University of Calgary BNAT Questions

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Hi! I'm new to this forum and hopefully, this isn't a repeat topic! I haven't seen much about U of C's BNAT program yet...

Are there any U of C BNAT students out there who can tell me what the program is like? I applied for the Fall intake and am just waiting to complete my finals for this semester so I can send my transcript in.

What is the teaching style like for that nursing program? PBL? Lecture-style?

Also, if you don't mind answering, what was your GPA when you were admitted into the program? On the website, it says the competitive GPA for 2009 for 3.0 but for 2008, it was a little higher. Maybe someone can give me some insight for this year's intake?

Any information is much appreciated! Thanks in advance. :)

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Specializes in Cardiology.

The U has completely revamped the accelerated track program. It's now 24 months (previously it was 20) with a once a year intake beginning in Jan 2011 (previously they had a Sept and Jan intake).

re: http://nursing.ucalgary.ca/undergradprogram/bn-degreeholder

The class I started with (Sept 2009) is a bit of an anomaly. There were roughly 85-90 spots available but the faculty (so they claim) "accidentally" mailed offers to 170 students. About 165 accepted. LOL This left the faculty scrambling and even went so far to call every student to confirm they were for sure coming.

In it's current form I think it's a great program. My profs have been fantastic and the faculty has done a great job trying to accommodate so many students. They doubled the number of clinical placements so each lab would still only have 8 students. A huge accomplishment given the current state of disarray in AB's health care sysem.

There's none of this PBL nonsense either.

The new program looks really interesting. I like the 24 months vs 20. Even with my strong health care background I'm finding the fast pace challenging.

The cut off GPA of 3.0 is just a guideline the school uses and every class is different, depending on the applicant pool. Obviously, the higher the better.

Good luck with your finals!

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Wow, thanks so much petethecanuck! I'm currently a student at SFU (Vancouver, BC) and have applied to BCIT as well, which is heavily based on PBL and I'm not sure if I'd be able adapt to this learning style quickly enough (as it also goes at a fast pace). It's as a little comforting to hear that U of C does it lecture-style. :smokin:

Of course, I still need to wait and find out if I've been accepted to either of these schools. I'm just so tired of waiting, I figured I'd ask to ease up a bit of the anxiety!

I'm interested in how all the students are scheduled a lab time to practice their clinicals! It must be SUPER organized if they're working with 165 students in one intake... Also, what does a typical day at school look like for you?

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Specializes in Cardiology.

Usually there's 2 clinical days a week (rotating days/evenings) during the Fall/Winter semester and 3-4 days during the Spring/Summer (depending on the course). Lectures are scheduled on the remaining days.

For instance, my Spring schedule (May 3rd - June 17th) is Mon: 9 -4, Tues :9 - 12, Wed: 1 -4 and clinic on Thurs/Fri. Summer is lectures on Mon/Fri, clinic Tues/Wed/Thurs.

Please keep in mind that the program is being completely revamped for Jan so it may be completely different for you. :)

The application deadline for Jan entry is Sept 1st so you may not even hear anything until the fall. :scrying: Hopefully it won't take that long and you'll hear something very soon! Just keep checking your app status via your student centre on myuofc. :)

cheers

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Man, that is one busy schedule!

I actually applied for the September intake, so I'm not sure if that program will be similar to what you're doing now, or if it'll be adjusted to the new curriculum for January 2010. When I applied, the website said the deadline was April 1st and that classes would be starting in September. When abouts did you find out that you were accepted into the program last year?

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Specializes in Cardiology.

I sent you an email.

There is no "accelerated program" that starts in Sept anymore. The new 2 yr BN degree holder program begins in Jan 2011. BN - Degree Holder Route | Faculty of Nursing

There is a 28 month BN transfer route that begins in Sept. BN - Transfer Route | Faculty of Nursing Did you apply to that?

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Oh! Sorry for the confusion, you're right, I applied to the BN Transfer route as I don't have a degree right now.

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Specializes in Cardiology.

:)

I'm not too familiar with the BN transfer program so I guess the workload would depend on what elective courses are required to fullfill your degree requirement.

Oh and I was accepted in January 2009 for Sept 2009 entry so you could find out anytime now! :D

Keep checking your student centre and hopefuly you'll have a green check mark on your app status very soon.

On a totally different note, I wrote my last final yesterday and have 12 days off until the Spring semester begins /happydance :coollook:

Good luck!!

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Congratulations! Definitely relish in those 12 days :D

Wow, January is SUPER early! I haven't handed in my transcript yet because I'm still awaiting my final grades for the courses I'm taking right now, so it'll probably be in by next week. However, I'm guessing I won't hear anything until after June 30th because that's the deadline for final transcripts for the September intake...

After they've done the early admissions, I'm guessing they wait until ALL documents are in before they figure out what the competitive GPA is (and I think that might take a while!). I wonder how many applicants there are!

Anyway, so do you like Calgary Pete? Are you from there? I was born and raised in Vancouver so if I do get in, Calgary would be a pretty big move for me! I don't think I can imagine all the snow you guys get, it snowed for one day here in the Winter and it went away!

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Specializes in Cardiology.

PM sent :)

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Do you get any months of in the U of Calgary BNAT program? The UBC nursing students, for example, get the month of August off.

vta3 - Have you heard back from U of C yet? I just submitted my application this morning!

pete - What are your thoughts on living in Calgary? Similar to vta3, I was born and have lived in Vancouver all my life.

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Specializes in Cardiology.

Hey!

Well the BNAT program's been phased out and replaced with the 2 year Degree holder route: BN - Degree Holder Route | Faculty of Nursing.

Did you apply for the BN transfer program: BN - Transfer Route | Faculty of Nursing or the new 2 year BN degree holder program?

As it stands now, in the BNAT program we don't get any significant time off aside from 1 -2 weeks between semesters. For instance, we had 4 days off between Spring and Summer but will have 2 weeks off before Fall starts.

The only exception is Christmas break. Depending on when our last final exam/clnical is scheduled, you could have almost 4 weeks off.

Please keep in mind this is for the BNAT program.

For the new 2 year BN degree holder program, it's full time and probably has a 1 -2 week break in between semesters and then a bit longer break over Christmas. You definitely won't be getting any Summer months off e.g. August. :)

Far as living in Calgary. I grew up here, went away to uni (UVIC) and came back. It's grown ALOT over the past 15 years but overall it is a nice place to live. If you've never lived in a Winter climate, it may take a bit of getting used to. Although, we do get heaps of beautiful sunny days during Winter so that may be a welcome change from the coast. :)

Public transit is a joke so I would highly recommend having a car.

No offense to anyone reading this who is from Calgary but if you do move here. Stick to the NW. It's hands down the best part of the city. :)

best of luck!

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