Mount Royal University RN future student!

[Sylv_]

Hello everyone!

I'm 29, male (if it matters? If it does, how so?) and will be accepted into Mount Royal University's Nursing program for Fall 2018. I'd have been in this year but they calculate their competitive average wayyyy to soon. I have a 93 in Bio30 and a 94 in Chem30 so that puts me at a perfect 93.5%. As I mentioned, they calculated their CA way too soon, so I've had to find a loophole (provided by them, thankfully) so I don't waste a whole year waiting to gain acceptance into the program. Currently, the CA is a 93.5% and who knows what 2018's CA will be, so it's better to just get in and do what I can. I didn't graduate when I was in high school so these last few years I've worked hard to achieve my diploma and the marks required to get into Nursing!

The loophole MRU provides is the Unviersity Entrance Option, or UEO for short. If you have the CA of the previous year, they freeze that CA for you and allow you to take GNED's and some cores of Nursing. Currently, they only have one available which is unfortunate. I'm only allowed to take 3 classes a semester in order for them to look at my High school average vs them looking at a post secondary AGPA which is more than likely over a 3.92. That's absurd.

Now that my background is completed, I'd like to request some more information on how the program works. I've selected MRU because of how hands on they are right off the bat. I don't want to just learn theory because you end up missing the practice. I'm going to finish the program as quick as possible and that includes spring semesters. I don't know how it works entirely, but from what I know I can take a max of 3 semesters a year, and not 4. Spring and Summer just aren't long enough, or something. I'm new, as mentioned and this is my first time in post-secondary. I'm old and I want some semblance of an independent life that doesn't involve living with my parents. They've been super kind and helpful while I've been upgrading and have allowed me to proceed at no cost so because of their kindness (or pity) I have the luxury of attending full time full time and not just the fall -> winter. If there's any information at all that can be provided regarding fast tracking at MRU's BN program, please, inform me!

My advisors are for UEO only and don't have much information to help me out. Nursing advisors won't speak to me until I get 'official' confirmation, nor will they unrestrict a core class for me for winter 2018 and allow me to have full time status. I'll need to have a pointless filler class that'll be a waste of time, money and resource. Maybe there is a class someone can recommend, because unfortunately again, my UEO advisor is basically useless and cannot help.

I'd also plead for some info regarding how the class structure is set up in order to get through the classes properly and efficiently. Again, the Nursing faculty won't share anything with me. I'm the type of student to want / need to see into the future (at least now I am) so I can plan accordingly.

How do clinicals work? You have a theory class, then a lab that is technically clinical (from what I've read) and then your prof assigns you specific times and a place? Do those places dynamic, or static? I'd prefer static because having to go to a bunch of places often could really take away from free time that is used to complete work.

How about A&P 1? What about A&P 2? What do the labs consist of?

I'm focused on not being in a career setting where if I make a mistake I could end up killing someone. I'm looking for something a little more stress free. I've aligned myself with wound specialist or something surgical in the subject of Arthro / ortho. I honestly don't know a darn thing and I'm really struggling to find answers so I can understand and pick the best options for my interests / skills / strengths.

I have so many thoughts and they're scattered. I'm disorganized at trying to ask all of the right questions, I force myself to not think of all of the questions.

Please, if you have the time, just write your experiences along with whatever answers to the questions of mine you have experience in. It's a bit overwhelming for me and I'll just take any bit of information I can so that I can strengthen and prepare myself before I begin actual NURS classes.

Since I'm new to AN.com, I've noticed a section for the NCLEX. I'll read up on it and see if I can't start preparing for it now. If I do prepare, is that even a good idea, or should I wait until a specific period of time into my degree?

To finish off: I was a very ****** student in high school. I know now that I cannot be that way. Readings are extremely important and I understand this. Procrastination is a Nurses worst enemy because you're only playing yourself for a fool and destroying your possible success. Do not procrastinate. I have aspirations that extend farther past an RN, especially for my late career. I'm interested in an NPrac / NPD and I know I need to have an extensive knowledge, outstanding GPA and a great portfolio to back me up, along with more than likely, a great NCLEX score.

Thank you in advance. I hope someone(s) have the extra time to offer word of their experiences and knowledge. I would be extremely grateful.

Thank you,

-A.

[Sylv_]

Thank you, Ashley!

I'm just about to start work but I wanted to clarify one thing. I don't feel that nursing is stress free because it's quite the contrary! My own version of stress is killing someone and if I'm not around that or if I have one of the smaller chances, I'd like to select there if it aligns with my interests.

I loved your response and I will finish my own later tonight.

Thank you!

[Sylv_]

Again, thank you. I was worried that no one would respond and I'd be left in the dark.

I'll have all of my GNEDss complete along with two cores. I'm taking 1303 and 1401 for the GNED's and then INTS1204? Anyway, it's the professional communication core. I'll have the 1100 & 1200 GNEDss to complete in winter 2018 and I hope the classes I want are offered then. Unfortunately, I think as I mentioned, the other cores are locked so I'm stuck with just two GNEDs so I'll need to find a random third class to take. If there's space on the first day of class for winter 2018 I can then go talk to the nursing faculty and get admitted. I find it so weird that given my very specific situation, in that I will be 100% unequivocally admitted for fall 2018, they wouldn't give special permission. Maybe things will change after I apply on October 1st and get admitted right away. Who knows. I want to take stats as the second core. I don't know how that will make the start of my degree look or operate, though.

With the 4 GNEDs and 2 cores out of the way, I'd be left with A&P, Theoryx1 (not sure if that counts as 'Professional Communication,' Stats and Nutrition (I'll take either of the two, whichever I can get into, in any section available no matter how **** it is.) If I knock two of those cores out, and if theoryx1 counts as prof comm, I'll be left with 3 classes, which is not a bad thing, maybe. I wish there was a way to build a schedule in advance. Maybe there is and I just suck / don't have enough knowledge of how Gradu8 works.

Would you lump me in the N2 pattern because I have the GNEDs and 2 cores completed before I start? It looks like my plan would be a little messed up compared to normal! Would the nursing advisors figure out a plan that works, or do I have to do that kind of heavy lifting myself? Do I have the option to fast track right away? I'd ideally be looking to start the fast track come spring 2019, which would technically be second year. I guess it all depends on what is offered in those non main semesters, yes?

As I mentioned in my quick reply, I know our careers are full of stress and I do not discredit the stress level. I only worry about making a mistake and having that mistake claim my patient's life. I absolutely do not want Emergency, ICU, Critical care (on a stepdown, whatever that is) or anything that is similar to that. I've read some accounts on reddit and I'm really turned off from those situations, and that couples with a personal stand point. Maybe I excel in those positions, I'll just have to find out and see what calls to me, as you said.

I'm glad the clinicals are static. What is the family newborn L&D day? Is that labor and delivery? What is a SIM lab? I do drive and I've saved enough to get through nursing school with few financial burdens. I'll still get as much in loans as I can, and then save the extra / earn interest / invest without loss to help pay when I'm completed. That was just an aside sorry. Driving won't be a problem! Whatever this program takes, I'm going to give it my absolute all, as I've planned. I've worked so hard to get to this point and I'm not going to let all the hard work go to waste. Whatever the profs throw my way for clinicals, I'll do. Is there any negotiations on where you get placed / dropping and adding a new class to get a better placement? I won't be working while I'm in the program so any time is nursing time, basically.

I plan on having neat and extremely comprehensive notes / study cards / study material that I can look back on, not only for the A&P / Patho / Pharm / Adult Health, finals, but also so I don't have to relearn everything before the NCLEX. A complete and comprehensive summary in detail for notes will go leaps and bounds, yeah? Congratulations on passing on your first seating! I hear it's pretty difficult, and also that more MRU students pass on their first sitting than the UoC students.

Thank you for the goodluck, I'll definitely need a little bit of it along with some foresight and a strong work ethic.

[nvishaa]

Hello,

My name is Visha and i have applied to the BN for fall 2020. Im trying to fast track the program and was wondering if you guys can give me any information on how i can do that. Right now i have taken all 4 of my gneds and i'm planning on taking the following classes in the winter 2020 semester.

INTS 1240, HLTH 2250, HPED 2507 and PSYC 2235

Can you fast track with practicums? how do they work? for example are they taken each semester? and are the classes and its practicums taken together? for example child studies and its practicum. Can i take practicums in the spring semester to get ahead?

Thank you!

[Old Hag]

Hey Visha!

MRU doesn't fast track at all, you have to stay with your intake year for all practicums. MRU's program already requires you to take some classes/practicums in the Spring session it fit the whole 4 year degree in, so there's not really time/space for fast tracking. The only option for fast tracking in Calgary is the accelerated program at U of C for people with prior degrees.

Without being accepted into the Nursing or Midwifery program already, you can't take HLTH 2250 (and there is no direct transfer credit for that course) and PSYC 2235 has a pre-req course you need in order to take it (but you can take PSYC 228 at Athabasca and it should transfer). INTS and HPED are open for anyone to take, though.

Good luck!

[Shayyyy]

Hello Visha and Old Hag

I am a 3rd year MRU student and will be fast tracking. MRU does fast track. You just have to wait until the end of your third year to do so.

so you will take your third year courses . Child health, mental health, adult health, family newborn, and seniors health.. and then in the summer... take the courses your would take in the fall. And the courses you would take in the winter, you would take in the fall... therefore I will be done the program in December, instead of April.

you do have a fast track option. I am 1000000% sure. Because I am doing it this this and end in December.

but old hag was correct regarding pre-requisites. You can take your gneds, but the courses you listed there has pre-req... unless you are a university entry student, you are able to take some. I am just not sure which courses. If you did get accepted already, you can only fast track when going into your 4th year.

I hope this helped!

[sylkismoothe]

Hello Shayyyy, please can you tell me if both N1 and N2 can fast track, I am currently N2 and thinking of fast-tracking in my final year but I do not know if I will be able to do that since N1 usually starts clinical before N1.

Thanks

[Shayyyy]

Hello!

yes, both N1’s and N2’s are able to fast track. Regardless of what group you are in, everyone will enter 3rd year together - at the same time- So fast track is an option for both groups.

[sylkismoothe]

Thank You!