Should I first be a PSW then bridge to RPN?

aywl · Apr 9, 2015

I read your post, I feel sorry for you, I can't image how hard this path is....maybe just take slowly.....good luck !

linzipinzi · Apr 9, 2015

This is way harder than I thought! It took me 6 months to complete the Chemistry course and I finished with 71%. I worked so hard to get a good grade and I was hoping to get at least 75%.

And now I just heard back from the admissions advisor for practical nursing and she recommended I get OVER 80% in ALL four courses I need to take in order to be accepted into the Practical nursing program! *sigh

Missmissa · Apr 9, 2015

I know it's hard to get in! Marks have to be very high I didn't realize this till I was in college myself... You could always try pre health, it is hard and from your post you seem to have already taken courses over again? If you choose to do the PSW route, which is fine, it's actually an additional 2 years (bridging program), from what I understand. It all depends how much you're willing to try aha.. I told myself I would apply to nursing school once, and if I didn't get in I'd move onto something else - because it's so dang competitive! Just do what your heart tells ya

loriangel14, RN · Apr 9, 2015

Yes the pre health would be a good route to go if you don't have the grades. It is challenging as well though.

Missmissa · Apr 9, 2015

If you choose pre health, please be aware you have to be really good at math. I'm sure not all schools are like this, but the one I went to you had to be basically fluent in math without a calculator. I heard George Brown is pretty good, um Mohawk, Conestoga, and Fanshawe are really hard from my understanding, I can only speak for Fanshawe. Pre health in general is hard but every school is different and great for going into programs, if you do well in it

Missmissa · Apr 9, 2015

I also forgot to say.. I don't think it would make it "easier" to get in, but it would probably help. I don't really think any of the things you learn in practical nursing relates to PSW.. Although I heard you can apply to jobs after graduating first year of the nursing program?? I think it depends where you apply to, places around me seem to hire nursing students for PSW's. If you're doing the bridging program it's going to be 2-3 years no matter what route you take. My friend actually considered doing the PSW program, like you, wanting to get into RPN program. Our school basically told her it doesn't necessarily matter what route you take, just the marks you get count basically. I just remembered some schools offer General Arts/Science - SCIENCE MAJOR. Fanshawe offers just regular general arts and science - media, science, and arts. Which actually does get you into RPN ( PLEASE CHECK WITH THE SCHOOL FIRST.. I'm not a professional aha). Or some schools have entry nursing programs like you take courses to get you into RN, I think Algonquin has this. I don't know where you like aha, or if you can relocate. Just depends, lots of routes you can take

aywl · Apr 9, 2015

Sorry for the situation for Ontario, that's why lots of ppl from Ontario moved to Alberta for nursing program, then move back....

Fiona59 · Apr 9, 2015

Alberta's entrance requirements are just as high.

I honestly feel that in the last decade the bar has been raised too high. The brightest are not necessarily the best nurses. There should be room for common sense and life experience.

I have several coworkers who went through school in the '80s and 90s who openly admit they'd never get in with today's requirements

I'll put my flame proof suit on now.

aywl · Apr 9, 2015

Fiona, I totally agreed with you: the bar has been raised too high, but, ppl choose nursing have their reasons....

linzipinzi · Apr 10, 2015

Yeah, I heard about pre health, it sounds like a good option. But someone told me that I might as well just get good grades in all the prereqs so I can skip pre health and save lots of money that way, too!

I have a friend who is a practical nurse and told me theres no point in becoming a PSW first if I have no intention of becoming a PSW! She also said it's best to work hard on my prereqs so that I get good grades and then apply for practical nursing. So are you applying for practical nursing?

linzipinzi · Apr 10, 2015

I am going to apply to Six Nations Polytechnic in Ohsweken (their school collaborates with Mohawk) as it's the closest driving distance for me. All the other colleges are twice the distance! I live in Simcoe.