Student questioning canadian nursing schools- please give me your opinion

#1rnstudent · May 26, 2004

Hi Guys
Im a new student going in the fall. My question is whether or not anyone knows if im better off going to a university for my Nursing degree or ive been accepted to a college who offers the degree through their college and collaboratively with a distance education school (Athabasca). I really want to get the best Nursing education I can but like the college as a school - location, and better yet - ive already been accepted.
What do you guys think?!?
Amanda :uhoh21:

Hi Amanda. If you can live at home and go to college for 2 yrs then university for the last 2, go with the collaborative program because living at home will save you a bundle of money and you will get the best of two worlds: college life AND univ life. Being in a collaborative program will allow you to get to know the other students in a smaller environment. Because the college is affiliated with the univ for the nursing program, you are still going to university although you will physically be in a college. You should still get the clinical time at the hospital or clinic or wherever. Oh, and you don't have to buy all your textbooks at the bookstore. Shop around cuz some schools charge too much at the bookstore.

FutureNurse2005 · May 27, 2004

i'll be doing a 4 year collaborative program. 2 years at a college location, 2 years at university location, graduate with a degree from that university.

what school is collaborating with Athabasca??

Mandy:) · May 27, 2004

i'll be doing a 4 year collaborative program. 2 years at a college location, 2 years at university location, graduate with a degree from that university.
what school is collaborating with Athabasca??

Thanks guys for your thoughts

Well i didnt get accepted to U of Calgary but i did get accepted to mount royal college which is also in calgary alberta canada. What im scared of is that although i heard its a great school, im scared the education wont be as good of that of a university. Theory classes are provided at the college as well as the option to do some online through athabasca. I think i m going to call the school today and let them know my concerns.

Amanda :uhoh21:

Mandy:) · May 27, 2004

Hi Amanda. If you can live at home and go to college for 2 yrs then university for the last 2, go with the collaborative program because living at home will save you a bundle of money and you will get the best of two worlds: college life AND univ life. Being in a collaborative program will allow you to get to know the other students in a smaller environment. Because the college is affiliated with the univ for the nursing program, you are still going to university although you will physically be in a college. You should still get the clinical time at the hospital or clinic or wherever. Oh, and you don't have to buy all your textbooks at the bookstore. Shop around cuz some schools charge too much at the bookstore.

Thanks for your thoughts!!! Unfortunatly i am not in a position where i can stay at home so im just hoping student loans pan out - and htat i can save lots of money this summer (ill be getting a second job) Also i will be moving from saskatchewan canada to alberta canada (BUT IM excited about the move as i really dont like saskatchewan a whole lot) but to let you know a little about the situation - Ive been accepted to Mount Royal college although i dont know too much about their program (im going to call them today) - i know you obtain a degree or your bachelor of nursing) - but is that the same as your bachelor of science in nursing. Also after i want to take pediatrics - so i guess its best for me to call. What im most concerned about is obtaining a degree from Mount Royal college AND Athabasca University. I just want to make sure that after i study for 4 years - that employers wont look at my resume and education as "second best".... :uhoh21:

fergus51 · May 27, 2004

Mount Royal has an excellent reputation among nurses. I knew several nurses in BC who took their specialty training through Mount Royal and none of them had any complaints. Apparently the courses are very intense and the instructors are great.

Mandy:) · May 27, 2004

Do you mean Mount ROyal in Alberta or BC though - Im referring to the one in Alberta. I hope thats the one you spoke of as well.

:-) Thanks for the reply!

Amanda

fergus51 · May 27, 2004

No, I mean in Alberta. They offer several specialty nurse programs for nurses (forensics, maternal-child, intensive care, etc) and several colleagues chose to take them through Mount Royal in AB, rather than BCIT in BC.

Mandy:) · May 27, 2004

Thanks so much for that information!!!! I am really stressed with where to look for the credability of the school and hearing that is great!!!

Amanda

#1rnstudent · May 28, 2004

Going into a collaborative program does not mean second best in any way. In fact, it can be harder, especially if the college does not offer every course during each semester. That would mean if a student flunked a course and wanted to retake it, then they would have to wait the entire year, whereas many universities can afford to offer more courses, more often, during the year. Besides, when you graduate it should be a degree from the university. People will only know that you spent some time taking university courses inside a college building if you tell them you did a collaborative degree. Collaborative programs are great and students should be proud to be a part of them! Now, if only the government up here would quit messing with the healthcare system... :uhoh3:

Good luck with wherever you go. And don't forget to invest in a good stethoscope. It is important to learn the sounds the right way first, especially if you are like me and have a hard time unlearning the wrong stuff.

Thanks for your thoughts!!! Unfortunatly i am not in a position where i can stay at home so im just hoping student loans pan out - and htat i can save lots of money this summer (ill be getting a second job) Also i will be moving from saskatchewan canada to alberta canada (BUT IM excited about the move as i really dont like saskatchewan a whole lot) but to let you know a little about the situation - Ive been accepted to Mount Royal college although i dont know too much about their program (im going to call them today) - i know you obtain a degree or your bachelor of nursing) - but is that the same as your bachelor of science in nursing. Also after i want to take pediatrics - so i guess its best for me to call. What im most concerned about is obtaining a degree from Mount Royal college AND Athabasca University. I just want to make sure that after i study for 4 years - that employers wont look at my resume and education as "second best".... :uhoh21:

Mandy:) · May 28, 2004

Going into a collaborative program does not mean second best in any way. In fact, it can be harder, especially if the college does not offer every course during each semester. That would mean if a student flunked a course and wanted to retake it, then they would have to wait the entire year, whereas many universities can afford to offer more courses, more often, during the year. Besides, when you graduate it should be a degree from the university. People will only know that you spent some time taking university courses inside a college building if you tell them you did a collaborative degree. Collaborative programs are great and students should be proud to be a part of them! Now, if only the government up here would quit messing with the healthcare system...
Good luck with wherever you go. And don't forget to invest in a good stethoscope. It is important to learn the sounds the right way first, especially if you are like me and have a hard time unlearning the wrong stuff.

Thanks for your thoughts - i guess a degree is a degree - but i was just scared that since the degree was from athabasca it wouldnt be looked on as highly as a degree from say a University. Athabasca is an online school so i just was iffy on that. But i would still be doing theory courses AND some nursing courses at the college. I may just be scared but i did want some advice since i will be putting 4 or 5 years of study into this feild you know!!? THanks again for your reply!!!

fergus51 · May 28, 2004

With the nursing shortage, no one is even going to care where you studied. Do you have a pulse and a license? That's about all that matters when you start looking for work:)