Anyone from U of Alberta or U of Manitoba

epg_pei · Oct 4, 2003

yep, thas a bump

globalRN · Oct 5, 2003

I have heard 'not so good things' about Uof A SON.

From current students and from a friend who interviewed for a faculty position.

epg_pei · Oct 5, 2003

That's exactly the kind of info I'm looking for...we have the same problems here with clinical placements, I'm in a pretty crappy one right now...it might be pretty common considering the increased class sizes of late

adrienurse, LPN · Oct 6, 2003

I went to the university of Manitoba. Faculty is a little inbred, Strengths are new building, faculty specializing in gerontology and palliative care, really good dean. Waiting list for faculty of nursing is apparently really long and it's rumered to require a 3.0 GPA to get in. Clinical placements are okay, they are intentionally keeping capacity of nursing program smallish so as not to oversaturate places. Winnipeg is also a much cheaper place to live than Edmonton.

epg_pei · Oct 7, 2003

I'm not quite sure what you mean by inbred, pm if you want about that. I just got an email today from the faculty office regarding transfer. I would have to apply first and be accepted BEFORE I would know how many nursing credits I might loose from my current program. Not too happy about that. :confused: It's a major disincentive. My GPA is ok so far though, so it might be worthwhile to apply and find out exactly what I would be faced with.

Keeping admissions low is the smart move and benefits the student and the profession in the end. It doesn't generate too much revenue for the school however.

adrienurse, LPN · Oct 8, 2003

I've known some situations where people have transferred to the U of M (programs other than nursing) and been very frustrated with the amount of courses they were asked to retake and previous credits that weren't honored. These were in programs other than nursing mind-you, and was a few years ago. I also went to school with some former students of a bible college who had no program whatsoever having their previous credits honored -- so I guess it all depends on where you're coming from. Just make sure you do your homework without making any final decisions.

By inbred, I mean that the teaching staff seems a little bit like an old girl's club and it's all very much about who you know. For example I was entertaining the idea the last few years of entering into the masters program there and was told in no uncertain terms that I didn't have a chance unless I could provide references from at least 3 members of the nursing faculty.

epg_pei · Oct 8, 2003

That faculty situation sounds familiar now that you mention it :stone

I will go ahead and do an application, it's not too much. I have looked at the course calendar and the courses do look very similar. I think it is woorthwhile to at lease do that and see what the outcome will be.

globalRN · Oct 9, 2003

adrienurse's experience is probably the same in a lot of nursing schools. When a bunch of nurses get together....can get very cliquey. I think a lot of the Canadian schools of nursing are not very current... in their faculty having clinical expertise. Also true for Hong Kong SONs.

What I liked about the US university SONs is the emphasis on clinical excellence in conjunction with teaching.

My American NP professors all had part-time clinical practices which kept them up to date.

BNS_Rob · Nov 3, 2003

I am a nursing student at the U of M and I didn't have to wait in any list to get in. The minimum req is a 2.0 GPA, but since it is competative, if you have a GPA over 3.0, you're pretty much guarenteed to get in.

hmccartn · Nov 16, 2003

I am currently studying at U of M. I had a previous degree and most of my classes transferred with no problem. There are definite assets to the program..I have enjoyed the vast majority of my professors so far. they are helpful and knowledgeable..many of them teach because they enjoy it,as they could make better money working in the field. Winnipeg is definitely a relatively affordable yet cold as hell place to live. Some frustrations i have had is with the "student advisors", eventhough i double checked approval for things there were often glitches when i went to register..so you really have to keep up with the requirements you have met and what you need. regarding the increasing competition to get in. a friend of mine with a 3.2 GPA applied for the accelerated program (where if you have a degree you can complete the program in 2 yrs of full time study) and did not get in...there are more and more people applying. it sounds like you might be in a nursing faculty now so that should act as a bonus.. hope the info helps.

epg_pei · Nov 16, 2003

But I still can't justify an extra year. Thanks anyway!