[Calgary] U of C vs. MRU ?

Novo · Oct 24, 2012

I've never heard of MRU as being a worst school so I'm not sure about that but I know the program at UofC focuses more on theory than hands on. At the end of the day it doesn't matter what school you went to employers just want to see that you've passed the CRNE and that you're a competent nurse. Also I would focus on getting into the program before thinking ahead as for MRU you needed a 83% average or 3.8 gpa to be accepted. Who knows the hiring in situation may change before you finish it's hard to say.

erinmarie320 · Oct 24, 2012

Edited for privacy

Bre90 · Oct 24, 2012

Hello,

I'm a recent grad of the nursing program at the U of C. To answer some of your questions:

I read online that MRU has a better program in Nursing is that true?

I've heard this as well. All I can say is that I did find myself frustrated with some aspects of the U of C's program, specifically the lack of organization and a number of the classes offered. That being said, the program has changed drastically since the year I began and may be improved. I believe, however, that class sizes are generally smaller at the university (A colleague told me her year had about 300 students at MRU, we had only about 170). If I was to start all over again, I would probably seriously consider the MRU program.

Why does MRU have such bad reputation? Is there any reason for that?

I really can't tell you for sure why this belief exists. I think part of it may be because MRU only became a university within the last couple of years, previously it was Mount Royal College. It also offers different programs, a number of which, I think, are more trade/profession based and less "academic". Personally I think this comes more from the attitudes of some U of C students, and I haven't heard anything substantial or concrete to account for this.

Also, I read online that MRU students have a higher chance of getting hired?
Is it easy to get a full time job when you become a RN(...when I graduate in 2018)?

I don't know about MRU students having a higher chance of being hired, but I have heard that more MRU students pass the CRNE (Canadian Registered Nurse Exam) on the first try than U of C students.

I was hired on the unit where I did my final focus immediately after graduation. (I did my interview with the manager prior to finishing my final focus). However, I was hired into a casual position, not a part time or full time position. This is quite common, and you can continue to apply for a "line" (either part time or full time) while working as a casual. Of course, it is difficult to predict what the job market will be like in 2018, it can change so quickly. Who knows what will happen between now and 2018? Generally, nurses are always needed and I have heard that a great deal are expected to be retiring in the next few years.

Also, what do you think about the Midwifery program offered in MRU?

Interestingly, I have not heard a single thing about the midwifery program. I think you will have to decide where your interests lie in order to decide which route would best suit you.

I suggest you visit both websites and campuses and learn about what each can offer. Attend the open houses (U of C is having one Nov. 3rd I believe) and talk to staff and current students. Create a list of questions that you would like to ask in order to help you make your decision. It also may help to learn about other services/supports each school provides, as well as what social activities are available, such as clubs.

Good luck with your applications and making your decision!

kintaro · Jan 15, 2013

Hi

I am about graduating from MRU and I should agree with Bre90. Mount Royal has a little more hands on especially after U of C had changed their program in 2010 (I believe). The U of C students in third year are introduced to acute settings (Hospital) for the first time, which the students have to learn the basic patient care to meds to critical thinking at once. For that reason, I believe MRU has a little more balanced program. Although, I have met great nurses from both UofC and MRU. Like Bre90 said, it doesn't matter what school you graduate as long as you pass CRNE and know your stuff.

Also, midwifery program does exist at MRU. It is fairly new program (2nd year) and is separated from Nursing. You can visit MRU website as well as contact the faculties for more info.

Good luck!

Studentray · Jan 31, 2013

I'm graduating from the U of C program this April and I feel very unprepared. I am graduating from the older program 2009-2013. Just to let you know. 11 MRU students made it to the ICU for their final focus and only 3 U of C nursing students made it. During orientation day only 1 out of the 3 U of C nursing students could answer questions that were thrown at the group of 14 nursing students where all MRU students were confident enough to answer any question given to them. There is too much BS theory and projects to be done in U of C courses. For my final focus I have 302 hours of practicum hours, and 26 hours of in class hours + a learning plan, a portfolio and a seminar presentation to do. I hear MRU students just do 360 hours practicum and a small project. Just about every nurse that is working on my unit say that they graduated from MRU. I think the problem is that the professors at U of C are much older and have lost the passion to teach whereas MRU has younger nurses who know how it is to be a student and have the passion to teach. Sure the older you are, the more wisdom you have but, the passion to teach and keep up to date with current policies and nursing practices isn't there. The U of C program is very disorganized and lacking. I dont understand the new program at U of C either. The new program doesn't get into the acute setting till year 3. How will they know if they like being a nurse in the hospital or not? I'm pretty sure all of us went to nursing school so we could work in a hospital from the get go. If you get a undergraduate nursing position on one of the acute units before you graduate you should be competent by the end of it all. And by the way, the U of C has all this simulation crap that was barely even used to teach the nursing students anything. Yeah, it's great to have but .... It was barely even used to teach new students. I am currently doing my final focus and I have one of the worst preceptors you could imagine. She tells everyone she doesn't want to be a preceptor and that she has been avoiding it for 15 years. And then she tells everyone I am her student. I've gone to my faculty advisers and told them about the situation and all they told me was to make the most out of the situation... Like hell how am I supposed to learn when someone doesn't want to teach me.

BreeMeadows · Jun 7, 2014

I graduated from MRU (today!) and although the cohort of students averages 300-400 grads per year, the largest class I was in had 50 of us. Also, every class I was in, the instructors knew their students' names. I have heard that at U of C some lectures have 200+ students.

Before I went back to school I was a server and nurses used to come in for lunch. I asked them where they would rather hire grads from and they all said MRU. The program at UofC has changed so I'm not sure if that still applies but it was interesting that even the UofC grads said they wished they had gone to MRU. No program is perfect but in the end I'm happy I went to MRU!