I am hearing all these horror stories about the RPN program (extremely difficult {I don't mind hard work, it always pays off in the end}, high drop out rate, etc).
If anyone on here took the Registered Practical Nursing at any college in Toronto, Ontario.
Please share some insight. I am very excited and can't wait to begin this Fall, but I am very nervous as well and don't want to take those feelings along with me into my First Year.
Any, tips or advices? Pleas share your experiences.
I am an RPN student right now at Humber in Toronto, going into my last year. I wouldn't say there have been horror stories about it.. at least not my program.. It is a lot of work but I've been able to do it full time and keep a demanding 25 hour a week job. The only complaint I have about my program in particular is they have a math test you HAVE to get 100% on and no calculators allowed. There is no math class to teach you what you need to know, you have to kind of figure it out and teach yourself. At the moment, I still haven't passed that stupid test but other than that it's really not that bad. Clinicals are great, it's about 5-6 hours twice a week (2 weekdays if your FT, Sunday and Monday if your PT).
As everyone else has said, just keep up with the reading, attend class, and don't leave things till the last minute. It's a lot of work but it's completely manageable and worth it.
I am hearing all these horror stories about the RPN program (extremely difficult {I don't mind hard work, it always pays off in the end}, high drop out rate, etc).
If anyone on here took the Registered Practical Nursing at any college in Toronto, Ontario.
Please share some insight. I am very excited and can't wait to begin this Fall, but I am very nervous as well and don't want to take those feelings along with me into my First Year.
Any, tips or advices? Pleas share your experiences.
Many thanks.
I'm starting the PN program in Toronto in 10 days! () (and planning to go for RN after I'm done ). Honestly, I know it's not gonna be easy, but I just keep focusing on the final prize = Graduation and passing THE EXAM! We can do it! We just need to be disciplined about our time management, and not get behind in anything, finish projects/assignment early, keep up with the reading and most important of all ATTEND ALL SCHEDULED CLASSES! No skipping, no slaking off and no procrastinating! We will survive!
hi rn2b_2015 , thank you so much for you response. we are in similar situations. what school will you be attending? we should definitely keep in touch to share each other's progress. are you planning on working while in school? i am. i would love to complete the bachelors program after, but i think it would be best to for me to work for 1.5 years, gain some experience in the field, pay down some debt and then move forward. all the best to you hun and let me know what school you will be attending. i will be attending centennial college.
Specializes in Med/Surg, LTC, Rehab, Complex Care.
Hey Ginger,
Sorry for the delayed response. For clinical in semester 1 we were at a nsg home for 2 mornings a week for 4 hours. Semester 2 I was in a rehab/complex care placement for 2 days a week for 6 hours. Semester 3 was on a surgical floor 2 days a week for 6 hours and we did 7-1 and 1-7. Semester 4 was consolidation where we got to pick our placements, I chose medicine as it was very skill based and excellent prep for the CPNRE exam. I followed a full time schedule there working 12 hour shifts 2 weeks of days and 2 weeks of nights. While at the same time working part time at wal-mart :)
Specializes in Med/Surg, LTC, Rehab, Complex Care.
I forgot to mention weekends/weekdays. 1st 2nd and 3rd semester were all during the week during school hours. For my consolidation I was following a full time rotation which was every other weekend off.
hi, i am about to go into my third semester. i think a lot of the students that dropped out or were failed, were people who didn't really want it. some were offered chances to come back and most said no, they realized it wasn't for them.
yes it is a lot of work, but how hard you work depends on what grades you want to have. if you want to get your bscn work your butt off. at my school the the min to get in last year was 87% because tons apply and there are only a few spots.
i worked an average of 3 shifts a week and studied most of my spare time . i got a 3.89 gpa. my friend worked 4 nights a week and alternate weekends, went 2h away to see her bf on most of her weekends off. she got low-to-mid 70's. she will be an amazing nurse and is passing, that's all you really need. employers don't look at grades. (btw under 65 is a fail)
i got a job in a nursing home this summer (amazing experience, but hard to get so apply early). for september i'll do alternate evening weekends. then in october i'll switch to nights (fri and sat). i'm really happy about it because nights are laid back, so i'll be able to get in a at least an hour or two of studying. quit my other job!!! making way more money and for less shifts.
my best advice is to get organized. take your semester overview sheet and write all of your test, assignments projects presentations and papers on a big wall calendar. that way you can see what your month looks. (the feeling you get ripping of each month is amazing!!!). i also have a color for each class, that way when i see green, my first thought is "oh, better study for an a&p". there is a lot going on at one time so it is easy to let things sneak up on you.
good luck. i have had a blast and am looking forward to going back!
Sorry for the delayed response. For clinical in semester 1 we were at a nsg home for 2 mornings a week for 4 hours. Semester 2 I was in a rehab/complex care placement for 2 days a week for 6 hours. Semester 3 was on a surgical floor 2 days a week for 6 hours and we did 7-1 and 1-7. Semester 4 was consolidation where we got to pick our placements, I chose medicine as it was very skill based and excellent prep for the CPNRE exam. I followed a full time schedule there working 12 hour shifts 2 weeks of days and 2 weeks of nights. While at the same time working part time at wal-mart :)
Hope all is well,
Take Care!
Sabrina_RPN
What school did you go to? This sounds exactly like mine.
thanks for all the insight guys. i really appreciate it. i am really looking forward to the road ahead. thanks for all the encouragement. i know that it will not be a walk in the park, but i want it bad enough. i wish you guys all the best.
p.s. i didn't know that you could apply for jobs(to:jme_daisy-"i got a job in a nursing home this summer (amazing experience, but hard to get so apply early). for september i'll do alternate evening weekends. then in october i'll switch to nights (fri and sat). i'm really happy about it because nights are laid back, so i'll be able to get in a at least an hour or two of studying. quit my other job!!! making way more money and for less shifts." ), and be employed in the field before completing the program. please explain. thanks so much again and all the best to you all.
You can usually get hired at a nursing home after your first year or so of school as an aid ( they may refer to it as a PSW position, personal support worker).
You can usually get hired at a nursing home after your first year or so of school as an aid ( they may refer to it as a PSW position, personal support worker).
Don't you have to get a 1 year PSW college certificate to be employed as a PSW nowdays? I know it makes sense for someone who completed their first year of NS to be able to work as a PSW... but I'm wondering if it's law to have to have your PSW certificate to be employed as one?
Don't you have to get a 1 year PSW college certificate to be employed as a PSW nowdays? I know it makes sense for someone who completed their first year of NS to be able to work as a PSW... but I'm wondering if it's law to have to have your PSW certificate to be employed as one?
You're overthinking. It's done like this all the time. The basic skills for care are taught first year. Successful completion of the year shows you acquired the skills. The facilities do, do reference checks.
) 
(and planning to go for RN after I'm done 
). Honestly, I know it's not gonna be easy, but I just keep focusing on the final prize = Graduation and passing THE EXAM! We can do it! We just need to be disciplined about our time management, and not get behind in anything, finish projects/assignment early, keep up with the reading and most important of all ATTEND ALL SCHEDULED CLASSES! No skipping, no slaking off and no procrastinating! We will survive! 
I know it makes sense for someone who completed their first year of NS to be able to work as a PSW... but I'm wondering if it's law to have to have your PSW certificate to be employed as one?
JodiK
1 Post
I am an RPN student right now at Humber in Toronto, going into my last year. I wouldn't say there have been horror stories about it.. at least not my program.. It is a lot of work but I've been able to do it full time and keep a demanding 25 hour a week job. The only complaint I have about my program in particular is they have a math test you HAVE to get 100% on and no calculators allowed. There is no math class to teach you what you need to know, you have to kind of figure it out and teach yourself. At the moment, I still haven't passed that stupid test but other than that it's really not that bad. Clinicals are great, it's about 5-6 hours twice a week (2 weekdays if your FT, Sunday and Monday if your PT).
As everyone else has said, just keep up with the reading, attend class, and don't leave things till the last minute. It's a lot of work but it's completely manageable and worth it.
Good Luck!