2nd Entry Nursing Applications for Sept. 2013 - U of T, York, McMaster

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Hello all, Just starting a thread here for any applicants to the 2nd Entry Nursing Program for U of T, York, and Mac.

People can:

-ask questions and/or post when they have received an offer of admission or rejection

-share their marks/volunteer experience

-support each other during the super stressful waiting game

-discuss application issues, essay questions, prerequisites, etc.

There was one last year and I found it super helpful to see what others were doing, when offers were going out, and which candidates were selected. It's also a good reference for next year's potential applicants.

For myself, I have applied to U of T, Mac, York, and Dalhousie, with an A- or 3.66 GPA overall and 3.63 in my last 30 credits (10 half courses or 5 whole courses). I do not hold a Bachelor degree, but am in 3rd year at York's Honours BA Psychology, and hold an Associate of Arts from Langara College in BC. I have several years experience volunteering for an inner-city after-school program, for a crisis intervention phone line, and with fundraising.

Last year I was rejected from U of T with 3.53 in the last 30 credits, and only 2 years post-secondary. I had a C+ in one of my reported pre-requisites.

Hope this helps everyone and best of luck to you all!!

Not that I know of.

I was just accepted to Queen's accelerated program! I was surprised because the program is small, though I'm not sure how many people applied this year. Does anyone have any info on this program? I haven't found much, just applied as an extra alternative if UofT didn't accept me. Still waiting on UofT. If anyone is going to/has gone to Queen's then I'd appreciate any info!

I was recently accepted to Queen's AST as well. I'm just wrapping up my undergrad at Queen's right now and attended an info session on the program in November.

From what I understand, there are approximately 40 AST students that take classes with the students in the 4-year program. AST students take these classes in a weird order, though (Look at Page 5). I think clinical begins in second semester of the first year of the program. Clinical can take place at a number of places, including: Hotel Dieu Hospital (downtown Kingston ≈ 10 minute walk from campus), Kingston General Hospital (on Queen's campus), and St. Mary's of the Lake (nearby Queen's West Campus, ≈ 10 minute walk from campus). The course calendar might help clear up more questions you have about the program-- I know it did for me!

Alternatively, if you have any questions about Queen's or Kingston in general, I'd be happy to answer them for you! I have tentatively accepted my offer from Queen's (still waiting on other offers); however I'm 99% sure I'll return to Queen's-- I love it here!!

I just got into UofT's program! Definitely accepting it :) ...

My stats: 3.8 in the last 5 credits, 3.8cGPA. In my final year of a 4yr undergrad BSc degree at UofT-Missisauga. Worked at my uni for 3 years, 3 yrs of being a research assistant, volunteered for the past year at a health centre, and did lots of other volunteering here and there.

Looking forward to meeting you all!

I was recently accepted to Queen's AST as well. I'm just wrapping up my undergrad at Queen's right now and attended an info session on the program in November.

From what I understand, there are approximately 40 AST students that take classes with the students in the 4-year program. AST students take these classes in a weird order, though (Look at Page 5). I think clinical begins in second semester of the first year of the program. Clinical can take place at a number of places, including: Hotel Dieu Hospital (downtown Kingston ≈ 10 minute walk from campus), Kingston General Hospital (on Queen's campus), and St. Mary's of the Lake (nearby Queen's West Campus, ≈ 10 minute walk from campus). The course calendar might help clear up more questions you have about the program-- I know it did for me!

Alternatively, if you have any questions about Queen's or Kingston in general, I'd be happy to answer them for you! I have tentatively accepted my offer from Queen's (still waiting on other offers); however I'm 99% sure I'll return to Queen's-- I love it here!!

Thanks for all the info! Since you're at Queen's now, have you met anyone that is currently in the AST program or has completed it? I haven't seen as much about it as some of the other compressed nursing programs so I'd love to hear some of the student's opinions. I've heard that Queen's is a really great school in general though so I'm really excited about the offer. Congratulations on your offer as well :)!

@timhortons thanks for sharing an alternative perspective!

Just wondering, are you at all concerned about how much you will learn in Mac's program? I know you have decided that it would be the best program for you, but I am still struggling to make a decision. I really don't want to feel under-prepared when entering the work force, and many nurses at my current place of employment have been quite harsh in saying "mac and conestoga students are useless".....these nurses are RPN's and I am not sure if there harsh opinions are due to some other underlying issue, or if students truly don't feel prepared. I'm sure PBL is great for learning more detail in a small number of things, im just not sure about the extent of knowledge you would learn in general.

Also, do you know if there are any lectures in PBL? Or is it group presentations, essays...etc?

Correct me if I'm wrong but..

PBL is in the 'Nursing Theory' courses only. So it's integrating and applying what you learn in pathophys, pharmacology, microbiology etc. lecture-based courses to practical health care situations. You're given a case in your tutorial group, and it's up to you to research and figure out how you would go about treating the condition. @timhortons correct me if I'm wrong.

I had an amazing RN in emerg back in the fall.. she was the most personable and happy nurse I've ever been treated by.. she was a graduate from Conestoga and could not stress to me enough how much she loved the program.

PBL depends on your personality.. I feel like if you're more outgoing then theres more of a chance you'll enjoy it and do well.

I believe stressing this on my supplemental application is what got me into the accelerated program at Mac. I have a lot of leadership training and experiences working in teams .. and my GPA is only ~77% in the past 2 years.

Thanks for all the info! Since you're at Queen's now, have you met anyone that is currently in the AST program or has completed it? I haven't seen as much about it as some of the other compressed nursing programs so I'd love to hear some of the student's opinions. I've heard that Queen's is a really great school in general though so I'm really excited about the offer. Congratulations on your offer as well :)!

So I don't personally know anyone in the AST program; however, I was talking to a friend of mine who does and she was saying that her friend's number one issue was that it was "intense"-- meaning it was difficult to have a part-time job, volunteer, participate in extracurriculars, etc. With that being said, given that most accelerated nursing programs are all intended to cram 4 years into 2, I feel like "intense" is probably a good way to describe any of these programs. "It's all about time management,"-- how many times have we heard this!?

Anyway, I'm still trying to find someone already in the program that I can talk to, to get a better idea of what to expect, so if that works out I'll be sure to share the advice here!!

Has anyone heard anything about U of Toronto's program? I have heard they have amazing placements for their students as they have 10 teaching hospitals- but I do not know much about the program itself. Does anyone know anybody who has completed the program or any feedback they can offer? I have had offers at multiple other schools but I am very torn between Western or U Toronto..

I have two friends who are currently in the program and they have nothing but amazing and positive things to say about the program itself, in addition to the clinical placements. In terms of information about the program itself, have you taken a look at the Bloomberg website? It has lots of information on it regarding courses, as well as course timetables (Bachelor - Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing).

I also received multiple offers and have chosen UofT because of the clinical placements, the learning style (didactic learning), and the potential to do research.

Below is some information I received from a current student (not sure how much stays the same from year to year in the program, but im assuming much of the program stays the same):

First semester consists of M/C quizzes, papers, midterms, and a week of final exams. If the course has quizzes there is no midterm, OR for the clinical courses there is just a paper and final. First semester there is a 2 hour lab that you have weekly to apply the skills you have learned in class for that week. Second semester there are no midterms, rather each course has a paper/careplan and a final exam. Seminars are scheduled throughout second semester but they are during class time. Exams are M/C, short answer and essay, its all dependent on the course.

First semester: monday tuesday and wednesday are in class days, and thursday and friday are clinical days 730-330.

Second semester: monday and tuesday are in class days as well as wednesdays. Wednesday afternoons you gather patient information for peds and adult care. Thursday and Friday are again clinical 730-330.

Third semester: Here a course continues from January into June (Pathology/Pharmacology), and you have your third clinical rotation (peds, adult med/surg, or mental health).

Clinical placements take place Thursdays and Fridays approx. 730-330. The placements correlate very well classes. For example, in the fall semester half the class has geriatrics first then maternity and vice versa. Depending on which rotation you have first, that is the placement you will be in. This is also the same for winter semester, in which the class rotates through mental health, adult med/surg, and paediatric placements.

Hope that helps you make your decision :)

I noticed that Western has their own Facebook group for the class of 2015, so I decided to create one for those of us who are set on attending UofT! The name of the group is Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing (UofT) Class of 2015. This can be a place for us to ask/answer questions and to become acquainted with each other before we begin the program in September. Looking forward to meeting everyone!

I also created a faebook group for those coming to McMaster :)

McMaster Accelerated Nursing Class of 2015!!

I also created a faebook group for those coming to McMaster :)

McMaster Accelerated Nursing Class of 2015!!

Can't seem to find it - post the link? :)

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