HELP! RPN @ Georgian vs BScN @ Georgian/York

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I am strongly considering returning to school for a 2nd career and have recently begun researching Nursing as an option. Previously, I considered attending Laurentian University for their Mideivery program but I do not feel a move to Sudbury is best for our family right now.

We have 4 young children ages 1yr to 7yrs and we have struggled financially for a few years now. I enjoy working with families and especially feel that working with new mothers and babies is a wonderful opportunity to serve in my community. As such, I would like to set a goal to become an Obstetrics Nurse.

I am JUST NOT SURE WHICH CHOICE IS THE BEST FOR US!!! I know that this is only a choice to be made between my husband and myself but I have just found this website and feel it is full of such helpful advice.

That being said, my question(s) are this: 1. Is it possible to become an Obstetrics Nurse with only a diploma as a RPN?

2. Has any other mothers with young children successfully completed either the Practical Nursing Program at Georgian College (Barrie, ON) or the Registered Nursing program at Georgian combined with York U??

2. As both programs are highly competitive, any ideas on the averages for newly accepted applicants to either of these programs?

Thanks for any ideas and support!

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

I am an RPN graduate of the program at Georgian and I will try to answer some of your questions

1. Probably not. As far as I am aware most OB jobs require RN designation.

2. I did the RPN part time at the Orangeville campus. I was a single mom that worked 7 days a week and went to nursing school 2 nights/week year round for almost 4 years. You will need to be prepare to make child care arrangements during clinicals. You generally will have to be at the clinical site early in the morning.

3. I entered my program as an adult student with no high school diploma so I had to test into my acceptance. I had to pick up grade 12 bio and chem(which I did through Georgian) and then write an entrance exam as well.They do not divulge exactly what marks/average they require for acceptance, only whether or not you were accepted or not. I think they sometimes evaluate different factors and cases are treated individually.

Hope this helps.

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Specializes in med-surg, OR.

You need to be an RN to be an OB nurse, because OB is a more critical care. Things can go very wrong in childbirth, and your patient can become unstable. OB nursing also requires additional nursing education and training beyond a basic BScN program. This is on the job training, as well as courses you will need to take after (or before) you land a job. I would suggest to gear your clinical eduaction, if you have the choice to OB. Choose an OB consolidation, even if you have to drive farther to get one. It can be a harder area to get into after you become an RN, if you did not get alot of OB expereince as a student, as it is a "desirable" area. In most cases, it is also hard to find full-time work in OB right away, you will probably be working part-time or casual in the beginning.

Btw, you mentioned before that you were interested in midwifery, I could be wrong, but I am pretty sure Ryerson has a part-time program in Midwifery. Its probably hard to get into, but I think that there is a high demand for Midwives, and you would have a lot more autonomy. Good luck with your decisions!

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I am a York/Georgian BScn student and I go to school with lots of young moms. I often wonder how they do it because I struggle with the busyness of full time school, part time job, and family/relationship commitments. I agree with the previous post; Ryerson has a midwifery program and so does MacMaster University in Hamilton. There is a huge demand for midwives as well. What does your heart tell you? You mentioned finances are a motivating factor. I imagine midwifery pays quite well?

You could start the BScN program at Georgian/York, and then if you want to just complete the 2 year program, you can bridge to the RPN program and finish in the summer after your first 2 years. Last week in class we were discussing all the 'restructuring' in the city right now, and how there are mostly RPN jobs available.... Just a few things for you to consider. I hope this helps:)

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Med-Surg..

Dear LakeSimcoe: There will likely be jobs available in four years for new RN's, as there are quite a few RN's that are very close to retirement. Things in healthcare change quickly, it seems that every provincial government has new priorities and this one seems to favour education. You may find that in four years, it is a very different focus.

Good luck.

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Thanks for all the replies. I found them all quite helpful. I believe that nursing is a calling and that not everyone is suited to be an excellent nurse. I think nurses are some very amazing people particularly when I think of the work and level of commitment that goes into the first year on the job. I am very excited to say that after much thought,time, and research, my husband and I have decided that the midwifery program at Laurentian University is the best direction for me to take at this point. I am very excited and have begun to take the steps to apply.... we shall see! Thanks again!:yeah:

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I hope you will keep us posted on how things go, it sounds like an exciting career choice. I do not personally know anyone who is a midwife, do you? If so, have you asked them how many deliveries they do in a year?

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I actually used a midwife for my prenantal care and delivery of our fourth baby and the experience was so remarkable. I always had a great appreciation for all the labour and delivery nurses as well as postnatal nurses who have cared for me and my children in the past and it was these experiences which led me to think about a career in obstetrics.

Midwives will typically care for a max of 40 low risk patients per year (I believe). Each practice has a different percentage of home and hospital births but I think home births can range anywhere between 30 - 50%. I too think its an exciting career choice especially since midwives get the wonderful opportunity to form a relationship with the mother from early on in her pregnancy.

I'll keep you posted!

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Ontario midwives can have a maximum of 40 births as primary care giver and 40 births as secondary care giver each year.

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4kidsmummy

Were you aware that allnurses has a certified nurse midwives section? There are many interesting threads in this section and the posters information may be helpful to you when you are taking the midwifery course https://allnurses.com/certified-nurse-midwives/

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I am a York/Georgian BScn student and I go to school with lots of young moms. I often wonder how they do it because I struggle with the busyness of full time school, part time job, and family/relationship commitments. I agree with the previous post; Ryerson has a midwifery program and so does MacMaster University in Hamilton. There is a huge demand for midwives as well. What does your heart tell you? You mentioned finances are a motivating factor. I imagine midwifery pays quite well?

You could start the BScN program at Georgian/York, and then if you want to just complete the 2 year program, you can bridge to the RPN program and finish in the summer after your first 2 years. Last week in class we were discussing all the 'restructuring' in the city right now, and how there are mostly RPN jobs available.... Just a few things for you to consider. I hope this helps:)

LakeSimcoe: Could you please provide a little more information on your point about starting the BScN program and then completing by bridging?

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