Robar

I'm bridging through AU - starting Cluster B in Sept. It will take me about 3 years to complete, assuming I get all my clinicals when I request them. I work a .6FTE and take 3 courses a term, including summer term! I don't think they have a gpa cutoff to get into the program, but you will need to keep your gpa up in order to progress through the program. In order to get into Cluster B you need a 3.3 in Cluster A. I would start by doing the A&P course on its own since it is a gpa buster, and also a course that they will not accept transfer credit for, and then apply to the program. If you are on FB, there is a fantastic group on there called "Athabasca University: LPN-BN Students" which offers all sorts of advice on the program. Good Luck!

well, I'm an 80's child, fully vaccinated. I've never been seriously ill in 27 years and I was an honour roll student throughout high school, went to university with a full scholarship (although I admit, I left before fiishing my degree) and I have a 4.0 gpa so far in nursing school. My 2, fully vaccinated children (4 & 2), have been to the doctor once each for illness (ear infection and pink eye), my 4 yo can read and do math better than most 6 yo's. None of us has ever had a reaction stronger than a slight fever to any vaccine. So I guess if people want to base vaccination decisions on anecdotal evidence (although I would seriously advise against it!), add my kids and I to the pile of "vaccination success stories". :)

Courses have to have been taken within 10 years. I contacted the university to see if I could apply for transfer credits before I apply for the nursing program since I have some that are about to hit 10 years (and I'm not done the LPN program yet so can't apply!) and they said no I was so happy that my year of university wouldn't be wasted and then I saw the "10 year" requirement. So sad!

Thank you! More great replies! I'm feeling much better with my decision :) I'm looking forward to having every day be different!! I get pretty bored when I'm not being challenged. I worked as an accounting clerk for years & I swear the routine of it just about killed me! I want a career that will make me think and where I will always be learning :)

Thank you! That was incredibly helpful! I know that no job is "perfect" but I also don't want to walk into a career where I'm practically guaranteed to be miserable either. So if 32% of Canadian nurses are dissatisfied with their jobs that means that almost 70% are satisfied. That is far from perfect but it's much better than the bleak picture the forums were painting for me :)

I'm starting LPN school in September and have been snooping around the forums for a few weeks and I'm starting to get scared!! It seems that there are A LOT of unhappy nurses! Most of the posts I've seen are from nurses in the US and they complain about not getting breaks/lunch, vicious coworkers, and spending most of their shifts doing paper work. So I guess I'm just hoping that these things are less of a problem in Canada with the unions & UHC? I believe I would make a good nurse but I don't want to go into this blind. I have 2 kids & a husband who will be supporting me while I pursue this & I don't want to waste his hard earned money! I realize that nursing jobs are harder to come by than they once were but I'm hoping that the fact that I'm in Northern Alberta will help me. And hopefully AHS will have their poop in a group by the time I graduate!! :) Also, can you tell me what a "day in the life" is like? I'm going to try & see if I can shadow a nurse at our local hospital but I'd love to hear from you guys as well since I'm sure it varies a lot depending on which hospital/specialty you are in & I'd like to hear about the different options! Thank you all so much!! I know there are many, many posts like this but I'm really looking for some Canadian perspective!

I am not a nurse (yet!!) but I don't think anybody is asking these questions because they want to get in your business. I asked my last nurse if she had children... I had just given birth so it just seemed to be a natural conversation starter. I didn't realize that it might be seen as digging into her personal life. Anyway, she didn't seem offended & she told me all about her kids :) she was a wonderful nurse & although I'm sure she'll never know it, she's part of the reason I'm here starting this journey myself!! I'm currently a stay at home mom of 2 and I don't feel like anybody that doesn't want kids is bashing me for choosing to have them. Although, I have had people tell me that I was "wasting my life" by getting married & having children at a young age. Now THAT was offensive!

Oops! I meant to quote this!

I could have written this post! Except I plan on doing a 2 year lpn program (all that is available locally:yawn: and then bridging to rn, so it'll take me a little longer!!)

I'm so enjoying reading all of the post from the people who have been there! I'm just starting school part time in September & this is something I also struggle with on a daily basis. I also have 2 young children (3 & 11 mos) and I understand how that increases your anxiety. When I start questioning if I'm cut out for nursing because of these worries I remind myself that there isn't a nurse around that enjoys watching patients die and it is something that they deal with & I will deal with it also when the time comes. I realize that there are going to be parts of the job that I won't like. I don't enjoy changing diapers & waking up in the middle of the night with my baby but that doesn't mean i don't love motherhood & shouldn't be a mother! Best of luck to you! And I would love to hear more from you as a fellow mother & nursing student!!