runningnurse39

Thanks Loriangel14. I'm a little west of London, & have a family, so doing most online would be okay. Was hoping Woodstock, Chatham, Sarnia or London would be options.

Seems there's nothing available in SW Ontario for bridging. I have a family so I'm not willing to move. Athabasca requires 1700 working hours first. I've heard rumours about bridging through a Woodstock campus (Ryerson maybe?) and another rumour about Chatham. I can't find anything online about either program, if they in fact exist. Anyone?

This keeps ringing in my ears. Probably because the majority of people I talk to about this are saying essentially the same thing. More education will open more doors, so I think I should go for it. SO FREAKING EXCITED. Also, terrified. There's only one option for me in this area and they take their own pre-health students before other college's pre-health students. I'm pulling in all A's right now and I'm hoping to continue that trend right through this year so I look as attractive as possible to the University. It's funny you say you tried this once before - so did I, at age 17. I wasn't emotionally ready for it. Two kids and many years later, I'm certain I will succeed at it! Thank you so very much for taking the time to write such a detailed response. I really appreciate that.

Fiona - that's a great idea! I will request that. My thinking is that they were trying to steer me to RPN (called PN at my school, sorry for the confusion) because they know if I choose RN I have to switch schools so maybe they're thinking they'll lose me if I decide on RN and hey, I'm worth tuition bucks to them!

I am currently in the Pre-Health program at a college in SW Ontario. My dream job is to work in a hospital, preferably in NICU, L&D, Neo-natal, Emergency or Surgical. I have no interest in working in long term care at all. So I need to apply soon for either the RPN or RN program, and I'm searching job boards and have been talking to the faculty at my school. I'm getting conflicting responses. The faculty at my school say RPN's are more hands on and I should be able to find a job "no problem" in one of the departments I've listed above, and that RN's are being phased out in favour of cheaper labour (RPN's) (their words, not mine, sorry). They say RN's are all admin, teaching and management jobs. I definitely want to work with patients. The career counselor says that with my high marks, I should really consider the degree program. I'm so conflicted. The job boards here paint a very different picture and I've haven't seen any RPN jobs in the departments I prefer. Add to that, I am 36 years old now. Though money and brain power are not issues (I'm smart and we can afford either program), I'm unsure about investing 3.5-4 years working toward the RN degree. Having said that, I don't want to do RPN and find I can't find the job I want once I'm done. I will invest the time in RN if it means I get what I want in the end, but is it necessary? Can someone enlighten me on any key points you think are necessary to consider, or offer any insight on the difference between the end result based on your experience? I would really appreciate it.

Thank you for you input - I am going to meet with the college and ensure I don't need the Pre-health. I had really high grades in the sciences in high school so I'm hoping that will be enough. Again, thank you for your response! Karen

Hi everyone, I'm nearly 35 and plan on going back to school to study nursing in September 2010. I have been raising my kids and running a web design business out of my home for years and I want to finally make the leap to nursing. My goal is to be in L&D, NICU or Obstetrics. I've always had a passion to help moms & babies. I have 2 sons and the oldest was in NICU at birth, then had Kawasaki's Disease at 3 months of age. I just helped my best friend this past weekend by being her labour coach - and it felt completely natural to be a part of that process for her. Needless to say, I'm 100% sure this is my calling. Having been out of school for years, I have no idea where to start. Can a Practical Nurse work in these settings? Would I be more marketable if I did the 4 year program to become an RN? Is it advisable to take the Pre-Health year first despite the fact that I a) got great grades in high school; and b) took one year of nursing when I was 17 at a college in Toronto. (I quit because at 17, I was not mature enough emotionally to handle it.) Thanks for any insight. I'll be honest - going back to school at 35 is daunting, but my husband did that and just graduated (he's 40 now). My turn! Thanks again! Karen