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I am currently in my third year in a BA Program and want to make the switch to an RPN Nursing Program. I am studying Sociology but feel like it is not heading towards any career.

Questions:

1) Do I have to start from scratch? If I can make the switch, how does that work? I am dependent on student loans and I will not be able to afford that much school alone.

2) I have no science/math background, and did not take the Grade 12 requirements for Nursing, do I have to complete these credits? What type of math skills should I strengthen for Nursing school/job?

3) Any similar stories of switching your field of study/work to Nursing? everyone I know thinks I am making a mistake and wasting time/money, but I really do feel passionate about this career. Please share any info, stories, and advice.

Thank you.

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What province are you in? In Ontario to be accepted in rpn you have to have grade 12 math college level and biology as well, if you do not have any of the requirements, colleges offer weekend courses that way u can get the electives out of the way. If you were to take rn in the same school that Ur in now, they will factor out Ur gpa with the amount of applicants they receive as transfer students. However, you will still need the requirements and start from scratch, but that should not discourage you since the prerequisites are easy. If u have good grades they will consider those grades for the application, what I would suggest you do is finishing with sociology since you have 1 yr left, and then go on and do what u plan on doing. Also, speak to a counsellor, every school is different but it's not as hard as u think it us to switch a program. Many of my friends have taken rpn and had no problems finding jobs especially in Alberta and they love their job.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

I am an RPN in Ontario and I also needed Grade 12 chemistry as well as the math and biology for my program. Some programs also require physics as well so check with the one you want to apply to, they will be able to tell you what you need.As far a math is concerned you will want to brush up on algebra, metric conversions, ratios, and basic multiplying and dividing. I returned to school at 38 to become an RPN and it's the best decsion I ever mage. Best of luck and let us know how you are doing.

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Thank you both for posting! One other question, would you recommend second entry nursing programs? My school happens to have one and am wondering if the two year second entry is just as qualified for jobs as other four year programs.

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If it's a recognized and accredited program then you Should have no problems, employers are only interested in knowing whether you passed the boards or not, they dont care about the amount of years you spent in school. What I found with the accelerated Program is many people felt like they were not ready and it wasn't sufficient time, however, some people were able to transition very easy, if your the type of person that learns fast then you should b Ok.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

I have heard that many accelerated programs are short on clinical hours and heavy on theory. Also you do not pass "boards" in Canada. That is a US term. In Canada you write the CRNE or the CPNRE. It is true that employers do not care where you went to school. All they care about is whether you have a license.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

moved to the Canadian forum

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