Accelerated BSN or 4 year BSN thru Mac

MacNurse · Jun 16, 2005

Not really, well...not without losing your sanity! :chuckle

I will warn you though....getting into the summer program is a bit of a lotto...First priority is ppl that will be able to be completely done the following semester (ie. all electives done)...2nd is ppl that had to take a semester off for personal/health reasons 3rd is ppl that bombed a year....

And I know what you mean about how finishing a semester makes a big difference...you write your RNs in Jan and you're flying!

any other questions??

Jewels1975 · Jun 22, 2005

I am a MoMac Student, just finished level one.

My opinion, don't try to study now. You will be frantic enough come September. Take the time to keep up with A&P, it is the toughest course in year one.

I was a mature student with no knowledge of science, so I can relate. I was very nervous about soaking up information, passing... etc. Ask for help from your peers, make study groups, and post questions on learnlink if you need help, the Dr's who lecture are always checking & answering questions. I tell you the questions on A&P exams are your weaknesses personified, so try to understand those concepts.

Good Luck!

TRousse · Jun 22, 2005

Thanks Jewels,

How did you find Biochemistry? I have no chemistry background do I'm a bit concerned. :uhoh21:

I won't have to take Psychology or any electives. I will have to work about 20 hours a week though. Do you think it will be doable?

Jewels1975 · Jun 22, 2005

Thanks Jewels,
How did you find Biochemistry? I have no chemistry background do I'm a bit concerned. :uhoh21:
I won't have to take Psychology or any electives. I will have to work about 20 hours a week though. Do you think it will be doable?

Hi Again,

I also did not have to do Psych or electives this past year. Although I have to do the rest of my electives, I got off easy for year one! I did take Abnormal psych in term 2 and it was pretty easy. I have 3 boys at home, so I couldn't even imagine working too. It would be too much for me. However some classmates without kids worked part time and they managed ok. I guess if you plan to do that then make sure you study weekly, don't cram! You just cannot cram A&P. It is a super time consuming class. Biochem was hard for me to grasp, but it was strictly memorisation, and once classmates and the tutor helped me "get it" I was fine. The info you learn in Biochem is only a fraction of what they expect you to know in A&P. There is going to be a new Dr. in charge of biochem this year so I don't know what you can expect from testing.... but last year they gave out old tests and practice with them.

The University also offers student tutors (free) in the Learning Resource Center. I am sure it is the same at CoMac.

MacNurse · Jun 22, 2005

Yeah...don't worry about A & P until the fall....

My biggest tip for A & P in the fall.

Study the lecture notes by making cue cards out of the power point presentations. I took out the labels on the computer, slapped the picture on the cue card and wrote the answer on the back. Helped big time when the exact same pic was the test and exams!

Now unless, they've changed the format of the test, that should be of some help!

Jewels1975 · Jun 24, 2005

Yeah...don't worry about A & P until the fall....
My biggest tip for A & P in the fall.
Study the lecture notes by making cue cards out of the power point presentations. I took out the labels on the computer, slapped the picture on the cue card and wrote the answer on the back. Helped big time when the exact same pic was the test and exams!
Now unless, they've changed the format of the test, that should be of some help!

MacNurse, what level are you in?

The A&P study idea is the exact same as what I did. Only I went a step further... I cut and paste the slides with words & little notes on one side, and without words on the other side.

Lys · Jul 3, 2005

First: contrats on getting in!

I just finished the Con-Mac program...I will say, it rocked.

I had some previous university as well (along with about 70% of my classmates), so we were exempt from electives (except for that pesky Psych class in first year), just make sure that you sort this out with the course co-ordinator either before you start, or shortly after. (An added bonus: you will receive tuition reimbursement for the courses, yay!)

The course is a lot of work, I will say that. If you have a good work ethic and organisational skills (getting 75% in your previous degrees, I"ll bet that you do). The science courses were a bit tough, just based on sheer volume of work, but all the profs and TA's that we had were GREAT at offering help, online, in person, etc.

I do agree with you though...I think that Mac needs to get with the "now" and offer some sort of condensed program (even three years would be ok) for people who already have degrees, etc. The only good thing though...is that you get your summers off. This is good for a few reasons, you WILL need the recharge time after 8 months of heavy thinking...I went through part of two summers and I thought my brain would explode. Also...tuition is *ahem* expensive...and Conestoga expects you to pay the bulk of it in JULY...so summer is a great time to make some cash.

On the work issue...I think 20 hours is totally doable. Myself, I generally worked closer to 30, but didn't sleep (d'oh).

Much luck!!

TRousse · Jul 5, 2005

Lys, Congrats to you too for graduating from the program! : :balloons: What did you enjoy about the program? How did you find the clinicals? I am also curious about your job opportunities. Did you find that you able to find work even before you graduated? Are you planning to stay in Kitchener to work? have you decided on a specialty area? Do I ask too many questions? :chuckle

First: contrats on getting in!
I just finished the Con-Mac program...I will say, it rocked.
I had some previous university as well (along with about 70% of my classmates), so we were exempt from electives (except for that pesky Psych class in first year), just make sure that you sort this out with the course co-ordinator either before you start, or shortly after. (An added bonus: you will receive tuition reimbursement for the courses, yay!)
The course is a lot of work, I will say that. If you have a good work ethic and organisational skills (getting 75% in your previous degrees, I"ll bet that you do). The science courses were a bit tough, just based on sheer volume of work, but all the profs and TA's that we had were GREAT at offering help, online, in person, etc.
I do agree with you though...I think that Mac needs to get with the "now" and offer some sort of condensed program (even three years would be ok) for people who already have degrees, etc. The only good thing though...is that you get your summers off. This is good for a few reasons, you WILL need the recharge time after 8 months of heavy thinking...I went through part of two summers and I thought my brain would explode. Also...tuition is *ahem* expensive...and Conestoga expects you to pay the bulk of it in JULY...so summer is a great time to make some cash.
On the work issue...I think 20 hours is totally doable. Myself, I generally worked closer to 30, but didn't sleep (d'oh).
Much luck!!

Lys · Jul 5, 2005

Hey again!

Job opportunities are pretty good actually...I found a job already but not in Kitchener, I'm actually moving to Vancouver (really good opportunity, new grad training program that's 8 weeks before starting to work surgical, yay). Mostly everyone in my class of 40 has found work (the vast majority is full time), some in the US, but many around KW/Guelph/Cambridge. Some people got the specialty areas that they wanted (cardiac, obs, peds, neuro, etc)...so there's no need to worry, KW has quite a few jobs! Are you hoping to stay in the area when you're finished?

I loved the program...first year though, I thought I was going to kill someone. We do this "Self-Directed" learning thing, and have classes called "PBL" (problem based learning) which is case-based (hence the name) and done in a small group 8-12. It took a lot of frustration to understand the POINT of group learning, and not actually being "taught" the material...but after I got it, I loved it. Totally great for your thinking skills, people skills, etc.

Clinicals were good too, though we didn't start doing clinical work (with real clients) in first year, I've heard mention that some faculty are wanting to lobby to have this changed, but as far as I know the first year is learning totally in the lab setting (and the lab folks and materials are great!!) I did a LOT of time at Guelph General, and at St. Mary's. 2nd and 3rd year clinicals are group based, with one tutor (read: teacher, co-ordinator in Mac-speak) and about 6-8 students all on the same unit. You do the typical Med, Surg, Obstetrics, Peds, Mental Health rotations. 4th year though, very interesting. You can pretty much get any placement you want, my class had people go everywhere (public health, cardiac surgery, day surgery, palliative, etc)- and this is done you solo with a preceptor nurse, working with a tutor who you talk a lot to, but isn't with you every day.

Did I answer all of your questions? *lol* Oh wait, the speciality one...I personally haven't. One thing I've learned from A LOT of my teachers, is that some nurses don't just pick one area and stay forever (well maybe some do, but maybe they just don't become teachers? I dunno) Anyway...I have no idea what calls to me, actually a LOT of things do...so I'm just going to see where this surgical thing takes me, maybe go back for a critical care course, maybe a MSN, maybe not...another thing I've learned is that there are an infinite number of paths in nursing, it's fantastic!

Anyway...much much luck, hope you're enjoying your summer...and if you have any more q's...just yell!!

Lys

TRousse · Jul 5, 2005

Lys, Congrats on your new job in Vancouver! I have been thinking seriously of going to Vancouver or Victoria when I'm done because I love the west coast so much. I lived there for a few years. I can't see staying in the KW area forever. The air quality is terrible around here (I'm from Northern Ontario) and it just does not compare to BC or the Northas far as natural beauty.

Yes, one of the main reasons I chose to go into nursing is because of the many options and I LOVE that! I can totally see myself trying different areas. I don't know alot about jobs for new grads but from what I have seen in ads and such is that Vancouver seems to offer great training. Have you spent any time in Vancouver? You'll enjoy living there I'm sure. Thanks for answering my questions :)

Hey again!
Job opportunities are pretty good actually...I found a job already but not in Kitchener, I'm actually moving to Vancouver (really good opportunity, new grad training program that's 8 weeks before starting to work surgical, yay). Mostly everyone in my class of 40 has found work (the vast majority is full time), some in the US, but many around KW/Guelph/Cambridge. Some people got the specialty areas that they wanted (cardiac, obs, peds, neuro, etc)...so there's no need to worry, KW has quite a few jobs! Are you hoping to stay in the area when you're finished?
I loved the program...first year though, I thought I was going to kill someone. We do this "Self-Directed" learning thing, and have classes called "PBL" (problem based learning) which is case-based (hence the name) and done in a small group 8-12. It took a lot of frustration to understand the POINT of group learning, and not actually being "taught" the material...but after I got it, I loved it. Totally great for your thinking skills, people skills, etc.
Clinicals were good too, though we didn't start doing clinical work (with real clients) in first year, I've heard mention that some faculty are wanting to lobby to have this changed, but as far as I know the first year is learning totally in the lab setting (and the lab folks and materials are great!!) I did a LOT of time at Guelph General, and at St. Mary's. 2nd and 3rd year clinicals are group based, with one tutor (read: teacher, co-ordinator in Mac-speak) and about 6-8 students all on the same unit. You do the typical Med, Surg, Obstetrics, Peds, Mental Health rotations. 4th year though, very interesting. You can pretty much get any placement you want, my class had people go everywhere (public health, cardiac surgery, day surgery, palliative, etc)- and this is done you solo with a preceptor nurse, working with a tutor who you talk a lot to, but isn't with you every day.
Did I answer all of your questions? *lol* Oh wait, the speciality one...I personally haven't. One thing I've learned from A LOT of my teachers, is that some nurses don't just pick one area and stay forever (well maybe some do, but maybe they just don't become teachers? I dunno) Anyway...I have no idea what calls to me, actually a LOT of things do...so I'm just going to see where this surgical thing takes me, maybe go back for a critical care course, maybe a MSN, maybe not...another thing I've learned is that there are an infinite number of paths in nursing, it's fantastic!
Anyway...much much luck, hope you're enjoying your summer...and if you have any more q's...just yell!!
Lys

MacNurse · Jul 8, 2005

In terms of employment, you should be fine for 1st year.

I know a lot of people working during school because they have too. However, certainly by 3rd year, it's a lot tougher (this past year nearly wiped out my group :rolleyes: ). They don't recommend working in 4th year, because clinical takes priority.

Fiona59 · Jul 8, 2005

You might want to rethink Victoria. The health authority on VI is giving hiring priority to new grads from Island nursing schools. Its causing a major headache with the casual RN's and RN's wanting to pick up extra shifts. They don't give the same treatment to new grads from the mainland and its causing problems.