NorthernStudent

Hi Picimadar First of all, I'm wondering why you were trolling the AllNurses site on New Years Eve and not out celebrating (hehe). I'm going to have to agree with some of the other people who posted by saying that you've really got nothing to lose by applying. I'm in a similar boat as you are as I'm applying for a Nurse Practitioner program and will only get in if the program is under prescribed (I won't have the required hours by admission deadline but will have them by program start date). I've gone back and forth on whether to apply as I have many other things to spend $200 on than an application that may very well be null and void. Sometimes the only way to move forward in life is to take on risk. I like you was a mature student when I applied for my BSCN back in 2004. Without going into too much detail, as this isn't really about me, I pretty much quit my job, sold my house, and moved to Windsor to go back to school (before I was actually accepted). Looking back at my decision now, it was pretty nuts, but had I not risked everything, I wouldn't be an RN working in an awesome job in Northern Ontario and on my way to becoming in NP in my rural community. Many people live their lives with a safety net in place at all times, and my hat does go off to them. In my opinion though, you need to cross the double yellow line sometimes to get where you want to go. I do have some suggestions and tips though. First of all, I'd apply to both University and College. In my case, St. Claire actually rejected my application whereas the University of Windsor let me plead my case in an interview. That brings me to my second recommendation. You need to let the Institutions know that you're interested. In my case, I met with the Dean of Nursing and while I was on the wait list became a fixture in the Nursing office. I often wonder if they let me in just to stop me from visiting so often. In my case, if you look at the hard numbers, I should not have gotten in to a BSCN program. However as a mature student they looked at my life experience and other factors and in the end I surprised even myself by graduating with distinction. The marks that you have in your previous degree look fine to me, but hey I'm not the one who makes the decision. Anyway, please do yourself a favor, set your sights high, and apply. What's the worst that can happen?

Hello Bluer I have to say that after reading your post I'm a bit irritated. Nursing is so much more than just a job. I know a few nurses who are just in it for the pay check and I can say that the passion is just not there. I would suggest doing some good old "soul searching" and find out exactly why you want to go into nursing. It's not all fun and glory. The reality of nursing is a slap in the face (but I wouldn't have it any other way). If (in the end) you are just interested in a pay check, I suggest another line of work.

hello missrn208 i am in a similar situation. i moved from windsor to northern ontario and i absolutely love it. i had multiple offers, one from a hospital north of timmins. they offered me a huge signing bonus but there was no work for my partner so i did not take the job. you should look in to the community nursing visit program. i was flown to two communities to tour the hospitals and see what life would be like if i lived there. the government pays for your travel and accommodation. because i'm on a new grad program i have had a thorough mentorship program. there is something to be said working in a rural hospital. you get to do everything. overwhelming at times, but you learn a lot and i feel that this experience will make me a better nurse in the long run. i plan on applying to an np program in two years and feel that a rural nursing gig is a great way to increase your nursing skills. another thing i've found is that docs don't have that big city attitude up here. even the locum docs mellow out after a few weeks...must be something in the water. have fun, buy a really warm coat (it's -30 outside now) a good pair of boots and come join us up here.

This msg is for notmeanttobe I'm so sorry to read your post. Many of us pass and quickly forget those who weren't sucessful. I don't want to sugar coat this but perhaps (like you name suggests) this was not meant to be. I know that 4 years of school may seem like a waste to you now, but I would like you to humor me and try and remember the first day of nursing school. Now see yourself where you are now. If you choose to be an RPN then I am betting you would be a great one. If it's the money, than you'll be happy to know that RPNs make almost as much as RNs. I'm guessing however that it's more than that. You don't know me from a hole in the ground and you have ten years on me but I firmly believe that life takes you on the path that you are meant to be on. Six years ago I was a government employee, basically a paper pusher. The truth is, I was miserable and if I had stayed on that path I doubt I'd be alive today. Sometimes life just takes your plans and throws them in the trash. If I believed in god I'd pray for you. Instead I'm sending some positive energy to you. Take good care of yourself.

Results here in Windsor. I passed !!! I actually broke down and cried. So much work. Congrats to all of you who passed and best of luck to those who will be successful in the future.

I don't understand why they would tell a caller that when they must know that we all share this kind of info. I'm in Windsor and I'm doubting I'll get anything today. My mailman must think I'm into him as I've been waiting for him for the past week.:redbeathe

I've spent the last half hour reading through this post and would like to thank you all for your insight and support. I wrote the CRNE in June like most of you and have been waiting for my Temp Registration for about a month. I agree with many of you in that this system of waiting 6-8 weeks is absolutely ridiculous. With current technology the College could migrate to an online results system similar to the NCLEX however I think it will take a long time for them to get there and for three main reasons. 1) How much money do you think the College makes from Temp registrations? If they made the results available sooner they would lose a lot of revenue. However, my solution is that they increase the registration amount to make up for that lost revenue. Would you pay an additional $20 to have your results in 2 weeks? 2) This is the way that things have always been. If you talk to experienced nurses they'll tell you that this agonizing wait has been going on for a long time. It's almost a right of passage to becoming a nurse. This environment of "doing things because we've always done them that way" is deeply engrained in nursing practice. In school we are taught to critically think and to use best practice guidelines yet our profession is wrought with this attitude. 3) Nobody will ever put up a fuss long enough to get things changed. The truth is that even the most angry and frustrated nursing grad will be elated with joy once their results come in the mail. After you are all RNs, this experience will go down in your mind and you'll be telling new grads that everyone must go through this (see point no. 2 above). I must also say that I was angered when I read the posts about the rude gentleman proctoring the exam in Ottawa. What frustrated me more was the fear from new grads about speaking up about this. We should NOT fear our governing body. Although the CNO (I'm talking Ontario here ...insert provincial body as required) is in place to protect the public, they also have a duty to behave professionally and respectfully to it's members. Remember that it's your dues that pay their stipend. Again referring to our education, we are taught that we must not ignore any behaviour unbecoming of this profession. I don't think that belittling a group of anxious exam writers is professional at all. So off of the soap box and back to reality here. Most of the CNO is elected by RNs. What can you do to change the examination process? Bring it up to your elected officials. Or better yet run for positions yourself. There are many things that are wonderful about our profession however there are also many things that need to change. In order for that to happen WE must initiate the process. I hope everyone enjoys the rest of the summer. I'm anxiously awaiting my results as well. Good luck to you all.

HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!!!!

Hi Sand I'm going to be entering my 4th year at U of W. I have a question? Do you have to take the masters in order to get you RN(EC) status? I have emailed multiple faculties and can never get a straight answer. Last year they told me that the NPs starting in 2008 were to be the last class "allowed" to take the 12 month certification before a Masters was required. I'm sure there's some thick political syrup running as the "grow your own NP program" does not fund a Masters program, only the 12 month certification. I have already begun saving for the NP program and figure by the time I have enough hours to apply I'll be able to pay for the thing. I'm a mature student as well (left a prov. gov job at 28 to enter the rewarding career of nursing...sheesh what was I thinking). I guess I have this pie in the sky dream of being an NP in a small rural Northern Ontario town. Sorry got a bit off topic there. Anyway, best of luck in the program. C

Did you go right into visiting nurse as a new grad? I'm thinking of doing this but wondering if I'll be "ready". Agencies must take into account that you are green when they assign cases. Also, do you work pt in a hospital because there are not enough hours at your agency? Regards C

Good luck everyone. I love to read these threads even though once in a while you get a veteran who takes all the fun out of the anxious wait. This is a time to band together as new grads and wait it out knowing that there are many other people going through the same experience. I still have a year before I write and I plan on sharing a lot.

I started a thread a while ago when I was thinking about going the visiting nurse route. I didn't get many replies. Is this an area that a new grad can succeed in or would it be better to get some hospital experience first. I also had questions regarding money (I need to pay back the mountain of debt I'm accumulating). Is the pay comparable to a nurse who works in hospital? Also, is it better to work for an private agency or a non profit? Any info would be appreciated

Hi Miggy I don't want to be the rainy cloud here but if you are having difficulty with passing the pre-health courses, how do you think you will do when you are taking university level science courses. I agree with the other poster that perhaps you need to get your high school level sciences. When you do end up applying to school, don't be afraid to get in there and meet with the faculty. I made an appointment with the admissions faculty and had an honest conversation about why I wanted to get into nursing. Good luck

I'm originally from Sudbury, ON. In my last year at the University of Windsor.

Hi Kal I was in the same boat as you when I decided to go back to school. In fact, I was same age as you as well. I was also considering doing the Paramedic program as the time/money was less. When it came right down to it, I talked to a few paramedics most of whom said that if they could do it over again they would take the nursing route. It was a surprise to me but one of the biggest complaints I heard was the "downtime" that they had to kill. I don't know about you, but I couldn't picture sitting in an ambulance waiting for a call on a slow night. One of the reasons I left my former Gov job was that it was too slow. If you are looking for the excitement that comes with being a paramedic, there are many critical care areas that will give you a fair share. Probably the biggest reason that I decided to go into nursing was the countless options that I'll have upon graduation. I like the idea that I can go back for my masters, or perhaps become a nurse practitioner. In the end though, you have to do what's right for you. In my opinion though if it's the money that's guiding you, you should really take a good look at why you want to do one or the other. From my own personal experience, the times I've made decisions based on money haven't turned out all that great. Good luck.