BC Nursing School rankings

noworries · Mar 9, 2006

Hi everyone. This May I'll finally be graduating from UBC with a BSc in Pharmacology and have recently been looking into nursing schools. It's a profession with great prospects and flexibility.
I've missed the UBC Option 2 deadline, but also feel that it's for the best. What schools do you think are up to par in BC? At the moment I'm leaning towards BCIT because of the strong emphasis on clinicals. Can anyone give me their opinion on the schools in BC? (BCIT, Langara, Douglas, UBC)

Wow a fellow UBC BSc'er!

Just out of curiousity why not med school? You just being in the pharmacology program means you must have a very strong GPA.

By the way, I'm in year 2 of Cell Bio and Genetics.. trying to transfer

out to either Nursing or Pharmacy at UBC...

As for training... a friend of mine told me that BCIT really prepares

students well for what he calls 'real world nursing', then Langara...

then the rest of the colleges and UBC at the rock bottom :uhoh3: .

I'd think though, that if you ever plan on moving out of Vancouver (or BC),

a nursing degree from UBC would be better, just because it has a greater

reputation nationally... but since you already have a degree from UBC

I guess it really wouldn't matter much.

pugmum · Mar 9, 2006

Wow a fellow UBC BSc'er!
Just out of curiousity why not med school? You just being in the pharmacology program means you must have a very strong GPA.
By the way, I'm in year 2 of Cell Bio and Genetics.. trying to transfer
out to either Nursing or Pharmacy at UBC...
As for training... a friend of mine told me that BCIT really prepares
students well for what he calls 'real world nursing', then Langara...
then the rest of the colleges and UBC at the rock bottom .
I'd think though, that if you ever plan on moving out of Vancouver (or BC),
a nursing degree from UBC would be better, just because it has a greater
reputation nationally... but since you already have a degree from UBC
I guess it really wouldn't matter much.
By the way, whats your name?
Do you know [name removed]? (dont' know if I spelled his name right)
He's graduating this year as well I believe

I would strongly disagree with your friend that "the rest of the colleges and UBC at the rock bottom"...UCFV, TWU and UVic also have good programs, as well as Langara.

Just out of curiousity why not med school? You just being in the pharmacology program means you must have a very strong GPA.

Just a gentle reminder, but your statements could be seen as disrespectful to nurses when you imply that if your GPA is high you should go to med school. Is it your contention that nurses are less intelligent than physicians? If so, this could be interpreted as insulting to the nursing profession and perpetuates the myth that nurses are not as 'good' as physicians.

A further gentle reminder, the person you mentioned may not appreciate his name floating through cyberspace...perhaps a PM is more appropriate to maintain anonymity.

Jay-Jay, RN · Mar 9, 2006

I totally agree, S and T. Have edited the name out of the post. :)

noworries · Mar 9, 2006

Sorry if I offended anyone,

I did not mean to say that nurses are in any way less intelligent,

it's just always assumed that the people in the pharmacology

department are just gunners for medicine.. because only

15-20 people are allowed into the program and most of them

eventually do end up going into medicine..

Agian, I apologize if I have insulted anyone,

I should really watch what I say next time:mad:

pivotpivot · Mar 9, 2006

it's just always assumed that the people in the pharmacology
department are just gunners for medicine..

This is true.. about half do go into medicine, but the other half also look into graduate school or law school (drug patents).

I was wondering S and T if you also had the same opinion of BCIT?

I know the program is 3.5 years which does seem like a long time after 5 years of undergrad, but on the other hand I would think that the 3.5 years would be that much more valuable.

I'm also looking into some direct entry MSN programs in the states (FNP). However, this is such a dilemma for me. I can't seem to decipher my own intentions of going into a nursing grad program so early on. Would it be wiser to gain more experience as an RN and then consider a FNP program, rather than diving into the profession so quickly?

noworries · Mar 9, 2006

This is true.. about half do go into medicine, but the other half also look into graduate school or law school (drug patents).
I was wondering S and T if you also had the same opinion of BCIT?
I know the program is 3.5 years which does seem like a long time after 5 years of undergrad, but on the other hand I would think that the 3.5 years would be that much more valuable.
I'm also looking into some direct entry MSN programs in the states (FNP). However, this is such a dilemma for me. I can't seem to decipher my own intentions of going into a nursing grad program so early on. Would it be wiser to gain more experience as an RN and then consider a FNP program, rather than diving into the profession so quickly?

Hm... I just looked up the school in Seattle that offers the entry MSN program (the one that does not require a BSN or RN certification of any kind.. just a regular bachelors).

I'm wondering if those nurses wil be allowed to work in Canada (vancouver specifically) as a licenced RN after passing the licencing exam in BC?

I'm wondering becuase I know that american healthcare workers are really differnet from the Canadians... example being the PA. So.... does anyone know if this MSN degree will enable us to work here in Canada?

pugmum · Mar 10, 2006

Sorry if I offended anyone,
I did not mean to say that nurses are in any way less intelligent,
it's just always assumed that the people in the pharmacology
department are just gunners for medicine.. because only
15-20 people are allowed into the program and most of them
eventually do end up going into medicine..
Agian, I apologize if I have insulted anyone,
I should really watch what I say next time:mad:

No worries!! :lol2:

pugmum · Mar 10, 2006

This is true.. about half do go into medicine, but the other half also look into graduate school or law school (drug patents).
I was wondering S and T if you also had the same opinion of BCIT?
I know the program is 3.5 years which does seem like a long time after 5 years of undergrad, but on the other hand I would think that the 3.5 years would be that much more valuable.
I'm also looking into some direct entry MSN programs in the states (FNP). However, this is such a dilemma for me. I can't seem to decipher my own intentions of going into a nursing grad program so early on. Would it be wiser to gain more experience as an RN and then consider a FNP program, rather than diving into the profession so quickly?

BCIT has a very good reputation now and has had for several years, although that was not always the case. The program itself seems to be very similar to degree programs at the other universities. My experience with many new graduates is that some do well as new nurses, and others still need a mentor to give them the confidence they need as new grads. I have found both situations with all of the grads from all schools. The ones who tend to have the least problem are those who do a final preceptorship in an area, and then begin work there.

My personal opinion, and this is mine only, is that to me MN or MSN degrees are for advanced practice nurses, and you become an advanced practice nurse by furthuring your studies in an area in which you have some degree of expertise. There are other who would argue that it doesn't really matter, that you gain expertise while you receive your education.

My experience in BC has been that when they look for advanced practice nurses or clinical nurse specialists, they not only look for the education, they also look for the experience behind it. If there are multiple applicants for a position with the same degree, they will generally tend to go for the nurse with the experience in the area (unless that person is a total dud). There are positions in the lower mainland right now that are vacant for CNS and advanced practice nurses, and no, they don't hire any RN that breathing!

pugmum · Mar 10, 2006

Hm... I just looked up the school in Seattle that offers the entry MSN program (the one that does not require a BSN or RN certification of any kind.. just a regular bachelors).
I'm wondering if those nurses wil be allowed to work in Canada (vancouver specifically) as a licenced RN after passing the licencing exam in BC?
I'm wondering becuase I know that american healthcare workers are really differnet from the Canadians... example being the PA. So.... does anyone know if this MSN degree will enable us to work here in Canada?

You can work in Canada as long as you become registered in the province in which you wish to practice. Out of country credentials are evaluated, if lacking in some way, there may be a requirement of additional education or clinical hours. NPs require registration by the College of Registered Nurses of BC as well. In order to become registered, you still need to write the Canadian RN exams before the CRNBC will grant you full registration. A license in the US does not automatically result in registration in BC.

Fiona59 · Mar 11, 2006

I work with several NP's and I can honestly say that the rest of the staff and the patients we see prefer the NP's with experience behind them.

The newer NP's without several years of RN experience behind them are hesitant in their prescribing and very slow in their examinations (one managed to see two patients over three hours! :angryfire ). They seem to be lacking confidence when it comes to patient interaction, and if they can pass on a patient to a clinic nurse (you can do the dressing change, immunization, etc.) We have even had patients tell us which NP they don't want to see because the patient doesn't have confidence in the NP due to her slowness or her leaving the exam room to consult with an MD or to ask why a clinic nurse isn't dealing with the patient.

The most competent NP's I've worked with all had at least five years floor nursing experience, community health backgrounds, or had worked in the North.

Don't mean to flame anyone or be totally insensitive, it's just what I experience at work.

noworries · Mar 11, 2006

I work with several NP's and I can honestly say that the rest of the staff and the patients we see prefer the NP's with experience behind them.
The newer NP's without several years of RN experience behind them are hesitant in their prescribing and very slow in their examinations (one managed to see two patients over three hours! :angryfire ). They seem to be lacking confidence when it comes to patient interaction, and if they can pass on a patient to a clinic nurse (you can do the dressing change, immunization, etc.) We have even had patients tell us which NP they don't want to see because the patient doesn't have confidence in the NP due to her slowness or her leaving the exam room to consult with an MD or to ask why a clinic nurse isn't dealing with the patient.
The most competent NP's I've worked with all had at least five years floor nursing experience, community health backgrounds, or had worked in the North.
Don't mean to flame anyone or be totally insensitive, it's just what I experience at work.

Hey Fiona, do you work in the greater vancouver area?

I had no idea NP's were so prevalent in Canada.. also,

what makes nurses that have worked up north more

competent than regular nurses that work in big cities?

By the way thanks for the tip! sounds like good advice