What do you think of your program????

I am in a diploma program, with the option to stay in for a degree. I have opted to take the diploma and do my degree afterwards. Staying in is not an option as I've run out of money and I don't want to be paying big bucks to write papers for another year.

I have found that I learn more from the nurses on the job than I learn from my program. The program concentrates so much on what I call "fluff" classes and less on the practical stuff. I will be graduating next spring and feel like I will be unprepared for the work force. I have been reviewing already for the RN exams and find that so much of what I've been exposed to barely scraps the surface of what is really needed to survive. My program has, in my opinion, gone way to far in the other direction for effective training. We don't get taught or understand the basics such as the value of lab results (nurses on the job have taught me that) or enough experience on things such basics as catheters and dressings. You can only learn so much working in a lab on a dummy. As for instructors some good, some not so good, but with the limited supply the school takes what they can get and we suffer for it.

I personally don't think it's fair to the nurses on the job, to be training us after we graduate on the realities of nursing. Schools need to take a hard look at their curriculum and find a happy medium between the old ways and the new ways.

Originally posted by Kyla

Just wondering,

How do all you fellow nursing students like your program? Are you in the degree program or diploma? I'm in the degree program as it was the only choice open to me. I have conflicting ideas about the amount of electives and non-nursing courses. We don't do practicums until after the second year! We have piles of essay writing, and it seems to me that it is just nonsence. Just would like to hear all your input. Thanks!

I've been doing practicals since second term, no complaints there. I think I have two or three electives for the entire program. Very buttoned down curriculum.

I think everyone does piles of essay writing, and the rationale for that still has not been sufficiently explained to me. All I ever hear is the same tired old "we want you to be well rounded" line. Or the one that writing displays critical thinking skills. Huh?

I'm in a degree program that was essentially the only options available to me, and I am grateful to have the opportunity. Degree programs are the mandated standard for the position of RN. I think as students we have the right to question what we are studying, and whether our programs are preparing us for the role of RN. So far I would say my program does not get a high mark in that department, but I am only a second-year student, what do I know?

Hey-I have decided to put my 2 cents in...

I have been doing clinical pracatice since first semester.

Now, in 2nd year, we do clinical exp every week (twice a week) and class 3x a week. I have found out the purpose of papers! When it comes to exam time and even just remembering theory, if you apply it in a paper, you tend to really remember it! and it is very important stuff. Monkeys can be taught to do skills. It is the theory and rationale that separates us from the monkeys. Any how, I love my program and although they work us to the bone, I appreciate all they have taught me. all this said before I have recieved my final grades for this semester..LOL!

Good Luck all and hope you keep comin back in here!

I graduated from a degree program 2 years ago. There are many things they can not teach you in school...and it doesn't matter which program you're in. I agree the degree program does spend a lot more time on things that don't seem to be as important, and I would like to have had more practical lessons (ie lab values, more patho and physiology), but I now also have the research based education that can open many more doors than a purely diploma based program. Honestly...do you think an architect or engineer right out of school would be trusted to design a building on his/her own, as his/her first assignment? Everyone has to learn on the job and nurses are no exception. I'll admit, sometimes I did feel unprepared to be on the floors as an RN, but my education also taught me to be resourceful and to think critically as a means of finding the right answer. The first year will be rough....but every experienced nurse has to experience that first year too. Hang in there!:)

where do you all go to school?

I have to add this in...At the end of every semester and especially at the end of every year, the DON's ask us all for feed backa s to whta we feel was missing to help us in our clinical rotations. Thanks to this, we have learned lab values and so much patho! We have a class called Case, where we do a case about a certian desease process. We are EXPECTED to know all the patho, labs, and go above and beyond and to extra research and present articles, current research findings and a lot more! It is great and you really retain all the info well. I love the program I am in (BSN @ UCFV in BC) Anyhow-just thoght I'd share! I think it is so great that they take our feedback and actually utilize it!

Oh! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

P.S. I really should have proof read that! Sorry!

Although I am enjoying my program I feel that we are not getting enough practical training. Yes it's great that we have to learn the basic concepts from a book before we can perhaps apply them but it seems to me as though the emphasis is more on book learning instead of clinical learning.

This sentiment was also echoed by my recent tutorial leader who is also a clinical instructor for third year students.

What school do you go to? Is it by chance a BIG university??

I'm at Dal in Halifax. We are surrounded by hospitals but that doesn't seem to make any difference. There are 135 in first year so I imagine that the numbers are similar for the upper years. I guess a lot of us were expecting more clinical time. We almost didn't get taught vital signs including BP becuase of the hurricane. But the program is going through a review this year so it should be interesting.

hmmm still dont know if Dal is big...I am from across the country. Here, big Unis DONT get as much clinical as Uni?Colleges and this is heard from the RNs on the floor. They always comment about how the Big Unis are "book taught" and it shos. Is it like that there? Just curious and I dont intend to offend at all! Take care!