RNStudent2013

Just got mine in Calgary - I passed!!!

I'm in the new program (just finished Term 4) and I'd agree that the emphasis is definitely more on theory and less on skills, maybe even more so in the new curriculum. I really like the program and the school so far, but the curriculum has changed a lot and I know there are at least a few people in my class that would have chosen a different school if they had known more about it. Terms 3 and 4 (your first eight months if you go into the Degree Holder route) are basically community health nursing and you don't actually go into the hospital or learn a whole lot of hands-on skills until Term 5 (your third semester in the program). I had great clinical instructors for both semesters, but I did find that there was only so much I could learn from the placements I was at, given that they were in the community (i.e., an elementary school, a retirement facility). However, I think there will be a lot of learning that happens in the last four semesters of the program and by the end of it, it will have been a good education and I'll be generally prepared to work as a nurse! I wouldn't worry if you don't hear back from U of C right away even if your GPA is strong. I had a competitive GPA when I applied for the program and didn't get accepted until late June for the September 2011 start and know other people who didn't hear until even later in the summer. Definitely talk to one of the nursing advisors if you have any other questions, I found they were really helpful! Best of luck!

I don't want to say it's an automatic A, but the textbook for the course was really small and the reading was quite manageable. I think if you put in a decent amount of effort it'd be at least an easy B+/A- if that makes sense? I'm not saying it's not possible to get an A or A+, but I just don't want to be misleading and tell you it's an automatic A. I don't think it matters that you haven't taken many psych courses, though, it was more just basic research design, and it was a lot less work-intensive than any other psych course I've taken. I'd say if you're looking for a class to take with the other two courses that doesn't require too much time, this would be it.

I've taken a couple courses with them and I'd have to say that I prefer going to lecture too! I took their research methodology psych class though and it was stupid easy if you know even the slightest bit about research designs (like longitudinal vs. cross-sectional, etc.). I think it was called Psych 304 but I may be wrong. Anyway, I would recommend it if you're looking for an easy course! The assignments were sort of tedious but more annoying than anything and the tests were very straightforward. I can also recommend avoiding their adolescent psych class and their primatology anthro class!

Hi, as of right now the U of A doesn't have a transfer program, but does have the after-degree program and the regular four year program. You might be able to get credit for some courses in the four year program though, like English and A&P. As for the U of C, they did tell me that the transfer competitive GPA for Fall 2011 was 3.85, but they also said they had a low number of seats available for the Fall intake of transfer students. There is also a January intake and that GPA could be quite a bit lower, it depends on the demand for the program. And this is only the second year of their new curriculum that allows students to transfer into year two (I think), so next Fall there might be lower demand? You could try calling the U of C and asking what their competitive GPA for January is, just to get an idea of whether it is still very high (unless the 3.85 refers to January too!). Best of luck!

I remember learning in one of my psych courses that studying just before bed is better than studying and then doing something like watching TV for an hour before bed. Can't remember the reasoning behind it, but it was something like you don't want new information coming in and interfering with the consolidation of the stuff you just learned? That said, it probably doesn't make much of a difference. I usually do end up studying late at night and then going to bed immediately after, but that's mostly because I'm at school during the day and can't study then!

I was supposed to start my nursing degree in January 2011, but ended up giving up my seat at the last minute for a couple of reasons, including still being two courses away from finishing my first degree (was planning to do these two courses at the same time as my nursing degree) and a lot of stress in my family life. Basically I was burnt out just at the thought of starting the program. I re-applied for September though, and now I am starting in a couple of weeks! I do wish I had been able to start back in January, since I would be a year closer to being a nurse right now, but it just wasn't the right time and ultimately I'm glad I made this decision. If you can't find a way to make it work this semester, don't worry... you'll still be starting your nursing career very soon! Waiting one semester isn't a huge deal in the long run (you're only 18!) and I'm sure being more financially stable and waiting until next semester will be less stressful than starting now and being panicked about money. Try to make the best of this semester and before you know it, it'll be spring. Best of luck! :)

B.A. in Psychology and now starting my B.N. (after-degree) this fall!

I think you can still apply for the 4-year programs as long as you have the prerequisite high school courses they ask for. I'm starting a "transfer" program at the U of Calgary in the fall and it's for people who have 1.5 years of post-secondary credit but want to switch into nursing, and I've already got a degree. But again, best to check with the individual schools to make sure. :)

Hi Grace, As far as I know, they only look at GPA for admissions, but it's only the last 10 courses you took. And I don't think you need to worry yet about having a 3.2... I'm not 100% clear on what competitive average means, but I am guessing it means that if you have a 3.4, your chances of getting in are really good? I'm not sure. I just can't imagine everybody entering the Transfer route this September had a 3.85 or above... Anyway, I'm going to be starting this September, so if you get in I think we will have classes together at some point! Good luck!

I don't think there is a 3.0 guarantee anymore. For the Transfer route intake this Fall, I was told they were looking at 3.85 as a competitive GPA due to the number of seats they expected to give to Transfer students. The January entry (either Transfer route or Degree Holder route) probably has a lower acceptance average, but even for last January I knew some people with above a 3.0 that were put on a wait list. But, the U of A was guaranteeing acceptance at 3.0 and above for their Fall 2011 After-Degree intake... Also, is there anyone out there who is in this program now? I'm interested in hearing what you think of it so far!

Can you PM me your e-mail address? I guess I haven't made enough posts to do that yet but I just found the last name and contact info of the person I talked to.

Hmm I'm looking at the courses on BearTracks right now (I'm a current U of A student) and it looks like there are still 94 out of 139 spots open for one of the after-degree classes, so don't give up yet! Did you try calling the Faculty? I had a problem with my application and I talked directly with one of the advisors... I can't remember her last name but I think the first name was Alice, and when I got the conditional admission letter it came from her.

I've been "conditionally admitted" for about two months maybe. I think they moved the document deadline to June 30th, so maybe that's why you haven't heard yet?