sunship88

I did A&P through Thompson Rivers University online. The price was a little more expensive than the other UBC courses I was taking at the time but not by much (was a few years ago though). I would recommend it overall and I know UBC and UofT nursing (both accelerated BSN programs) accept the course. I wasn't hard for me to get a good grade doing it online as long as you're willing to put the work in.

I can't speak to U of C in particular but typically the school doesn't assist students in finding jobs afterword, and I've never heard of recruiters coming to schools. You can see if AHS has a new graduate program (like in BC) which aims to set new grads up with jobs, but the school is not affiliated with this.

They for sure don't prefer LPNs over "students". I'm sure being an LPN is an asset but not many LPNs have 60 university-level credits (they receive a college diploma) which you need to apply to the program. In my class there was only one person I know of who was an LPN. Most of them do the bridge-to-RN program at VCC. At 22 you will be on the young-ish side, that being said there are still a lot of people that age (I was 23 when I started the program). It sounds like you have good experience so it shouldn't affect you negatively!

I did my BSN at UBC and they push the Masters program pretty hard...I would say you are at an advantage if you do your undergrad there. After that I would say coming from another large, research-focused university (UofT, Western, UofA) etc. would work the most in your favour. I hate to say it but some of the faculty are high in their ivory towers and would prefer it if your BSN was from a university rather than college/technical schools. But they certainly wouldn't deny you if you came in with good experience and a high GPA. BCIT has a great BSN program from what I hear

Non-violent crisis intervention; like one post said. My first job on a med-surg floor: the hospital I worked at offered optional free courses for staff on wound care, palliative care, mentoring new staff/students etc. I know that only helps once you've landed a job but keep an eye out for what is offered; helps boost your resume and looks good when you do apply to a specialty program (ER, critical care, etc.)

To be honest I don't think it will matter where you go to school...there is a much higher demand for nurses in small, northern communities compared to cities and you won't have a problem getting a job after graduation in N. BC if you are somewhat flexible on location. I went to nursing school in a large city and some of my classmates chose to do their final preceptorship in a rural setting; I would recommend this if you are able in order to get a feel for what it will be like!

You shouldn't have any problem getting a job in dialysis in BC once you're licensed, especially coming from the US. It is a specialty and health authorities in Vancouver are paying nurses to receive specialty education at BCIT which takes ~6months to a year. If you already have experience that's a huge benefit. Cost of living in Vancouver is a whole other issue sadly! Very expensive to buy here, and expensive to rent in Vancouver proper

Try the New Grad programs the health authorities offer...they are separate applications. Usually getting hired where you had your preceptorship is a good bet. If they weren't hiring initially, try again in a couple months. Otherwise I'd try hospitals further out of town...like in the Fraser Valley good luck!

I volunteered as a recreational therapy assistant in a long term care home...doing arts and crafts with residents, reading them the paper, etc. before I went to nursing school. There are also volunteers in my hospital that come and visit patients sometimes. So if you're open to that at least it will introduce you to the health care setting in Canada and show that you are interested in working with a specific patient population (if that's where your interests lie).

I would say that yes BCIT's program is probably a bit better in terms of clinical experience...for example you get two final preceptorships instead of one, the program is 3 years instead of 2 (and still an accelerated program), etc. I think the nature of the UBC program means it is fast-paced, and more focused on theory. That's not to say I didn't have great clinicals, most were great, but if gaining a solid foundation in clinical skills in order to feel graduation-ready is super important to you, I feel like the ESN program is very valuable. All in all I don't regret choosing UBC though :)

Look into applying to the New Graduate Programs close to graduation, most health authorities offer them...it's a separate application package for new grads and they try and match you to an appropriate job. It can take a couple months to hear back though since everyone applies at once

Having a car is super helpful, especially if you are not a morning person as most clinicals start at 7am! First semester having a car isn't as important, as you are mostly at UBC and getting there by transit is pretty easy especially if you live right in Vancouver. After that you'll likely be in clinical for 2-3 days a week and at UBC 2 days a week (sometimes even just once a week). There's a system in place now that allows students to have a say at which hospital they are placed at but you don't always get your preference. Most hospitals (in fact all if I remember correctly...was three years ago mind you) give nursing students staff parking rates for the day, which is usually around 5$/hr. For example it's helpful having a car if you in Van but get placed at Peace Arch. But that being said for a lot of places getting there by transit isn't bad :)

UBC grad here. I wouldn't say it really matters what group you're in. It may seem really important at the time but looking back it's no biggie, you'll meet cool people in each group and you get to do every rotation anyways. I agree about the preceptorship comment though...if you are set on peds try and get it done before the summer if possible. I'd say the order each rotation has various pros/cons. For groups 3&4 Fraser Health will hire you as an ESN...I was in group 3 and got a summer ESN position and my friend who graduated this past year was also hired by Fraser Health (she was also group 3). These positions ultimately landed us the jobs we have now. I cannot recommend the ESN program enough!! It gives you added clinical experience (which TBH is particularly important for UBC students) and pays well. Something to think about as many applications for these positions begin in the fall, when the semester will just be starting. Congrats to everyone who got accepted!

I graduated a few years ago from the program....I know of one person who did this and left at the end of year 1 of nursing to go into med. It's not very common. Retention rates for the program are high and most people who are accepted end up graduating. Good luck to everyone applying :)

It's unfortunate but there are families because of cultural reasons that will refuse male nursing students, like Fiona59 said. Not the vast majority of the time, but it happens. Don't take it personally. During my maternity rotation 4 out of the 6 nursing students were male. All the guys said they had a great time overall. Your instructor will be able to find you families that are open to having you as a student. And I had zero interest in maternity nursing (and still don't) but being there for a birth and C-section was one of the best experiences of nursing school. So do what you want! That being said I enjoyed psych more and feel it is more applicable to all aspects of nursing....you will have patients with mental health issues across all settings.