Part-time RPN Program

[JuliWB]

Hello Everyone:

I have been researching nursing programs as I'm considering a career change. My ultimate goal is to become an RN and even though I would prefer the direct route it appears that the part-time RPN route followed by eventually bridging to RN is the best route for my current situation. I have 1 year old baby girl and can not afford to stay off work while in school. I have been doing a lot of research and have sent emails to the faculty at Georgian College (school I would have to attend) but it seems that the responses I receive are often vague and incomplete (they must be swamped with inquiries). I was hoping to gather some input based on your experiences.

Here are a few of my questions:

1. How many hours per week are you in class and in placements? Are there set days/ evenings for classes
   
2. Is it possible to fast track through the part-time program (i.e. no semester break)
   
3. How long does it take to obtain my RN through the bridging program. Is the bridging program part-time or available on a part-time basis
   
4. Any advice for a Mom of 1 who is planning to grow her family even while in school and will have to work as well?
   
5. Are you aware of any government funding programs? Somebody mentioned to me that there used to be a funding program for people who want to take nursing. I couldn't find any information other than bursaries/ sholarships through schools.
   

Thank you for your time. I'm looking forward to your responses.

[JuliWB]

Hi Loriangel:

I have a quick question for you. I think in previous posts you mentioned that you had to take the pre-requisites (bio and chem) at Georgian. Did you do these online or in class? How much did it cost?

Thanks,

JuliWB

[loriangel14, RN]

They had evening classes for both, I think they were a couple of evenings a week. They weren't really that difficult.I can't rememer the cost but we had to buy texts for both One thing about school is you will get used to paying $100 + for books without batting an eye. At first it was like "The book is HOW MUCH!!!!"

What campus are you going to?

[JuliWB]

I was planning on going to Barrie. The college is only a 35 minute drive from where I live. Did your courses take a whole semester?

[jl2002]

I'm going to be attending a program @ Centennial College for Practical Nursing Flex program. It's a 2 years/6 semester program where you have classes 3 day/week instead of the traditional 2years/4semester and 5 days/week. That might be an option for you to shorten the time frame and yet have the ability to have 4 days off a week.

Remember though, after the 2 years, you'll be able to work as a RPN, assuming you pass the necessary exam. And usually, pay-wise is pretty good compared to what the general gets paid, and should give you a cushion to work towards your RN.

[loriangel14, RN]

I was planning on going to Barrie. The college is only a 35 minute drive from where I live. Did your courses take a whole semester?

My courses ran all year for almost 4 years. We had a break at Christmas and that was all. It has 5 semesters. I konw that now they have an accelerated one that is a bit shorter. You will be at an advantage going to the main campus in Barrie.They have a great library and an awesome lab with simulated patients that you can practice skills on.

[FutureRNontario]

Georgian is actually opening a brand new health sciences facility this fall. Brand new classrooms, equipment, and even a birthing simulator. Barrie campus would definitely be the best choice. You can take your prereq's through any upgrading center, I know the Collingwood campus offers them for free, and I think you have to pay at the Barrie campus, but I'm not sure. Don't quote me on this, but I also think you can start the upgrading courses at any time as it is mainly independent learning (in Collingwood anyway)