George Brown college Academic pathway for IEN

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Hi All,

Anyone who is Internationally educated Nurse applied with George brown. I need to know what has to be included in the CV for the application. Kindly reply

Hi, Thank you so much for the detailed update. Will let you know how it goes :) Thank you

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Hi Madricka,

I am in a similar yet somewhat different situation from yours (maybe worse?). The difference is it's approaching 3 years now since I graduated school and taken the NCLEX multiple times (family and health issues got in the way) before finally passing. My practice expiry is next month May 2018. In a way, I am technically a new graduate just not so recent and with no actual clinical work experience (apart from back then in school) so I am wondering if you think I will have to take the same path as you (IEN George Brown, 400 clinical hours etc.)?? Basically, like doing a refresher course for several months?? I have emailed and called CNO but man being put on hold all the time is driving me nuts!! Just looking for advice/suggestions...thanks.

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Specializes in Oncology, critical care.
Hi Madricka,

I am in a similar yet somewhat different situation from yours (maybe worse?). The difference is it's approaching 3 years now since I graduated school and taken the NCLEX multiple times (family and health issues got in the way) before finally passing. My practice expiry is next month May 2018. In a way, I am technically a new graduate just not so recent and with no actual clinical work experience (apart from back then in school) so I am wondering if you think I will have to take the same path as you (IEN George Brown, 400 clinical hours etc.)?? Basically, like doing a refresher course for several months?? I have emailed and called CNO but man being put on hold all the time is driving me nuts!! Just looking for advice/suggestions...thanks.

I'm assuming you graduated from a Canadian/Ontario school? If not, a WHOLE different situation! When you graduated, did you register with the CNO? If not, then you will have to apply as though you were a new RN from scratch and provide them with all the required documentation/pay the fees. If you can do that before May, your "evidence of practice" is your nursing education (because clinical placement counts as practice). Be forewarned, however, that you can send them the documents but it takes them several weeks to process/receive it. So even if you sent it tonight so they could have it by Monday, there is no guarantee you'd make it before the 3 year mark. It's worth a shot though because the refresher program is a total pain in the butt!! (and expensive!). It's also worth noting that you would have to complete the Jurisprudence exam through CNO (done online, $40 each attempt, based on CNO standards/guidelines, everyone has to do it). If you were never registered with the CNO after graduating you would also have to have your school forward transcripts and such (and hope they are received by CNO in time).

If you were previously registered with CNO after graduation and maintained your registration since that time you have nothing to worry about, just start working.

If you DO have to complete the refresher, these are the steps/info:

* Apply to CNO for registration & pay the fees. They will say you are lacking evidence of practice because you have been away from practice/school for more than 3 years (and there is NO wiggle room, 3 years is 3 years, even if you're 1 day past the 3 years -- and it's not based on when you apply, it's based on when they receive ALL the documents and look at your application, which can take weeks-months).

* The letter from CNO will say what you need to do in order to meet the requirements for registration. In your situation (assuming you are Canadian) it is likely they will say need 400 hrs of clinical placement + several courses (at George Brown it is about 10 classes + clinical). They give you 3 years to complete the requirements. You will also have to do the Jurisprudence exam on the CNO website. They will also say you have to provide "evidence of English or French language proficiency" in the last 3 years. Don't stress that too much, doing the refresher counts as "evidence", you don't need to do any extra exams or anything.

* You can apply to GBC to do the courses online (there is a form + you send a copy of your letter from CNO). Your contact there would be Gayle and she is awesome. In fact, everyone there is awesome. She will approve your application and you can start next semester. They run year-round, so Fall/Winter/Spring, you can start in any semester, all the courses are offered each term.

* The courses are about $350-450 each, clinical is more expensive ($1500 each and you do 2 of them, they are 200 hrs each). Budget also for textbooks, transportation, child care (if needed), parking, etc. For clinical you just have to buy a burgundy uniform and a stethoscope. You don't need specific shoes or other equipment. Also, budget for the list of stuff you have to do for clearance for clinical (police check, immunization stuff, booster shots, mask fit test, ParaMed fee, etc) -- that alone is a few hundred. Note that this program is continuing education so you cannot get OSAP to cover it. There are some very limited bursaries available through GBC but they are SUPER slow (e.g. I applied for Winter term bursary in October, I still haven't received it yet even though my application was approved!). I cashed out my pension to pay for this. Other options are personal loans, bank loans, lines of credit, savings, etc.

* The courses are offered online and in-class (there are a few online-only classes, but most of them can be taken either at the college or online). I've done a mix of both and I MUCH prefer the in-class and recommend them if you can make it to the school. The instructors are awesome and you'll learn SO much more if you take it in-class. Also, the campus is beautiful! It's on the lake (literally) and they have tons of natural light. The library is great to study in.

* You have to successfully complete all the theory classes BEFORE you can do the clinical.

* I had exemptions for 2 of the classes because of my critical care background and other degrees so I only had to do 8. You CAN do a challenge exam if you think you don't need to take a class they say you need but it costs around $200 do do a challenge exam and they're not easy. I never bothered, I just took the classes they told me to. I did 4 last spring, 3 last fall, 1 course + 1st clinical this term and I'll be doing my final clinical this spring. I'm not working and I don't have kids so it was easy for me to do that many at once. Consider your situation before signing up to do a lot of classes at once. They can be very time consuming, even if you are a strong student. You can take as few or as many as you want -- but be reasonable with what you can handle.

* Passing grade for most of the classes is a C, except Health Assessment, I believe you need a B to pass that.

* You can use the college's Accessibility office if you have any medical/psych/learning issues. I had to use them, they are great. Instructors are also incredible accommodating and flexible.

* The courses I had to take: Nursing in Ontario, Intro to Electronic Documentation, Pharmacology, Leadership and Advanced Communication, Health Assessment, Complex Care, Interprofessional Communication, Care of the Frail & Elderly (I was exempted from pathophysiology and basic emergency management). I heard they added an ethics course. Lots of reading, assignments, group work, reflections, group presentations, etc.

* It is not a separate program for refresher students. There are only a few of us so we are in classes with IEN students which is awesome! It has been a great experience from me and you really learn a lot. You will meet some of the most incredible people.

* Clinical is in a group with a preceptor. They keep a short leash. There were 8 of us in my group. We were on a general medicine/stroke floor. We had to do a lot of the usual assignments -- learning plans, reflections, etc.

I know this seems like a lot. It will take you about a year & a half to two years, depending on how fast/slow you go (I think the fastest you can do it is 4 semesters, which is what I'm doing). It IS worth it though! Time is going to pass whether you are doing it or not. And, as with everything in life, what you put in is what you get out of it. I was VERY angry about the whole thing when I started, but quickly decided to make the best of it and it's been pretty good for the most part. I still think I didn't need to do the program (I've gotten A+ in every class) but I've met some amazing people and learned a lot. I have no regrets and I'm glad I did it. I have an exam on Monday and then all I have left is clinical consolidation, which starts in May. By the end of summer I will be registered as RN with CNO again!

I know this was super long but if you have any questions, let me know, more than happy to answer them!

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Wow, this is a lot of info. Thanks for taking the time out to type this all up for me. At the same time, the cost of everything is scaring me (do you remember the total cost it was for you?). Considering you have some work experience under your belt, I'm sure the classes came easier to you. Would you mind if I asked for your email to keep in touch? I have a few more questions..(And easier than having to find you to post here everytime). Much appreciated

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Specializes in Oncology, critical care.
Wow, this is a lot of info. Thanks for taking the time out to type this all up for me. At the same time, the cost of everything is scaring me (do you remember the total cost it was for you?). Considering you have some work experience under your belt, I'm sure the classes came easier to you. Would you mind if I asked for your email to keep in touch? I have a few more questions..(And easier than having to find you to post here everytime). Much appreciated

For the 8 classes + 2 clinical courses, I paid out $6,420 (I just added it up now!). That includes all fees and whatnot. You do not pay it all at once. Like any continuing education class, you pay when you register for each individual course. They do fill up quickly though so it's always good to register for them early.

As for other costs... textbooks: not all classes have them. The library has ALL the textbooks, both on the shelf and on reserve (to borrow for a few hours at a time). Used books are always an option too. I didn't buy all of them but when I did, I bought used copies on Amazon. The expensive ones are the Lewis Med-Surg book and the Jarvis Health Assessment one (I did a workshop thing at Chapters and they gave me a $300 gift card for participating, that's the only way I could afford those books!). They are the same ones you used in nursing degree so if you kept your books, you're good to go!

Student ID/library/copy card is $12 cash, you get it in the library & this also becomes your clinical ID badge.

Pre-clinical stuff: Before you can start clinical you have to get a bunch of clearance stuff done (they have a workshop several months beforehand to explain all of this in more detail). Police clearance is $20 (done through the school). 2-step TB test (free if it's for school purposes). Blood titres for chicken pox, measles, mumps, etc (if you need boosters, you might have to pay for them). Flu shot is required. Mask fit test (if you do it at the ParaMed place it's $50). ParaMed is a place downtown that has a contract with a bunch of schools to clear students for clinical placements, you make an appointment and bring all your documents and give them around $50 to check all your bits and stamp your form. They also update all your stuff online so the school/facilities can see if you have been cleared or not.

Scrubs have to be burgundy but they don't care where you buy them.

I did work (surgical oncology and critical care) and I did the critical care program at George Brown. I also have 2-1/2 degrees (BA, BScN, MLIS) and I'm a strong student, so it wasn't difficult, just time-consuming. I wouldn't say any of the course work is hard, but you have to do it (go to class, do the readings, do the assignments, tests/exams). It's a lot of work but if you made it through your nursing degree, you'll be fine.

Email is miss.x_tina (at) yahoo (dot) com

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I will be attending high school in September. I'm going into the Pre-Health Sciences pathway to Certificates and Diplomas,

But I HAVE NO idea which school to go to. I was thinking Humber college but that is too far for me. But no matter which college I end up going to I want to for sure complete my paramedic program at Humber Colege.

As for as the Pre-Health Sciences pathway to Certificates and Diplomas is considered, and the actual school its self. Should I go to George Brown College or Durham College? I've heard good stuff about both of those colleges.

But I'm still not 100% which College to go to for the Pre-Health Sciences pathway to Certificates and Diplomas.

Whoever answers this, in your opinion is George Brown College better or Durham College better , when it comes to their Pre-Health Sciences pathway to Certificates and Diplomas program and the teaching styles of the colleges????

I would love to know peoples opinions, hopefully, someone who has been to George Brown and/or Durham College at there Pre-Health Sciences pathway to Certificates and Diplomas or any health sciences program.

I don't mind George Brown college but Durham College, but i would like to know what the colleges are really like!

( hopefully, my question/concern is clear)

PLEASE ANSWER ASAP!

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Hello, i learned a lot of stuff from you. I am an IEN torn between the academic pathway in George brown and centennial college Practical nursing fast track program. I was told that both outcomes of this program is still RPN. The other is diploma while

It's certificate for george brown. I gave my CNO letter and I was given an academic pathway IEN (RN) bridging plan which they are list of courses I have to take. My concern is being an IEN , would CNO approved this courses? Since george brown is a college?

They are two courses I have to take first on the first term which is nursing ontario and scholarly writing. Can I take along other courses with these two at the same time?

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Madricka thank you for that post you have been super helpful!

I wonder if they added more courses in 2918 to the program as I'm sure I counted 16 plus 2 clinical! I got excemted from 6 so have 10 to do!!!

I was wondering what course did you take while you were doing your first clinical placement

thanks in advance

Laura

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Specializes in Oncology, critical care.
Madricka thank you for that post you have been super helpful!

I wonder if they added more courses in 2918 to the program as I'm sure I counted 16 plus 2 clinical! I got excemted from 6 so have 10 to do!!!

I was wondering what course did you take while you were doing your first clinical placement

thanks in advance

Laura

Hi Laura,

-- The number of courses you are required to take depends on your situation -- if you are IEN then you have to take more, if you are reinstatement it depends how long you have been away from practice. Everyone's needs/requirements are a little different.

-- You cannot do clinical until you have completed all the theory classes first. I only had to do 8 courses. I did 4 courses last spring, 4 last fall, first clinical in winter, and second clinical in summer. I finished in July. Just waiting for the school to send my VCC to the CNO.

Let me know if you have any questions about the program, courses, instructors, exams, assignments, clinical, etc. You will meet some really amazing people in the classes and the teachers are awesome. If you are doing them in-class, the campus is gorgeous. Enjoy your time there!

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Specializes in Oncology, critical care.

The CNO does approve courses taken at George Brown.

Nursing in Ontario & Scholarly Writing were pre-requisites for all the other courses in the academic pathway program. I'm not sure if you can take others at the same time, the pre-requisites for each course are listed on the George Brown website under each course description. If there is no pre-requisite, you can take it anytime. If you are concerned or need help, I would suggest making an appointment to see ***** ******** (program coordinator) in the office (if you are in Toronto, otherwise just send her an email). She can help you structure your semesters to work best for you. I did 4 courses a semester so I'm sure it's possible! Good luck!

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Oh sorry I thought I read that you did 4 subjects one term then three and then you had one left to do and you were doing that with your first clinical!

I've already done one pre requisite course and doing 4 this semester not really looking forward to it but oh well!!

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Hi,

Does anyone know if OSAP is applicable for the Academic Pathway for IEN course at George Brown College?

I want to finish the course earlier. If I pay by cash it might take me longer.

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