New here and hoping for some great opinions!!

[a123688]

HI everyone!!! I am new to these forums found them while searching for information on nursing. Based on some of the posts in this forum, I can tell that everyone here are very supportive of eachother and have great respect as well.

Well to start off, I am a 20 year old male in Alberta and am going into my 3rd year of Nutrition and Food Science program this coming September. This is different than becoming a dietician, in case people are confused. I am considering a career in nursing after my 4th year in the nutrition program.

I have done a lot of information searching from university calendars and internet searches and am hoping for some more opinions from people. I found that you can do accelerated programs compared to regular 4 year programs. What I can't really picture is how you can finish a program in 2 years that is intended for 4 years and both take similar number of courses per semester. I AM NOT complaing about this at all!! I'm just wondering, won't the people taking the 2 year program miss some info that people in the 4 yr program receive?

Also, I read info from U Calgary and U Alberta calendars. Why is the UC one called a BN and UA one called BScN? I thought all nurses get a bachlor of science in nursing? Correct me if I am wrong.

Hopefully you guys dont bash me for asking such dumb questions. I dont know where else to put this. I look forward to hearing everyone's answers!! And to meet many great people on here.:)

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

:grpwlcm:

The accelerated program for people already holding a baccalaureate degree basically eliminates all the liberal arts and science electives that the 4 year program students have to take (since they're assumed to have already been taken in the original degree!) and concentrates the nursing content into the 2 years. And the difference between a BN from U of C and a BScN from the U of A is what it's called by the university, and that's all. Semantics... pure and simple.

[a123688]

Thanks for the quick reply!!

One more thing I forgot to ask, is it helpful to have a 2nd degree when you are done the nursing program? Anyone who has a nursing degree and another degree that was helpful to them while they were at work?

I don't know if my nutrition degree with a minor in physical activity will be of any help. Not like I am going to plan a menu or anything. Unless you guys know where that might come in handy one day!!

And this will probably be a disadvantage!! I am one of those shy people

NOt overyly shy like not talking to other people. But not outward either. I dont go up to people and introduce myself to strangers easily. Its acutally quite hard. But I have no problem at all talking to people once I know them. I can work with other people quite easily as well. I am afraid that this will DEFINITELY be a problem if I do indeed become a nurse one day. I was hoping to get some ideas from anyone who has expereinced this or know anything to overcome this?

Thanks!!