RN school wait lists in BC

[TNDoherty]

First off, hello everyone. I'm new to the forum and stumbled on it while spending hours trying to research my alternatives.

I'm in Vancouver, BC (permanent resident) planning to go for my RN. I'm a mature student with 19 credit hours from a US university, but most of those credits are liberal arts, so I'm not sure what will really count except for the math and English. I know I'll have to take the A&Ps and Psychs- biology was much more than 5 years ago, but I did make an A! lol

When I first started looking, I found that VCC has a relatively new RN BSN program and I spoke to the academic advisers who told me that there was no wait list. I got approved for my student loan, requested all my transcripts and registered as a student. Today (only a week later) I spoke with a different adviser who informed me that not only is there a wait list, but that there are 49 students on it and that they will only be taking 24. VCC only has a fall intake so she told me that if I'm "lucky" I could get in the class of 2012 but likely 2013! ack. I suppose the only positive there is that they are a first come, first serve school so I will eventually move up the list for sure.

In the meantime, the adviser suggested I apply to multiple schools in the Lower Mainland, and choose one to attend for prerequisites while biding my time, hoping for one of them to eventually send me an acceptance. I'm sure many of you are in the same boat. I applied to Douglas and will probably actually attend there because it is much closer to home than VCC, plus they do two intakes per year so that's a plus. Will anyone be attending the Douglas psych or A&P for summer 2011? Would be nice to know someone going in.

So I guess the purpose of my post is to first make contact with anyone else currently waiting out their time, and also to compare any up-to-date info you have on wait lists. As far as Douglas' preferential placement goes, with a max number of points at 14, what is a "good" number of points to have to be competitive? I'm thinking I will have around 8. >

Thanks for reading!

[babywhisperer333, BSN]

So for class labs/simulation labs, any style of scrubs works, but they are more specific for clinical.

boyish- I just happened to be going to BCIT anyways to request my fee deferral, so I stopped in at Health services. They went over the form with me, as well as my immunization history that my Mom had saved for me. I didn't get any shots there but they wrote me a referral to get a shot and to test my Hep B immunity levels b/c I don't know if I got those shots. You need to go over the form with the doctor who has access to your history from birth. I think any doc can request patient immunization history within the province of birth, but there may be a fee. Your parents might have the immunization record, then you just have to take it in to Health services.

[jasn]

Hi guys - I am currently a student at BCIT. Just wanted to clear up that there are not specific lab vs clinical scrub guidelines. They need to be one solid colour (top and bottom matching, no prints). I have never had any of the hospitals require certain coloured scrubs (although the instructors suggested colours, not black, for maternity and peds). :)

[babywhisperer333, BSN]

Awesome, thanks! Is there a good place (besides image care uniforms) to buy them? Can you recommend any brands?

[boyish]

Ok thanks for the info smiley. The form said that BCIT provided the shots so I thought we had to go there.

[jasn]

I find the brands really depend on your own shape and preference. I hate the Grey's Anatomy ones, but a lot of the other girls love them. Image Care Uniforms is good, as is Mark's Work Wearhouse (lots of different brands here, such as Health Care Pro, Scrublovers, etc.). Some people go to Walmart too, although personally I find the fit of those ones kinda weird. There is also a scrub sale at school before/after your orientation. I would recommend trying on a few styles (drawstring, elastic waist, pull over top, tie back top) and see what you find most comfortable (this sounds crazy, but you'll be surprised to find that you do have preferences!). and lastly - try to resist buying lots and lots of scrubs before you start the program :). I did, and now I have probably 5 pairs that I don't wear, ever, simply because I bought them in advance, wore them to clinical, and THEN found out that I like lots of pockets on the pants, prefer drawstrings, etc. I would recommend 2 pairs for now, and then add as you move through the program.

[babywhisperer333, BSN]

She said that they would be visiting our class at the beginning of the term and organizing a schedule for those who need updates etc., that's when I will be getting my booster I believe :)

and thank you jasn! I haven't bought any yet because I find I am a different size in every brand and different size top and bottom! I really need a few hours to try stuff on.

[kelseyyyy]

Jasn, how about shoes. The policy guide says 'white leather'. How strict is this? Are running shoes OK if they're mostly white?

[jasn]

yes, as long as there isn't any mesh on top where fluids can seep through, running shoes are fine. that is what i wear, as i find all of those "nursing shoes" uncomfortable (especially as you progress in the program and reach 12 hour shifts).

i'd say even the white part isn't super strict (i've worn non-white shoes before with no problems). However, saying that, all of the instructors are different and have their own rules, so it's probably best to have white shoes just in case.

[lreid]

Hey Jasn,

I am wondering if you could give us some information on first year books! I want to buy them early but I find a lot of the time I never use them. Any suggestions as to what text books we will definitely use or you found you used a lot....or if even the older editions are still okay?

Thanks :)

[TanFran]

Hey Guys! I am totally new to this thread! :) congrats to everyone who got in!! whooo hooo!! Does anyone know anything about U of C's accelerated nursing program? How the learning style is? overall rating of profs? Vacation time for holidays? I got accepted into both for this January and I do not know what to do!! Any information would be awesome!

[Miss Thang]

Well, I called and the letter of acceptance/rejection will be sent out on Nov 4th for UFV. How many people on this thread are waiting to hear about acceptance at UFV? The people who got into BCIT, or Douglas, and applied to UFV....what will your choice be if accepted?

FYI= if you don't have any records(like me) in regards to all your shots, the doctor can order blood tests to see what u are immune to, then you will get the lab report to hand into nursing, and they accept that.

[invictus, BSN]

I am very anxiously awaiting a reply from UFV. It is the only program I applied to (all eggs, one basket: check!) because I live in Chilliwack, and there is no way I can afford to move (spend all money on traveling, optimistically saying the world is

MY school check!) As I am currently in Haiti, I am hoping that they upgrade our application statuses online as soon as they send out the letters. Fingers tightly crosses for everybody! Good luck!