This is super early to talk about applying to nursing school for 2016, but it's always better to be well-prepared! Let's share some thoughts and help each other out!
I am re-applying to nursing schools as I did not get in last year, and planning to enroll to more courses for pre-reqs and to increase my GPA (I graduated with a B.A.)hopefully this year will be much better and with luck!!!!
I have a few universities in mind to apply -
University of Toronto
York
Nipissing
Western
Queen's
McMaster
Should I apply to more? Which one should I apply? I am super eager to enter the program and I failed once, failing twice is not allowed!
Feel Free to give me suggestions or ask questions! Here is a link I found online listing most of the second entry nursing programs.
Hello everyone and congrats to everyone who has been accepted!
I'm new here! I've applied to the compressed/second entry program at McMaster, Toronto, Western, Trent and Humber (applied late Feb 22 for Humber so not too sure if I'll get in). Today I have been accepted to Trent! Really hoping to be accepted at the other schools so I can be closer to home. But still very excited to be accepted. Also my subGPA is 3.73!
Hi everyone! I just came across this thread and saw a few questions about Trent's compressed program. I'm currently in the program so if anyone still has questions feel free to ask! I know how stressful the whole process can be so I'd love to help!
Hi everyone! I just came across this thread and saw a few questions about Trent's compressed program. I'm currently in the program so if anyone still has questions feel free to ask! I know how stressful the whole process can be so I'd love to help!
What's your background (past education)? How are you finding the program and what made you choose Trent? Do you have any info on where students can be placed for their clinicals? I'd like to end up working in Toronto/GTA so it might be beneficial to attend a university that has affiliations with hospitals in the area.
What's your background (past education)? How are you finding the program and what made you choose Trent? Do you have any info on where students can be placed for their clinicals? I'd like to end up working in Toronto/GTA so it might be beneficial to attend a university that has affiliations with hospitals in the area.
I graduated in June with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology from UofT with a 3.6 gpa in my last 10 credits. I applied to Trent, Humber and Lakehead and was accepted to all three but chose Trent and could not be happier with my decision! Although I also seriously considered Humber, I preferred to have a BScN instead of a Bachelor of Nursing (not that one is better than the other, I just preferred having more of an emphasis on the sciences as my specialty will be in acute care) and didn't want to take a risk with Humbers "prep" semester. Humber also has a partnerships throughout the gta (particularly with Bramptons hospitals) which I would have had a hard time accessing. I found Trent's program to be very structured and organized and gives exposure to almost all areas of nursing and has faculty that truly want you to succeed. Again, not that other schools don't. UofT and other schools have amazing nursing programs and what I'll say is based solely on my own needs and interests.
In terms of clinical placements, each semester has a different focus at Trent. I'm in my second semester of my first year and I am currently placed in a long term care facility (as the focus of this semester is on gerontological nursing) and will be in mental health or maternal/child this summer (students choose which specialty they prefer), community placement in the fall, acute care next winter, chronic care for the first half of the following summer followed by at least 400 hours of practice in the pre consolidation semester and 400 hours of practice in the consolidation semester (where students choose their specialty/areas of interest).
I'm also from Toronto so I completely understand your concern for choosing a school that has affiliations with facilities in the GTA. As Trent has a collaborative program with George Brown college (the RPN to BScN bridging program), there is a Trent coordinator in Toronto that places students for this program as well as students from Peterborough who wish to do their pre consolidation/ consolidation semesters in Toronto, so you don't necessarily have to go to a school in Toronto to have that benefit. Also, for all placements (except the community placement and consolidation semesters) Trent works with a taxi company in Peterborough so students are brought to and from their assigned placements regardless of how far the placement is, which I believe is a major element applicants should know about considering that Trent is in Peterborough and some people may not choose Trent as they are under the assumption that they are on their own when it comes to placements. Trent has partnerships with facilities that stretch as far as Oshawa, so say (for example) Trent places me in a facility in Oshawa, I pay $200/300 for the semester (depending on whether the placement is once or twice a week) and Trent pays the rest and I am brought to and from my placement each week for 12 weeks and everything is organized by Trent with the taxis in terms of pick up times/locations/etc. At placement you'll have an instructor with you (usually groups of 8-10 with one instructor) so it makes the transition much easier. Also, clinical placements have a corresponding simulation lab along with theory courses, so you'll be able to explore the specialty in many ways and get a lot of practice at the same time.
When it comes to choosing a program, I know many people may be looking at which program can be completed in the shortest amount of time but its SO important to realize that this is not something that should be focused on. Look at your own learning style, areas of interest and schools that fit your needs and not necessarily the "reputation" of the school itself. While I loved UofT for my first degree and have heard great things about their nursing program, Trent's program appealed to me much more. Personally, I'd rather be in a longer program and have more clinical experience instead of rushing through a program. Also, the NCLEX pass rates of each school are not necessarily reflections of how good the program is or how well it prepares its students for the profession, and many nursing students will tell you that the NCLEX does not measure how great of a nurse you are.
In terms of the program itself, how well you do is a reflection of what you put in. I have to say that UofT really prepared me for Trent's compressed program and I've been able to maintain at least a 3.5 gpa in all of my courses (and I'm taking a full course load). It's a tough program and you will see the realities of nursing (whether we like it or not) and I don't have much time for anything other than school (although again, thats just me and I enjoy investing all my time in my work as I do want to be able to provide the best possible care for my patients one day). However, Trent is very fair and it is definitely possible to do well IF you invest your time in your work and are passionate about nursing. Sorry for the long post but hope it helps!
I graduated in June with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology from UofT with a 3.6 gpa in my last 10 credits. I applied to Trent, Humber and Lakehead and was accepted to all three but chose Trent and could not be happier with my decision! Although I also seriously considered Humber, I preferred to have a BScN instead of a Bachelor of Nursing (not that one is better than the other, I just preferred having more of an emphasis on the sciences as my specialty will be in acute care) and didn't want to take a risk with Humbers "prep" semester. Humber also has a partnerships throughout the gta (particularly with Bramptons hospitals) which I would have had a hard time accessing. I found Trent's program to be very structured and organized and gives exposure to almost all areas of nursing and has faculty that truly want you to succeed. Again, not that other schools don't. UofT and other schools have amazing nursing programs and what I'll say is based solely on my own needs and interests.
In terms of clinical placements, each semester has a different focus at Trent. I'm in my second semester of my first year and I am currently placed in a long term care facility (as the focus of this semester is on gerontological nursing) and will be in mental health or maternal/child this summer (students choose which specialty they prefer), community placement in the fall, acute care next winter, chronic care for the first half of the following summer followed by at least 400 hours of practice in the pre consolidation semester and 400 hours of practice in the consolidation semester (where students choose their specialty/areas of interest).
I'm also from Toronto so I completely understand your concern for choosing a school that has affiliations with facilities in the GTA. As Trent has a collaborative program with George Brown college (the RPN to BScN bridging program), there is a Trent coordinator in Toronto that places students for this program as well as students from Peterborough who wish to do their pre consolidation/ consolidation semesters in Toronto, so you don't necessarily have to go to a school in Toronto to have that benefit. Also, for all placements (except the community placement and consolidation semesters) Trent works with a taxi company in Peterborough so students are brought to and from their assigned placements regardless of how far the placement is, which I believe is a major element applicants should know about considering that Trent is in Peterborough and some people may not choose Trent as they are under the assumption that they are on their own when it comes to placements. Trent has partnerships with facilities that stretch as far as Oshawa, so say (for example) Trent places me in a facility in Oshawa, I pay $200/300 for the semester (depending on whether the placement is once or twice a week) and Trent pays the rest and I am brought to and from my placement each week for 12 weeks and everything is organized by Trent with the taxis in terms of pick up times/locations/etc. At placement you'll have an instructor with you (usually groups of 8-10 with one instructor) so it makes the transition much easier. Also, clinical placements have a corresponding simulation lab along with theory courses, so you'll be able to explore the specialty in many ways and get a lot of practice at the same time.
When it comes to choosing a program, I know many people may be looking at which program can be completed in the shortest amount of time but its SO important to realize that this is not something that should be focused on. Look at your own learning style, areas of interest and schools that fit your needs and not necessarily the "reputation" of the school itself. While I loved UofT for my first degree and have heard great things about their nursing program, Trent's program appealed to me much more. Personally, I'd rather be in a longer program and have more clinical experience instead of rushing through a program. Also, the NCLEX pass rates of each school are not necessarily reflections of how good the program is or how well it prepares its students for the profession, and many nursing students will tell you that the NCLEX does not measure how great of a nurse you are.
In terms of the program itself, how well you do is a reflection of what you put in. I have to say that UofT really prepared me for Trent's compressed program and I've been able to maintain at least a 3.5 gpa in all of my courses (and I'm taking a full course load). It's a tough program and you will see the realities of nursing (whether we like it or not) and I don't have much time for anything other than school (although again, thats just me and I enjoy investing all my time in my work as I do want to be able to provide the best possible care for my patients one day). However, Trent is very fair and it is definitely possible to do well IF you invest your time in your work and are passionate about nursing. Sorry for the long post but hope it helps!
WOW! This is really amazing help. Thank you so much. Another question, if you have time, I'm fairly interested in research opportunities and was wondering if you have access to principal investigators are Trent who are willing or able to take on research students for the summer etc. I know we won't have much time, but it's something I would definitely want to look into. Also - side note, what is rent like in Peterborough? I'd like to live alone ideally in a place in good condition/newly renovated. Distance to campus isn't too much of a problem because I'll likely have a car. Thanks for your help!
Hey everyone. So glad to hear so more people got acceptance emails! I got accepted by Trent yesterday. My cgpa is 8.4/10 (not sure about uoac), not sure about my last 10 courses last year (I had an honours project so I don't know how it was weighted), but my last semester was 3.63 gpa. I'm still waiting on Mac, first choice out of the 3, and UoW. If anyone knows when uwo will be sending out emails it will be greatly appreciated.
I spoke to UWO and they said that they will start sending acceptance letters on March and April but only to small groups of people, apparently their big round of acceptance will be middle of May or end of May.
I'm not really sure, I haven't asked directly. However, when I spoke to the advisor at Trent University I was considering of taking an additional course to upgrade my average and she told me that a high school course will not be calculated into my average (may fulfill a pre-requisite but not affect the average) and that only by doing a university level course I can improve my average.
So, I don't think Trent takes into account your high-school grades.
I spoke with the advisor at Trent and she told me that I may take additional courses and by doing so I may receive a conditional offer. In that case the condition would be to complete the course by the end of August (although they would rather you finish it earlier). But... if you do decide to take another course make sure that you send Trent, and in fact any university out there, a proof of attendance. Trent makes things ever easier, there is a form that you can fill out with an intention to upgrade.
I spoke to UWO and they said that they will start sending acceptance letters on March and April but only to small groups of people, apparently their big round of acceptance will be middle of May or end of May.
Hey everyone! I have also been creeping through this thread for a while and thought I'd join in on the conversation. I applied to York, U of T and Western second-entry nursing. I graduated from University of Ottawa in June 2015 with an Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences degree. My cGPA for my 4 years was 8.9 on a 10 point scale (not sure of the conversion to the 4.0 scale) and 9.7 for my last 30 credits. I am writing my casper test for York this Wednesday and I'm wondering if anyone has written it and has any feedback or advice on how to prepare. I know there is nothing to study but any tips are helpful! Good luck to everyone on your applications and I hope we all get into the school we want :)
pattycakes15
3 Posts
Hello everyone and congrats to everyone who has been accepted!
I'm new here! I've applied to the compressed/second entry program at McMaster, Toronto, Western, Trent and Humber (applied late Feb 22 for Humber so not too sure if I'll get in). Today I have been accepted to Trent! Really hoping to be accepted at the other schools so I can be closer to home. But still very excited to be accepted. Also my subGPA is 3.73!
Good luck to everyone else! :)