RPN to BScN Bridging in Ontario: My Experience

[NUNurse007, BSN]

I wanted to share my experience on attending Centennial/Ryerson on a part-time basis. I had to take the "RPN to BScN Hybrid program" because it is delivered in my area at a RAC (regional access centre) on a part-time basis only. If you live in the TO area than you can take this program on a full-time basis & complete in 3 yrs. There are 3 college together with Centennial (Mohawk & George Brown) that are in partnership with Ryerson for this program.

To apply you will have had a current CNO license, finished a diploma RPN program & must have a 3.0 Cumulative GPA in the PN program with no failed or repeated courses. For 2 years I took courses at the RAC (classes were held in a hospital in their education/board room) one evening a week, 2 (sometimes 3) courses per semester. No breaks in between, we went from one semester, right into another the entire year. The 2 years consisted of 2 Theory one semester than 2 Clinical courses the next, BUT not all courses had clinical component though. You have to complete this "certificate" program at Centennial or what ever other partner college is offering the Bridging, and earn a RPN to BScN bridging certificate. This certificate than allows to enter into Ryerson University as an Advanced placement student .This is similar to the Diploma RN's in Ontario, they too enter University as Advanced placement students to earn their BScN

Remember Diploma RN's got grandfathered in after they made BScN mandatory for the RN level & Certificate RPN's were grandfathered in after they made Diploma a requirement for the RPN....Many RN's have returned to school to get their degrees and RPN's have gone back to either get their diploma or take courses to be able to practice at the level of the new RPN (i.e., IV Certification, update pharmacology, update Pathophysiology & Theory courses such as Health Assessment & Ethics)

But to get into Ryerson you have to also have maintained a 3.0 GPA with no fails or repeats, if you fail any course from Centennial during the first two years or GPA drops below 3.0, you will not be allowed into their program You may still graduate from Centennial but you end up with a, pretty much useless, certificate that cant be used at any other Bridging University in Ontario because all the requirements are the same. Although, we did find out since that Athabasca will take this certificate and allow you to apply to their BScN online program, but I find it to be super expense (you have to travel to Alberta at some point for clinical & pay the fee to apply for LPN license in Alberta that has to be maintained the entire time you are in the program) but it is an option for those who didn't qualify.

Once you apply at Ryerson, the program is an additional year (fulltime) or 1 1/2 years part-time. There are many Universities, like McMaster with the same set up as Ryerson, and its just a choice of school, but makes no difference in the time spent in the program.

Unfortunately for me, I live in southwest Ontario, so part-time is my only option. ..... Cant imagine driving 8 hrs round trip, once a week for a 4 hr class. The courses are also delivered partially "online" which basically means it gives the course content with different information, PPP, references, videos & notes apart from your textbook to help understand the content. I found Nursing Research to be the absolute hardest class these past 2 yrs, thought it was going to be the death of me in this program, but I survived ... BARLEY!!

I just completed my very last clinical placements (Community Health Practice, Mental Health Placements) than Im done forever with Centennial. My advice as far as choice ...DONT PICK CENTENNIAL, unless you can attend the campus ... The RAC idea is a good one, but still new and the coordinators are a disorganized mess (we were on our own!) No care or attention like the students at the campus in TO. ... Thank goodness for good teachers though, We had the Best profs ever, they were all seasoned nurses with degrees at a Bachelor & Masters level, Nurse Practitioner's & even CNO Staff member, all worked in our area and formed part of our teaching team... had tons of knowledge and experience and helped out SOOOO much, but even they often commented what a disorganized mess this program was. Each course had its Objectives, so as a class we teamed up to make sure we met those objectives by seeking out help from the instructors and forming study groups. See, we wanted to LEARN, because we know its not just about getting the degree, we still have to take a little something called a CRNE! So we must know our stuff! I already applied to Ryerson for September & I don't anticipate any issues, they reserve so many spots for these particular students,and Ive never heard of anyone who qualifies to not get in. I know its a lot of info but I hope it helps. They do not send a letter of acceptance until Centennial provides the final transcripts of the program, which are not yet available (Some people are still finishing their Community Health Practice, they have till Aug 8/13, I just already finished my hours & turned in my papers ...I wanted more of a summer than 15 days)

As I mentioned in other post Im no spring chicken (37) mother of 3, (1 daughter started college, 1 in middle school and 1 tiny surprise baby boy in day care!) So kids, a home to run, a job and a husband that also works full time & sometimes Overtime hrs, it is a tremendously difficult thing to take on. A sacrifice of valuable time & money ..A Sacrifice everyone in my family has had to make because of me. But they have stuck it through and because they have I CAN NOT FAIL THEM NOW or myself for that matter. We have come to far for mom to throw in the towel.

I hope this helps some of you, and at least gives you an idea of what my educational journey has been like. Now if ONLY, there had been more full-time jobs in Southwestern Ontario for RPN's (other than LTC & Home Health ...which I didn't mind home health, but they're still part-time only) more respect & utilization to our full scope, continuing education opportunities to specialize (And NO!, we do not all want to do feet!) and low wages ...than I would have been VERY content with being an RPN. But because of all this I decided to bridge once that opportunity presented itself in our area. I hope for Southwest Ontario that the University and College also develop a program like the ones in the GTA, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.

XOXO to all &

Stay Calm and Nurse On!

[dishes, BSN, RN]

Thanks for sharing your experience, which courses will you be taking at Ryerson?

[xokw, BSN, RN]

Thank you so much! I start the hybrid program this September and it is nice to hear from somebody who has completed the centennial portion!

[LanaAd]

I am from Windsor, ON. What are my options as far as what schools to do the program with online? because I know i will have to go complete a clinical placement for a few weeks and I cannot afford to move out to the west just for that. Maybe london or toronto tho? are their any offered through there? Also, you most certainly can repeat courses that you need to bump up your grade from your rpn course to be accepted into the bridging programs. I know many that have done it and teacher recommend it all the time. I also believe there're certain bridging programs that do not require a specific GPA, just at least a passing one.

[xokw, BSN, RN]

I am from Windsor, ON. What are my options as far as what schools to do the program with online? because I know i will have to go complete a clinical placement for a few weeks and I cannot afford to move out to the west just for that. Maybe london or toronto tho? are their any offered through there? Also, you most certainly can repeat courses that you need to bump up your grade from your rpn course to be accepted into the bridging programs. I know many that have done it and teacher recommend it all the time. I also believe there're certain bridging programs that do not require a specific GPA, just at least a passing one.

There definitely are programs that do not allow repeated PN courses. Centennial/Ryerson is one of them, it is stated very clearly on the website.

Nipissing University offers an online program but you have to be employed at one of their partner agencies to qualify.

[CanadianGirl79]

Just a correction: Mohawk is NOT affiliated with Ryerson. Mohawk is paired with McMaster University.

The Mohawk/McMaster (and Conestoga/McMaster) program work differently than the one you attended. At MoMac/CoMac, you apply and if accepted, you're in for the full 3 years, unless you flunk out. There is no certificate given at MoMac/CoMac after the first year, as there is no need to "apply" to Mac. Once you're in the program, you're in.

[NRSe1991]

I'm also in this program I'm looking to get out its very disorganized. Hoping to go full time

[xokw, BSN, RN]

I'm also in this program I'm looking to get out its very disorganized. Hoping to go full time

I got out after one semester. I didn't like it either.

I go full time next month, I think it will work better for me.

[NRSe1991]

are you going full time with centennial?

[xokw, BSN, RN]

are you going full time with centennial?

No, McMaster (at Conestoga). The only reason I did it through Centennial initially was because of the part-time option.

[NRSe1991]

what was your GPA I was thinking about going that way but my GPA is too low. I was going to do electives to boost my GPA to get into that program.

[xokw, BSN, RN]

what was your GPA I was thinking about going that way but my GPA is too low. I was going to do electives to boost my GPA to get into that program.

I had a 4.0. I'm not sure what the process is for upgrading, I would contact the academic advisor for the program and she could probably give you more info. Her name and email are listed on the website.

Good luck!