Experiences with bridging from RPN to RN in Ontario

xokw, BSN, RN · Jan 6, 2016

I would love to hear about experiences from anyone who has or has considered bridging from RPN to the BScN in Ontario (I'm in Ottawa). Specifically anyone who started out with only the basic math and sciences to get into RPN. What math and sciences did you need in order to bridge? Did you manage working while obtaining the needed prerequisites? Did you find it very difficult? How long did you work as an RPN before bridging. Did you have a goal to eventually bridge to RN but decided not to and why?
Thanks!

Hmm I am currently bridging in Ontario and didn't need to take any additional sciences or maths in order to get accepted. I only needed to successfully complete the RPN program with competitive grades. That was the prerequisite and is the only prereq I've seen for any school I looked into...

bananorama, LPN · Jan 6, 2016

Ok because this is where I'm a bit confused. In my local college there is a bridging program that you take before entering into the last 3 years of the BSCN and under the admission requirements it states that you must have worked as an rpn for a year, and have your grade 12 university preparation biology and math. Having completed your rpn only exempts you from the chemestry requirements.

xokw, BSN, RN · Jan 7, 2016

Ok because this is where I'm a bit confused. In my local college there is a bridging program that you take before entering into the last 3 years of the BSCN and under the admission requirements it states that you must have worked as an rpn for a year, and have your grade 12 university preparation biology and math. Having completed your rpn only exempts you from the chemestry requirements.

I've never heard of that before. What university is it through?

bananorama, LPN · Jan 7, 2016

The 12 week bridging program is at algonquin college in ottawa and called "Academic pathway for movement from diploma in rpn to BScN." Then you can go on to study at the University of ottawa and complete the last 3 years of the BSCN. Where abouts in ontario are you? Did you have your university level math and sciences before going into rpn?

xokw, BSN, RN · Jan 7, 2016

No I didn't have anything. I'm in southwestern Ontario (Kitchener) and none of the bridging programs around here require anything like that. RPN grades are the prerequisite, nothing else related to other classes.

Trauma Columnist · Jan 7, 2016

Moved to nursing in Canada forum

Fiona59 · Jan 7, 2016

Sounds like it's based on the Athabasca corse, it's how the short lived bridges were set up in Alberta

leahscha · Feb 16, 2016

So basically the RPN-RN bridging program in Ottawa (through Algonquin) takes a total of 5 years FULL TIME.

Break down:

Work as an RPN for 1 whole year. (required)

12 week bridging program. (one whole semester)

2, 3, and 4 year of the BScN.

= 5 years. Am I right about this? Why would anyone do this if they can just do it part time for the same amount of time though Nipissing U?

bananorama, LPN · Feb 16, 2016

Well, in my case I don't have the prerequisites for university (any of them) and I have tried to do them through online schooling and it was overwhelming with work and having 2 children. I'm taking a preparation for health sciences course at algonquin now then going into rpn. I do plan to bridge and yes it will take years but it's going to be much more manageable and as a plus I will already be an experienced nurse and will be able to work as one while in university. Who knows though, I may just want to remain a rpn

RPNtoRN · Mar 8, 2016

I'm in the Nipissing bridging program. Only my PN transcript was considered. It's very competitive to get in, though. The cut off was a 3.8 GPA. Unfortunately a lot of students in the PN program had counted on bridging, but didn't make it. Only about 8 to 10 students are accepted to Nipissing for bridging each year.

I'm in my mid 30s and went straight to bridging without working as an RPN just to get out of school as quickly as possible. However, money is tight being a student, and I'm considering dropping down to part time at Nipissing and finishing my program online if I can find a full time RPN position. Good luck!

leahscha · Mar 8, 2016

Nipissing U offers a distance on-line blended learning program for RPN to RN which is part-time and can be done in as little as 3-5 years, while working at an approved health care agency in the city of your choice. Minimum 3.0 or 70% required based on RPN transcript alone. I'm not too sure that you need any more than a 3.0 to get in since it's online. But I suppose it would't hurt to find out by contacting them. :cool: