Humber PN or Ryerson RN?

[sybk27]

Hi I'm an international student living in Toronto, Canada and currently a high school student. I've received a conditional offer for nursing from both Humber college and Ryerson university. The offer from Humber is for PN 2-year program and Ryerson, of course, is for 4-year RN program. I've seriously considering both sides (college and uni) over 1 year, but I've not made a decision on where to go. It's almost end of April and now I really have to choose one of them.. To be honest, I've been strongly attracted by advantages of starting PN first (experience, cheaper tuition fee, short length,,), but I heard that there are some strict requirements such as good GPA and no any failed/repeated courses during PN program to be eligible for bridging RPN to RN program later. When I first got to know about this, I was very shocked, I understand though because I've also heard it is highly competitive.

I know that wherever I choose to go, I would have to work hard but I'm just worried what if I would not retain satisfactory GPA or even fail any course at college. What happens in that case? I guess upgrading is not possible then because it says "no repeated courses", right?

My goal is to be a RN anyway, so I'm pretty sure that I will pursue the bridging program if I get into Humber. Unfortunately cuz I'm neither a permanent resident nor citizen here, I have lots of restrictions.. like visa issue and financial concerns

Could you guys give any advice for me plz!

[crazydoglady89]

I would go for what you eventually WANT, which is the RN. There is nothing wrong with PN, especially if you have a family to support along the way and want to take a bridge program later, which is MUCH more flexible.

However, you are YOUNG. I would go for the regular 4 year program.

You can't sit around worrying about future failures. If you are a good student and commit to staying on top of your studies, success will likely be the outcome. If you are worried about your academic abilities/need a slower pace, then you will need to address that.

Don't worry about the "what-if" situations right now. I used to be exactly like you, and I worried myself out of starting my path to nursing 10 years ago when I should have. Like you, I feared I would fail some classes, but also wondered what if I kill someone, or just overall am too incapable of being a nurse. It's good to have a LITTLE fear to keep you on your toes (hopefully you have less than I did, I was downright anxious), but don't let that hold you back!

4 years seems like a long time, but it's not. It'll fly by.

Ultimately, nobody can tell you what will be best for YOU, but if I were in your shoes that's what I would do. My good friend chose LPN early on because she had a son VERY young (I think she was 17) and just got her BSN this past year at 26, so that path ended up working for her.

[sybk27]

Thank you so much for your kind and warm comment. You're absolutely right! I think I have had too much worries beforehand. By the way, may I ask you why you'd go for the 4 year program directly in the case of young age? Does it help in some way?