mb96

Congrats to everyone who got in so far!! To those still waiting by now, I'd personally say stick by your backup plans but keep hoping for the positive ? You will all get there in time. Was accepted in May 2019 and finished just last month! I recall getting an acceptance ~the first week of May.

Course work wasn’t too bad! Of course, it’s all really overwhelmingly new in Term 1 since you’re learning how to think, act, and respond as a nurse. I didn’t yet know how to study in Term 1, and it ended up taking all my time; I had a less than ideal work-life balance LOL. **Heads up that it’s absolutely normal to not have high grades in the first semester — most of us averaged C/B-B+’s in the toughest courses at the time, which were pharmacology (studying medications in relation to body systems) and medical/surgical theory (pathophysiology, disease processes). You’ll find that studying becomes easier as the program goes on once your mind shifts into the nursing perspective! It all comes together around the third semester. Our class averages went up to A—A+s over time until the end of our program, which is an interesting yet fulfilling trend.** Workload also depends on the type of theory/practice area you’re covering per semester — in Term 2 (~2 years ago) we did Pediatrics and Maternity; Term 4 was Mental Health and Community, another chill-ish semester. Both semesters were quite relaxed (although I know it’s been 1-2 years; the curriculum could be different by now) and some of us took up part-time work, hobbies, vacations etc, such as ESN which is employed student nursing, so there’s definitely free time that you can get if you plan!!

Thanks so much! With COVID we thought it would be super rough, but we all came out unscathed, thankfully. Yeah, I plan to start studying for the NCLEX in a month or so. We can apply to jobs right out the gate — BCCNM (our RN licensing body) offers something called Provisional Registration, where we pay a fee once our eligibility — program completion from a BC accredited BSN program e.g. UBC, Langara, BCIT — is confirmed. Nursing students typically register with BCCNM 1 month before or immediately after finishing our last round of clinicals aka final preceptorship that consolidates all our nursing skills to prepare us for the entry-to-practice level as new RN graduates. Under provisional registration, we’re licensed/registered as RNs who are allowed to work before taking and/or while studying for the NCLEX. The health authorities/organizations we’re employed under keep contact with BCCNM (you can only retake the NCLEX around 2-3 times in a year prior to provisional expiry if one doesn’t pass the first time. After max amount of attempts is reached, our provisional registration is cancelled and we can’t work until we pass the NCLEX). Once we pass that, Pearson Vue (NCLEX body) forwards our passing status to BCCNM, and our provisional license gets converted into full Practicing RN Registration — we can continue working without delay. Right now I already have an interview lined up...got the call only ~4 days after applying. Desperate times, you know? I may change my mind if I receive an offer since I want to ensure I pass the NCLEX first (plus I’d like a well-deserved break after 2 years of accelerated studying). Some classmates of mine want to go on vacation, while some are already working. Post-grad plans are ? based on your personal choice, and most employers are totally flexible and accommodating: nurses are always in-demand! ?

Congratulations everyone on your acceptances!! How EXCITING, especially during such a tough time. You all worked so hard and finally got this far! To those who didn’t get in — you’re still amazing ? Keep up the good work! I just graduated from the program this May! If any of you have questions, let me know! You can also find UBC Nursing cohorts on facebook! The Nursing 2020 Class also started Term 3/5 - we were all in your shoes before. Best of luck!! You’ll be spectacular nurses ?

Still in session, but online! Tbh, it's really stressful -- UBC Nursing is scrambling to solidify their decisions and it makes us anxious; waiting for more updates gets annoying sometimes. I much more prefer in-person exams, clinicals and labs -- exam changes, for example, means much less time to check over answers.

@bbbeee So far, Nursing isn't anticipating delayed grad (hopefully not) - Term 3 is supposed to start on April 27th. UBC moved to online courses, so theory will most likely be online in the Summer with labs and clinicals in-person, although again the situation might change. Hang in there!! We got our offers on May 5 last year so you should start getting them by then, if not before! Good luck!

Good luck everyone on your admissions!! To be honest COVID has put a dampener on our studies right now. In-person clinicals and labs were cancelled until further notice since Monday this week, which makes our workload heavier than usual -- more tasks are due online. We're basically facing a lot of uncertainty during this stressful time, but we have each other to pull through. Be safe!!

@Kathleen L ^^Seconded! I'm in the lower cohort (admitted summer 2019, Class of 2021) and Term 1 is VERY busy!! Term 2, which we're 1/4 of the way through, is very flexible since the workload is lighter/you have more free time, and most people take on more part-time work or take online courses to finish any of their previous degrees etc ?

Hi @bbbeee! Sorry for not seeing this message earlier -- Nursing school is busy!! But don't be nervous ❤️ I know the application process seems daunting! Sadly, I have no idea what my admission GPA was since it's most likely calculated differently by UBC Admissions. I do know it was in the 80s? I didn't complete my FNH degree either (was going to graduate next year but I got in for the 2019 cycle)! For supplemental tips, I'd say describe WHY you're passionate about Nursing and what ECs/volunteering/life experiences inspire you to pursue this path/will benefit you while pursuing this path. What skills do you think you can bring to Nursing? Do you have high interpersonal skills? Unique skills? Unique experiences? Nursing isn't a science or an art: it's both! The good Nursing applicant doesn't fit a single mold. It's up to you to show UBC why you'll make a good nurse~

Ahah I know ? the schedule makes it looks scary! The labs are supposed to be 2 hours in a day — it just depends on the timeslot we get. Once clinical starts we only get 1 day of labs and are only on campus for 2.5 days per week, phew.

Haha that's true. I live in North Vancouver so my commute and driving times aren't so long at all. You'll find a way to transit from far-away places! Carpooling is an option ?

thanks so much Tanner ♥️ Can’t wait to meet you too, and I’m super glad to see how supportive and caring our cohort is~~

Yay, I’m 90% sure that I want to attend this September...just something to think about — thanks so much for the encouragement ?

Oh that's super cool -- what an admirable profession! Yeah, it's honestly up to you. It sounds like a hard career decision/switch between two interests! I hope you can figure it out soon. I'd love to work in pediatrics or mental health as well!

You're able to defer! @Kathleen L I think a few students who deferred their admission last year are attending Nursing this year ? I'm 10% wondering if I should defer mine as well, even though I completed the BLS, Mask Fit, signing forms etc requirements already. I want to focus on my mental health first due to recent events (deadline to submit deferral application is Aug 15), yet at the same time I refuse to wait a year before attending (I'm super excited) and I feel like I CAN get through the program with friends and good supports. Hopefully everything cools down for me in August before orientation lol