kintaro

Hi I am about graduating from MRU and I should agree with Bre90. Mount Royal has a little more hands on especially after U of C had changed their program in 2010 (I believe). The U of C students in third year are introduced to acute settings (Hospital) for the first time, which the students have to learn the basic patient care to meds to critical thinking at once. For that reason, I believe MRU has a little more balanced program. Although, I have met great nurses from both UofC and MRU. Like Bre90 said, it doesn't matter what school you graduate as long as you pass CRNE and know your stuff. Also, midwifery program does exist at MRU. It is fairly new program (2nd year) and is separated from Nursing. You can visit MRU website as well as contact the faculties for more info. Good luck!

Hi Naoko, I just felt urgent to reply your thread because your situation sounds exactly like mine. I am also from Japan living in Canada. I have both of my parents living in Japan and my younger sister is looking after them. Yes. It is very hard. I feel guilty all the time not being there when they need me. I am also in my 40s and am a second year nursing student. Like other people say, age isn't a issue. I found language barrier is more the problem than anything else. The amount of time off you are thinking may not be realistic, but the time off for a few weeks or a month in a year may be. I have a friend who does that every year. As a student, I usually go to see my family once a year, about a month (that's all I can afford). While I am there, I try to spend almost 100% of my time with them, which gives my sister a month break. I don't think it is fair for her, but that's all I can do. Luckily for me, my sister is very understanding. We can only do so much. Don't strain yourself. By the way, I am enjoying my schooling. Nursing isn't easy but it's worth it. Hope you can find the way to make your dream come true. Best wishes.

The first semester is probably the hardest because you don't know what to expect. The tips....Don't get overwhelmed by the amount of work you have. You don't need to read and remember every single details. Try to understand the concepts instead of memorizing them. Use the modules effectively, especially for N1112. You are writing quite few research papers using APA format. Be a friend of APA manual. Be prepare for the lab. Read the procedure and watch the videos before going to the lab class. If you have questions, do not hesitate to ask instructors or classmates. They are wonderful resources. Lastly and the most importantly, enjoy it!! Four years is too long if you make it a hell. Oh, one more thing...don't get discouraged by the marks, you only need to get 63% for nursing courses and 50% for other courses. Enjoy your summer!! kintaro

Welcome to MRC Nursing! Hi, I am just finished my first year at MRC. So far, it has been a great experience for me. I really like the nursing program at MRC. Most of the instructors are very helpful and friendly. As being a fairly new program, there are some disorganized areas, but I am sure any other schools have some short comes, too. What I like the most here is my peer students. We cry & laugh together. We help each other. I would not say it's an easy program, but I am sure you'll like it here.

One of my friends went to Africa(I think it was a rural area in South Africa) a few years back for volunteering. She was ended up helping people there as a medical assistant. She wasn't a nurse back then, but she had some medical related training, I suppose. I am not sure which volunteer agency she used, but there are many of these out there. You might want to contact them. Sorry, I can't help you much. Good luck on pursuing your dream!!

Finally, the first semester is over. I just wrote the last exam this morning. I never felt this good before. Yap, NURSING isn't the easiest program for sure. I really struggled the beginning of the semester, because I didn't know what to expect and how to study. I feel much more confident after going through the first semester, though. And the best of all, I met wonderful people in the program! I am glad I decided to go for nursing. It's Christmas time. For every nursing student: Have a great holiday, because you deserve it!!!!

I am also starting BSN in coming Sep. in Calgary, Alberta. Four years seems so long, but we can do it!! We support each other, eh!!

How about Massage Therapist? I have a few friends who are RN - MT. If you are interested in human body, like helping people, but cannot deal with blood, massage therapy might be an option!? Although, in many cases, massage therapy has some business aspect. If you are apt at business, it might be a good choice. I always tell myself--- "Knowing what you don't like is as important as knowing what you like." I hope you will find something you care.

I just wanted to correct my error on the previous post. GPA 3.4 wasn't the cut off, it was the guaranteed acceptance. sorry guys!!:bowingpur

My overall GPA was 3.2 (this is for the 20 courses I took for General Arts and Science Diploma), although my last five courses average was 3.64. I am not sure this year's cut off score was, but according to my friend who is in the 3rd year, it was 3.4 when she entered MRC nursing. Here's good news, since MRC started its own BN degree, they increase the number of intake dramatically. (almost doubled!!!) We now have approx. 390 students starting year 2008, however 200 students start taking nursing courses immediately, other half have to take non-nursing courses first and start actual nursing courses in Jan,2009. I am not sure how these two groups are determined. Anyhow, you have way more chances to get into the program now than ever. Hope this helps your concern a bit. Good luck!!

I am just about starting nursing program at Mount Royal in Fall 2008. There's something you might consider. MRC has basically three admission categories: 1.High school standing(based on your grade12 Math, Engl, Biol, and either Chem or Phys - you probably need to have at least 85% on every subject) 2. Mature student standing (if you are older than 21 years old and havn't completed 5 half post secondary courses) 3. Post secondary standing (if you have at least 5 half courses finished) You still have to have grade 12 courses, however you only need to have passing grades on these. The program take you based on the last 5 post secondary courses, not the high school's. Here's my suggestion, if you have passing grades on Grade 12, you might want to take five college courses, which you can use toward the nursing program. MRC has a general study program, which allows you to take almost any courses either full or part time. The courses you probably want to take are Biol. 1220/1221 (anatomy and physiology), Psyc. 2235 (life span development), Math3333 or Anth3307 (stats), Physical ed 2237 (nutrition) and General education courses. I also strongly recommend talking to an academic adviser for your future plan at MRC. They are very helpful. (403-440-5000 for appointment) Good luck I hope to see you on campus in the near future!!!!