Trying to get into nursing program in quebec

Fiona59 · May 8, 2013

Ah, the politics of getting into nursing school. Each school seems to have it's own agenda for admitting people.

Age doesn't make you more compassionate nor does it make you more understanding.

I was 40 when I started my nursing school. The oldest in my class was 52, the youngest 18. There were days when that 18yo was more mature and compassionate that the 52yo.

One of my kid's classmate tried to get admitted into the RN programmes here for three years, good marks, male, good work references. Just never made the cut. He applied to the PN programme and was accepted immediately.

I've heard of EMT's applying to the RN programme being rejected in favour of 20 year olds.

I think a part of it may be the fact that older students can and will think for themselves and question the instructors. It's almost like there is a limit to how many "mature students" will be admitted at any one time. And by mature I don't mean 21yo. I mean over 40s.

loriangel14, RN · May 8, 2013

Ah, the politics of getting into nursing school. Each school seems to have it's own agenda for admitting people.
Age doesn't make you more compassionate nor does it make you more understanding.
I was 40 when I started my nursing school. The oldest in my class was 52, the youngest 18. There were days when that 18yo was more mature and compassionate that the 52yo.
One of my kid's classmate tried to get admitted into the RN programmes here for three years, good marks, male, good work references. Just never made the cut. He applied to the PN programme and was accepted immediately.
I've heard of EMT's applying to the RN programme being rejected in favour of 20 year olds.
I think a part of it may be the fact that older students can and will think for themselves and question the instructors. It's almost like there is a limit to how many "mature students" will be admitted at any one time. And by mature I don't mean 21yo. I mean over 40s.

Yes the politics are a complete mystery.Being male doesn't really mean anything to them.Keep trying and good luck.

I was in a class that was mostly between 35 and 52.We gave them a hard time. Any time we got the run around or they tried to pull a fast one were right in their faces.You want to mess with a 40 something grown woman that has been around the block a few times? We were their worst nightmare.

popugate · May 8, 2013

Thanks for your replies!

It is nice to see that some of you started nursing at a later age.

And yes I will not give up trying ‘til I get in. I just find it a bit frustrating. The other route, I was considering, is to apply to the universities to get the BSc in Nursing but missed the deadline for the Fall 2013, however, it costs more and takes longer to finish.

uRNmyway, ASN, RN · May 9, 2013

My nursing program had about half 'mature' students, late 30s, early 40s. There were I believe 4 guys in a group that started with over 100 students. Don't let your age or gender be a factor. Just write an amazing application letter!

I am biased, but I went to Vanier and loved it there. You could also wait until the Fall semester and apply to McGill university, if you already have the pre-reqs. Vanier, Dawson, and John-Abbott have preferential admission to the BSN program at McGill though once you have graduated.

If you have any questions, feel free to message me or just to ask here!

lilwonder · May 11, 2013

You should try applying to Heritage College in Gatineau, QC. I'm in the nursing program there and they seem to accept people based on grades alone. There were several older people and males in my program. Hope I helped!

kimber75 · Jun 11, 2013

It is not the first time I have heard of males having a hard time getting into the program. With the shortage of nurses and your great marks, I cannot understand why. Hopefully you will have or will soon receive your acceptance letter! Which cegep did you apply at?

popugate · Jun 13, 2013

Thanks for all the encouragements.

@kimber75

John-Abbott College. I am still on a waiting list.

I was wondering if anyone knows how reputable is College Valleyfield for its nursing program? Or if anyone attended that school. I am bilingual, even though I prefer to study in English, studying in French is not too hard. I just heard that it is easier to get into the french cegep. However, I prefer to get in John-Abbott because of the DEC-BN integrated program with McGill towards a bachelor in Nursing.

kimber75 · Jun 13, 2013

I too am English but also applied for College Valleyfield for the fall semester since I was late applying. Unfortunately, I did not pass the French exam, so I am waiting to see if anyone accepted decides not to enrol in which case I may have one more shot! I think it is less competitive In french Cegep's only because there are less English Cegep's. I do not know much about the program in Valleyfield as far as it's reputation. Although I do know the reputation of the hospital they use, and from what I have heard and seen it's not quite up to par with the McGill teaching hospitals. Good luck to you!

kimber75 · Jun 13, 2013

By the way are you anglophone? And if you have studied in French before, how did you find it?

kimber75 · Jun 13, 2013

I believe we may have met at the college on Friday!

popugate · Jun 14, 2013

Hi Kimber75,

I am an Allophone. I did all my schooling in French up to High school (french Bac about 27 years ago in France) and in English for my Bachelors (US 20 years ago). I feel more at ease in English due to the fact my wife is an anglophone, but I can manage pretty well in French, my writing skills can be improved a bit since I have not practiced for many years. However, I think it should not be too difficult to study in French if you have already done some schooling in French.