RPN Program choices! Grades! Help!

Fiona59 · Oct 13, 2012

If you want to be an RN go straight to an RN programme. Student PNs who come to my unit and make the announcement "I'm going to go on for RN after I graduate" usually don't know what they don't know. Don't take a seat in a PN programme if you don't plan on working as one.

QUOTE=HopefulRPN_;6982245]I am interested in going to Durham college, Centennial, or George Brown, for the RPN program; BUT I heard that the RPN programs are highly competitive and hard to get into.

I don't know if there is really any chance I would get into any of my choices!

If I don't get into Durham College, my second choice is Centennial. Since the commute from Whitby is not too bad.

I have an 86% in BIO

a terrible 78% in MATH

and 85% in ENG

and I don't do CHEM until next semester in Night School

However, I apply next month for Fall 2013!

Does anyone know what the cut off average or grades were last year, or when you applied?

Also how hard is it really to get into an RPN program, do I stand a chance with my grades?

This is my dream job, and after I plan on going to either UOIT or Ryerson for the RN program!

toronto_nurse · Oct 13, 2012

I agree with Fiona59! If you want to be an RN you should be pursuing the BScN. Were you planning to bridge to Ryerson or UOIT after taking practical nursing? If so I can tell you your chances of not getting in are quite high since those bridging programs are competitive and you need at least a cummulative GPA of B and you cannot fail any courses. One thing you have to understand about the colleges in Ontario is that they are suppose to process applications on a first come first serve basis in accordance to the College of Applied Arts and Technology Act so if you meet their minimum requirements you should be granted an offer of admission.

I can only speak for Centennial College because I did my practical nursing there and when I did bridging through them as well I only knew one classmate because a lot of my classmates either didn't meet the 3.0 GPA requirement or have failed a course and two of them were denied admission because they had a history of failure in the BScN program prior to transferring over to practical nursing.

HopefulRPN_ · Oct 13, 2012

I made a mistake i didnt state why the BScN program is not an option

HopefulRPN_ · Oct 13, 2012

The reason why the BScN program is not an option to me is because I don't have the required prerequisites, it requires students who have taken University level courses in High school. I only took college level courses. That is why I wanted to know what my chances were in getting into an RPN program(not BScN) at either DC or Centennial, and I was planning to work as a RPN. However, my long term goal is to become an RN.

toronto_nurse · Oct 14, 2012

You can contact the school's admissions personnel to ask about the cut off average and how they factor in your college level courses. Centennial College's website lists the minimum requirements for practical nursing. All applications are processed on a first come first serve basis but since practical nursing is a high demand program they have higher expectation

Some of my classmates took this course to get into practical nursing. It says it counts as one science credit if you pass with 70% but I think if you get 85% it can count as two science pre-requisite credits for the practical nursing program. Ask the admissions personnel for more information. Apparently this course is easy and it helped them in human anatomy & physiolog.

Continuing Education Course SPAT-100 - Introduction to Human Body Systems

rapsaceda · Oct 22, 2012

Hi guys! I applied for the RPN program in george brown, I had to do a math assessment test in order to get in, I didn't get an admission yet but I logged on to my stuview account and saw some results from the test but I'm confused, there are two marks one of the was my "raw score" and the other one was "normalized score" anyone knows what this mean? Thanks!

vintage_RN, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2012

To above: don't look at the normalized score. that is for admin purposes...your grades are the raw score.

I have taken a long journey to get into the PN program at Mohawk College..I just started first semester this fall. I'm not sure if it is like this at other schools but for Mohawk you need to write the HOAE test which is a test of math, science and comprehensive questions...your grade on this test accounts for 50% of the decision for admission into the program...and the other 50% is grades.

I had terrible marks in high school, I failed everything because I didn't care. I went to Mohawk for Pre-Health and had an 80% overall average which was 2 points below the cut off into the BscN program...I didn't get into the PN program either (this was 2 years ago...before the HOAE)..

I applied again last year and did very well on the HOAE (Like, 90% overall average)...so I think that is what gave me my ticket in. But with the marks you posted...I think that is very good and you have a good chance of getting in...and even better if you have a chance of doing well on the HOAE test. But yes, you are correct...the programs are extremely competitive. Good luck to you!

bootzie · Aug 17, 2014

Hi guys! I applied for the RPN program in george brown, I had to do a math assessment test in order to get in, I didn't get an admission yet but I logged on to my stuview account and saw some results from the test but I'm confused, there are two marks one of the was my "raw score" and the other one was "normalized score" anyone knows what this mean? Thanks!

I'm terrified I've missed something. We have to do a math assessment test?

whoosa · Aug 18, 2014

Oops, see below

whoosa · Aug 18, 2014

I'm terrified I've missed something. We have to do a math assessment test?

I got into the George Brown RPN program in January 2012 with horrendous marks, my high school marks were low 60's in uni level HS courses. Acceptance at George Brown is almost entirely based on the Admission tests for grammar, biology, and math I believe it was. I would not waste your time doing the pre-health program unless you want to get into the BSCN program. I also didn't even really study for the admission tests and was accepted. Keep in mind the dropout rate is high at GBC, however I am now an RPN. I do truly believe GBC is the hardest RPN school, but also prepares you the most for the CPRNE. Everyone else complained the whole 2 years about the teachers, courses, etc. I didn't really cause I know I was a slacker, yet here I am now an RPN, getting ready to hopefully get into the RN next year and do things right. Good luck :)

bootzie · Aug 18, 2014

I got into the George Brown RPN program in January 2012 with horrendous marks, my high school marks were low 60's in uni level HS courses. Acceptance at George Brown is almost entirely based on the Admission tests for grammar, biology, and math I believe it was.

Thank you! :)

But my panic derives from being entirely unaware of the admissions tests! At what stage did you learn about these? I don't remember reading anything about them in the welcome letter.