BCIT Nursing Sept 2021 Intake

Published

Hello!

Just wanted to start a new topic for the next intake for those applying in Feb 1 2021- March 15 2021 for the Sept 2021 intake at BCIT!

5 hours ago, FutureRN604945 said:

I applied with a 3.8 CGPA with a bachelor of science degree from SFU. I also work as a rehab assistant throughout my undergrad, and started working as a project coordinator for quality improvement with PHSA after graduation. 
 

I don’t think I did well on the Casper test, but still managed to get an acceptance. There is definitely hope if you think you did poorly on that component! 

Congratulations! 

And yess I agree there is still hope! I also wanted to point out that I am waitlisted AL-44 at UBC for the Fall 2021 intake which is pretty far down. I got ranked in the top 25% for my supplemental application and casper test but my grades were ranked in the top 75%. I think BCIT definitely valued the fact that my degree was pretty much complete but it's crazy how differently both places viewed/ranked my applications. 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
1 hour ago, ecrn said:

Hi everyone:)

I also got accepted today, I don't think the time in which the application was submitted played a factor as I submitted in March. The community on here is so nice and supportive, I am wishing you all the best!! My spot might open up as I was also accepted to the UBC program back in April so I have a bit of deliberation to do. Was anyone else accepted to both programs, and if so, what are they deciding on?

I got accepted into UBC as well. Many people have already mentioned the specific advantages of choosing UBC over BCIT but I'd like to also just highlight that many of the true "nursing skills" aren't acquired through education or clinical. You have to learn them on the "job" itself. For this reason (among others mentioned), I would advise people to choose UBC over BCIT. You finish 16 months faster, earn more than a year worth of salary, and get an early start to building your seniority with the nurses union. Plus, if you decide on the NP route, having a degree from a recognized university is always more preferable to a polytechnic institute when applying abroad. IMO, a longer commute is a small price to pay for all the other benefits it offers. At the end of the day though, there is no wrong choice. BCIT is still great if you'd like to gain more experience prior to stepping into a RN career. 

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
7 minutes ago, RNoverMD said:

I got accepted into UBC as well. Many people have already mentioned the specific advantages of choosing UBC over BCIT but I'd like to also just highlight that many of the true "nursing skills" aren't acquired through education or clinical. You have to learn them on the "job" itself. For this reason (among others mentioned), I would advise people to choose UBC over BCIT. You finish 16 months faster, earn more than a year worth of salary, and get an early start to building your seniority with the nurses union. Plus, if you decide on the NP route, having a degree from a recognized university is always more preferable to a polytechnic institute when applying abroad. IMO, a longer commute is a small price to pay for all the other benefits it offers. At the end of the day though, there is no wrong choice. BCIT is still great if you'd like to gain more experience prior to stepping into a RN career. 

But BCIT students get almost double the clinical training? And what about those of us that have a bachelor of science from SFU for instance already? Wouldn't really put down BCIT because its an "institute" since its not a university. Also nursing skills aren't acquired through clinical? Thought that was the point of clinicals 

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
18 minutes ago, anxiousstudentboii said:

But BCIT students get almost double the clinical training? And what about those of us that have a bachelor of science from SFU for instance already? Wouldn't really put down BCIT because its an "institute" since its not a university. Also nursing skills aren't acquired through clinical? Thought that was the point of clinicals 

I think they mean that your skills are really solidified once you start working as an RN and are doing everything yourself so you learn alot more that way. Alot of UBC graduates that I spoke to mentioned they felt confident in their clinical skills upon graduation and didn't have any problems adjusting. I believe you may also get additional support as a new graduate RN on your first job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
5 hours ago, Morenita linda said:

Congrat could you share your GPA and your courses ? 

Of course! I applied with an undergrad degree with a GPA of 3.5. My experience includes working in a LTC as a COVID screener, volunteering with Red Cross and volunteering in a LTC over the past few years. 

I also wrote some additional comments in the section at the bottom of the application regarding other volunteer/work related experiences I found to be relevant. 

Hope that answers it all:) 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
44 minutes ago, anxiousstudentboii said:

But BCIT students get almost double the clinical training? And what about those of us that have a bachelor of science from SFU for instance already? Wouldn't really put down BCIT because its an "institute" since its not a university. Also nursing skills aren't acquired through clinical? Thought that was the point of clinicals 

I've never said that BCIT is not a good nursing school. I'm simply stating that if one of your long-term goals is to apply to NP or other advanced nursing programs, UBC is the better choice. If you look at the states, there are many for-profit and illegitimate nursing programs/institutions (https://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=JnmiisV7k1Q&t=193s. For this reason, nursing institutions abroad do give preference (albeit minor pref) to students who come from a more recognized nursing institution. If you are applying abroad, it is more preferable to have a degree at UBC, though your work experience will matter more at the end of the day. But it's still hard to make a case that BCIT is as recognizable or renowned as UBC if you are applying to institutions abroad (US, European countries, etc.). This same logic applies to BCIT vs UBC Computer Science programs where UBC students are clearly favoured abroad (in the US), but there is no real-world difference when applying to jobs locally (within BC).

As for clinical hours, UBC has already increased their clinical hours to match other institutions. The only advantage you get is the additional clinical experience from the 3rd year preceptorship (which is less than 10% of a new grad RN's full-year salary). Building seniority early on is also very important when you work in a local health authority such as VCH. Higher seniority grants you better working hours, more OT opportunities and preference in unit selection. In the context of VCH, say you work as an ER nurse and you want to transfer to become an ICU nurse, having the most seniority in the internal job application will grant you the job, not your experience or references. These things may seem inconsequential right now but they will matter in the long run when you seek better opportunities within the field of nursing. 

Your experience and learning during clinical sessions are not the same actually partaking in the role of a nurse. Yes, in theory, clinical sessions SHOULD prepare you to be fully equipped as a nurse. But in practice, bad clinical instructors, short clinical rotations in intensive specialties, reduced responsibilities as a student nurse prohibit you from being fully prepared as a nurse. Many nurses I've spoken to are still learning even after more than 3-5 years as full-time nurses. The argument that having an additional year of preceptorship will prepare you to a greater degree than having a year of work experience is difficult to make. 

Again, I think BCIT is a fantastic choice, and everyone will come out as an RN. But I want to lay out my rationale for those who are debating between UBC and BCIT. 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
1 hour ago, RNoverMD said:

I got accepted into UBC as well. Many people have already mentioned the specific advantages of choosing UBC over BCIT but I'd like to also just highlight that many of the true "nursing skills" aren't acquired through education or clinical. You have to learn them on the "job" itself. For this reason (among others mentioned), I would advise people to choose UBC over BCIT. You finish 16 months faster, earn more than a year worth of salary, and get an early start to building your seniority with the nurses union. Plus, if you decide on the NP route, having a degree from a recognized university is always more preferable to a polytechnic institute when applying abroad. IMO, a longer commute is a small price to pay for all the other benefits it offers. At the end of the day though, there is no wrong choice. BCIT is still great if you'd like to gain more experience prior to stepping into a RN career. 

I currently work very closely with a large number of critical care nurses and nurse practitioners across the entire province from various different sites and am extremely lucky to be able to talk to them about my future in schooling and as a RN. I can say that ALL of them have advised me to choose BCIT over UBC. A lot of them have highlighted that students from BCIT are better prepared and are put at the top of the pile when assessing resumes for a full-time line. Also, I would say that BCIT is  highly regarded for their nursing program, even more so than UBC.  

With that being said, I’m still on the fence between UBC and BCIT because regardless of the advice I have been given there is a demand for nurses and I truly believe everyone will get a job in the end. 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
59 minutes ago, FutureRN604945 said:

I currently work very closely with a large number of critical care nurses and nurse practitioners across the entire province from various different sites and am extremely lucky to be able to talk to them about my future in schooling and as a RN. I can say that ALL of them have advised me to choose BCIT over UBC. A lot of them have highlighted that students from BCIT are better prepared and are put at the top of the pile when assessing resumes for a full-time line. Also, I would say that BCIT is  highly regarded for their nursing program, even more so than UBC.  

With that being said, I’m still on the fence between UBC and BCIT because regardless of the advice I have been given there is a demand for nurses and I truly believe everyone will get a job in the end. 

I do not deny that you would probably be better prepared when you go to BCIT over UBC. Having an additional year of preceptorship will certainly help you slowly ease-in into the role of a nurse in the future. But this doesn't take away the fact that there are still distinct advantages with choosing UBC. Personally, I believe that having real-world work experience, additional salary, and building seniority is more valuable than an additional year of "student nurse" experience at BCIT. I also work in healthcare, and I have spoken with experienced and new-grad nurses about their perspectives on BCIT and UBC. I've heard a mix of opinions advising me to go with either choice.

At the end of the day, clinical experience is what you make out of it. It's the same as completing a bachelor's degree over a 4-year term vs a 6-year term. If you are dedicated and driven to learn as much as you can in your clinical rotations, you will feel prepared and do well as a nurse. The amount of clinical experience won't be the deciding factor to your success or preparation as a nurse. We all come from different backgrounds, so If you truly believe that additional clinical hours will greatly enhance your nursing skills, choose BCIT. But if you believe you can benefit from what UBC offers, I believe the clinical experience given at UBC is sufficient. Your dedication to learning during clinical sessions will make a bigger difference than being in a preceptorship for an extended period of time. At the end of the day, no amount of "student nursing" will prepare you when you become an actual RN who is responsible for all your patients without the guidance of a clinical instructor.

I wouldn't worry about finding a nursing job with either institution. With older nurses retiring, Canada's ageing population, more hospitals/clinics being built, and more importantly, an insufficient number of nursing graduates annually to meet the increasing demands from the nurses' job market. You will find a job regardless of which nursing school you choose at this time. Therefore, I wouldn't let the ease of finding a job be anyone's deciding factor in choosing any nursing institution. Our industry has more jobs than there is a supply of new graduates each year. 

 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hope we all hear back something today!!

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Has anyone been accepted with minimal credits? As in, just the pre-reqs?

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
2 hours ago, ts94 said:

Hope we all hear back something today!!

At this point, I'd rather know any sort of answer. Acceptance or Decline, I'll accept both ?

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
15 minutes ago, User-00001 said:

At this point, I'd rather know any sort of answer. Acceptance or Decline, I'll accept both ?

You will hear soon. God is good ? 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion