Too much fluff in nursing programs?

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Do you feel their was too much "fluff" in your nursing program. I think relational practice courses are extremely useful.... but I think maybe 1-2 of these courses are enough. I feel their should be more focus on pharm/patho in nursing, as I feel this would be more useful. How do others feel? Maybe it is different in certain programs?

I completely agree with what you've said, but I don't think it's fair to point the finger directly at the nursing programs within the country. As a recent graduate myself, I've sat through countless hours of FLUFF 101, 201, 301 etc. and through reflecting on these experiences, it seems that nursing schools aren't so much preparing us for "real world nursing", they're preparing us to write the CRNE. Anything in between that (if you're lucky) is certainly a bonus. The CRNE has a major focus on the "psychosocial aspect" of nursing, with very little focus on pathophysiology and clinical competence. I'm hoping that shift from the current exam to the NCLEX will impact how nursing schools prepare their graduates to become well-rounded practitioners.

^ this is what worries me!! I am currently in a nursing program filled with fluff and will be the first graduating class to write the NCLEX. I fear that my class is not being adequately prepared for what our exams will cover in the end.

I felt that my nursing program adequately prepared me to pass the CRNE. With that said, I wish we covered more patho and pharm. The fluff will start to make sense later as you progress through your career... And as you go into clinical, you will notice the gap between "real-world" and "textbook" nursing.

I'm sure that the nursing schools will be informed on the types of questions and content of the new exam, and modify the curriculum accordingly. There will be prep guides out there to help you prepare for the new exam.... Takes things a little bit at a time or else you'll stress yourself out...

Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

donk, you're still going to be writing the CRNE. The content of the exam will always be determined by Canadian colleges of nursing, the same people who set the standards upon which universities base their curricula. What will change is how the exam is administered. That's all. Canadian nurses will NOT be writing the US version of the NCLEX.

Thank god!! Our instructors have been scaring us with what may be a lot of misinformation.

Specializes in Family Practice & Obstetrics.
donk you're still going to be writing the CRNE. The content of the exam will always be determined by Canadian colleges of nursing, the same people who set the standards upon which universities base their curricula. What will change is how the exam is administered. That's all. Canadian nurses will NOT be writing the US version of the NCLEX.[/quote']

You may want to take a look on the CNOs website regarding the implementation of the NCLEX there's a 13 page PDF explaining the in and outs of the exam and unfortunately it states on the first page that Canadian and US nursing graduates will be writing the SAME exam come January 2015

Specializes in AC, LTC, Community, Northern Nursing.

Will there be a separate NCLEX-RN for Canadians?

The same NCLEX-RN exam will be used for Canadian and U.S. entry to nursing practice in 2015.

On the CNO website

For those that have posted previously, did you end up writing the NCLEX? If so, how did you do? I am attending an accelerated BSN program in Canada but also applied to the US as I am a dual citizen and completed my prereqs in the states. I too am worried about an excess of "fluff" in my program based on Course titles and descriptions. In the US, nursing programs seem very focused on the nclex and courses are inline with the exam modules eg. med-Surg, Maternal-Newborn, Pharm, Patho, etc. I know many new grads in the US who went straight into the ICU or new grad hospital orientation programs. Is this possible in Canada? Are we prepared (in theory, I know there may not be positions available) to work in the ICU as new grads?

Absolutely there is padding in these programs. There is so much to learn and so little time to do it in. They need to cut the fat from nursing programs and add more courses in health assessment, pharmacology, and clinical skills. You can never get enough practice and I remember sitting through hours of lectures that were worthless.

For those that have posted previously, did you end up writing the NCLEX? If so, how did you do? I am attending an accelerated BSN program in Canada but also applied to the US as I am a dual citizen and completed my prereqs in the states. I too am worried about an excess of "fluff" in my program based on Course titles and descriptions. In the US, nursing programs seem very focused on the nclex and courses are inline with the exam modules eg. med-Surg, Maternal-Newborn, Pharm, Patho, etc. I know many new grads in the US who went straight into the ICU or new grad hospital orientation programs. Is this possible in Canada? Are we prepared (in theory, I know there may not be positions available) to work in the ICU as new grads?

ICU is not a place for new grads to work in Canada. Very difficult to get into. High acuity (like IMCU in the states) is possible but not ICU and if you want to work in any other specialty you have to take their own specialty courses prior. Work ICU in the states and you can have a much easier time getting into ICU in Canada

That's very interesting. So it's your perspective that new grads are not equipped to work ICU? That is very telling and I think points to our programs being a little bit behind the USA, unfortunately.

That's very interesting. So it's your perspective that new grads are not equipped to work ICU? That is very telling and I think points to our programs being a little bit behind the USA, unfortunately.

It's not my opinion. It's how the system works. I also graduated from the states and moved here so... Specialty units in Canada do prefer people with prior specialty experience and I have seen people who use their previous specialty unit experience from the states of South Korea to get into Canadian ICU units after obtaining their license and then take the required education or training while working. For new grads in Canada the standard is getting the appropriate experience first in acute care setting and getting sponsored into the unit that will help you get the required training and education for the ICU specialty. (or just taking the critical care classes if you are in the East) It takes much longer than going straight into the ICU like the states.

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