RPN to RN bridge too lengthy (Ontario)?

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Hello!

I would love to hear from recent graduates who finished their BScN degrees through bridging programs in Ontario. I have reviewed many bridging programs and am so appalled at the content and length. Every single bridging program has different content and varies from 6 -8 semesters in length. So many of the course descriptions seem identical to courses I took at the Georgian College RPN program. It looks like the education is based on the certificate level RPN education that was previously required before rules have changed in Ontario. I'm so frustrated by this. I have spoken to several graduates from Nipissing, OUIT, Ryerson and Trent and the feedback is the same, a considerable portion of the program is a duplication of their RPN education, programs were labeled as "cash grabs" and should have been shorter. I'm just curious how other people feel. I have written the RPNAO with my complaint, and they are aware of this feedback and agreed that change is due. Because of my career aspirations I have no choice but I hate the idea of spending a fortune on duplicated education. Please let me know your thoughts on bridging programs you took.

Specializes in esthetics.
On 4/20/2019 at 12:02 AM, hypnotizer90 said:

Hi. My goal all along was to do RPN then bridge to BSN. I graduated from Seneca in 2013 then started Bridging via Centennial (2014-2015) to Ryerson (2016-2018). I completed the BSN program last Dec 2018.

The bridging and university focused more on collaboration/ group work. Since some classes were online, group discussions were included to mimic classroom interaction. While at school, you always taught of practicing as an RN. The RN always needed to use theory, leadership, management etc in practice.

Hi, I'm so glad to have come across this post.  I'd like to hear more about your experience with the CentRy bridging programs so I hope you don't mind all the questions LOL. Were most of the courses online for Ryerson and what was the workload like? Were you able to work as a RPN throughout the 3 years of bridging? Did you get to choose were you did your two clinical placements for Ryerson like their site says students can?

Also I noticed that you are now trying to obtain an RN license from California so I was wondering if you'd recommend an RPN who wants to do the same work their way to a BSN in Canada and then make the move or do the bridging to a BSN in the states? 

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Specializes in Surgical/Trauma/Neuroscience/Cardiac ICU.
16 minutes ago, Nurse1stPurse2nd said:

Hi, I'm so glad to have come across this post.  I'd like to hear more about your experience with the CentRy bridging programs so I hope you don't mind all the questions LOL. Were most of the courses online for Ryerson and what was the workload like? Were you able to work as a RPN throughout the 3 years of bridging? Did you get to choose were you did your two clinical placements for Ryerson like their site says students can? 

1. I didn't know that's a word "CentRy" ?. My Bridging went well except it was part-time. It took so long + I failed nsg research subject in RU so that prevented me from finishing early. By failing, my program trajectory went sideways and I was able to take online courses. Regular parttime students needed to attend 1-2 days class/week, hybrid, self study & in class. But this pandemic allowed the courses to be online. My friend in RU has simulation instead of clinical though. 

2. I graduated RPN in 2013 but only started RPN job in 2016 since I decided it was time. Joking, it was hard to find a job in TO so I moved to Hamilton. Some students were fulltime in work & school so they managed both school & work stressfully. Parttime schooling gave you more time to stretch to work fulltime. 

3. Since I was in Hamilton, I chose the nearby cities for placements. I was driving as well so I didn't really care where. I ended up in a post- transplant clinic at St Josephs HH and day surgery unit in Guelph GH. RU could be limited on placements but I was happy not in LTC. (Regardless where, RU's clinical hours was community health concepts based on my CGFNS form). 

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Also I noticed that you are now trying to obtain an RN license from California so I was wondering if you'd recommend an RPN who wants to do the same work their way to a BSN in Canada and then make the move or do the bridging to a BSN in the states?

I don't know your citizenship status/ reason but completing an RN program in Canada would relieved you from hassle in the future when you plan to return. So there is a lot to consider I.e. plan & goal, visa, finance, work, housing, car etc.

The education in the US is more expensive than Canada obviously. The US university probably will assess your Canadian education first prior to admitting you.

I'm only here in the US temporarily so my Ontario RN registration is still active & I pay yearly. Some States are not strict than others but if you have a California dream... It is to make sure to have theory & clinical hours on med, surg, psych, peds, & obs. 

If I ever thought of applying to California, I should have chose wisely in terms of my placement choices while in school  but did I have a choice? I'm still waiting if I'm deficient for peds & obs clinical hours or waiving deficiencies due to this pandemic is still a thing. It is expensive to do just those courses in California. Will update!

*But I have read on other post that an Ontario RPN with Bridging Certificate and no University part managed to get an ADN equivalency in the US. But it depends on the State & also on your education. (I'm trying to find the post but unsuccessful). 

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Specializes in Registered Practical Nurse.
On 3/31/2019 at 3:38 PM, xokw said:

You can PM me if you want any additional information or an example of the coursework in a bridging program.

Loved your rationale in this post. I will be starting the Momac bridge Fall 2021 and was hoping you could provide me with an example of the coursework. With no real idea, my mind is left to wonder what's to come.

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I am starting Conestoga/McMaster Bridging program this fall and wondered if anyone has any information on program delivery first year, how heavy the work load is first year, just so I have a better idea of how much I can expect to be able to work? Thanks ? 

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