NP Program UBC/UVIC

PaedRN · May 7, 2021

Congrats to everyone who got an offer. Could you please tell us what your background is in? What specialty? Also, How long have you been a RN?

Congrats again.

hmorse4, BSN · May 7, 2021

3 hours ago, OptNurse said:

Congrats to everyone who got an offer. Could you please tell us what your background is in? What specialty? Also, How long have you been a RN?

Congrats again.

Hi, I’ve been a nurse for 5 years with two and a half years in ICU and two in med/surg, and the last few months in interventional radiology:)

PaedRN · May 8, 2021

14 hours ago, hmorse4 said:

Hi, I’ve been a nurse for 5 years with two and a half years in ICU and two in med/surg, and the last few months in interventional radiology:)

Thanks a lot. I intend to apply after 2 years of being an RN. Do I stand a chance?

hmorse4, BSN · May 8, 2021

9 hours ago, OptNurse said:

Thanks a lot. I intend to apply after 2 years of being an RN. Do I stand a chance?

I actually applied a few years ago to UVic after two years of nursing and got in after being waitlisted (they initially said I had a good application but wanted to see more experience). But I ultimately decided to pursue ICU instead after a lot of reflecting and feeling that I wasn’t ready for it at that time. However, that’s my own experience. If you have the grades and the desire to pursue this path, it’s worth applying and seeing what happens. I’d recommend bolstering your application with volunteer/research/leadership experience (for example, if there’s a fall prevention committee on your unit or something).

PaedRN · May 8, 2021

20 minutes ago, hmorse4 said:

I actually applied a few years ago to UVic after two years of nursing and got in after being waitlisted (they initially said I had a good application but wanted to see more experience). But I ultimately decided to pursue ICU instead after a lot of reflecting and feeling that I wasn’t ready for it at that time. However, that’s my own experience. If you have the grades and the desire to pursue this path, it’s worth applying and seeing what happens. I’d recommend bolstering your application with volunteer/research/leadership experience (for example, if there’s a fall prevention committee on your unit or something).

Insightful. Thanks.

What was your average in percentage? I practiced as an Optometrist for several years. Hoping that counts for something?

hmorse4, BSN · May 8, 2021

9 minutes ago, OptNurse said:

Insightful. Thanks.

What was your average in percentage? I practiced as an Optometrist for several years. Hoping that counts for something?

In third year, 88 and in fourth year, 91. Oh that’s really interesting! I’m sure it would, as you would be familiar with principles of diagnosing and prescribing. I’d say go for it, and emphasize how your past optometrist experience would aid your ability to be an excellent NP ?

raymondjay06, BSN, RN · May 8, 2021

@OptNurse

At the time of my application I was nursing for 3 and a half years. I have a bit of everything under my belt, including med/surg, Oncology (BMT/Leukemia), mental health, PACU and I took a role in public health in October as a contact tracer to prep for the NP role and buff up my resume.

I have a critical care specialty and a previous diploma in business admin. I did have many volunteering experiences BEFORE my undergrad but never took on any leadership roles as an RN but lots of management positions prior.

My third year GPA was 88% and my fourth year GPA was 91% and I finished with a 90% GPA for critical care. I do not know how they gauge post specialty GPA with undergrad though but since BCIT and UVIC have an advanced pathway for specialty programs and some of their master's programs, I imagine its taken into high consideration.

My advice is to foster some fantastic relationships with managers and educators or even instructors that will endorse a perfect referral for you. Any experience you get under your belt will be beneficial, but highlighting what you've learned vs what your understanding of the NP role is (and expressing that coherently in your statement letter) will be your ticket into the program. Sounds like you have a great background to build off of already though! A great group of budding NP's here!

pedsorthonurse, BSN, RN · May 13, 2021

This is all such great information to read as a prospective NP student for next year! I'm really sitting here debating now if I'm just getting ahead of myself, and whether I should give myself one more year of experience before applying. Right now I have just over two years experience, so by the time the program would start, I would have over 3.5 years. I had grades in the 90's in nursing school and I have my BCIT neonatal specialty certification as well. I am mostly worried about my experience level being a slightly newer nurse more than anything else. Anyone have any insight re: applying now vs waiting a year? Thanks, you all sound amazing!

light1027, BSN, RN · May 14, 2021

I had 6.5 years of nursing experience at the time application: 1 year palliative at ESN, 2 years Cardiac, 2 years of ICU, 2 years Clinical Informatics Specialist - Critical Care working where I gained project management and leadership experience working closely with operational directors, and physician and nursing leaders for the CST go-live. Prior to nursing, I had BSc. Psych degree and had research experience as a research assistant at UBC Centre for Infant Cognition.

My GPA was 87.6% at UBC BSN (3rd and 4th combined) and 96% at BCIT Critical Care Certificate program.

During the UVIC interview, I had the sense that UVIC preferred those with more years of clinical experiences or specialty nursing certificate. On the other hand, during the UBC interview, I felt like they weighed more on academic capability and leadership experience.

It doesn’t hurt to try applying for the next intake if your heart is set on becoming a NP. Hope you get it (fingers crossed), but if you don’t, you’d know that you need to get more experience under the belt then reapply.

Nayj · May 14, 2021

I was accepted to UBC, UVIC, and UNBC. What I would say is you need to show your understanding of what an NP is and how hard you are willing to work to become one. I think it’s important to do what feels right for yourself. If you think you need more experience as an RN then wait, if you feel ready then apply. Most of my time as an RN has been spent consciously preparing myself to take on the NP role. I graduated by BSN in 2017 for reference and was waiting to apply until I felt really ready to take on the NP role. I would say what I appreciate about uvic is their casual yet extremely intense approach LOL. However, when I asked UBC what makes their program good they responded by saying “we’re one of the best programs in Canada” which I wasn’t too impressed by. I would say when I spoke to many NPs when trying to decide what program to do most of them echoed “it’s not the program it’s the person” which I gotta say amen to sista

light1027, BSN, RN · May 14, 2021

@Nayj haha I totally know what you mean by UVIC’s “casual yet extremely intense approach”. I got into UVIC and UBC. I had really positive interview experience with the UVIC faculty member - you could tell she was a very experienced NP who was passionate about their program. UBC on the other hand, I didn’t get that vibe from the panel. However, in the end I chose UBC due to being closer to home and eventual plan to go back to the in-class setting. @Nayjwhich school did you choose in the end?

Nayj · May 14, 2021

@light1027 haha yes! I rejected UBC and UNBC and chose UVIC! It was tight for sure, UBCs deadline almost didn't give me time because UVIC waited so long to let us know. I was sweating for sure, you must have been in the same boat. I admit I am nervous about the distance, I hear it's extremely independent, but hey I'm sure that's what it will be like when we graduate as well.