Panicking about starting BScN (at U of Toronto)

[grace_device]

I actually applied to nursing back in the spring and was put on the waitlist. I figured that was a 'no', so I went merrily about, registering for more undergrad courses for the fall. Then they called me on July 23 and offered me a position for September. I was actually excited about the possibility of nursing until that call, then my first response was to yell no and run away (of course, I have commitment issues, and I'd be quite content to never make a firm commitment for the rest of my life). But, I said yes, and now I'm panicking. Registration is from August 3 - 13, and that's the deadline for getting certified in CPR, getting all your vaccinations, and a million other things. I'm hoping that I will have extended deadlines, since I was offered the position 2 months after most people and my official package won't even arrive until this week... but UofT's motto is "We hate you and want to ruin your life", so somehow I'm doubting it.

And if that's not enough, I'm starting to worry about things like clinical placements as well. Did you guys have much choice in where you did you placements, or were you basically told where to go? I think we have a couple days of clinical each week, then a big four month placement at the end of our second year. I could handle most places, but I really don't want to do any nursing homes or palliative care units. Both my nanas have stayed in those units, and I find them really depressing.

I guess those are most of my fears (though I'm sure I could think of 3845 more if I really tried). Short term, I'd like to get into the emergency department, flight nursing, or infectious disease control, and eventually Doctors without Borders or Red Cross (I have a BSc in anthropology). I'm also really interested in cultural aspects of medical treatment, and how different belief systems can work alongside contemporary biomedicine. Long term, I'll go back to school for a masters and PhD in epidemiology or public health. Oh, and move to England.

I hope I'm not sounding too pessimistic. I'm actually really excited about nursing, both as a career by itself, and as a step into public health. If anyone has any advice, I'd love to hear it. And if anyone has done (or is doing) their BScN at U of T (especially since they've switched to the second entry degree program), please let me know what you thought of it!

Thanks for listening to me rant!

Grace

[fergus51]

I've worked with U of T grads and they were all good new nurses. They all complain about having to write papers and not enough clinical time, but every nursing student does! They were able to request their pre-grad clinical placements and our unit took a few of them. We really liked them and 2 accepted positions on the unit after orientation.

If I could give you some advice, just make a list of things you need to do in the next 2 weeks and focus on them. Clinical placements, England, Doctors without borders, etc. can all wait. You sound a lot like me. I often overwhelm myself by thinking about things that won't happen for another few years. Planning ahead is obviously a good thing, but not when you have a lot on your plate that needs your immediate attention:)

[paulacath]

Hi Grace :)

Yes, U of T has a lot of requirements that need to be met for registration (even if you had more notice!)....definitely recommend making a list and if you make a plan I'm sure you can meet all of the requirements (and the people I have spoken to at the University have been very nice so I would hope they would work with you a bit...I know for me I'm still waiting for some results for my health forms but i gave them what i had and all they said was "looking forward to getting rest soon"). Everything you need is on the website (which I'm sure you have figured out!). I am also starting in september and I only received ONE piece of paper....everything else has been online.

Good luck (and probably see you in september!).

[grace_device]

Hi Grace :)

Yes, U of T has a lot of requirements that need to be met for registration (even if you had more notice!)....definitely recommend making a list and if you make a plan I'm sure you can meet all of the requirements (and the people I have spoken to at the University have been very nice so I would hope they would work with you a bit...I know for me I'm still waiting for some results for my health forms but i gave them what i had and all they said was "looking forward to getting rest soon"). Everything you need is on the website (which I'm sure you have figured out!). I am also starting in september and I only received ONE piece of paper....everything else has been online.

Good luck (and probably see you in september!).

Thanks for your advice! I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one rushing to get everything done. I've actually spoken with the registrar and one of the coordinators, and they've been very helpful. Like you, they told me to just get things is when they were done, and once everything was in, I could register. It's not even such a panic anymore since I don't have to worry about getting into the right courses or anything.

Did you just finish your undergrad (or part of it) at UofT, or are you coming in from somewhere else?

[paulacath]

Hi Grace....

Glad to hear that things are working out....I actually finished my undergrad (B.A. in Psych) distance education (Waterloo) over many years while working full time (i'm 27 now!). Just realized earlier this year what i wanted to be when I "grew up". Physically attending classes is going to be an adjustment for me...haven't done that since I was 20

How about you?

[grace_device]

I just finished my fourth year at U of T in Biological and Medical Anthropology. I'm taking some courses over the summer, and I'm going to convocate in November. This nursing's going to be an adjustment for me too... I'm used to going to classes full time, but for the last three years, I've made up schedules where I don't have to be in school until at least noon on most days. Getting to downtown for 9am (I live in Oshawa) is going to kill me!