Ryerson Collaborative

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Hi everyone,

Posted this on another site too, hope to get some speedy responses!

I have accepted a BScN offer at UOIT for this September. Now, my first choice was to go to Ryerson, but I got wait listed there (cutoff was 87%, my average is 81%). Anyway, I decided to go to UOIT as it was my second choice, but now I got two last-minute "alternate" offers for the Ryerson collaborative program through Centennial and GB

Now, I am at a loss. I know that Ryerson has an outstanding reputation for its nursing program, but I have not been able to find ANY info about Centennial and GB. I know that I will be spending my last two years at Ryerson, and that all theory will be taught by Ryerson staff in the first two years at Centennial/GB (so I hear from Centennial admissions services; please correct me if I am wrong).

I also hear that the Ryerson program does not give much clinical focus and experience the first two semesters? I would really like to know soon (I have a program info session on the 8th; my offers expire on the 2nd!)

I'm sorry if that was long. To summarize, I just need to know the quality of the collaborative program. Thank you very much in advance!

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Specializes in Paediatrics.

Hi Utopia. I went to Ryerson, in fact I just graduated from there. I am not familiar with OUIT but I can say that Ryerson does have a very good nursing program. I attended Ryerson from beginning to end so I cannot speak about the other Schools. However, I would still recommend Ryerson. In my opinion, Ryerson really prepared me for the real world of nursing. And because Ryerson is a well known school with 400+ students they are known in the community and are able to get a wide variety of placements for their students. I don't think that Ryerson staff teach at the other schools. Actually I am almost positive that they don't. But I don't think this affects the quality of what is taught.

In the first two years of the program clinical rotations are mandatory. In the first year ( this may have changed since 2004) you have clinical placement in the 2nd semester (usually nursing home). I think you do one 8 hour shift a week. Then in 2nd year you have 2 days of clinical a week in the first and second semesters (usually 8 hours/day). The placements usually occur in hospitals and/or nursing homes. There is tons of opportunity to learn in during these clinical placements and this gives you a chance to see if nursing is for you or not.

Keep in mind that nursing at Ryerson can be tough at times but well worth it. There is a lot expected of you in the first 2 years (even more so then the last two years in my opinion) and you'll be under a lot of stress. But I can safely assume that all nursing programs, regardless of the institution(s) in question, well be tough yet rewarding.

Hope this helps!

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Hey,

I just completed my first yr at George Brown and I enjoyed it. As with any school there are going to be tough times but this program is well known and has lots to offer...I would recommend you take their program.........I was also given the choice between Centennial and George Brown.......I took George Brown and have not regretted it............

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Hi Utopia. I went to Ryerson, in fact I just graduated from there. I am not familiar with OUIT but I can say that Ryerson does have a very good nursing program. I attended Ryerson from beginning to end so I cannot speak about the other Schools. However, I would still recommend Ryerson. In my opinion, Ryerson really prepared me for the real world of nursing. And because Ryerson is a well known school with 400+ students they are known in the community and are able to get a wide variety of placements for their students. I don't think that Ryerson staff teach at the other schools. Actually I am almost positive that they don't. But I don't think this affects the quality of what is taught.

In the first two years of the program clinical rotations are mandatory. In the first year ( this may have changed since 2004) you have clinical placement in the 2nd semester (usually nursing home). I think you do one 8 hour shift a week. Then in 2nd year you have 2 days of clinical a week in the first and second semesters (usually 8 hours/day). The placements usually occur in hospitals and/or nursing homes. There is tons of opportunity to learn in during these clinical placements and this gives you a chance to see if nursing is for you or not.

Keep in mind that nursing at Ryerson can be tough at times but well worth it. There is a lot expected of you in the first 2 years (even more so then the last two years in my opinion) and you'll be under a lot of stress. But I can safely assume that all nursing programs, regardless of the institution(s) in question, well be tough yet rewarding.

Hope this helps!

Yes, that does help thanks! Do they take your preferences into consideration when placing you in clinical sites? I am interested in peds and/or OB. Plus, is it hard to juggle clinicals and other course work at the same time? I know some nursing schools have clinical intercessions for 6 weeks, so I'm not sure which method is better.

Lol, I know I must sound so frantic, but this has honestly been one of the most stressful decisions I have ever had to make.

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Specializes in Paediatrics.

The placement office at Ryerson can be a little frustrating at times only because they have so many students to place. They do ask you where you would like to see yourself in 5 years so that they get an idea as to what area of nursing you are interested in but don't hold your breath. I would say that most ppl don't get a choice when it comes to placements. However, they do offer paeds and OB placements (in 4th year). They best thing to do to ensure you are placed where you want to be is to go during the summer to the placement office and speak with the coordinators. If they get to know you and like you, its only natural that they will remember you and try to put you in your area of choice.

It is not that difficult to juggle school and work and clinicals at the same time. It is a lot of work and time management but these are the skills you are going to need as a nurse so it best to learn them now and get used to business. The course is designed to be challenging but not impossible. I was able to work 20 hrs/week, take 6 classes, attend clinicals twice a week and so school work as well. Once you get a routine going and you find a way to fit everything in (friends and family as well) you'll get through it.

In all honesty, I would say that Ryerson nurses are VERY well regarded and respected by many Toronto hospitals. Ryerson is known in the community for producing well rounded, well educated students. I'm not saying that the other schools are not too, but all I can do in speak on behalf of what I have heard and what I see (many of my peers have had great work opportunities presented to them already as new grads).

Cheers!

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utopia u said u got accepted to geroge brown and centennial right? what was your average applying to university? if you dont mind me asking? cause i'm trying to get into the same program but i dont know what my average has to meet.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

I also just graduated from Ryerson. I attended there all 4 years and loved it. The school has an excellent reputation with employers, and the instructors were great. However, you will need to be organized, but I also worked through school and still graduated with honours, so it is possible :). The CPO will not guarantee placements, but you just make the best of it. I was very fortunate. I had 3 good medicine placements, OR, and Women's Health. The second semester, we all had a rotation in LTC. Next month, I am moving to AB for a job in LTC, which I am looking forward to.

I miss school. Good luck with everything. The time will fly :)

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