Ashke

**I posted this as a reply in another thread, but thought maybe it would be better to make it its own thread. Sorry if this breaks etiquette/rules*** Hi, My niece is in her senior year of high school and wants to be a nurse. She recently got accepted into the Health Sciences program at Rowan College at Burlington County, but I see they have a AAS.NUR program that also has an option for a BScN through the 3+1 program. I understand applications for high school students opens January 4, 2021. I'm in Canada and so I'm trying to shift through the information for her from a distance. Can anyone comment on: 1. how good the nursing program is at RCBC (I.e. the quality of the program) 2. how good is the RCBC Nursing program's reputation 3. how competitive it is to get into it 4. how well does it prepare you for the NCLEX Thank you for your time in answering my questions. Any bit of information helps.

Hi, My niece is in her senior year of high school and wants to be a nurse. She recently got accepted into the Health Sciences program at Rowan College at Burlington County, but I see they have a AAS.NUR program that also has an option for a BScN through the 3+1 program. I understand applications for high school students opens January 4, 2021. I'm in Canada and so I'm trying to shift through the information for her from a distance. Can anyone comment on: 1. how good the nursing program is at RCBC (I.e. the quality of the program) 2. how good is the RCBC Nursing program's reputation 3. how competitive it is to get into it 4. how well does it prepare you for the NCLEX Thank you for your time in answering my questions. Any bit of information helps.

Hi! Have you checked out ACSM (American college of Sport Medicine)? They have a pretty strong voice in the health and fitness world. Their certifications include that of personal trainer, exercise specialist, and exercise physiologist (the last one requires a masters degree as a prerequisite). The specialist and physiologist certification allow you to work with clients that have health problems but need a supervised exercise program.

Thanks for replying KellyTel! That is great that you are working in the field already. I was hoping to volunteer to start, but the opportunity I was hoping to obtain eluded me. I also considered an MPH degree after nursing, but I will wait to see if such a move makes sense once I have started working. Thanks again!

Hi! What is turning you off about becoming an NP? Is it the courses? Is it the working environment? You said that you always wanted to be an MD but that this is no longer possible. What makes you say this? Is it due to time, money, or that you are no longer interested in medicine? I have been feeling down myself about my career. I am currently enrolled in a nursing program but I still consider other careers like PA, PT, OT, MD, or even just sticking it out with my CK/DC combo. Heck, I have even considered leaving healthcare all together. For me, the problem seems to be a lack of passion for much of anything. Any path requires a high level of commitment and dedication in order to be successful. Maybe you just need to find your spark? I'm just trying to give you some food for thought. In the end, I hope you make the best decision for yourself.

Hi xInspiredx, I suspect that the two would be the same. Just like a bachelors of exercise science = bachelors of science in kinesiology = bachelors of phys. Ed. = bachelors of kinesiology. What matters is that the content is the same. I would suggest comparing the program curriculae and if they cover the same things, then it should be okay. Alternatively, you could research NP programs and inquire about their MSN prerequisites. Sometimes, their websites will give detailed descriptions of what the masters program must cover in order for it to satisfy the requirements. Good luck!

Hi! Not sure where you are located, but the message seems to be the same everywhere. The job market is pretty tough for new grade at the moment to the point where most are simply trying to get any job anywhere just to get experience. Once you have experience, it will be easier to transition into the area that you want. You may even consider volunteering in the area you want while working; I'm not sure how that works or if that is possible. Since you are in your last year, I would do your transitional rotation in ICU, which is the tougher of the two areas that you like to get into. If you don't get hired by your last placement, it won't be too hard to get into LTC. That is my advice based on my research thus far. Perhaps others will give further insight. Good luck and congrats on being almost done. :)

I think the tone of your original post may have just given a negative vibe. When someone says 'I don't see myself in a nursing home' I am more inclined to think that they have determined that they do not have the tenacity to excel or enjoy the role. When someone says 'I never want to work in a nursing home,' I sense aversion and disdain which may put someone on the defensive, especially if they are a part of LTC (like a worker or a resident/patient). You probably didn't mean it to sound disdainful, I'm sure. Maybe just use words that are less strong. It is like it says in the bible: "A soft answer turneth away wrath."

I had not thought of working in he universities. Thanks for the suggestion; I will look into it. This is all really great information guys. I really appreciate the responses. It sounds like if I can start developing relevant experience and demonstrate above par assessment skills, I should be able to get to where I want to go.

That is interesting. What does school nursing entail? What is wrong with immunizations?

Thank you RiRi03! That really helps a lot. It seems like I am in for a bit of ladder climbing. Are public health positions very competitive?

Hi again, Well, I seem to be happiest when I am playing the role of a consultant to patients -- that is, educating and advising them on their health and teaching them how to make positive lifestyle choices. I also like the art of designing, administering, managing, and evaluating a plan of management (i.e treatment plan). I could see myself working in an STD clinic, community health centre, or doing in-home consults. I do not see myself doing well in a hospital environment and so I hope to avoid it beyond what is absolutely necessary.

Wow, thank you very much for your responses. Is public health nursing a popular field in Ontario?

Hello, I would like to inquire about aspiring to be a public/community health nurse in Ontario. Is this a specialty that a new grad can get into right out of school or does it require experience somewhere else? Are there certain things that one should do in terms of schooling, volunteer work, or credentials that would maximize one's chances of getting an offer for a position as a public/community health nurse? Thank you for your attention to my queries.

Well it is probably the 'fastest growing profession' but what they fail to tell you is that it is growing in terms of the number of professionals being pumped out by the schools; in terms of the number of opportunities for said professionals, it is stagnant at best -- shrinking is more closer to the truth. I second the comment that an RN designation compliments the chiropractic background and need not be seen as a replacement. Is that $75-$90K range based on a percentage split or as a base salary?