jasn

I work in public health right now. The basic criteria for hiring is preceptorship in public health, or experience in maternity or peds...they won't (and I mean absolutely will not) hire from med/surg. So that would be your first start! But job wise, it's really bad right now. There are LOTS of cut backs in public health right now, both in programming and in nursing jobs. We've had 5 positions cut at my office this year, and i know more are to come in the next year or two. It's not a good time in health care right now. So my advice would be to find work elsewhere...

If you can apply for Jan 14, does that not mean that Fall 13 intake is closed? I think by mid february, most programs have already accepted their applications for the upcoming fall semester. My advice - apply, apply, apply. there are so many people competing for so few seats in nursing school, that you will be lucky to get into ANY intake. I don't intend to sound harsh, but the reality is, most people don't have the luxury of choosing when they start nursing school, or to not start at a particular time because it is not their "preference". Apply now, and if you can somehow get in for the fall semester, then accept your seat and figure the logistics out. Nursing school and life as a nurse deals with a lot of time crunches and time management, so I wouldn't let this 6 month time period scare you.

Many of my classmates, including myself, were offered a job by the manager on the floor they completed their final preceptorship on. We still had to go through the online application process, screening call, reference checks - but essentially, instead of them passing your resume onto the manager of the posted position, they specifically handed it to the manager of your unit. An interview was still required, and still had to wait for that phone call with the job offer :) It's basically just that you've made a contact in the process (Vs. you submitting your resume and nobody passes it on for an interview), but the process is still almost the same! I assumed that we were all offered jobs due to performance, as none of the managers knew our grades (that I knew of) - they talked to our preceptors, other nurses on the ward, etc. Although of course grades are still important!

Hi BulmaBriefs - I appreciate your response. I know it is frustrating, as I was once there too. I believe I found out October 31 (several years ago - so the system hasn't changed much). BUT, I hope you guys keep some perspective. There are SO MANY applications to get through; emailing everyone regularly (or even once) with updates on the process would be a ridiculous, time-consuming process. Nevermind the fact that at least half those people will email back with further questions once you dangle a contact address in front of them! Patience is something you'll need a lot of, especially as a nursing student at BCIT. Often times we only got our schedules and clinical placements 1-2 weeks before the term, and I have heard lately that some groups get them on the first day! As I said before, it is what it is, and the sooner you learn to just accept it and ride the wave, the more you'll actually enjoy your three years at BCIT. Best of luck to you and the other applicants.

@Progressor - I think that's taking it a bit far. You knew from the getgo when you applied, what the deadlines for applications were. Did you really think that they were going to sort through 300-600 applications right away in June (or whenever the deadline was?). There is a reason why BCIT nursing students are highly respected on the wards - BCIT takes their time to select the best fit for the program (as opposed to those with only the highest marks, like other schools). It is an intense, compressed program, and if you didn't like the deadlines, then you could have chosen another school to apply to. A quick search online, or a call to admissions, could have told you the same thing - October and November is when you will find out. It is what it is. And as a nursing student at BCIT, I was never treated with anything but respect from every staff member on campus. It is a fantastic program with fantastic instructors. My experience here did not even compare to previous university education. Most of my classmates received more than one job offer upon graduation, and I know for a fact that's not always the case with students from other programs. I hope if you are accepted to BCIT, your attitude changes.

Jan intakes actually have 3 summers, August intakes 2 to complete those extra courses. That "extended" term of 30 weeks is no big deal - depending on your intake, you have 2-3 online courses (and they starting at different times during April and May - so at times you may only have one course left). Lots of people took an extra course during this time, or even during the school year. Just wanted to add my two cents as BCIT tries to make it seem like those 30 week terms are a big deal and you won't have a summer. Not the case! Lots of people worked, went on vacation, and took extra courses. There is no clinical during the summer. So like anything else, if you manage your time wisely, you can get through it :)

Richmond Hospital has not been used as a level one hospital as far as I know, although this may have changed in the past few years. When I was in level one they used Surrey, Langley, Lions Gate, Burnaby and MSJ We were told there is no difference between 4th/revised 4th and that even 3rd edition was acceptable. You will find as you go through the program that the edition often changes just as you happen to be entering the next level :) I have saved a LOT of money by buying the editions that higher level students are selling, which are 3rd instead of 4th, etc. and when studying with classmates, I have found there to be no differences. Many people want a particular edition "just in case", but I have never suffered from having the older editions! You do not ned the online registration code

It is possible to get accepted without doing the LIBS and HMGT courses before the program; taking those in advance strengthens your application, but is not a requirement. However, they do typically require you to have 1 university English course, and the 2 electives (such as 2 psych courses). Again, this is not a "must have", but I found that most people in my class, particularly the ones who didn't have full degrees, had these minimum requirements. BCIT is all about making sure you'll succeed in the program - if you have to do all 7-8 extra classes in the summers, with no time off, you may be 'less likely' to succeed than someone who has already done those and therefore gets a break in the summer. (I am not saying this is my view of your success; this is pretty much word for word what they told our class at orientation a few years ago). also, there is pretty much no transfer equivalents for LIBS 7001+7002. I think one girl in my class got credit, and everyone else had to take them, despite having similar courses as part of their university program. However, they have apparently been working on approving more courses for course credit, so this may have changed.

The best advice I can give you is to relax! Enjoy your summer! Do your Jarvis pre-readings, but other than that, enjoy the break that you have, because you are in for a busy 3 years. I am graduating from the program and quite simply, feel burnt out. In three years, I have not had a break from courses; at BCIT the terms are 16 weeks and by the end, it really gets to you! So I would advise you to get outside in the sunshine, visit your friends and family, and worry about school as it gets close to the start. In my intake, there were people who did the prereading, and people who did not. Those who truly want to be nurses will put in the effort during the term and do well :)

All three have excellent nursing programs. BCIT looks for a minimum of 60 postsecondary credits (due to high number of applications creating competition). I think Langara and Kwantlen accept students directly from high school? But it is best to confirm that. Again, due to competition, that doesn't necessarily mean you will get accepted straight from high school. It is never a waste to apply, but have a back-up plan. Take first year university courses that will help you, and might lighten your load later. English, Biology, Psychology, etc. Volunteer some more. Basically, keep beefing up your application as you wait - you will get accepted eventually! Your last paragraph was a bit concerning to me. Most university programs these days are competitive, and the application process is not necessarily simple - so not applying to nursing for that reason is a bit strange. If you aren't certain nursing is the career for you, I would encourage you to do some research on the realities of nursing, and do some volunteer work, including shadow shifts, so you can see if nursing is right for you.

If you don't have all of your records, you can go to your doctor / a walk-in clinic and they will order blood tests to see what you are immune to. Have them fill out the form with the results. They typically shortlist ~150 applicants.

Extremely competitive. All nursing schools are. The website states that you need 30 credits, but due to the number of applications, the minimum is at least 60+.

hi guys - is your prereading from the Jarvis assessment book? (not sure if they have added prereading for other courses since I was in level one). If so, that prereading is for your assessment course, which is only for the first 5-6 weeks of term. i would without a doubt recommend doing that now! they expect you to come knowing the information and ready to do stuff, so i found it a lot easier to preread and then just review notes the night before. Also, your final for that course comes so quickly (week 5 or 6) so you don't want to get behind :) re: those flip books...I would recommend not buying them, at least until you are further in the program. they tend to have sooo much info that it's hard to find what you need for your specific rotation and shift. i would save yourself the money for now :) Med cards are really up to your personality and learning style - some people prefer to write them as it helps them learn

Oh that must be it - I've never purchased from the independent sellers, only the warehouse. Definitely cheaper than the bookstore price :) but if you have alternative means to get them cheaper, that works too! I would also recommend the BCIT nursing facebook group, as you'll find a lot of the studnets from each level selling their books there (probably more listings there than craigslist!) Patho is part of the nursing program, but taught by the Basic Health Sciences department (BHSC), so the textbook is listed separately. kinda strange, but it makes sense - the instructors for patho, micro, and immunology aren't nurses.

what does amazon.com say exactly? i'm interested to know why you guys can't ship from .com, as i would say most of my classmates order from .com (as .ca is more expensive, even when paying for shipping). i've never had a problem shipping textbooks to canada, for this degree or my previous one.

Our policy is to have a separate, primed NS line hanging at the bedside, just in case. Usually a 500mL bag, with a dead-ender on the line. This way it's easy to switch the blood tubing for the NS tubing

if you are really wanting to purchase books now, go ahead based on that Aug intake list. The textbooks have been the same for many, many terms :) i recommend buying the Jarvis assessment book ASAP. you'll have pre-readings assigned at orientation to complete before school starts.

Yes patho is 2x/week...lecture and seminar. you'll also have communications, professional practice, clinical techniques, and PBL 1x/week, for about 2-3 hours each. Pharm starts halfway through the term but is online. Clinical for level one I think was 5 or 5.5 hours per day, 2x per week (although for the first 6 weeks you only have it 1x per week). Each level you'll increase your shift lengths (6 hours, 8 hours, eventually 12 hours). I believe it shows two full days of clinical on that schedule because some groups will do mornings and some will do afternoons.

Just so you know..those timetables on myBCIT are not correct :) they load all possible classes on there, which is why you may see that you have conflicting times, or 2 of one class, etc. Your specific schedule will be emailed to you before the program OR given to you on the first day of class. So everybody will have that 7 AM class online, but in reality only 11 students will have that slot (and they take volunteers for it).

I can't remember the exact list that you have to buy...but the Jarvis Fundamentals textbook you will need for pre-reading, patho textbook is useful, drug handbook (this one doesn't matter which one you get - mosby's, pdr, etc.). Med/surg is very useful, but you won't use it until level 2, so you could put off buying that one. Tabers is hit or miss - some people love it, others don't use it at all. I would recommend the nursing care plan book too. It's optional, but super useful for the first few levels. Oh also the skills + techniques book is needed. It's very costly for level one, but you will use these textbooks for the duration of the program. The ones I would recommend NOT getting are, sadly, the cheaper ones. Don't buy miniature guide to critical thinking, math for nurses (unless you aren't strong in math, but the math is pretty straightforward). Canadian fundamentals is useless; it pretty much sums up techniques + med/surg content, but isn't as detailed. As for older editions - use with caution. I find the content is the same, but the page numbers never are. And unfortunately they never tell you to read "ch.12" or something. They tell you to read pg. 58 until "x heading" and then pg.72 until the picture. So it all depends how patient you are with finding out what to read! Hope that helps! :)

yes, as long as there isn't any mesh on top where fluids can seep through, running shoes are fine. that is what i wear, as i find all of those "nursing shoes" uncomfortable (especially as you progress in the program and reach 12 hour shifts). i'd say even the white part isn't super strict (i've worn non-white shoes before with no problems). However, saying that, all of the instructors are different and have their own rules, so it's probably best to have white shoes just in case.

I find the brands really depend on your own shape and preference. I hate the Grey's Anatomy ones, but a lot of the other girls love them. Image Care Uniforms is good, as is Mark's Work Wearhouse (lots of different brands here, such as Health Care Pro, Scrublovers, etc.). Some people go to Walmart too, although personally I find the fit of those ones kinda weird. There is also a scrub sale at school before/after your orientation. I would recommend trying on a few styles (drawstring, elastic waist, pull over top, tie back top) and see what you find most comfortable (this sounds crazy, but you'll be surprised to find that you do have preferences!). and lastly - try to resist buying lots and lots of scrubs before you start the program :). I did, and now I have probably 5 pairs that I don't wear, ever, simply because I bought them in advance, wore them to clinical, and THEN found out that I like lots of pockets on the pants, prefer drawstrings, etc. I would recommend 2 pairs for now, and then add as you move through the program.

Hi guys - I am currently a student at BCIT. Just wanted to clear up that there are not specific lab vs clinical scrub guidelines. They need to be one solid colour (top and bottom matching, no prints). I have never had any of the hospitals require certain coloured scrubs (although the instructors suggested colours, not black, for maternity and peds). :)

Definitely take the courses! At BCIT we have a similar block tuition system, where the fee is the same regardless of the number of courses (so technically, you could take more classes, if you were crazy enough!). Many people have taken course early and thus paid extra, but it definitely works in your favour during the semester. You'll have more time for the rest of your courses, for sleep, and for other activities to keep your sanity :) can't recommend it enough!

You definitely need to meet the minimum, and usually exceed the minimum requirements, to get in. BCIT is very competitive and can have up to 600 applications per intake. I'm not sure what schooling you have, but BCIT also requires 60 credits of post secondary before they will accept you. The website states minimum 30, but again, the competition pushes it up to 60 credits. I agree with Fiona, research and essays are important. I'm in the program right now, and if your research skills aren't strong, you will definitely struggle. There are many, many presentations and a few papers each term - as well as readings and other coursework - so you need to have strong skills to work efficiently.