Practical Nurses who upgraded to BScN I need your input!!!!

[blue.streak]

I have applied to Conestoga and Mohawk College for the bridging program for the fall 2012. I currently have completed the practical nursing program with a 78.7% and just had a email from the administration office that the minimum average to get into the program at Conestoga is 84%!! My question is what is the likelihood I people back out of the program so I can get onto the waiting list then perhaps into the program??!! Thanks!

[loriangel14, RN]

Even if people drop out you average is still too low.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Yes all these programs are very competitive. Hope for the best, but realistically be prepared that you may not be accepted. 84 is the average that most Colleges and Universities want. There are many applicants for few spots, so they can afford to be selective. You may need to upgrade some courses.

[CanadianGirl79]

Have you applied to Centennial? THey tend to take people with averages under 80. You need to work your butt off once in though, as Ryerson does not guarantee admission to the final two years of the program. The bridging year is what they base their decision off of. If you rock it (i.e. maintain a high 80s average) then you probably will get in. If you have ever failed and repeated a nursing course they won't take you, however.

UoIT I believe also has a good bridging program, though I'm not sure on averages for getting in. Another option is to work for a year, and then apply to the distance program through Athebasca U in Alberta. It's 2 years distance ed. Only catch is, for the final placement you need to travel to Alberta.

[hojukaruna]

I did the Centennial College bridging and it was awful: disorganized, sub-par communication, short answer questions on tests/exams (with content that was never covered in class or in the course syllabus...and has to be exact or it's pretty much minus-marked)...did not feel supported...but I survived and made it through...phew!

Try George Brown. They began their bridging course Jan 2012, so it's relatively new for them. I appreciated my RPN experience at George Brown so much more after having to deal with all the issues at Centennial.

Also, with Athebasca University, you only have to fly out once to Alberta for approx 3 weeks to do a clinical setting but everything else can be done online and arrangements can be made to write tests in your area.