Conestoga College Work Placement - Travelling?

xokw, BSN, RN · Nov 1, 2015

Hi!
So I'm about to begin an RPN program at Conestoga College Doon in January 2016. I know (from reading the program webpage and from reading other discussions here) that off-campus work placements are a significant chunk of the education there.
My concern is...how do they usually assign students? Can you request certain locations? My problem is I don't own a car, can't realistically afford one, and I don't have regular access to one (to borrow or something). Maybe I'm just overly-worried here, but I'm just afraid that they'll assign me to Guelph and...I just can't make it.
Doesn't matter if it's only 1 or 2 days a week; I live in Waterloo. There's just no feasible way (THAT I KNOW OF) for me to make it to Guelph or Hamilton by 7AM from my house.
If anybody has gone through this or has any insight whatsoever....I'd very much appreciate it.
(So far my only solution is Uber but that could run me $100 a day for a round trip so...yeah, no.)
Thank you!

I'm a Conestoga grad. If you don't have a vehicle you can request placement in your own city or within the same region so you have access to public transportation. You generally have to be there by 0630 so it can be tough. Many people also carpool to placement so it shouldn't be an issue to get there.

Aerui · Nov 1, 2015

That's a relief! ^^

Thank you so much!

(One less thing to worry about; I'm already nervous enough as it is.....)

xokw, BSN, RN · Nov 1, 2015

No problem. Let me know if you have any questions. I am a Conestoga RPN graduate and a current Conestoga/McMaster RPN-BScN student!

Aerui · Nov 2, 2015

Thank you so much. I've read through your profile and see that you've been very active on this website and answering people's questions!

This may be insanely generic but I was just wondering what your overall thoughts were on the Conestoga RPN program and what your post-grad experience was like? I know you said you are in a bridge-program to obtain a BScN, but did you work at all beforehand or was just it a continuous process in your education?

I'm incredibly nervous about this program but I'm also terrified of life after graduation (assuming I make it there; *knock on wood*). I already have an Honours BA in Economics from McMaster University (just graduated in June). I've been thinking about nursing since my third year when I realized I didn't wanna keep going with my major. I also didn't wanna waste any time going back to school....but it's resulted in this whole process feeling kind of rushed, and I'm wondering if maybe I should've taken more time to think about whether or not I really wanted to purse this.

For now, I don't really regret my decision - I'm really excited to start the program in a few months! But like I said, it's also very, very scary and I just really wanted to talk to someone who has gone through it and get a feel for what's out there.

(Also: Sorry; this post kinda got away from me...)

xokw, BSN, RN · Nov 3, 2015

Looking back, it really wasn't awful. It is a great program, but my personal experience was that I did not enjoy my time while I was there. However, that had nothing to do with the program, and everything to do with untreated mental health issues. Looking back, I can say it was a wonderful program, and I was prepared well upon graduation.

I took one year off but quickly realized I wanted to complete my BScN. I am enjoying this experience so much more, and it makes me wish I addressed my health much earlier.

You'll meet a lot of students who pursued other degrees prior to nursing!