RN school wait lists in BC

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First off, hello everyone. I'm new to the forum and stumbled on it while spending hours trying to research my alternatives.

I'm in Vancouver, BC (permanent resident) planning to go for my RN. I'm a mature student with 19 credit hours from a US university, but most of those credits are liberal arts, so I'm not sure what will really count except for the math and English. I know I'll have to take the A&Ps and Psychs- biology was much more than 5 years ago, but I did make an A! lol

When I first started looking, I found that VCC has a relatively new RN BSN program and I spoke to the academic advisers who told me that there was no wait list. I got approved for my student loan, requested all my transcripts and registered as a student. Today (only a week later) I spoke with a different adviser who informed me that not only is there a wait list, but that there are 49 students on it and that they will only be taking 24. VCC only has a fall intake so she told me that if I'm "lucky" I could get in the class of 2012 but likely 2013! ack. I suppose the only positive there is that they are a first come, first serve school so I will eventually move up the list for sure.

In the meantime, the adviser suggested I apply to multiple schools in the Lower Mainland, and choose one to attend for prerequisites while biding my time, hoping for one of them to eventually send me an acceptance. I'm sure many of you are in the same boat. I applied to Douglas and will probably actually attend there because it is much closer to home than VCC, plus they do two intakes per year so that's a plus. Will anyone be attending the Douglas psych or A&P for summer 2011? Would be nice to know someone going in.

So I guess the purpose of my post is to first make contact with anyone else currently waiting out their time, and also to compare any up-to-date info you have on wait lists. As far as Douglas' preferential placement goes, with a max number of points at 14, what is a "good" number of points to have to be competitive? I'm thinking I will have around 8. >

Thanks for reading!

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Hi there TNDoherty,

Welcome. I am currently attending Douglas College and am half way through the program.

If you are planning on going to Douglas and take the Biology 1103/1203 do it. It makes your life so much easier, than to take it while in the program. Make sure you apply to the pre-nursing program, instead of general, so that you can register for the biology class. You get second priority for the class, and if on the day of your registration you start at 9am you should get a seat. Just watch the registertion times and dates. You can also take Bio 1109/1209 it is the same class and exam, its just for sport science, you can transfer in lieu of the bio. Just check with an advisor first, in case things have changes since I took my bio classes.

While you are waiting, I strongly suggest taking the other electives too! You need 2 English, Engl 1130 and another... its a pain, but it is required, as there are A LOT of papers to due each term!

As for electives, well those are up to you. Yes, people think that taking Psychology is a smart choice and if you are into it, why not? But, if you're not, why not take a class that interests you, or better yet.... see if you classes transfer to Douglas.

http://www.bctransferguide.ca/

I know you mentioned being a perment resident close to douglas, so check out your options. As for you points, I would try and increase those as you wait... Most people for the fall intake have more that 12... and then I have heard as low of 7.8 for winter, but it depends on a lot of factors, like how many applied, and what number you seat is.

If you are missing points, try and make them up, get the volunteer or work hours, take those electives, they count too! Also, while your at it brush up on your CPR because its required later too!

Good luck, and if you have questions, PM.

Oh and as for VCC they may have a new BSN program, but they have been teaching nursing for many years and have a good reputation!

All the best,

Tee

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Hi Tee,

Thank you for your response. I don't think I can PM yet because I'm still so new to the forum.

In looking at the preferential criteria for Douglas (points) the only way to have 12 points is to basically have straight A's, plus an Associate's or Bachelor's Degree, and at least 300 hours of volunteering right? Otherwise, I don't see how a person can get that high. The max for category A is 10 points, or 14 for category B. Is that right? Do most of the students have a couple years of volunteering under their belts (assuming they get 2-3 hours per week like I do) and previous degrees?

I do have the straight A's and a diploma in Animal Sciences (which I'm not sure will count as health-related because it is animal health) but I'm still working my way up in volunteer hours and haven't even reached 100. But I did work for a Deaf institute for 2 years full-time. The institute provides audiological testing and services, but that was not my department. I wonder if that counts towards working in a health setting?

Thanks for your advice on the electives. I do plan to start them this summer and get them and the CPR out of the way. Hoping for the January intake next year. :)

Also, I don't think I'm fully understanding the preferential point system. There is a .pdf on the website that says the max for category B is 14 points, but I was over at the Canadian Nursing Student Association and there are posts regarding people who have up to 20 points. Where are those points coming from? Can someone help me make sense of the system please?

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Go and talk to an advisor and find out for sure how many points you have.

it sounds like you have more than.

You;ll get points for the Animal Dipolma, and your grade point average and your hours.

I think you are doing better than you think, as for 20 points, I think it has changed, so use the information from the most current nursing handbook.

Have you applied yet, because the deadline is pretty soon and its only once a year for application.

Good luck.

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Sorry to hijack your thread... I can't pm it seems :)

Teebee5 -

I've submitted my application for Sep 2011. Do you know - when does the college notify applicants of their status? If you have the 9 university credits do they automatically score you in category B? I get 10/10 I think for category A but in category B I don't score as well since my overall university gpa is low (it was 15 years ago) even though I got B's in the required psych/sociology/english. Or do they score everyone in both categories or just in the one that gives you the highest score? I'm confused..... Any insight would be appreciated! Thank you!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Sorry to hijack your thread... I can't pm it seems :)

Teebee5 -

Site requirements are 15 or more posts to be able to send a pm

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Sorry to hijack your thread... I can't pm it seems :)

Teebee5 -

I've submitted my application for Sep 2011. Do you know - when does the college notify applicants of their status? If you have the 9 university credits do they automatically score you in category B? I get 10/10 I think for category A but in category B I don't score as well since my overall university gpa is low (it was 15 years ago) even though I got B's in the required psych/sociology/english. Or do they score everyone in both categories or just in the one that gives you the highest score? I'm confused..... Any insight would be appreciated! Thank you!

Hi,

As I mentioned to the previous poster, go and talk with an advisor about where your points are standing.

Because the program has changed requirments since I got in go and talk to someone in admission or directly from the nursing department. They will have the most up todate information.

Sometimes, some people have said their points where posted under thier online application, but that never happened for me. I ended up called the school and as for finding out if you get in, its a long waiting process, some people with top points get in right away in April, and then some find out a week before september, basically, you need to be patient.

As for points, it can be tricky. I thought I had good points, but was disappointed when some of my creditientials where not accounted for. In the end I made it for fall 2009 start date, but again, things change and only admission and the department will be able to give you more information.

In the mean time, I STRONGLY suggest taking all the elective courses you can. Apply to be a pre-nursing student if you haven't already, and that way you can register for the biology courses and take them before the program starts. DO the same with ENglish, the english elective and then two UT electives, because you will save yourself stress in the long run.

Summer semster registation is only a month away so you still have time!

Good luck and if you have other questions let me know.

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Thank you!

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I've applied to BCIT, Douglas and UFV for the January 2012 intake and just wondering if anyone else is in the same boat. I meet all the pre-requisites and have 62 transfer credits. I'm REALLY hoping to get in and can't help but be impatient!! I still don't know what my Douglas points are yet...

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Hi :) I have also applied to BCIT for Jan 2012....keeping my fingers crossed!!

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Specializes in OR.

Don't forget about University Of The North, I have heard this is a great University & if you work in the North there is loan forgiveness...:nurse::nurse:

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I've thought about applying elsewhere but I really love living in Vancouver and I live with my boyfriend of 6 years so I wouldn't just be up and moving myself lol. Who else is waiting on hearing for their Jan 2012 applications?? I'd love to keep in touch to sort of get an idea when they're doing interviews etc.

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