Considering application to RN program at Humber

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Specializes in NICU.

Hi All,

I have been hemming and hawing for years over what I want to be when I grow up. Now that I'm about to turn 30, I guess it's time to **** or get off the pot so to speak :o I have toyed with the idea of nursing or something in a medical field for years and have just about made the decision to apply for the fall 2012 intake.

Here's the issue. I have an old school OSSD, the one where we still had OAC instead of the current University or College track courses. My OAC year average was 81.33% (yes, I totally pulled it out to calculate), however, I did not do either Chem or Bio in OAC and only did Chem in Grade 12. I'm worried that this could really hurt me.

Further, I then decided to follow everyone else over to University and after throwing 2 years of tuition down the drain realized it just wasn't for me. If the course material didn't appeal to me I couldn't force myself to go to class let alone study. I think I might have 2-3 credits that might be transferrable, including Environmental Science or something like that. It has been about 8-9 years since I've been in a classroom but from everything I can find my University transcript needs to be part of my application. If that's the case, I don't like my odds. Does anyone have any suggestions to increase my chances for getting accepted?

I am currently working as a Senior Medical Case Manager in Travel Insurance. Basically, I'm reading med reports, calling docs for med reports and talking to patients all day to manage their travel benefits. It's strictly ambulatory cases, mostly fractures, back pain and ear infections but we get the odd wonky file. I work surrounded by our RN team who work on the inpatients but often use the Senior team for assistance. I like to think this gives me a bit of a leg up, but who knows?

I am working full time but would absolutely consider taking on a course or two ahead of admission if that increases my "likeability" on paper. However, I communicated with a Humber rep today who was somewhat discouraging and seemed to indicate that even their own Continuing Education courses would not be beneficial. I'm somewhat at a loss, I really want to go foreward and will likely apply as soon as applications are available in the spring. It sort of sounds like the reek of entitlement, but when I applied to University, I got in to every one I applied to. This time, I actually care about what I'm doing and want to put my best foot foreward.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

Michelle

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Unfortunately your job doesn't really give you a leg up because a lot of mature students have worked or have volunteered in the health care field just like you have. Some of them even have science degrees. It's really competitive!

I suggest you look into each program you are applying to. Contact their admissions. Look up Pre-Health programs in different colleges to help you with upgrading your courses. I hate to say this but you've been away from school for way too long and you probably have to re-take some highschool courses like Bio, and Chem--or at least courses that are equivalent to the U/M level courses that current secondary institutions offer. If you do not have those subjects, nursing programs won't even consider you because you don't meet MINIMUM requirements. Also, since you don't have these courses you won't be able to apply for the Fall 2012 intake because upgrading alone takes about a year =S... and that's just being optimistic.

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I know you probably want to work full time while upgrading courses so I'm putting up a link for TDSB Night school.

http://www.tdsb.on.ca/wwwdocuments/programs/continuing_education/docs/FallSecondaryNightSchoolBrochure(1).pdf

By the looks of it, you would probably have to take upgrading courses. You'll be wasting your time and $$ in applying to programs without meeting the minimum requirements. The best strategy is to ask admissions to the program you want to get in to... ask them if they prefer you taking pre-health or going back to "highschool" to upgrade.

btw, what was your major in university? If it's not related to science, it's probably not... umm how do I say this without belittling your efforts to achieve higher education--worth anything(?) If you took any Intro to Psychology classes; those can probably be transferable but other than that, even if you have a lot of courses that can be transferred, colleges/universities will only allow you to transfer a certain amount. Good luck and best wishes.

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I was in a similar situation as you, but instead of having an "older" school format, or OSSD, I grew up in New Brunswick... and in a french district school. So, I had LOTS of missing courses, and the ones I did possess, I was told by the "lovely" admissions officer that I would have to re-take all the pre-reqs in the "Ontario" equivalency in order to compete with all the other fresh young applicants. I'm 25 years old now, and it took me years to realize that I just needed to go ahead, take a chance, and apply for whatever program I could get that would bring me closer to Nursing. That's when I found out about Pre-Health Science. The program is offered in many Ontario colleges, and with this program no matter how bad your grades were, or however many courses you are missing... the nursing board will only look at your Pre-Health marks in lieu of your high school grades for the purpose of admission! A lot of people enter the program because it gives them an advantage over the high school applicants, and shows that after "X" amount of years out of high school, you are capable of getting good grades, and that you are mature and serious about your future in the nursing profession. :)

I would strongly suggest contacting local colleges offering this one-year program and getting more information on cost, admission requirements, etc.

It truly was the best option for me, and it worked! I got great grades (after not being in high school for 6 years), and it was a great refresher program preparing me for a possible career in nursing.

I am happy to say that I will be starting my BScN nursing program in 3 weeks at UWO, and I am so excited!!! :nurse:

Good luck! :)

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Specializes in geriatrics.

I was like you poster. Graduated in 1993 with OAC credits. You need the OAC equivalents of English, Chem, Bio, which is now called 12 U. There is no getting around that. I know because I researched it and begged the school, lol. I had to hire a tutor and spend almost a year getting the prerequisite courses prior to the 4 year program.

I graduated and got my RN at 36, going on 37. Was it worth it? Yes....definitely. Now a year has passed since I started working. I left TO for AB and I. Think I'll stay here till the loans are paid. Better money for nurses out west.

Anyway, that's my story. If I can get an A in Chem after 14 years, anyone can. It was done with sheer determination. GL :)

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Specializes in NICU.

Thank you everyone! I'm still trying to sort out my options. I live across the street from Sheridan College and was hoping to be able to take some upgrading courses through them but it looks like Humber wants University credits, since it is a Bachelor program.

Joanna73 - How did you go about getting the pre-requisites? Did you take High School upgrading courses? Or did you go through a local college/university?

I am wondering if I can take Biology, Chemistry and Math courses through Athabasca while working to give myself University courses based on the Pre-Requisites? Then even if they don't accept them as transfer credit, I have the Pre-Req's.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

I went to high school night school. If you go through Athabasca or any University you are going to pay a lot of money. I took Math also which was through correspondence.

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Specializes in NICU.
I went to high school night school. If you go through Athabasca or any University you are going to pay a lot of money. I took Math also which was through correspondence.

I don't know why it hadn't occurred to me to look into taking the pre-requisites at the high school level. I guess my brain was trying to block the high school experience :D I've searched online and found out that I can do Bio & Chem through ILC. This looks like a great option for me, since I work full time in a 24/7 environment which can make getting out at a set time on set days for months a bit of a challenge.

If I may, how did you find going back to school after having been gone so long? Which school did you attend and did you graduate RPN or RN? I am still debating my decision but in my heart I think it's made, so now the nerves and anxieties are setting in.

I really appreciate the help.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

If you take those courses through University, you can't use them as transfer credits. I went to Ryerson and I remember the Bio course in 2005 was 960.00. No thanks. I took Math through ILC, and Chem and Bio in night school. Of course, everyone is nervous starting a new program. If you want it bad enough, you'll get over that and move ahead.

I enjoyed NS, and after the first year everything starts to come together. I can say that school is easier than working, but nursing itself is easier after you hit the 7 to 8 month mark. You go to work prepared for anything.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

I'm an RN, which took 5 years. I decided if I'm going back, I'm getting my BSN. I graduated with honours too.

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Specializes in NICU.
If you take those courses through University, you can't use them as transfer credits. I went to Ryerson and I remember the Bio course in 2005 was 960.00. No thanks. I took Math through ILC, and Chem and Bio in night school. Of course, everyone is nervous starting a new program. If you want it bad enough, you'll get over that and move ahead.

I enjoyed NS, and after the first year everything starts to come together. I can say that school is easier than working, but nursing itself is easier after you hit the 7 to 8 month mark. You go to work prepared for anything.

Congratulations on the RN, and with Honors to boot! You should be very proud.

I have decided to register first thing Monday for ILC Grade 11 Bio and from there will do my Grade 12 Bio & Grade 12 Chem. If I have the time, I might try to upgrade my Grade 12 Math mark, which was just a 70 when I graduated in 2001. How did you like ILC?

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Thanks. But I'm not special....people go back to school all the time. I chose the RN mainly because I want to eventually travel. ILC is ok, but I hired a tutor for that Math course. It was too hard solo. You need to aim for 85 percent in all those courses. Less than 80 percent won't guarantee acceptance, because schools are extremely competitive.

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