RPN to BSCN

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Hi,

I'm actually a high school student who wants to become a nurse. I'm going to do the RPN program but later want to the bridging program to become an RN. I was just doing research and I saw two programs for this, one through college and one through university. They're both bridging programs to BsCN but one is a diploma (1 year of college) and the other is a degree (3 years of university). I know it's a little early for me to be worrying about this but I just want everything to be clear. What's the difference between the programs if in the end you get the BsCN either way? Which one is more preferable?

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Specializes in NICU.

Hello! I'm not sure what the one year college degree is....all bridging programs are 3 years full time (unless there is an accelerated one I don't know about...but even then it would be more than one year long). After RPN you apply to university to bridge and it takes 3 years.

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Hi,

I'm actually a high school student who wants to become a nurse. I'm going to do the RPN program but later want to the bridging program to become an RN. I was just doing research and I saw two programs for this, one through college and one through university. They're both bridging programs to BsCN but one is a diploma (1 year of college) and the other is a degree (3 years of university). I know it's a little early for me to be worrying about this but I just want everything to be clear. What's the difference between the programs if in the end you get the BsCN either way? Which one is more preferable?

Where in Canada are you?

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I think you might be confused.. all rpn to bscn bridging programs are three years and now to get your RN anywhere in Canada you need a BScN (a four year bachelors degree in the nursing field). At some colleges (Centennial partnered with Ryerson Uni ) that offer the rpn to bscn, the first year of the program is considered a bridge and if you do well in that first year you will be passed on to the next two years of the RN program(being admitted to these kinds of programs does not guarantee acceptance into the actual RN part of the program, so it is conditional). Not all rpn to bscn programs work that way (I do not think conestoga or Mohawk have that probationary bridging year), but they all end up being three years in length. I have no heard of any schools here in Ontario that allow students to fast track their way from rpn to bscn. If you have prior university experience, then you can apply to transfer some credits, but you cannot complete the rpn to bscn program in less than three years..If you want to be an RN, I would just go for that. Good luck!

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I cannot open the second link but I'll assume it is the Mcmaster RPN to BScN. Really in the end nothing. You graduate with the exact same thing. But the Mohawk offers smaller class sizes and a different assortment of elective options. The Mohawk and Conestoga programs are collaboratives with macmaster.

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Contact the school for more information. I think the difference is the location of the school or site where the program is held as in your second link it stated that since 2010 it no longer took applications for the McMaster site so maybe the program in your first link is for the Mohawk site.

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Specializes in Public Health.

The bottom link is for a program that no longer exists. Ignore it :) Ultimately they were the same program though.

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What universities have this 3 year program in Ontario?

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

I believe Trent University does.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Hi vintageadrea, I wanted to comment on this because Im currently in this program, except I attended it through 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 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 than 2 Clinical courses ( not all courses had clinical component though), you have to complete this part 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, you are in the program basically with the diploma RN's who are also working on their BScN. 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 (Community Health Practice) than Im done forever with Centennial. Ive 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. My only 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 coordinator is a disorganized mess ... Thank goodness for good teachers though, We had the Best profs ever!

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