JuliWB

I guess that makes sense. I love bedside nursing and want to work in the NICU eventually so that is my main motivation. I'm not really interested in managerial roles. I just want to work in more critical settings. I work on a medical floor right now and there is no real difference between the RN vs the RPN role (other than not being able to do the charge role, but the extra trouble is not worth the extra $2/hr) and until the 5 year mark the pay difference is also not very large. I guess it is what it is. One of the recent grads from the Trent bridge works on my floor and she said that there are plans to shorten the program due to all the negative feedback, maybe others will follow suit by the time I'm ready to apply.

I think it depends on where you graduated from as well. I graduated from Georgian PN which is 5 semesters and in comparison has more courses than 4 semester programs. I noticed that there are many differences within the PM programs itself, I took 2 A&P, 2 Patho and 2 Pharm courses; looking at the course maps of other programs, they often only offer one of each or combine them somehow, yet all of us get the same amount of transfer credit. It's ridiculous. Clinical hours also vary among the programs. One of my colleagues took the centennial bridge followed by the Ryerson program. She had to do a surg placement for the bridge. She learned nothing new, as she has been a surgical nurse for years. It just bothers me. Admissions and transfer credits should be a lot more individual. I have three kids and one on the way. $40000 and 3 years is a huge obstacle. I will do it eventually, because ultimately I'm planning on getting my masters and becoming a neonatologist. I just wish it was more affordable and a little shorter.

You are definitely the first person to say that they found the bridging program adequate in length or valuable in content, so I suppose that's a good thing. Can I ask how long ago you graduated from the PN program and from which school?

Hello! I would love to hear from recent graduates who finished their BScN degrees through bridging programs in Ontario. I have reviewed many bridging programs and am so appalled at the content and length. Every single bridging program has different content and varies from 6 -8 semesters in length. So many of the course descriptions seem identical to courses I took at the Georgian College RPN program. It looks like the education is based on the certificate level RPN education that was previously required before rules have changed in Ontario. I'm so frustrated by this. I have spoken to several graduates from Nipissing, OUIT, Ryerson and Trent and the feedback is the same, a considerable portion of the program is a duplication of their RPN education, programs were labeled as "cash grabs" and should have been shorter. I'm just curious how other people feel. I have written the RPNAO with my complaint, and they are aware of this feedback and agreed that change is due. Because of my career aspirations I have no choice but I hate the idea of spending a fortune on duplicated education. Please let me know your thoughts on bridging programs you took.

@Vintage_RN I actually want to work in Labour & deivery and NICU as well. That's a huge reason why I want to do it. It also frustrates me that I virtually do the same job as RNs on my floor, however the pay difference, especially at the 5 and 10 years of experience mark, is huge.

Hello! I have been an RPN for 2.5yrs. I have been considering taking a bridging program for quite some time now and have looked at a lot of the options. Since I have a family of 5 and soon to be 6 I am really only considering the Nipissing bridge or OUIT. Since I have a baby due in the fall I will likely not apply for another year or two but was hoping to take some classes to reduce the course load down the road. Is anyone aware of what courses you can get credit for in bridging programs. I have taken Coronary Care I and Prenatal I. Would also love to get some feedback on both of these programs. Unfortunately I have found that a lot of bridging students considered their programs lackluster and a cash crab. Any input is appreciated. Many thanks!

@ [COLOR=#003366]sun2bnrse: Congratulations on your acceptance. I want to apply for the RPN program at Georgian for 2014 fall intake . I have a family with two kids so I'm really curious about the schedule. Whenever I approach the program coordinator they just say it's Mo-Fri. Would you mind sharing your schedule? You could even send me a personal msg. Thank you!

Oh boy! I got accepted into a RPN program for January intake! What to do now? I've never been so torn over anything. I guess I should mention that I would have to work at least part-time (20-24hrs) if I don't go to school. So whether I'm in school or not, I will be away from my little one. My course load will be a little lighter because I will receive transfer credits for at least 6 courses (possibly 7). After some soul searching it really comes down two issues that are holding me back: 1) Should I do school now (with one child) or later after I had more kids and when they are in school? 2) Is nursing really right for me? I'm attracted to nursing for many, many reasons but my biggest worry is that I have the wrong idea of what it's like to be a nurse. I've been researching nursing school and the nursing profession for nearly 2 years now. Unfortunately it seems that you don't really know what a job is really like until you have worked in it. I already have a diploma in a field that I didn't enjoy working in. I guess I should be happy about having the opportunity. It's just about figuring out when the right time is. Thanks for your input so far. You all have been very helpful.

Thanks for your reply. You took the part-time route? Did you go the Orangeville campus? I was looking into part-time but it is not available in Barrie. Do you know if you can enrol in the full-time program and only take a part-time course load?

Thank you, ladies. Fiona: You really hit the nail on the head for me with what you said about missing out on your child's life. This is the one thing holding me back. I love working (just didn't really love what I was doing...hence the career change) but having my daughter has changed me so profoundly...I can't even explain it. I get a heavy heart just thinking that I might miss out on so much of her life. I have considered waiting until she and siblings that may follow are in school but I would be looking at going to school in 7 years then. That's a very long time.

Hello Everyone: I'm looking into going back to school to become an RPN, specifically at Georgian College. I'm looking for some information from current students or grads. Would love to hear from Moms that went back to school and have kids. 1) How many hours of class did you have a week in 1st, 2nd, 3rd semester, etc.? 2) Did you find the workload managable? 3) If you weren't able to attend class due to child sickness, etc., what was the reaction of your profs? 4) Any advice? Many thanks ahead of time.

Hello Ladies: I'm contemplating a career change and am looking into acquiring an RPN (Registered Practical Nurse) diploma in Ontario. I'm looking for some candid views on what it is like to work as a nurse and having a family. I have a 1 year old and am planning on growing my family. Any thoughts and suggestions are appreciated. It would be great to get input from both recent grads/moms and senior nurses/moms. Thank you very much!!!

I was planning on going to Barrie. The college is only a 35 minute drive from where I live. Did your courses take a whole semester?

Hi Loriangel: I have a quick question for you. I think in previous posts you mentioned that you had to take the pre-requisites (bio and chem) at Georgian. Did you do these online or in class? How much did it cost? Thanks, JuliWB

So what I gather from the previous posts is that it should be possible to complete the BScN part-time even if it isn't offered officially on a part-time basis. I didn't know that this is possible. A mom I have met is going to York for Nursing and when she was trying to take less classes in order to accummulate enough work hours to go on maternity leave the faculty was giving her a hard time telling her that nursing is not a part-time program. I would prefer going straight for the BScN as long as I can do it part-time only. Has anybody done this at York? Thanks again, Juli