Clueless in BC

ashschu · May 30, 2009

I'm not sure how things are done in Abbotsford, but I can pass on some info that I have found in my hunting. I'm focusing on school on Van Isl (where I live) but I have inquired at colleges/unis on the mainland so hopefully it stands true to Abby as well.

First of all - are the volunteer hours mandatory to acceptance, or are they going to increase your points for acceptance? I would check this first as I had brushed off a school based on volunteer hours only to find out that was the "recommended" amount, but not necessary.

As for volunteer hours, I was told any volunteering in a health care setting would qualify. You're right - they're not going to bring in any joe blow volunteer and give them jobs that the nurses do, that's why there is nursing school!! lol I was told volunteering in the activities centers, food delivery, LTC facilities etc would satisfy the requirements.

As for your sciences - as far as I know there is no getting around them as they are prereqs. The best I have found is that Chemistry and Biology can sometimes be bypassed by taking Anatomy and Physiology. The schools here on the island say A&P satisfy both the Bio 12 and Chem 11 prereqs - the only catch is Chem 11 and Bio 11 are usually a required course for A&P. If you can get a teacher who is willing to give you a prereq waiver in to the course you can successfully skip both of those sciences. If you have written exams in sciences in the past it is possible you can convince them you are capable of the course without the prereqs. I have found most colleges especially are more than willing to give you a chance if you prove to them that you are willing to work hard and do well.

And lastly - as for going the PN route I would say don't do it. I was going to go that route as well, but they are phasing out the PN - RN bridge here in BC (across Canada too maybe?). Here on the island out of the three schools that teach the BScN program only one is still doing the bridge, and it is on it's way out. I would think carefully about this route as you might find it bites you in the butt!! If you think it is going to take most likely 6 months - 1 year to get in a program, 1 year - 18 months to grad as a PN, then another year and a half or so of work before you satisfy the PN hour requirements to join the RN bridge ........ chances are the bridge option won't be available any more and you'll be starting from the beginning for the BScN anyways!

Anyways - of course this is just my opinions and what I've found out! Hope some of it helps. Are you committed to school in Abby or can you move?? Schools like Langara and NIC (on the island) accept on a wait list basis and definitely don't have volunteer hour requirements. Or, depending on what school you are interested in close to home....you could see if it is part of the CAEN. If it is you could look at applying at another school in the CAEN who's entry requirements you meet, stick it out for a year, and then transfer back to your preferred choice school (as long as there is a place of course). The joy of the CAEN is that as long as there is a space, transferring schools is possible as they use the same curriculum.

Good luck! Keep us posted!! I myself am just completing my Chem and Math right now so I know how you feel about all the hoops you have to jump, no matter how necessary they are!

Atiyya · Jun 3, 2009

Thank your for your reply ash.

''Biology 12 (UFV BIO 093) or first-year university level biology (UFV BIO 111) and Chemistry 11 (UFV CHEM 083) or first-year university-level chemistry (UFV CHEM 105, 110 or 113) with a minimum of C+ grade completed within five years prior to enrolment''

What about prerequisite grade 12 bio chem,where do i do these and I notice schools, in order to do grade 12 its their prerequisite to have bio 11 etc.

Maybe persons that are my age and are continuing may be able to tell me where they started over.

newstudentinbc · Jun 3, 2009

I did my Bio 12 and English 12 through a community continuing education school. It's geared towards helping adults get their prereq's and obtaining their high school diploma. There weren't any requirements for me to take the courses and I didn't have Bio 11 or any grade 11 courses for that matter. The school is through the local school district and you have the option of writing the Provincial exam at the end. Many post secondary institutions don't require that you write them, so you should check with the school you want to go to as it would be nice if you didn't have to take it!

I don't know what schools you have out there, but there is a distance education school you could take it through. They send you all the supplies you need for the course and you just have to go in to a local school to write your exams. Here's the link:

http://www.fvdes.com/

That school is located in your area. I have friends taking Bio through them.

Good luck!

newstudentinbc · Jun 3, 2009

I just noticed that the school I mentioned does say you need Bio 11 to take the Bio 12. You might want to call them to see if you can bypass that since you are an adult student. I'm on the Island and the school I go to does offer it online as well. However, you would be required to come to a 2 hour orientation to begin the course as well as write exams here at the school, so I'm not sure how that would work if you went that route.

Teebee5 · Jun 3, 2009

start taking classes, even if it is just biology, chemistry or math 11/12.

I did my chemistry 12 online through the surrey school district, it was free, online and really convient.

Apply to the hospital in your area or nursing home, why can't you volunteer?

you live out in abby, so apply to fraser health, they have a link for volunteers on their website.

The one thing you should definely do is read up on what it means to be a nurse, I found this helpful, when I started my own process about 3 years ago to return to school.

Good luck!

Atiyya · Jun 3, 2009

I was doing ECE through correspondence and finished it ontime but i did take me a few years.i think a class room would be better for me in order to finish something before the deadline lol

I will give them a call i also found abbotsford virtual school

I did my Bio 12 and English 12 through a community continuing education school. It's geared towards helping adults get their prereq's and obtaining their high school diploma. There weren't any requirements for me to take the courses and I didn't have Bio 11 or any grade 11 courses for that matter. The school is through the local school district and you have the option of writing the Provincial exam at the end. Many post secondary institutions don't require that you write them, so you should check with the school you want to go to as it would be nice if you didn't have to take it!
I don't know what schools you have out there, but there is a distance education school you could take it through. They send you all the supplies you need for the course and you just have to go in to a local school to write your exams. Here's the link:
http://www.fvdes.com/
That school is located in your area. I have friends taking Bio through them.
Good luck!

newstudentinbc · Jun 3, 2009

I hear ya - lol. I'm the type of student that needs to take courses that are directed by a teacher as well. I'm not very good at pushing myself to do it unless I have a teacher telling me when it's due!

I hope you find something in your area :)

Atiyya · Jun 3, 2009

i did check the fv volunteer's page and this is whats required

''mandatory: information session, application, interview, references, hospital orientation and program training. a criminal record check may be required. additional requirements may be necessary for specific volunteer programs.''

start taking classes, even if it is just biology, chemistry or math 11/12.
i did my chemistry 12 online through the surrey school district, it was free, online and really convient.
apply to the hospital in your area or nursing home, why can't you volunteer?
you live out in abby, so apply to fraser health, they have a link for volunteers on their website.
the one thing you should definely do is read up on what it means to be a nurse, i found this helpful, when i started my own process about 3 years ago to return to school.
good luck!

Teebee5 · Jun 4, 2009

i did check the fv volunteer's page and this is whats required
''mandatory: information session, application, interview, references, hospital orientation and program training. a criminal record check may be required. additional requirements may be necessary for specific volunteer programs.''

okay so that isn't bad. the info session will be informative at least to tell you what is needed, of course you have to apply, and of course interview and references are needed. the hospital orientation and program training kinda is needed, but it will probably be fun. i work for van coast health and my hospital orientation was neat, now i think it is online. as for the criminal record check, well it is pretty standard.

if you apply what is the worst that could happen?

you could also try other avenues to find volunteer, why not at a community centre with seniors?

the best thing is to try your best!

good luck!

Atiyya · Jun 4, 2009

So these reqs can be done at the hospital and as u said Van coast heath does theirs online?

I thought they were like courses to do at a school heehee

Okay so that isn't bad. The info session will be informative at least to tell you what is needed, of course you have to apply, and of course interview and references are needed. The Hospital Orientation and Program Training kinda is needed, but it will probably be fun. I work for Van Coast Health and my hospital orientation was neat, now I think it is online. As for the criminal record check, well it is pretty standard.
IF you apply what is the worst that could happen?
YOu could also try other avenues to find volunteer, why not at a community centre with seniors?
The best thing is to try your best!
Good LUCK!

Teebee5 · Jun 4, 2009

No way, you have to basically apply like a job for this type of volunteering.

Anytype of volunteering you will be do pretty much the same process.

Happy Volunteering!

BTW which school are you looking at?

Uni. Fraser Valley? Or Trinity Western?