What is the best way to get accepted into BCIT Fall 2010 nursing?

Fiona59 · Sep 3, 2009

Don't know about BCIT (other than they have produced some great nurses). But entry into nursing courses these days seem to be on the roll of a dice. Here, in Alberta, I've known qualified applicants to be rejected by two school in one city and get accepted in another town without a problem.

From what I see arriving on the units for placement time, it's done on a roll of the dice. Many were the "bright young things" with 90s in their high school sciences with little to no life experience/social interaction skills, some mature students that went back and redid high school, and degree holders who found out their degrees couldn't find employment and selected nursing for it's "security".

Almost like the accepting committee went "uhm, 70% kids from high school, 10% with previous degrees, 20% mature students" and then played with the numbers each new intake.

Does it have to BCIT or could you apply to smaller schools on the Island or in the interior?

springsheen · Sep 3, 2009

Hey mva2,

For BCIT, I've heard commonly that the more post-secondary credits you have accomplished, the more likely you are to get in. It does not have as much to do with the major you've studied in (I have friends in Poli Sci who got in), as long as you have the appropriate health care-related volunteer experience to demonstrate ability and interest.

What kind of volunteer experience have you had? Among the accepted students, some were with St. John ambulance, volunteering at VGH, some at hospices, or worked in clinics as assistants to doctors.

Also, when you applied before, were you shortlisted for BCIT? If you were shortlisted but not accepted, perhaps it has to do with your references / essay.

mva2 · Sep 6, 2009

Thanks for the advice Fiona59 and browning20!

It doesn't necessarily have to be BCIT, I have also tried applying to UBC, Douglas and Kwantlen throughout the years and due to some complicated transfer credit problems I have decided that it's more logical to apply to certain schools. Also practically being a starving student, it is most ideal for me to stay in this local proximity and making the best of public transfer systems as much as possible.

I've done some volunteering at care homes as well as working with the canadian cancer society and the weekend to end breast cancer foundation. I'm going to look into St. John's ambulance and volunteer opportunities with VGH.

Thanks again for the insight, I appreciate it!

Valhalla_Pure · Sep 6, 2009

Hi mva2,

I am just finishing up at BCIT (and so excited to be graduating next spring) so I might be able to offer some insight.

It is very competitive to get in, that is for sure. Some of the other students have commented that the more post-secondary credits you have, the better your chances seem to be. Many students in my class have previous degrees in a variety of fields, including myself. So having a degree from SFU will only help your application :)

As for volunteer experience - perhaps you could try volunteering at some different places. I think the goal of the volunteer experiences is to gain experience working DIRECTLY with people (seeing as that is what you spend most of your time doing as a nurse!). What did you do when you volunteered at a care home? I volunteered as a physiotherapy assistant in the hospital, working on a cardiac unit teaching patients post-heart surgery exercises. It was fun and I got to meet lots of nurses and see what they do. I also volunteered as a tutor for adults with disabilities. So check out what volunteer positions various hospitals etc have to offer, and if you get the chance to work directly with people, it can only help your application AND be fun for you!

Keep applying! Many talented students in my class did not get in on their first try. Good luck!