Ingrid m

Hi all, Georgian College, Owen Sound and Barrie have the BScn program but it is a collaborative program with York University. 2 years are spent at Georgian and 2 yrs at York in Toronto. As of yet, there is no FULL 4 yrs, degree program at Georgian. I hope that clarifies things. Georgian does offer a bridge program. To be an RN now, after my 1st yr completed, I have 2 choices. 1st- finish the RPN - bridge for 1 yr - 2 yrs at York...OR start all over next year with the RN collaborative program with York. Great incentives for people to get into nursing...riiiight. That is why I am doing the RPN rather than the RN. ingrid

I would love to bridge to RN, but am not. I am a 1st yr RPN and feel that the 4 yr RN is difficult for me, because I live in Collingwood Ont. and the closest university is Toronto. Georgian College is desperately trying to get the BScn up here but it is taking far too long to come about. I am 46 and feel that commuting to T.O. is something I am not prepared to do. RPN is just fine with me. If the program was here, I would be an RN. all the best, ingrid

HI , Just FYI...I don't live in the GTA, however I do live in Collingwood. I know that it is 2 hours north, but you never know who's willing to relocate. Up here, you could get a nursing student PSW job tomorrow. I just finished my first year as well and had 3 job offers. Owen Sound, Meaford and Thornbury are all hiring and desperate for PSW's. Collingwood is a great place to spend the summer.

I have just recently enquired about the same thing. OR tech is a specialty I am interested in also. I contacted the CNO (College of Nurses Ontario) and they said a RPN is fully qualified after taking the OR tech course. OR Tech does not require a BScN. I believe it is available at Conestoga College in Kitchener, Ontario and several in Toronto. I hope that helps. i

Hey, I like that method! It includes the "all important" exercise too.

I live in Collingwood Ontario. It is in the Blue Mountains area, approx.2 hours north of Toronto. I have no idea about working conditions or wages. However, I do have an example of employment postings in my area/county. www.gbhs.on.ca/nursing.php There must be 20 job postings listed. There is no shortage of jobs here! ingrid

I was afraid of that..lol

It feels like I have fighter jets in my stomach!!! Countdown to first day of school ~ 5 days Yesterday, I retired from my 18 yr career. Yeah for me! Today, I find my self nervous and excited as never before. My stomach is as tight a drum, and need to find some sort of outlet for this nervous energy. Any Ideas? How do you find yourself working out your stress? Ready to POP!!!!!! ingrid

I saw this exhibit in London, England, and was blown away. If you have a chance to see it, take it. Fabulous!!!! i

My orientation is the day before class starts!!!! ingrid

Don't be afraid!! I haven't been to school in 25 years!! I am starting the RPN course in less than a month. My last pre- req was Chemistry. I was scared to death, let me tell you. I have never taken chemistry before. I pulled off an 82%. That scared me to death too. They say that Chemistry comes easier for males than females. I think it has something to do with abstract thinking. It's not as bad as you think. You will progress as you go and even surprise yourself. Good luck, ingrid

Hi there, I am 45 yrs old and just quit my 18 yr career. Since I haven't been to school in 25 odd yrs, I had to go back and upgrade my biology and Chemistry. It is only grade 12 bio and chem. If you are in Ontario, the government is paying for all upgrades..free of charge. It was part time and only 2 nights per week. What a deal!!! The biology is fairly simple. Cells, organelles and their functions, as well as the body's main systems. Chemistry, I found to be a bit tougher. It's the abstract thinking that is difficult. Organic chemistry, which is also part of it, is easier. I just finished all my upgrades and ready for the RPN course at Georgian College, Ontario. Good luck to you. It's easier than you think. If I can do it, you can do it! i

To tell you the truth, I don't know. I haven't registered yet, so I don't know any of the details. I just think that it's quite a bit of work. The "Npp" portions are clinicals. I need to take all these classes in 3 months. i

Thank you .... you too!

Congratulations to you. I just quit my Flying career, on Monday, after 18 yrs of service, to be a nurse! I know EXACTLY how you feel. I still think I'm insane and feel that that is part of this fabulous change in my life. I have never been happier. Be positive and trust your heart. I found I was better off not over analysing it all. I trusted my choice and now I have to be happy with it. You'll start feeling beter after you have committed yourself. Good luck ingrid

Thank you everyone for the wonderful words of encouragement. I really need to hear all the words being said by all of you. I can't wait!!!! ingrid

Well, this is it. Tomorrow I quit my 18 year flying career to become a nurse. It is very hard to describe the feelings I am experiencing. I am 45 yrs old and changing careers. Actually, I am very excited and very nervous too. I am sure my hand will be shaking as I feed my resignation letter throught the fax machine. One chapter of my life is closing and a new and challanging chapter begins. countdown to 1st day of school ~ 47 days

I am starting the RPN this fall. This is my schedule for the first semester, A & P Fundamentals Healing Arts Health and Healing Development fo self as nurse Npp: Community ( clinical) Npp: Agency Math for meds 1 communications 1 Gen Ed I think this is a bit excessive don't you? Who new?

Just show them your diploma/degree;) I am sure it states "Nurse" on it! Be very proud.

I think that that's an incedible stupid thing to say. I am also going for my RPN (Registered Practical Nurse) which is the same as LPN. As far as I can see, if we are not going to be nurses, then it should be taken out of the title. If you are going to spend money and time to recieve an education in the nursing field, and you recieve your diploma...YOU ARE A NURSE! You just never mind what that person said. Who needs that negativity? You go Girl!

Hi everyone.. Congrats to all of you. I am 45 next month and starting the nursing course in Sept. I am also changing careers after 18 yrs. Talk about being nervous and excited at the same time. What a ride it's going to be!!! i

eeeewwww!!!!!!! I thought poo was going to be bad! Ingrid pre nursing student

Well you see, I fly for a living. I only work 3 days a week, weekends off, fly overseas, good money, most holidays off and lots of vacation time. You would think that a normal person would be happy with that. I was, up to a point. I have been doing this for 18 yrs. But, I'm tired. I'm tired of always having a jetlag headache, I hate the company I work for. I hate driving 2 hours each way to the airport. It's time to keep my feet on the ground and be healthy. Don't let anyone tell you that there is nothing bad about flying. Having said that, I am ready to give it up to be a nurse. Something that's been on my mind for a very long time. I am ready to learn and do something that I'm happy doing. It isn't always about the money. It's about being happy with your choices in life, do the best you can, and have fun! I think that a person realizes this at some point, a bit later in life. This is where I am in my life and having one heck of a ride so far! You did get me thinking about the vacation time though.. thanks for your kind words. i

Now this is the post I needed to read! I am 45 and starting RPN in September. I am also leaving a very cooshy job..weekends off, holidays off, 2 months vacation per yr. $$$$$. I hate it!! I want to be a nurse. I always have. I can't wait for it to start. The excitement builds up when I think about it. So, why am I a nervous wreck? Linda, thanks for your great comments. It has given me confidence in knowing that I am not the only one, and I CAN do this. i

Wow, I have been searching for a thread like this for a while. I am 45 next month and starting the RPN in the fall. I have been a flight attendant for 18 yrs and have finally decided to shoot for my dream. The timing is right. However, I am scared to death, and hope that I am doing the right thing. Will I make a good nurse? Do I have what it takes? Am I smart enough? Remember, I haven't used this brain in a long time. I have been opening pop cans for 18 yrs. I have to quit my airline job in July and feel that once thats done, I won't feel so much anxiety. That "burning the bridge before you get to the other " feeling is tough to overcome. You all make me feel much better. I can't wait!!! I congratulate you all for following your dream no matter what age. i