To commute or not to commute, that is the question!

Published

Hello everyone! First off thank you for taking the time to read and/or reply my post!

I applied to Conestoga's RPN program for September 2014 and was accepted. (yay!) Two weeks ago I came home to find my dad home before me which is unusual. Business at the company he worked for was slow and unfortunately, being the newest hired (4 years ago), he was laid off. The company offered him a different job at a new location...in Burlington. My mother works in Milton, my dad now in Burlington, so I knew having to move was coming. Moving day is September 1st. After crying for a day, and remapping my goals, I applied to both Sheridan in Brampton and MoMac in Hamilton for January 2015. I was accepted at both locations. (Yay!) Not knowing much about either places I was hoping someone would have some feedback for me. Here's how my scatter brain maps out the situation so far :p

Sheridan is 45 min away from our now home, so says google maps. But if traffic is bad it would be further. I've never commuted so I do not know pros vs cons really. I know my final placement can be internationally. My end goal is to work internationally so that is an opportunity I do not want to miss out on!

MoMac is at McMaster campus which is only 15 - 20 min away. But I've heard their teaching style is 'integrated learning' i.e. you have a lot of group projects and teaching is 'ass backwards' as a friend told me. You teach yourself essentially and then class is just for further clarification. I know myself and if that is true then I know that's not for me. I am a strong lecture, ask questions, get my brain flowing, and then I can problem solve AFTER having a basis of understanding taught first type of learner. McMaster is closer, but Sheridan has the more traditional teaching style and an opportunity to intern internationally. I can't find much on Sheridan's nursing course from forums or real people. I find everything on their website. And we all know schools show "their best" on websites. I was hoping someone who has gone to these places could provide insight. I've never commuted before, I know gas is a consideration. I just would appreciate someone's personal experience with these colleges

Thank you in advance and sorry if I went on tangents. It's just a lot of choices I have to make in a short amount of time due to the sudden life up rooting.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I commute from downtown Toronto to the Centennial College site of the Ryerson collaborative BScN program. I'm about to go into my second year of the program, and the commute is about an hour and a half with walking time and a grace period. I thought I would hate it when I started, the reason I went to the Centennial site honestly was because I was wait listed at the other two sites.

I found that I really got used to the commute in the end. I never enjoyed it or anything, but I didn't hate it as much as I thought I would. I take the subway and bus so it might be different for you if you drive, but it gives me time to wake up and be alert in the morning and to decompress after school. And in the end not getting into the other two sites was the best thing for me because I love where I am and I've had a great experience so far.

YMMV. But I'd say go where you prefer the program set-up. Also consider that your clinical placements might be closer or further away anyway as you progress so the site of the classes matters less as the years go on.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Public Health.

My opinion is to stick with Mohawk. As I do not know much about the Sheridan program I just looked up the national registration exam result averages as posted by the College of Nurses of Ontario and Sheridan has very subpar numbers (lowest of all programs in Ontario).

From 2010-2012, approximately 88% (87.3, 87.4, 89.6) of Mohawk graduates passed the CPNRE on their first attempt, whereas only 66% (63.2, 70.2, 66.3) of Sheridan graduates passed. Those are really consistently low numbers and I believe a pretty direct reflection of how well a school is preparing it's students. It is costly (about $300) and timely to rewrite, so I would want to be in a program that I am confident is going to help me succeed.

I didn't attend either program though so I can only go by numbers.

Best of luck in your decision!

http://www.cno.org/Global/2-HowWeProtectThePublic/Statistical%20Reports/NursingRegistrationExamsReport.pdf

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Honestly, a 45 minute commute is nothing. I know people who do 90 minutes each way to do 12 hour shifts. And no I don't live out in the boonies.

You said your final placement could be "internationally". I've never heard of a Canadian programme letting their students cross into the US for a placement. I'd double check this one fast.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks everyone for the replies! The international placement is half of your final placement to a third world country. 12 people from the program along with a professor leave for 9 weeks. Last year it was to Uganda. Once home you continue at a clinical placement for the remainder of the semester. I like driving so I think I'd be ok. My only worry, like someone mentioned is that you can't really find anything on Sheridan.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you for your reply! I: looked further into the stats and you are right! Even though helping third world countries would be an exceptional experience, my education quality is number one. I chose Mohawk :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Public Health.
Thank you for your reply! I: looked further into the stats and you are right! Even though helping third world countries would be an exceptional experience, my education quality is number one. I chose Mohawk :)

I think you are making a great choice :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in AC, LTC, Community, Northern Nursing.

I went to MoMac. The learning style is that you do your work and are ready before your class. They will not spoon feed you and this helps teach critical thinking. I did well. It was a transition to get used to but it isnt that bad.

At MoMac you can apply to do the 3rd world country placement for fin semester. I am doing mine in Nunavut when I am finishing my RN program. I think majority will let you but different paperwork. I have a friend who did India for hers at MoMac

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi! Just wondering when you got the acceptance for January?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion