Inquiries regarding the application process for Canadian MSN programs

[m_aidez]

I was contemplating on whether I should post this on the Canadian forum or the Student forum but I decided on the former because I'm interested in Canadian Universities:

I'm almost done my 4 year BScN program. I am thinking of applying for a MSN program once I complete my undergrad and pass the CRNE, of course. I want to take it sooner rather than later because I feel I have more "free time" to pursue something I really want. I do not really have a lot of financial responsibilities except my student loan (not a large sum since I decided to stay home) and credit card bill (which I hardly use unless I know I can pay it off monthly). On the other hand, sometimes I feel should go straight to work and wait for a little while, gain experience, pay my student loan and so forth. However, I'm worried that once I enter the workforce and stay for 3-5 years it will be hard to keep in touch with professors to get them to write me an academic reference that the universities ask for in their MSN programs. I just want to know how to increase my chances of being accepted to a MSN program. My inquiries are towards RNs who are pursuing or have completed an MSN program :

1) How much does your marks, CV, reference and purpose statement weigh in the admission process?

2) If you've been out of school for 5-6 years when you decided to take your MSN, who were your academic references? How did you keep in touch with them through out the years?

3) Does being part of the Honour Society and/or Professional Association increases your chances in getting in? How about extracurricular activities related to nursing during your undergrad years or in your workplace?

4) What are universities looking for? (i.e., are they looking for well rounded individuals or are they looking for persons who are dedicated to a specialty area in nursing for a special population)

5) Please feel free to give me tips regarding admissions.

[UofCRN]

Hello there,

I began an MScN program through York U last May and am currently enrolled part-time. I have five years of med-surg and LTC experience under my belt and I have also worked in the US. Bear in mind that most graduate programs in nursing are looking for work experience in addition to marks, a good "purpose statement" and any honours that you earned as an undergrad. As for work experience, I find that I'm continually referring to or drawing upon my nursing experiences in relation to my assignments, too. I would advise you to get some work experience first -- this was what a couple of my nursing instructors told me when I was still an undergraduate, in particular to do at least two years of med-surg -- before specializing in anything. Additionally, many grad nursing programs ask you to select the equivalent of a "major," be it becoming an NP, going into management/administration, or teaching and learning (I'm in the latter). Use the Internet to your advantage and look at what the various programs are asking for in the way of admission requirements, but don't be disappointed if they're asking for some work experience, and you should also know or have a feel for what kind of degree you'd like to do ... an MN isn't necessarily the same as a MScN, although they're both Masters degrees ... the difference is in the program's focus. In York's case, the emphasis is on human science nursing. Good luck!

[m_aidez]

Thank you!

[UofCRN]

You're most welcome ... as for academic references, try to keep in touch with at least one instructor in your undergrad program. I used my faculty advisor from my senior clinical placement as one of my academic references. My other academic reference came from a history professor, as I have an MA in history as well.

Another advantage of working before pursuing a graduate degree in nursing is that you will most likely be asked for nursing references as well, such as from a unit manager or a clinical nurse educator. In any case, my most important piece of advice is to keep in touch with one of your instructors. What you could do now is ask him or her if they would be willing to provide you with a reference in the future, and then keep in touch (and ask this person to let you know if they will be moving, so that you don't lose track of them). You might be able to use a preceptor from your senior clinical placement as well, but I would use that person as a last resort, as they're not really categorized as "academic" in the way that an instructor from your school would be.

As for juggling work and school, it can be a challenge, but if you're motivated enough you won't have a problem. What I might suggest is that when the time comes, do an MN or MScN part-time, work a part-time line, and pick up extra shifts/overtime without overburdening yourself so that you can avoid taking on more student loans as a graduate student. Again, best of luck to you!

[m_aidez]

Usually "academic" reference means an RN with at least a Master's degree. I'm thinking of working at least for 1-2 years and be active in my hospitals shared governance council. I'm hoping to volunteer for Sigma Theta Tau this year and hopefully that will help me network. I regret being not active in school to be honest. **sigh**

[UofCRN]

Hi again,

Yes, you're absolutely right in that an "academic" reference does mean an RN with an advanced degree. Your plan sounds wise, and anything "extra" that you do, such as volunteering for Sigman Theta Tau would be a feather in your cap. You want your grad school application to stand out and speak for itself when graduate admissions is going through its applicants' documents.

Again, don't be afraid of entering the workforce first ... you will gain valuable experience not just in performing nursing "skills" but in the way in which you nurse your patients and care for their families. You may want to do a little reading on human science nursing theory such as Rosemarie Porifice and Jean Watson.

I realize that going back to school after being in the workforce for a little while carries some risks, such as the satisfaction of earning money and perhaps having a job that you adore, but if grad school is what you really, really want to do, you'll do it!

Feel free to ask me anything else that should come to mind; hopefully I can help.

Regards, Tamara

[m_aidez]

Thank you again for taking your time to answer my inquiries. :) Good luck with everything!

[m_aidez]

Hello there,

I began an MScN program through York U last May and am currently enrolled part-time. I have five years of med-surg and LTC experience under my belt and I have also worked in the US. Bear in mind that most graduate programs in nursing are looking for work experience in addition to marks, a good "purpose statement" and any honours that you earned as an undergrad. As for work experience, I find that I'm continually referring to or drawing upon my nursing experiences in relation to my assignments, too. I would advise you to get some work experience first -- this was what a couple of my nursing instructors told me when I was still an undergraduate, in particular to do at least two years of med-surg -- before specializing in anything. Additionally, many grad nursing programs ask you to select the equivalent of a "major," be it becoming an NP, going into management/administration, or teaching and learning (I'm in the latter). Use the Internet to your advantage and look at what the various programs are asking for in the way of admission requirements, but don't be disappointed if they're asking for some work experience, and you should also know or have a feel for what kind of degree you'd like to do ... an MN isn't necessarily the same as a MScN, although they're both Masters degrees ... the difference is in the program's focus. In York's case, the emphasis is on human science nursing. Good luck!

I've decided that I want to major in teaching/learning OR management/administration. Can you tell me about the teaching/learning route? This might be a stupid question to ask but what exactly do you learn? I'm really interested in pedagogy theories more specifically critical pedagogy.

[UofCRN]

Absolutely ... the management/admin. stream is geared towards management jobs, namely if one day you'd like to become a unit manager/head nurse. The teaching learning stream at York caters to students who want to make teaching nursing their focus. I got my foot in the door with teaching by taking on a first-year lab at MacEwan University; they hire lab instructors as long as you graduated with a degree (BScN or BN) in nursing. Additionally, I love working with students. I loved working with them when I worked in the States, and I loved being a preceptor as well ... and for the "right" reasons, in that I just really enjoyed sharing what I knew and helping to soften the blows of a bad shift (unfortunately there are some nurses who like students/preceptoring because they get their students to do their work for them, which I think really sucks).

In any case, the teaching-learning stream is very pedagogical ... you're being taught how to teach nurses, and there's a great deal of emphasis on learning human science nursing theory as well as research methods. I would recommend York U's MScN program to anyone. Another bonus is that if you don't live in Toronto, the program can be done entirely online, which is what I'm doing since I'm in Edmonton.

I may be mistaken, but take a look at the U of Alberta's MN program ... I think they only want to see one or two years of clinical experience. But I still think that you should do your best to try to get some work experience for the sole reason that it would be to your advantage to have experience to draw on ... you'll understand the work much better if you can relate to your work experience, and you'll have something to share with your classmates as well.

Just a suggestion ... regards, Tamara :)

[UofCRN]

Hi again ... I just checked out U of Alberta's grad program in nursing, and they actually don't say anything about wanting one or two years of work exp. first ... have a look at www.gradstudies.ualberta.ca/depts/nursing.htm. Their e-mail address is [email protected]. Hey, you never know! -T.

[m_aidez]

I'm not a big fan of online courses and I live in T.O. so in-class is ideal for me. I tried the whole online course thing this summer and I just didn't enjoy it as much as in-class. I'm one of those people who need constant stimulation and I feel you never get the exact answer you're looking for when you have questions about the readings. I want to stay in Toronto so my top schools right now are UofT, Ryerson and York (not in any particular order) although I'm not oppose to moving around my province. Question, since you're in AL but you're attending York, do you still have to be registered by CNO? Can you be registered in two provinces at the same time?

[UofCRN]

Funny you should ask, as there was an issue about whether I needed to be registered in Ontario. Because I will be doing my advanced practicum here in Alberta, I don't need to obtain registration with the CNO. Now, having said that, if you were to pursue a graduate degree outside of Ontario, you'd have to check with the school in question whether you'd need to be registered in that province.

I understand your reluctance to do a program online. Although I'm doing the MScN via distance through York, you do have the option of attending classes (i.e., going to school as you did for your undergraduate degree). The one obstacle that you may encounter with York at this point is that they do want to see some work experience on your resume.

-Tamara :)