Gap between consolidation and graduation

[Fyts]

Hello all,

I'm currently a 4th year nursing student in Canada, Ontario. Nursing is my second degree, and I'm in the accelerated/ compressed program. I was suppose to graduate this December 2016, but due to stress/ depression/ anxiety, I have dropped a course in the fall 2016 term and will be completing it coming winter 2017 term. In short, I have completed and passed my consolidation recently in the fall 2016 term, and hence, in the coming winter 2017 term, I only have one online compulsory nursing course (with no clinical courses). The coming winter 2017 term is due to end at the end of April, meaning I will be graduating at end of April and will be writing my NCLEX on the earliest date possible (assuming and preferably by end of May, at latest).

So my questions are: Has anyone ever been in my situation before, wherein one has completed consolidation a term earlier before graduation? How should I make good use of my time during the winter 2017 term? I am worried about that approximately 6 months gap (or more, depending on NCLEX and job offers) between consolidation and NCLEX (particularly in the point of view of employers), where I have not been in a clinical setting (as we all know, unlike my situation, nursing students traditionally graduate on the term in which they had completed their consolidation). My ideal plan for the winter 2017 term, in addition to that single online course, is to start preparing and studying for my NCLEX (so I will be ready to write on the earliest possible date available post-grad), start applying for RN jobs, and hopefully land a PSW (personal support worker - the Canadian equivalent of CNA I believe). I have just began the process of applying for PSW jobs.

All advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance :)

[AliNajaCat]

Not sure what "consolidation" is. Could you clarify? It might be something we have an exact parallel for in US education but we just don't know the term. Or perhaps some Canadians will come along to help answer you.

[SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP]

I, too, am not sure what you mean by "consolidation". I think the terminology might be different in Canadian education vs. the US. Regardless, I would use this time to take an NCLEX review course, like Kaplan, to stay fresh on your nursing knowledge. Don't count on being able to register for NCLEX immediately after graduating. I filled in all my paperwork for the state to be eligible to sit for NCLEX, but was not allowed to register until the board of nursing sent their approval list to Pearson Vue. It took nearly 2 months from graduation before I could sit for the exam. I'm not sure how long it would take for the Canadian BON (or does your province have it's own BON?) to update Pearson on your eligibility. Try to get all your paperwork done upfront to decrease delays.

I highly recommend doing the Kaplan review. Learning the decision tree really helped me pass NCLEX. I finished in 77 quesions :)

[Fyts]

Hello! Thanks for the response :) Consolidation refers to your final placement (1 preceptor to 1 nursing student) during your final semester of nursing school. This is why I was saying that I am concerned about the gap (of not being in a clinical setting) this winter term (aka my final term before I graduate) since I have already completed and passed my consolidation just this fall term.

[AliNajaCat]

Well, that's life. You can still learn, think about what you could be doing, and be glad you have this opportunity to be a learner in a protected student role. In ten years -or two- it won't matter a bit.