University of Alberta Vs. Grant MacEwan

Novo · Jul 23, 2013

I go to Grant MacEwan, can't really speak much about the U but I do have a friend who goes there and hates it. At Grant MacEwan we have lecture based classes not CBL, and our classes usually have

I would highly recommend Grant MacEwan.

Fiona59 · Jul 23, 2013

I prefer students from GMU over those from the U. Better attitude for the most part and actually realize that nurses get their hands dirty.

Ace28 · Jul 24, 2013

Thanks so much for the reply!! I'm really starting to consider Grant MacEwan, have to make a fast decision though! I'm definitely not liking the sound of the CBL UofA has. Do you have any idea of which program is more difficult? Does your friend seem think UofA is more difficult and time consuming? Thanks so much! :)

Novo · Jul 24, 2013

U of A is definitely more difficult not because the material is harder but it sounds like teachers there give you no direction, which is probably no fault of their own since you can only do so much with 250+ students. However, she said her CBL classes have 11-15 people. U of A is also more time consuming, again because of the way CBL is designed.

I had to make a similar decision when I got in I was initially going to to the U for the name and reputation but Grant MacEwan accepted me first. I feel like a dodge a bullet.

Ace28 · Jul 25, 2013

Thank you for the input, I think I've decided on Grant Mac, I dont want to deal with CBL. I'm definitely grieving about not having the experience of the UofA campus and beautiful ECHA building though.

I read on one of your other comments that you were only taking 3 courses per term rather than 5. Would you be able to give me some information about how to go about doing that? Will it take you longer to complete the program this way? I thought you had to choose a pattern and could not alter it.

Novo · Jul 25, 2013

No problem. I'm sure you'll like MacEwan. The ECHA building is really nice, I study there sometimes with the friend I mentioned but I think the Robbins Health Learning Center is much better, only downside being it closes at around 10pm.

I'm going to assume you're going in from highschool? I was doing a microbiology degree before I switched to nursing so I had some transfer credit granted while in the program. Another way some people knock down their course load is by taking summer classes. You have to chose the patterns they provide but, if you've already taken the course you can omit it, usually you'll have a spare during that time to catch up on homework/readings.

Also read this thread for more testimonals about CBL: https://allnurses.com/canada-nursing-programs/the-university-alberta-709700.html

Ace28 · Jul 25, 2013

Yes, the Robbins Health Centre is very nice..I just got very attached to the UofA. So it was pretty disappointing for me to hear so many negative comments about the program. I'm glad that I know now though, so I can avoid it.

Yeah, I graduated a few years ago and have just been taking time off to work/upgrade my high school marks a bit. I have no post secondary experience. I guess that means I'll probably have to do all 5 courses.

Thanks for the link! Wow, people seem to hate that CBL.

Fiona59 · Jul 25, 2013

My friend's daughter went through that "I wanna go to the U because it's the U" thing. She just graduated from GMU and is glad she went there. Smaller classes, easier to get to and she enjoyed an active social life there.

Sometimes us old bats do know best!

Ace28 · Jul 25, 2013

That's what my parents keep telling me to, haha! They keep saying "Whats more important, a nicer campus or a better program??". I know deep down that GMU would be best for me.

Thanks for the comment :)

I appreciate all of the information!

ArceusAlpha · Oct 26, 2013

I'm not sure why people complain about the CBL program, other than the fact that they complain about "time consuming' while forgetting about the purpose of that program.

I personally enjoy my CBL classes. With 14 students, we grow a strong relationship. Also CBL allows me to apply real-world scenario's and learn the proper skill sets required. We all things as a group and individually. I personally think CBL will make you grow in all aspects as an individual. Personally, it helped me become less hesitant in talking in a group and voicing out my opinions, and develop research skills.

Also, ever since the Faculty of Nursing got the huge funding along with the ECHA building, Nursing students no longer have to travel blocks upon blocks each class like before. (We don't have to go to crappy old buildings anymore! Like Tory lecture or Ed Building...) I have my CBL classes in seminar rooms, some lectures, and my labs under one roof. The labs in the building is state-of-the-art - the labs are huge and are very much like a hospital environment and they have these interactive dummies that can be 'studied' on and they even respond!! It's creepy at first.

As of lately, the BScN @ UofA is definitely great. There is one student in my CBL group who transferred from MacEwan Nursing program to UoA and she PERSONALLY says she enjoys it here more. I'm not trying to degrade MacEwan in any way, but UoA shouldn't get the undertone that it's Nursing program is inferior to MacEwan, because it is not. At least, not anymore. The program has changed a lot recently.

In some ways, it might be even better than MacEwan. And in some other ways, MacEwan might be even better. So take it from current students, as I have personally talked to several. I was also in this scenario when deciding which school to attend. They are both great but I hate hearing the stereotype that "MacEwan is VASTLY superior for nursing and the students are CLEARLY better."

It's like people who say that have an unduly high opinion of their own self-worth, and to only degrade other perspective UoA students who do work sweat and blood in school.

But yeah, that's my 2cents.

PS: To the comment above about not 'getting our hands dirty', first of all we do clinical as what any other nursing students do. We "get our hands dirty".

So yeah, we actually do 'hands on'! Surprise! Surprise!