UBC 2020 Nursing

Physsyb · May 2, 2020

14 hours ago, kkay96 said:
I’m so sorry to hear ? I wish you the best luck in the future, I hope you do apply to U of C too!!

Thank you. I will put that into consideration. I actually thought I would get in though.

sheilachristine, BSN, RN · May 2, 2020

11 hours ago, FeefB said:
Hi all,
Major CONGRATS to all those that got accepted!
I unfortunately got a rejection letter. Trying to cope with the disappointment as I’m a mature student now and have been working 4 years towards this after finishing my undergrad.
Anyone who scored a 1 on their CASPer and/or supplemental have any tips? I have lots of relevant experience working in a hospital full time but don’t know how else to stand out. Also don’t know how to study properly for the CASPer!

Thanks in advance!

Hey there! Honestly, don't count yourself.out yet. This is just the first wave. You may still get in! My year there were people who had originally not gotten accepted who got accepted as late as mid-August. And they went beyond the waiting list to others that weren't on it at all. And there's always next year! Loads of people get in on their second try. Rooting for you!

sheilachristine, BSN, RN · May 2, 2020

10 hours ago, melk said:
Yes me too! In the letter it says it takes 10 days to update the SSC ?

Don't worry, it took a week or so for mine to update when I was accepted!

Wency Chan · May 2, 2020

11 hours ago, FeefB said:
Hi all,
Major CONGRATS to all those that got accepted!
I unfortunately got a rejection letter. Trying to cope with the disappointment as I’m a mature student now and have been working 4 years towards this after finishing my undergrad.
Anyone who scored a 1 on their CASPer and/or supplemental have any tips? I have lots of relevant experience working in a hospital full time but don’t know how else to stand out. Also don’t know how to study properly for the CASPer!

Thanks in advance!

I saw some BeMo videos and took some notes on that. I also played typing speed games for about a month when I had some free time (maybe 3-5 minutes a day?). I think the thing that helped me the most was the practice test and answering practice MMI questions timed. Since most practice MMI questions don't have follow-up questions like the CASPer, I usually gave myself 2 minutes to answer them. I practiced this for maybe 2 sessions of 10 minutes a few days before my CASPer test. Most importantly, I did my routine (everyone's is probably different) on staying calm before test-taking (yoga, meditating, a nice cup of tea to drink, etc).

If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out ?

plsletmein2020 · May 2, 2020

2 hours ago, sheilachristine said:
Hey there! Honestly, don't count yourself.out yet. This is just the first wave. You may still get in! My year there were people who had originally not gotten accepted who got accepted as late as mid-August. And they went beyond the waiting list to others that weren't on it at all. And there's always next year! Loads of people get in on their second try. Rooting for you!

WOW!, they went beyond the wait list? That still gives me hope then! Thanks for easing my mind ?

sheilachristine, BSN, RN · May 2, 2020

4 hours ago, plsletmein2020 said:
WOW!!, they went beyond the wait list? That still gives me hope then! Thanks for easing my mind ?

They totally did! I think a lot of people apply to 2-3 schools and decide to go with options closer to home or whatever, especially if they are on the wait list and don't feel like waiting to find out.

meowmeow · May 3, 2020

16 hours ago, FeefB said:
That’s awesome! CONGRATS. I’m in the same boat. I only found these boards about a month ago after I had applied, and was also very intimidated. I work full-time to help pay off my first undergrad, and wish I had more dedicated time to do Summer volunteer programs and the like while maintaining a balance.

I didn’t get in. This was my first time applying though. If you don’t mind, can I ask what has changed over your applications/your stats? Did you retake courses over the 2 years? I’m wondering if I should do so for better grades.
Thanks in advance!!

The biggest thing would be my grades, I improved from a 72 to almost 88! I took courses I wanted to take during my undergrad but couldn't, some courses that seemed personally interesting, and some just as plain GPA boosters. I think that did the trick. It sucks that grades is a big component to a lot of things, and everyone I found around me was always so worried about grades (at least in ubc I find), particularly because many things use grades, but this isn't like high school where effort = the reward, rather acing the exams. ? I was forced to take a prerequisite at BCIT over the Summer and thought it was going to be a pain because the registration in early February filled up within 10 minutes - but was honestly the biggest breath of fresh air since leaving high school, the atmosphere in the school was so supportive, encouraging, relaxing, etc. that I would 100% go to BCIT in a heartbeat if it weren't for the delay by a semester/UBC is a shorter program. I already did physiology at UBC but didn't have the lab component, but even though I thought the material was going to be the same, I was still able to learn so many new things that UBC didn't cover (ie. the non-theory aspects).

For Casper, I did not take notes or follow any advice. I did browse some online posts (I was planning to do more thorough reading but because of classes I just ended up not having any time, especially since my test was in November) but the only thing that stuck with me were a few sentences from some comments: try to explain both sides of the issue, pick a stance somewhere in your answer. Please take this with a grain of salt, but I think the key to Casper is having a fast typing speed, because the more thorough your answer is, it might help paint a better picture. Could be disadvantageous to some if this were true, but I went in with a more positive attitude because I've read on the site that the test is not very studiable nor tutorable (Casper's research has shown no significant differences), and because Casper is also from McMaster U, the MMI brainchild, I would think it would be more fair to people like me that aren't that strong at interviews. Although in the end I did the Casper, I felt as if someone kept dragging me into so many dramatic situations that I didn't want to get into!

The only thing that puzzles me and my classmates during the Summer at BCIT was that 1) the news has mentioned in the somewhat distant past there is a lack of nurses, 2) nursing competition in local Vancouver schools has gone up quite a bit - see VCC's 4 year waiting list, Kwantlen temporarily stopping to accept its health foundations program, 3) nursing is an in-demand profession in BC, but 4) seats have not increased? but I've read that recently BC has invested in BCIT post-RN specialty training by giving it funding but I sometimes wonder who is responsible for the allocation of seats for health profession programs and are they not evaluating the current changing needs of the society and the ever-increasing strain due to more demand for healthcare access (ie. mental health awareness, opioids, etc)? just my 2 cents rant. The only explanation I read is due to hospital allocation/spaces, but that seems to be a side effect and not a primary cause ($?) But also, perhaps I might be misguided that it is not an actual lack of nurses, but rather specialty nurses instead.

kkay96 · May 3, 2020

On 5/2/2020 at 8:25 AM, Physsyb said:
Thank you. I will put that into consideration. I actually thought I would get in though.

Feel free to message me if you want to talk at all!

jell0 · May 4, 2020

heyyy everyone!

I just want to say a HUGE CONGRATS to those who got accepted!! I am so excited for you ❤️❤️ For those who didn't receive good news, I am really sorry to hear this but please don't beat yourself over it. It's an incredibly competitive program and not getting in doesn't mean you won't become an incredible nurse one day. I know it must be hurting for you.. but don't let one school bring you down from being an incredible future nurse. Truly in my heart, I am cheering for you. You'll get there!! If this means a lot to you, I guarantee you will get there.

For future applicants reading this:
I, on the other hand, have been wait-listed #26 to be exact. My scores were #2 for grades (I had a 81.5-82.2% average), #1 on supplemental, and #3 for casper. It's my first time applying and I am a 4th year UBC student in the FNH major.

As like all of us in here I hope I get in too ? If you have any questions, please ask away.

Vancity2020 · May 4, 2020

Hey guys. My SSC is updated today and I received another email. It states

“Please note a maximum of 50% of your new degree program can be fulfilled using credit from your previous UBC program and/or prior post-secondary studies. Contact your faculty advising office to determine how your previous studies can be used to fulfill your new degree”

I’m not sure what this means. Is it because we are entering into “third year” of the nursing program? Did anyone else get this email??

j123 · May 4, 2020

Hi Everyone!

A huge congratulations to everyone that got in, I can't wait to meet you!! To those who didn't make it this year, I am so sorry and I completely understand how you are feeling right now ? This was my third time applying to UBC nursing so don't give up! I thought I could share some things that helped me.

Grades: I did not have a Bachelors's Degree the previous 2 times applying and my GPA was lower, probably around 3.2/3.3. This time I had finished my degree and applied with around a 3.7 GPA. As someone had said previously, I really tried to choose classes I was interested in and classes that I could relate to nursing in my final couple semesters.

Casper: One of the biggest things that helped me when taking my Casper this year was taking a bioethics class. I highly recommend taking that class if you can. It teaches you how to argue a point and see things from both sides. Nothing is black and white, there is always more to the story. When answering the Casper question I never took the prompt as it was, there's always more to find out. I think it's also important to convey how you are doing something and WHY rather than just what you are doing. For example, instead of saying I talked to this person, saying I spoke to this person with compassion and empathy. Because testers don't know how you are going about things or why unless you explain it.

Please message me if you have any questions! ?

FeefB · May 4, 2020

On 5/3/2020 at 12:19 AM, meowmeow said:
The biggest thing would be my grades, I improved from a 72 to almost 88! I took courses I wanted to take during my undergrad but couldn't, some courses that seemed personally interesting, and some just as plain GPA boosters. I think that did the trick. It sucks that grades is a big component to a lot of things, and everyone I found around me was always so worried about grades (at least in ubc I find), particularly because many things use grades, but this isn't like high school where effort = the reward, rather acing the exams. ? I was forced to take a prerequisite at BCIT over the Summer and thought it was going to be a pain because the registration in early February filled up within 10 minutes - but was honestly the biggest breath of fresh air since leaving high school, the atmosphere in the school was so supportive, encouraging, relaxing, etc. that I would 100% go to BCIT in a heartbeat if it weren't for the delay by a semester/UBC is a shorter program. I already did physiology at UBC but didn't have the lab component, but even though I thought the material was going to be the same, I was still able to learn so many new things that UBC didn't cover (ie. the non-theory aspects).
For Casper, I did not take notes or follow any advice. I did browse some online posts (I was planning to do more thorough reading but because of classes I just ended up not having any time, especially since my test was in November) but the only thing that stuck with me were a few sentences from some comments: try to explain both sides of the issue, pick a stance somewhere in your answer. Please take this with a grain of salt, but I think the key to Casper is having a fast typing speed, because the more thorough your answer is, it might help paint a better picture. Could be disadvantageous to some if this were true, but I went in with a more positive attitude because I've read on the site that the test is not very studiable nor tutorable (Casper's research has shown no significant differences), and because Casper is also from McMaster U, the MMI brainchild, I would think it would be more fair to people like me that aren't that strong at interviews. Although in the end I did the Casper, I felt as if someone kept dragging me into so many dramatic situations that I didn't want to get into!
The only thing that puzzles me and my classmates during the Summer at BCIT was that 1) the news has mentioned in the somewhat distant past there is a lack of nurses, 2) nursing competition in local Vancouver schools has gone up quite a bit - see VCC's 4 year waiting list, Kwantlen temporarily stopping to accept its health foundations program, 3) nursing is an in-demand profession in BC, but 4) seats have not increased? but I've read that recently BC has invested in BCIT post-RN specialty training by giving it funding but I sometimes wonder who is responsible for the allocation of seats for health profession programs and are they not evaluating the current changing needs of the society and the ever-increasing strain due to more demand for healthcare access (ie. mental health awareness, opioids, etc)? just my 2 cents rant. The only explanation I read is due to hospital allocation/spaces, but that seems to be a side effect and not a primary cause ($?) But also, perhaps I might be misguided that it is not an actual lack of nurses, but rather specialty nurses instead.

Hi Meowmeow, thanks so much for your advice. I really appreciate it and it gives me hope. I feel like I’m in a very similar boat.

Mind me asking what some good GPA boosters are? I’m located in Vancouver. My anatomy and physiology courses are expiring soon so I’m in the midst of applying for VCC courses, but I think obviously a higher GPA would be a good thing. I work full-time at the children’s hospital though so it’s always hard to find courses that are given outside 8-4 ?

I agree with your rant. Telling my family members that I was rejected has them saying “but I thought everywhere was crying out for nurses!” I wish more seats would open up. That being said I’m sure teaching resources are scarce.

Thanks again!