I am currently researching 2-year Accelerated/Second-Entry/Advanced Standing BScN programs in Ontario.
More specifically, I'm looking at:
University of Toronto
York University
University of Ottawa
Queen's University
University of Western Ontario
I have figured out the different university level pre-requisites and deadlines, (although U of Ottawa is incredibly vague even after I emailed their admissions people) and I have a Bachelor's degree in Arts and Sciences so I do have the necessary science background.
I'm hoping to get some personal opinions and feedback from people that are familiar with these different programs. Which ones are the best? Positive experiences, negative experiences? Also, as a side question, are Second-Entry graduates as respected as 4-year BScN graduates?
If you want a wide variety of placements to "chose" from... I would say UofT. A lot of the hospitals/health care facilities in downtown Toronto seem to have a soft spot for UofT student nurses. They get dibs on placements all the freakin' time! I'm not hating though since UofT is a force to be reckon with in regards to medical research or research in general. So it's expected for their affiliated hospitals to "teach" their students. A nurse is a nurse; therefore, it doesn't matter what school you graduate from as long as 1) you pass the CRNE 2) keep up with the work and 3) just be a sponge throughout your whole career.
edit: That's only if you're interested in moving to TO. I'm not sure about other programs. As to YorkU. hmmm... not a big fan for personal reasons lol. Not the program itself...
The second entry program and the 4 year nursing program were both offered at the school I attended in Ontario. I personally opted to complete the 4 year BScN program, but I had some classes with the second entry program individuals and became close friends with many of them. They were required to complete EVERY nursing course that we were, and they had the EXACT same time in the clinical settings. The main differences was that they went through the summers and they were exempted from the electives, statistics, or anatomy and physiology courses since they had previously completed them with another degree.
Obviously, this route is extremely compact, stressful and difficult. Yet, I know numerous nurses who went this route that were successful and excelled in the clinical setting.
I am a graduate from the 2 year BScN program at UofT in Ontario. I have to agree with snowyowl in that the program was stressful (mostly first year), crammed full of work and assignments and difficult. However there were many positive aspects that came along with going to UofT and being downtown. Like other writers have said, we get our choice of hospitals and clinical placements!
In regards to "respect" of second-entry students to 4 year students- all I have heard from the RNs were that they preferred the second-entry over the 4 years. We were generally more mature, learned quicker and were receptive to constructive criticism. I think it's unfair for some of the RNs out there to judge us based on our career choice- people assume that our "previous education wasn't marketable" and that is why we went into nursing. Well that is an extremely wrong generalization and it's quite hurtful and rude to say the least. Personally, I pursued a PT career... after volunteering at a clinic with them I was turned off and decided that wasn't for me. I volunteered a hospital and that's when I found nursing and saw how inspiring, caring and knowledgeable nurses were; that's what changed my career path and landed me here.
I hope that you (liza205) do your research and find a school that suits you. Do not let the more senior nurse's negative comments on second-entry students impact your decision to enroll. We graduate as fully competent, knowledgeable, caring and tough nurses!!
The second entry program and the 4 year nursing program were both offered at the school I attended in Ontario. I personally opted to complete the 4 year BScN program, but I had some classes with the second entry program individuals and became close friends with many of them. They were required to complete EVERY nursing course that we were, and they had the EXACT same time in the clinical settings. The main differences was that they went through the summers and they were exempted from the electives, statistics, or anatomy and physiology courses since they had previously completed them with another degree.
Obviously, this route is extremely compact, stressful and difficult. Yet, I know numerous nurses who went this route that were successful and excelled in the clinical setting.
This explanation is exactly what happens in my program, NEPS SDEO, we take the exact same courses, the exact same clinical hours as 4 year program, only difference is that we do it for 5 days a week, 8 hours a day for 2 years with very little break in between semesters (sometimes none at all) with the exception of our last break being just over 1 month and a half off. The difference here is, we don't have the time to procrastinate or sit down, and understand something to the fullest. If we don't get it in time, we don't move on. Simple as that, same as 4 year, just half the time to do so. We all have previous degrees that fulfill the prerequisites. Most of us have had careers and security that we left in order to pursue a nursing career. We know what is needed to be done and we are extremely motivated to succeed and get the hell out of school and back into the workforce. In the case of a few where they have had no work experience and have jumped from a 3yr to this program, they will, IMO, be the ones like you described in the first few posts describing fast track students. But think about this... What were you members like when you were first introduced to "real" nursing. I am sure you were the epitome of what RN education strives to create (haha, i'm sure). We all need proper mentorship to develop into successful nurses, and this culture of pointing out and laughing at the students that "don't get it" isn't going to help the situation anymore. So instead of saying "shes so stupid she cant even hang an IV", and promoting lateral violence. Please get off your chair and help someone who really needs it. Isn't that why we became nurses in the first place? To help?
Some people make generalizations based on their personal experience and that is their choice. I have been hearing these kind of generalizations from nurses for 25 years and realized during nursing school that there is no need to react emotionally to other people's generalizations.
To whoever was complaining about second-entry nurses not being as well-trained.. first of all its the equivelant of three years cause you study over the summer PLUS you need the requisites.. i am a student in health sciences and have applied to second entry because they simply wont accept my application for the regular 4 year program because I have too many classes that are the same for that program.. Ive also applied to Ottawa, York and Queens and would like to know which one is best :)
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If you want a wide variety of placements to "chose" from... I would say UofT. A lot of the hospitals/health care facilities in downtown Toronto seem to have a soft spot for UofT student nurses. They get dibs on placements all the freakin' time! I'm not hating though since UofT is a force to be reckon with in regards to medical research or research in general. So it's expected for their affiliated hospitals to "teach" their students. A nurse is a nurse; therefore, it doesn't matter what school you graduate from as long as 1) you pass the CRNE 2) keep up with the work and 3) just be a sponge throughout your whole career.
edit: That's only if you're interested in moving to TO. I'm not sure about other programs. As to YorkU. hmmm... not a big fan for personal reasons lol. Not the program itself...