Ontario BScN Programs

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Hi,

This is the first time using this site so I apologize if I am not doing this right haha..

I am interested in applying for BScN programs but I don't know where to begin. I live in Ontario and relocating won't be a problem for me (but I am interested in staying within Ontario unless there is some absolutely amazing school located somewhere else in Canada), so I am looking at Colleges and Universities that offer this program. I have seen on other forums that Western, McMaster, Ryerson and Queens have the best programs but I don't know if this is true. If it is true, I also don't know why this is true.

I am a tactile learner and I am looking for schools that offer a lot of hands-on experience and interaction. I would like to attend a school with a lot of different and good quality clinical placements as well. I understand that all schools will have lecture styled classes, but I've heard that Western's learning style is very lectured based and that is one reason I am not very interested in applying to Western. I've also heard some bad things about York and Seneca and other schools, but I don't know why they are considered "bad", I've just heard that many students were very disappointed in them.

If you can help direct me to some good schools that would be greatly appreciated!

Another question,

My end goal is to become a Registered Nurse. I will need to take Pre-Health before I can be accepted to any of the BScN programs as I don't currently have the grades to get in. Would it be a bad idea to get into the Practical Nursing program first and practice for a year or two getting experience and then do a bridging program from RPN to RN? Or would you recommend jumping right into the BScN program?

Thanks in advance for all of your advice and input!! :)

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Specializes in Public Health.

I attend McMaster, so I can give you a little bit of information.

Mac uses a PBL (problem-based learning) teaching method, and it is VERY, very different from conventional lecture-style teaching. It is highly focused on small-group learning (10-20 students) with a facilitator rather than a teacher”. The program is also huge on self-directed learning. Most people will say that all university programs have an element of self-direction involved, but Mac really takes it to the extreme because of the way PBL works. Basically, PBL is a way to teach you how to teach yourself, rather than just sitting and being lectured at in a room with 60 people. It's hard to explain, but if you research it you can find lots of information as it is used all around the world.

McMaster is also known for being less focused on clinical and placement time (there is still a lot, just not as much as some other schools), and more research intensive. The logic behind this is that you will not graduate knowing everything (you never will though, no matter where you go), but you will graduate knowing how to figure out what you need to know.

I don't know much about other programs.

Good luck with your decision!

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Thank you so much for all of that info! It will definitely help with my decisions. :) I hope your enjoying the BScN program at McMaster!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to e Canadian Nurse program discussion forum

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Specializes in NICU.

I also attend McMaster, and I will echo that it is very self directed and very research intensive. I did the rpn program at mohawk first and I gained a really good background of clinical skills, whereas the mcmaster program is focusing more on the "book stuff." Because I did the rpn first and work as an RPN I feel I have a good grasp on the skills so I don't mind that the program is more focused on research and theory. However, some of my classmates don't have any experience and I'm afraid they will be lacking in skills when they graduate. I also find this with the regular BSCN stream at mcmaster as I mentor those students during their placements on my floor and I find the skills portion is lacking. I don't know how it is at other schools but I do enjoy Mcmaster in terms of learning more about the nursing profession (leadership, research, advocacy etc). Good luck!

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Specializes in Public Health.
I also attend McMaster, and I will echo that it is very self directed and very research intensive. I did the rpn program at mohawk first and I gained a really good background of clinical skills, whereas the mcmaster program is focusing more on the "book stuff." Because I did the rpn first and work as an RPN I feel I have a good grasp on the skills so I don't mind that the program is more focused on research and theory. However, some of my classmates don't have any experience and I'm afraid they will be lacking in skills when they graduate. I also find this with the regular BSCN stream at mcmaster as I mentor those students during their placements on my floor and I find the skills portion is lacking. I don't know how it is at other schools but I do enjoy Mcmaster in terms of learning more about the nursing profession (leadership, research, advocacy etc). Good luck!

As an RPN, I love the program as well. However, my classmates and I have had numerous discussions about exactly what you just said. If I hadn't been already working as a nurse, I am certain that I would not feel adequately prepared clinically after graduating from McMaster.

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Thank you for your comments. This helps a lot. As I said before, I am looking for a school with a lot of hands-on and interaction and a lot of clinical placements. I haven't researched all of the schools yet but so far I've gotten the impression that Queens and Brock are good in that sense?

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