

Once you hit the LTC floors in second semester and the hospital in third, you will see how much you know in comparison to the BScN students. I remember in third semester we had more responsibility on the floors than third year students.

If you're at Norquest, just grin and bear it. They produce some really good nurses.

What is PN?

It will get better once you are into a routine and get things figured out. It seems over whelming at first but you find ways to sort it all out.

I have just completed the PN programme at Camosun College in Victoria BC. http://camosun.ca/learn/programs/pn/pn-study.html
I am delighted to be done - it was a fast and hugely busy year (ask my family). If there is anything I can do to help out, please let me know. I am on facebook or private msg me. I have all the power points and assignments so do let me know.
All the best

My hubby and family (4 kids - son who will be 23 soon - on his own, daughters 20 1/2 - who moved back end of June - daughter who will be 19 soon and 17 1/2 who will be grading in June '09). where extremely supportive. Unfortunately hubby lost his job Aug'07 and I started school fulltime Sept '07 so in some ways it sucked BIG time but in other ways it was a blessing.
I am a little anal about my assignments and studying. I always did my best and yet other *younger* students would just coast by. I made the Dean's list and received a couple of awards at the end of course awards ceremony. I take a huge amount of pride in what I am doing - perhaps it is as a mature student? I don't know. I found getting a couple of like minded individuals as study buddies helped. When we had huge volcab lists, we split them up between us and shared the info - was very helpful. Same thing with patho - i always tried to be a class ahead of what was coming in regards to knowing what cardio problems are common on geriatric pts.
Anyway, teemcf at gmail.com
I was a pharmacy tec for several years so come pharmocology, it was good. I ahve some good links I can send you as well.
take care

Second semester? I'm going to a nursing home by November and will have 7 days of clinical before the year's over!

Here's my College's schedule for the nursing courses if anyone's interested.
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?k...iaK5BSSfKK10YA

I'm really looking forward to clinical, but not so much the part where I have to be there by 7AM.

I'm scrambling to keep up when it's only the second week. This is going to be a fun ride!

Our programme spent five weeks (m-f), six hour shifts in LTC. Started off with basic chart reading and by the time we left we were doing total care on five residents (meds, wounds, personal care, feeding). Roughly half my PN programme was spent in the workplace. Five weeks in LTC, seven in med/surg, another three in the specialties, and then the final placement (length depended on the hours of the shifts you worked, for some reason I remember it being over 125)

I think you will find that your seven days will be very basic.

I remember seeing some RN students when I worked LTC. They spent very little time in LTC and it showed by the time they hit active treatment. The hands on experience was weak.