Missfuturern1690

Thanks for answering, you brought up some good points! I think that the same thing can be said for the Pre Health Program though because similarly to the PSW program, it is 2 semesters. Its possible that someone in the Pre Health program can fail a certain course eliminating them from the entire Pre health program, setting them back 1 year. They most likely will have to apply to another school and repeat the same courses which means more money wasted. If you decide to take the PSW route you can fail without being kicked out of the program. The issue is whether or not RPN or BSCN will look at that (assuming you completed your pre req at night school or ILC while in the PSW program). I don't think they would look at that because most RPN schools only look at the pre requisites you completed. BSCN programs are different because they look at your overall GPA. I think there is less risk when you take the PSW or Nightschool/Adult Education school route. If you fail at night school or through Adult Education its not like you would have lost 4000 dollars, in addition to losing your chance of ever getting accepted into a BSCN program. If you fail one of the pre req through Adult Education, ILC or Night school you can repeat it with no problem without having to worry of not being accepted to a certain school because you failed. You can fail biology at Adult Education School, repeat the course in the summer and apply to any nursing school because nursing schools look at the highest grade completed or they will take the average weight of the failed course and the one you passed. At least they will still consider you though, unlike the pre health program where you fail and you are disqualified from applying to those programs. If you fail biology in the Pre Health program you are disqualified from going into the RPN or BSCN program (at least thats how it is at Humber and George Brown). Pre health program is definitely good for students unsure on which Healthcare field to get into. However, a student who is certain they want to be a nurse, is better off either completing pre req through Adult education school or going to the PSW and gaining practical experience. There is just too much of a risk with the pre health program, in my opinion but to each his own. I think the School board should at least cut down the cost of the Pre Health program, 4000 does not seem worth it in my opinion for completing high school level courses that you can complete for free at any highschool, or for 40 bucks through ILC.

Well i think everyone can agree that preference IS given to nursing students that have experience. You basically are repeating what someone has already said and i stated my point. Please read before you start repeating things that was already discussed. This thread is funny because half the people commenting are not even nurses and if they are nurses they are talking about issues pertaining to their situation that happened years ago; times have definitely changed, jobs ARE hard to find and experience means everything. Look at the forums on this thread, there are a lot of new grads who can't find employment. I don't sugar coat anything and i am giving students a realistic view on what happens and ways to go into nursing school prepared. The failure rate in nursing school is high, are you also going to deny that too and say that most nursing students that you know passed? Getting basic experience as a nurse will be beneficial to students not only in nursing school but also in helping them getting a job. There is no point to be proven, its a reality and you need to get your head out of the clouds. Why are you trying so hard to prove your point? repeating things that other people have said, talking as if what you are saying is factual. I worked at several hospitals around the GTA and worked in Long term care facility, i know what i am talking about. This discussion is over.

I would like to thank everyone for sharing their views on this subject, though some of us share opposing views on this topic, i think that we were at least able to touch base on some of the important questions that students might have regarding which avenue is best for them. At the end of the day, we can't decide for you which is the best option, this is a decision that students will have to make. I just hope that this forum will help someone have a better understanding of both programs and choose whichever path they feel necessary for their life; there is no right or wrong because it really depends on the individuals lifestyle, mindset and maturity. The decision to become a Nurse is a rewarding one and i wish the best to anyone entering either program! both are in no doubt beneficial in their own way and will help you get to where you need to be! :) I understand that money might not be an issue for some students so taking out 4000 in student loans for pre health is not an issue. I also am aware that money IS an issue for many students and this forum might come in handy to those who don't have the money to afford the pre health program. As for passing Nursing school, i believe that PSW will make the transition into Nursing easier. Students can obtain pre req at ANY highschool/Adult Education School or through ILC. My advice for students is to call up the schools and do a comparison for prices and to see if certain schools will accept Pre Health certificate from other schools.

Well im a Nurse and i know for a FACT that preference is given to Nurses that have experience.

You worked as a PSW while in nursing school which gave you experience. Hospitals give first preference to those with experience. This thread is not ridiculous, its reality; consider yourself lucky.

The point i am trying to make is this: 1. PSW program prepares students for the BSCN and RPN program because it gives them clinical experience working along side nurses (such as bedside care), you also learn the basic theory component of nursing, which will help prepare you for the RPN program or BSCN program. The basic theory and clinical component of the PSW makes the transition to the BSCN and RPN program easier. There is more chances to succeed in the BSCN and RPN program if you have prior experience in the field; PSW program gives students that experience. Not to discourage anyone but the the failure rate in nursing is very high, out of 50 students about only 20 make it to graduation. Don't believe me read any statistic regarding failure rate in nursing and you will see that more then half of the students fail. This might be due to lack of understanding of the basics, which is key to success in any nursing program. Its one thing to get into a nursing program, its another thing to be mentally prepared, psw mentally prepares students and makes the transition into nursing easier. This is why i advice students to complete their pre req while in PSW school through night school or ilc. 2. MOST facilities will give preference to those WITH a PSW certificate. This is because BSCN and RPN first year students are competing with individuals who already have their PSW certificate which is more common then the latter. You want to stand out as an applicant so obtaining your PSW certificate will give you that edge. I work in a hospital and preference is given to those who have their PSW certificate, in fact they won't even look at your resume unless you have that certificate. The only way this happens is if the hospital is very short in staff which is not common (might have been common 2 years ago though). 3. Nightschool courses are significantly cheaper then the Pre Health program. Pre Health covers highschool level biology, math, chemistry and English You can achieve those same credits at a regular Adult Education school, Night School or online through ILC, Free of charge. The adult school in Mississauga is FREE, there is a small fee that you will have to pay for books but they give you that money back once you are done the course. ILC charges 40 dollars for each course but that is nothing to what you pay for the pre health program. At least if you take the PSW course you will earn that money back once you get a job at a hospital or Long Term Care facility part time. Pre Health does not give you any job prospects to look forward too, you don't gain experience as a nurse and you end up 4000 in debt. You also are limited to which schools you can apply too not all schools accept a pre health certificate that is not from their own college. Some Universities don't even recognize the Pre health as an equivalent entry into their BSCN program. When you take those pre requites courses at high school, night-school or through ILC you will NEVER run into those problems.

Though BSCN and RPN students are eligble to be employed for PSW jobs, preference will be given to those who already have PSW certificate. Secondly, Hopsitals and Long Term Care homes are usually looking to hire someone who has a certificate over someone who doesn't. Thirdly, your information is very dated, in this current economy BSCN students are competing with appilcants who have a PSW certificate and most PSW that work in hospitals have a PSW certificate. I worked in a Hospital I know what i am talking about. Again, you and the few students you know most likely got lucky on the job. Call any hopsital and see if they will hire a BSCN grad over someone that holds a PSW certificate and is in RPN or BSCN school. The smart thing to do for any student considering this route is to obtain your PSW certificate and take night school pre req's for the RPN or BSCN program (which is free at Mississauga Adult Education school) so that once you are in the program you will have a higher chance of getting hired at a hospital. In THIS economy you NEED to stand out as an applicant to get hired at a hospital or even long term care facility and having PSW certificate will give students the upper edge. How many months and years did it take those BSCN's to actually find work? probably a lot longer then a BSCN or RPN student who already has their PSW certificate.

Pre health is a waste of money and it limits you on the schools you can apply too. I took Pre Health at Seneca and was told i can only apply to Seneca college RPN and BSCN program. The Pre Health program at George brown and Humber does not even let you apply to their BSCN program. For what its worth, you are better off saving your 4000 dollars, taking the courses at night school or online through ILC and that way you have more options in what schools you can apply too, also they don't mark as hard. I am a nurse now and i hate the fact that i spent so much money on pre health program 4000 in debt is not worth it. Save that money for actual Nursing school.

Actually the information that i stated IS factual. In order to practice as a PSW at a hospital or Long term Care facility you do need a certificate. Very few facilities are willing to hire without a PSW certificate; that might have been different a few years ago. Without a PSW certificate you will be competing with individuals who DO have their PSW certificate and will have a very slim chance of getting a job. You just happened to of gotten lucky, not to mention the fact that you probably graduated at a different time where PSW jobs were not as competitive to get and were the requirements were not as strict. Also, there are many students that are in the BSCN and RPN program who were unable to get jobs at hospitals and long term care facilities due to the fact that they are not certified. Home health care is probably the only place where they "might" hire you without a PSW certificate but even that is rare due to the fact that the number of QUALIFIED PSW that hold a PSW certificate outnumber the ones who aren't qualified. There are many RPN and BSCN students who do not have their PSW certificate that have to work in non nursing related jobs because they can't find work as a PSW (due to not having their psw certificate). The place that i work at won't even consider you unless you have your PSW certificate. When i worked at a hospital all the PSW staff had their certificate and the people who applied that didn't were not even considered. I am a nurse, i know what i am talking about. It is important for students to go to an accredited school because most hospitals and long term care facilities will only hire you if you went to an accredited college.

You are not understanding what i am saying. PSW course gives student the understanding of the basic fundamentals of nursing such as bedside care so it will give students the upper-hand when it comes to gaining experience as a nurse (even if its just bedside care). As i stated in my post several times, the PSW program is EASY enough where you can complete PRE Requisites through ILC or Nightschool WHILE completing the PSW program. I did not say that the PSW program will qualify students into entrance into the RPN or BSCN program. I have taken the Pre Health program in the past and it IS a waste of money. You CAN complete the pre requisites at night school for free. Nightschool IS free, you pay your fees for text books but the school gives you back the money once you are done with the book, there are no fees to register and the price you pay for the book is nothing compared to what you pay for the "pre health" program. The Adult Education School in Mississauga IS free, you can call them to ask them if you don't believe me.

I am well aware that PSW are not nurses. However, i do acknowledge the fact that they play a vital role in the nursing profession by assisting Nurses. Students wishing to take part in the PSW program will gain valuable experience that will help them once they are in nursing school. In the previous comment that i made prior to your response, i clearly stated that they were not nurses. This is what i said:

There are people who say the same thing with RPN, that we are not "real" nurses; which is ridiculous and ignorant for people to say but they say it all the time. The problem with the Nursing profession is that people do not like to give credit where its due. As long as you are taking care of patients or assisting in their care then you are a Nurse. There are different levels within the Nursing profession but there is no right or wrong. Without a PSW, RPN and RN helping eachother we would not be able to perform quality care to patients.

To complete high school level Biology, Chemistry, English and Math you will need to either go to nightschool or pre health program at the college. Nightschool is usually held at a highschool or Adult Education School and its free for any Ontario residents. Students interested in that route should call the Adult Education schools in their area to confirm if its free but i am certain that its free; i work with a RN who took that route and she did not have to pay any money. My RPN program was not free either but that is because its a nursing program at the college. PSW do basic bedside care so though they are not nurses they help assist nurses, i work with them all the time at my job and they help with the basic care of patients; I would consider them part of the Nursing field.

I guess i should have specified that this advice is mainly for Ontario residents because in Ontario night school IS free and the PSW program teaches students bedside care and the basic theory components of nursing. I have met Nurses who were previously PSW and they have told me it helped the transition for them to the RN program easier. In Ontario you need a PSW Certificate inorder to even be considered for a PSW job at a hospital or long term care facility. PSW at hospitals and Nursing homes work along side Nurses doing bedside care. Im a registered RPN so i work with many PSW at the Nursing home. I am briding to BSCN in the fall and i am just trying to help students out. I understand that not everyone will agree with what im saying but in Ontario it really is the best option.

The PSW program prepares you for the RPN and BSCN program because it teaches you the basic fundamentals of nursing (such as bedside care) that will help you throughout your nursing career. Though the PSW program does not grant you direct entrance to a RPN or BSCN program, their are various bridging programs offered for the PSW to RPN that are only one semester long. Also, the PSW courses are easy enough where one can go to school for PSW and complete the pre req through ILC. The benefit of the PSW program is that once you finish you will be able to work in the nursing field while going to RPN or BSCN School and you will also gain experience as a nurse, that will look good to potential employers; some employers will pay for your schooling! There are a few Nurses that have told me that they went this route and they told me it is better. I personally don't see the point of the Pre Health because you spend so much money to complete pre req when you can complete it at nightschool or online for free. PSW WILL prepare you for nursing and plus you get a job in the field out of it! Can't go wrong with that! I have done the Pre Health route and i wish someone would have told me this before, i regret going into the program so that is why im sharing this advice to other students who might be debating on which route to take! If i would of known what i know now I would have never spent over a 4 grand on the pre health when i could have just taking the pre req for free at nightschool and complete the psw program during the day to gain bedside experience as a nurse. The pre health program does not give you that experience but i guess some people don't realize this. Bedside care is very valuable in the nursing profession and its getting harder for new grads to get jobs due to lack of experience; the psw gives students that experience. A Nurse i was talking to told me the reason she was able to find a job faster then her classmates was because she was a former PSW at the hospital. I was also told that most hospitals want experience and that having a PSW experience looks good on the resume and helps new grads find employment due to their experience as a PSW.