Stenberg College

susan13 · Apr 12, 2013

Hi intelcorei... I'm new to the forum here but I've reading through lots of old posts, this one was spot on for you:

https://allnurses.com/canada-nursing-programs/stenberg-591121.html

For anyone considering going to a private college for nursing studies I would suggest that you thoroughly do your research before you commit to anything. Don't let the excitement and the rush to start a program blind you into only seeing the good about private colleges. I was lucky enough to do some good research and I am very glad that I did. All of the comments said the same thing about all of the private college - too expensive, lack of teaching, and difficulty finding employment in the field of study afterwards. Public colleges are worth the wait, are less expensive, and generally well known by all employers. Please, please, please do your research well before going to any private colleges.

But what happened to taking nursing at Kwantlen?? If there was a waiting list or you didn't meet the admission requirements, you'd probably be better off upgrading and trying again, imo.

When I lived in the lower mainland a few years ago, I was considering Stenberg, and other private schools, for nursing. But after doing some volunteer work and talking to employers, it sounded like a public college was the way to go. I've been upgrading my courses, moved back to the north, and looking forward to starting my BScN.

But whatever path you choose, best of luck to you :)

IntelCorei72600k · Apr 12, 2013

Thanks for the reply. I'm a very recent HS graduate with no experience at all I applied for Kwantlen and I didn't get accepted So my parents and I decided to apply for Stenberg. My grades are pretty good but I'm not sure if that's enough for Stenberg, I really don't know how private colleges work if they keep a waiting list or so... The program is also online based btw.....

susan13 · Apr 12, 2013

So my parents and I decided to apply for Stenberg.

So is this what YOU want? Why nursing? Why specifically psychiatric nursing? I must have changed my mind every month when I was your age about what I wanted to study lol

When I looked, and mind you this was years ago, the private colleges would take you as long as you had the money. Especially seeing as this is an online program, I can't see there being a waiting list, perhaps only for the practicums. When you go to the information session I'm sure they can answer your questions about grades and waitlist.

But don't limit yourself to the one school. Go to multiple information sessions, research all the schools even if they have waitlists. Do some volunteer work, many LTC facilities welcome volunteers. You'll get access to new and long-time nurses, and you can pick their brains about their schooling and work.

IntelCorei72600k · Apr 13, 2013

Well, I want Psychiatric Nursing since my mom inspired me to do it (I find it fascinating) and I have better job prospects with that kind of career. I also like the idea of it being online based since I don't have to worry about transportation heh. So private colleges isn't too strict in terms of their admission?

Fiona59 · Apr 13, 2013

Private Colleges will take you if you have a pulse and can pay the fees.

You do have to worry about transportation because you will have to go and do placements in different psychiatric facilities. There is huge competion among colleges and universities for placement times on units. The priority is given to public colleges, so you need to be prepared to travel to wherever they can find space.

IntelCorei72600k · Apr 13, 2013

How often is practicum or clinical in the program? It's only 2 years btw since it's just Diploma.

Fiona59 · Apr 13, 2013

How often is practicum or clinical in the program? It's only 2 years btw since it's just Diploma.

You'll have to go to an information session. You will have at least three group placements and then your final practicuum where you demonstrate your abilities and work full time.

There's a push towards a degree for RPNs, so you may also want to see when the degree is becoming mandatory for entry to practice.

The hours are the usual hospital shift hours and on the final placement you must work your preceptors hours be they days, nights, evening, 8 or 12 hour shifts. You basically work their rotation.

Heavenlyali · Jul 25, 2013

Hi IntelCorei72600k,

I am currently in the Psychiatric Nursing Program at Stenberg College and did not have to wait to get in. My suggestion is to keep asking lots of questions about the college. Good luck with your future endeavors!

Heavenlyali · Jul 25, 2013

Hi IntelCorei72600k,

The practicum start in the second term in combination with your studies. It is expected that the students obtain 180 hours each practicum.

netanyami · Jul 29, 2014

Hi IntelCorei72600k,
I am currently in the Psychiatric Nursing Program at Stenberg College and did not have to wait to get in. My suggestion is to keep asking lots of questions about the college. Good luck with your future endeavors!

Hi there! How was like studying at Stenberg College? Is it worth the money? Our family income will not qualify for a full student loan so we will be shedding our own savings for the tuition fee. I just want to know first hand from actual students how was like being a student or graduate of this institution.

If everything's turns out well with enrolment and stuff, l'm gonna start my RPN studies on Nov 2014 intake.

PS. I perfectly understand the advantage of going to a public school BUT l'm buying time here. And I'm on my early 30s now, I don't have that much privilege to wait.

monark · Sep 9, 2014

stenberg is a disgusting school to attend, i would avoid this place like the plague. i am a stenberg alumni from one of their programs and the school is poorly run, like most students, i got excited at the thought of starting school asap but was one of the worst things that i could have done. the academic advisors really upsell you the program..why? they receive a "small commission fee" if you enroll and graduate from the program...a 1 percent fee...so if a program (psych nurs) costs 43000 after all fee's, they will take home 430 dollars...and imagine how many students they enroll per week?

the instructor was not very educated to say the least and lost many debates regarding ethics in healthcare and could not describe basic knowledge of core fundamentals in mental illness. the class was pathetic, mostly older people looking for career changes, staff sucked, there were no support services, the entire class had to be retaught personal care because the person teaching us was horrible and the entire class rose above and complained. they are very subjective with their grading and assign points to whoever they like, there were some class favorites. they also get involved in your personal life..which is sad. one instructor/life coach got fired because he had a sexual relationship with one of the students and was giving out his personal phone number, his name is sean parcker..there is an instructor whose name is steve paras who had his BCTF license revoked for not reporting abuse in which he was a principle of the school.

i highly recommend avoiding this school. the anatomy and physiology they teach (which is self taught btw), is nowhere near adequate or even comparable to what they teach at douglas college...i know because its the same bio course that i took in my program, i took anatomy and phsyi levels 1 and 2 at douglas and now start the psych nur program in jan 2015...avoid this school.

youve been warned