RPN TO BScN question

Khow89 · May 6, 2018

Not in any of the schools you asked about but I would check out the 2016 and 2015 NCLEX pass rate on the CNO website for each school. Generally, this is a good indication how well they prepare the students for the NCLEX. I would also consider the commute time for each school. My advice would be keep things simple, don't get to complicated why one school is better than the other or you'll end up stressing yourself out and maybe regretting a decision later.

Lilia777 · May 7, 2018

Thank you Khow89 I appreciate your advice and yes I will definitely be checking the CNO statistics for the exam. -Li

GBC_Student, BSN, RN · May 8, 2018

I'm in the midst of completing my BScN at Trent/GBC. The program is alright. It's neither positive or negative. If you attended GBC you'll know exactly what you're getting into. It's a disorganized program, professors are not overly helpful and the content is a total rehash of what you've already done in your Rpn program. I'd say if you can pass the Rpn program you should be fine in the Rpn to rn program.

I don't feel as though I've learned very much new information. You'll take patho again, health assessment again, pharm again, research again, and so on. You'll get lots of apa practice. I wouldn't call the program difficult but you'll definitely have to put in some effort. I'm just beginning my fifth semester. To be honest a lot of what we have to take seems like a cash grab, but if you want to write the nclex and become an rn it's a hurdle to get over. If you have any specific questions I'd be happy to answer them.

Lilia777 · May 9, 2018

Thank you so much I appreciate your honest response, that's exactly what I was looking for. I will likely be asking you specific questions once I have them all formulated because right now I have so many.... One of my concerns about it is the NCLEX passing rates .. also how do you find the clinical placements so far? And how's the atmosphere among people there? Also as far as the profs would you say they aren't too helpful because they are extremely busy or because they don't care much..? Are there any lab skills practices? Skills refresh courses or not? Thank you BBC_Student. Xo

GBC_Student, BSN, RN · May 11, 2018

The clinical placements have been hit or miss. I had one at Toronto general on a medicine floor which I thought was great. The nurse leading our group was really knowledgeable and down to earth. Our community placement was a joke. We were all very disappointed in where they sent us. Many people ended up in daycares which would be fine if we were ECE students but we didn't learn anything. Out critical care placements seem much better. They offered us a good selection of hospitals with surgery or nephrology or medsurg.

I found the teachers just didn't seem that interested or passionate about the courses they taught. I'm sure many of them are good nurses but that often doesn't translate well into the ability to teach content.

The students, for the most part, are sane, motivated and easy to get along with. There's a lot of group work and I've had mostly positive experiences working on projects with my fellow RPN's. Very few people have dropped out or not been able to make the minimum GPA required to progress to the next semester.

You'll have another health assessment class which reviews all of the skills needed to do a thorough head to toe. As for skills practice for things like hanging an IV bag or more technical skills I don't recall much review. In your second semester medicine placement you'll get a fair bit of practice and I found that if you have a limitation and need help preceptors or even fellow students are happy to help you learn.

For my current semester we have lab time once per week for two hours. It's okay but I honestly don't see us getting much practice in as the groups are large and the lab just isn't long enough.

Lilia777 · Jun 1, 2018

Thank you GBC_Student, I couldn't reply before, I want to say thank you for your thorough and honest answer. I decided to accept my offer and will be starting this September, I am excited yet nervous. I feel a lot better knowing that you think doing this 3 years is worth it in the end and that most of the clinical placements are good. I hope I can still contact you if any new questions/concerns come up. I hope you are doing great and that your last couple of semesters go really well. - L

LisaStone · Jun 3, 2018

Are you starting at GBC this fall? I will be too as long as I pass my CPRNE in a few weeks. Hopefully I will see you there :)

GBC_Student, BSN, RN · Jun 3, 2018

You're welcome. Any other questions you have down the line I'd be happy to answer if I can. It's not a particularly difficult program. Just try not to work too much if possible. It really makes a huge difference.