Moving back to Canada at 26, and starting from scratch... overwhelmed!

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Hello!

This is my first post here (after lurking for a year or so), so sorry if I seem to ramble or ask obvious questions.

I'm a 26 year old Canadian citizen who has been living abroad (West Africa, Asia, Middle East, and now living in Uganda) for the past few years. I never attended university (4 years of post-secondary education, but non-accredited so it doesn't count), but now that I have some life experience under my belt, I've decided for certain that nursing is what I want to do.

Going back to school (let alone moving back to Canada) is an absolutely overwhelming prospect, in a good way, and bad way. I've tried to do my research, but I'm still quite confused. I'd basically like some help in figuring out the way to proceed.

I graduated high school in Ontario in 2003, but took mostly "O" or "C" level courses. I have absolutely no senior level sciences, and my highest math was grade 11 workplace prep.

I would prefer to study in Quebec (for personal and cultural reasons), but I suppose it doesn't really matter. The whole point of becoming an RN is so that I can return overseas to practice with Médecins Sans Frontières or another relief organization. (I have little to no interest in being a nurse in Western countries.) I'm especially considering McGill. I completed the French Immersion program in HS, so I could possibly attend a French university in Quebec, but I think it would be slightly too difficult for me.

So, some questions:

  1. Will I have better luck getting into a university by doing academic upgrading of my grade 12 courses? Or is a pre-health course a better idea? Do I even have the requirements to get into a pre-health course?
  2. If I complete a pre-health program in Ontario, will McGill accept it for entry into their BScN program? (I've read their website, but it's not clear)
  3. Are there any other super affordable BScN programs in Canada? Cost of living in terms of location is a bit of an issue, but I know how to live pretty cheaply.
  4. I can apply for a CIBC student line of credit once I'm accepted into a program, but what other options for financing are there? I have zero family support, but I haven't lived in Canada for 3 years, so I'm not sure if I qualify for OSAP or whatever. I currently have $4000 to my name, but I'll need some of that to fly back to Canada, and pay for rent/food before I find a job/get student loans.

Basically, I want to obtain my BScN as cheaply (but legitimately) as possible. Once I'm a nurse overseas, I won't have access to all the new technology and fancy labs, and so a shiny "nice" university won't be of help. And I won't be making much abroad, so having as little debt as possible is important. I just want a decent nursing program in a not-too-rural city.

Sorry for all this mess! I know my question might be a little confusing, but I'm literally on my own trying to figure this all out, so any and all advice is appreciated :)

Thanks!!

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UPDATE! And hour after I posted this, I got fired from my job here in Uganda. They're buying me a plane ticket, and want me gone in the next few days. Guess I'm moving back to Canada sooner than I thought! I think I'll move to Montreal. Anyways, my questions still stand as they are :S

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Specializes in MPH Student Fall/14, Emergency, Research.

Hi there, I too returned to post-secondary after a period of international travel.

I can't answer your questions about Quebec, but in Alberta, the entry average is very high to get into nursing. I had all my senior level courses with average marks and it was not enough. I had to upgrade my 3 lowest marks which were math, biology, and chemistry. I did that through a college program which was very concise (none of the filler stuff you get through typical high school courses).

Also, I had checked out volunteer opportunities like MSF. They don't want new nurses. They are looking for people with several years (at least 3 I believe) in a critical care or emergency specialty. So you will have to work your way into it with Western nursing experience. Just some food for thought. Considering the one year upgrading, 4 years of university, and 3 or more years getting the experience under your belt to work internationally, it could be quite a while before you fulfill your dream. Definitely not impossible, but make sure you are realistic in considering whether that's a commitment you want to make! :) In my own experience, my priorities have changed quite a lot since upgrading my marks in 2007.

I'd suggest that you be sure that it's *nursing* you want to do, not *travel*. There are easier ways to get involved in international aid than through plunking down 8 expensive years of your life doing something you aren't sure about.

Hope that helps! Good luck to you :)

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.
So, some questions:

  1. Will I have better luck getting into a university by doing academic upgrading of my grade 12 courses? Or is a pre-health course a better idea? Do I even have the requirements to get into a pre-health course?
It's very possible you'll have to do both. As the previous poster said, entry into nursing programs in general, even as a mature student as you are, is extremely competitive. This forum is not the best place to obtain accurate and up-to-date information regarding which schools will accept what. Contact the school(s) you're thinking of attending and get it directly from them.
  • If I complete a pre-health program in Ontario, will McGill accept it for entry into their BScN program? (I've read their website, but it's not clear)
    • See above. Only McGill's registrar's office can answer that with absolute accuracy.
  • Are there any other super affordable BScN programs in Canada? Cost of living in terms of location is a bit of an issue, but I know how to live pretty cheaply.
    • Quebec's tuition is extremely low - but only if you're a bona fide Quebec resident. It's one of the features of their social compact there. Out-of-province students, which you would be without a permanent residence there, pay more than double. Other provinces also charge different tuition for out-of-province students, but not typically as much more as Quebec. As for "cheap" that doesn't exist any more. You could check out tuition rates by visiting university websites so you have a basis for comparison. I could do it for you but I don't have time for that, sorry.
  • I can apply for a CIBC student line of credit once I'm accepted into a program, but what other options for financing are there? I have zero family support, but I haven't lived in Canada for 3 years, so I'm not sure if I qualify for OSAP or whatever. I currently have $4000 to my name, but I'll need some of that to fly back to Canada, and pay for rent/food before I find a job/get student loans.

    • Financial aid is always a sticky issue. Unless you're attending a school in Ontario, you're not qualified for OSAP - Ontario Student Assistance Program. Each province has its own agreement with the federal government related to the provision of student aid, distinct and separate from the Canada Student Loans program. Residency will be a problem for you, although now that you're having to return to Canada rather unceremoniously, that requirement may be more easily met, because it will take you several weeks to months to get all your ducks in a row for even upgrading.

    Having said all that, some may have trouble with the notion that you have been living and working abroad for years, you haven't been paying taxes in any Canadian jurisdiction in all that time but are now looking for assistance that is paid for by tax dollars. Just giving you a heads-up.

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    If your plans work out and you are accepted into nursing school, you can connect with Canadian nursing students and nurses who share your interest, through the the Canadian association for international nursing

    http://cainursing.ca/index.html

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    Specializes in ICU, ER.

    You will likely have to upgrade your high school courses AND take a pre-nursing course. I'm from Ontario and tuition at my school was approximately $6,000 per year. Depending on the semester you're in books are an additional $500-$2000 per semester.

    Uniforms and equipment should be considered as well. This will be different for everyone because you can buy a $50 stethoscope or a $500+ one.

    Good luck :)

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