Bridging Program

[littlemammanurse, BSN, RN]

I am currently bridging from an RPN to an RN through Centennial College in Toronto,Ontario.I would like to know what I should expect from a bridging program?Is it difficult,is there a lot to learn,and is the course a lot to take in?I so want to be an RN there are more job opportunities and I want to be a certified RN midwife or work in L&D.Will the bridging program help me prepare for these fields?

[CanadianGirl79]

There are not Certified Nurse Midwives in Canada. You need to take a separate, 4 yera midwife program. McMaster in Hamilton, Ont has one.

And to work in L&D, just being an RN won't automatically get you in that door - there are a LOT of RNs who want to work in L&D...in fact, that's one of the areas most often cited by students when asked "where do you want to work".

If you want to do L&D, try to make sure you get some experience in that area, and really know your perinatal nursing.

Good luck! :)

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Moved to the Canadian forum

[Fiona59]

Hold on a sec. Didn't you leave nursing because it was stressful and you wanted to spend more time at home raising your family and working on your at home businesses?

School will be stressful, working PostPartum is stressful, L&D can be even more stressful.

I'm really interested in what brought you back to nursing after stating you wanted a life with less stress.

[loriangel14, RN]

You posted in February that you were leaving nursing to spend more time at home with your daughter and you couldn't take the stress.Now you state you are going for your RN. ?

[dishes, BSN, RN]

The bridging program will be a lot of work, to get an idea about the number of readings, papers, group projects and exams you will be expected to complete, look at course outlines. As far as L&D job opportunities, you will need to gain experience and seniority first, most hospitals with L&D are unionized and job openings are filled by the most approipriate nurse with seniority.

If, after persevering and gaining L&D work experience, you still wish to become a midwife, you can apply to Ryerson's 2 year post-baccalaureate midwifery program.

[littlemammanurse, BSN, RN]

I ended up going back to nursing because my business venture didn't work out.We lost money,used up almost all of our savings to pay the bills and my husband works his photography business so couldn't get a part time job to help us out.I ended up getting a job at a really good home health care agency that lets me choose my hours and when I want to work.I missed nursing as well and that is why I went back.I decided to do my upgrading since the school called to see if I was interested in applying for January since I had dropped before because I wasn't sure if I wanted to stay in nursing.I got accepted into the January program and couldn't be happier!

I don't think I will do the midwife, I will stick to wanting to work in L&D,Post Partum or Pediatrics instead.

[Trishrpn80]

If you are doing the centennial/ryerson bridge program it is quite stressful.. I am doing that program part time through a regional access centre and its lots of papers, readings, etc... My add means im happy like this but it is still stressful... I personally wouldn't say you will stick to a certain area until you have worked there and don't see yourself leaving...

ALL nursing is stressful... overworked, underpaid and way toooo many politics...

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

I completed my BScN at Ryerson. I know what the expectations are, and yes....it is A LOT of work. You can do it, but you will require good time management skills. Between family, school, and clinicals, you will be very busy.

[Jen Ring]

I think if you're willing to do the work, and your goal is to complete the RN, then go for it. My sister competed her RN and did her consolidation in L&D last year. Guess what, they hired her on the floor fulltime. IF you persist, I think you can achieve what your hearts desires. That said, be prepared to work work work. :-)