What's the best nursing school in Canada?

[toribeth]

hi all!

first i want to preface my questions with a few things: i graduated high school last week (homeschooled from kindergarten to grade 12) and have finished high school a year early. i got an 80 in math, 90 in all my sciences, and a 95 in english. i plan on attending university to get my bachelor of science in nursing next september (2013). i currently volunteer at a nursing home - and love it. i'm also hoping to find a job in some aspect of health care (medical office assistant, in a nursing home, or something at the hospital) in order to earn money for school as well as get further experience in the field.

i've scoped quite a few universities websites (mostly ones in western canada, where i live), but i would really appreciate some unbiased input as to the strength and quality of education at universities offering nursing programs - all across canada. i would prefer staying in western canada, but will obviously go where i can get the best education and clinical experience! i've spent hours googling "best nursing school in canada" but everything i have come across is rather biased and as this is my future i'm talking about, i would really appreciate brutal honesty :)

on a side note, i'm planning on taking college courses this fall. i'm thinking of taking english, chemistry, biology, and a mathematical statistics course. can anyone recommend any other courses that might also be good to take? i'm going to be working this year as well, so i don't want to overload myself with school, but i want to do everything i can to better my chances of getting into a really good nursing program.

lastly, any recommendations of anything else i can do that will help get me in to a good school are more than welcome!

[newnursejoan]

I think that in finding a good nursing school, you should really look at the clinical component. What I mean is inquire about the clinical program. What kind of rotations are students required to undergo in the program. How much clinical practice will be integrated into each semester. What units will students get experience in? I would go with a school that provides students with lots of opportunities to gain first hand clinical experience in the practice setting. Doing theoretical courses is just not enough, you need to get your hands dirty! I have heard that a lot of students say that the 2 year condensed programs that are being offered to students with previous degrees really do not provide enough clinical experience. Now I did a 4 year degree at Ryerson University, which I found was pretty good. Is it the best, I can't say that, but I have heard lots of good things about it. Start off with doing research about the nursing degree programs in your area, and compare the clinical components. Thats a good start I think.

[Fiona59]

There is NO "best nursing school in Canada" It's a rather unrealistic question.

You get out of nursing school what you put into it. Everyone will have a different opinion on what makes it a good/bad experience.

What you need to look at is how many students pass CRNE on their first try. That's how well prepared educationally a new nurse is. Time spent on the units learning your trade is very important. You have to be able to endure the sore feet, aching back and odours to make a success of nursing.

[loriangel14, RN]

Just as anything you find online is biased, anything we could tell you would be biased.

All nursing programs in Canada have to meet the same high standards and all will prepare you to write the CRNE. Like Fiona said,you will get out of nursing school what you put into it.You need to select a program and find out what the prerequisites are. You need to complete them before you can apply to the BSN program.Prerequisites will generally have to be done at the university level, not college.College credits will not help if you are going to get your BSN.

[loriangel14, RN]

No one is going to be familiar with all the nursing programs in the country.The one we know will be the one we went to.

[rng2013]

I realize this thread is a little old but maybe you can still use some input - or someone else will see this who needs input!

I definitely recommend asking around to get more information about the nursing schools in your area. Ask people who you or some friends/family may know that have gone to nursing schools in the area. That's what I did!

I actually transferred to another province half way through my nursing education. I did 2 years, then got married. My husband lived in another province so I moved to be with him (to western Canada) and took my nursing with me to another university. Now, from this experience I can tell you that finding the right school for you is CRUCIAL. The first school I went to, I don't think it was necessarily considered "top notch" but the instructors, lay out of the program, clinical experience, lab component, and critical thinking enhancement was superb. I learned SO much. Then I transferred to a school that focuses more on the theoretical/research side of things more than the hands on and critical thinking that makes up nursing. I can tell you that by being in 2 different programs, it's really important to go to a school that will be geared towards your learning style. For some people, the theoretical/research aspect is excellent and they learn perfectly fine. However, I'd much rather learn HOW to incorporate that knowledge into patient care and I find this nursing program I'm currently in really lacks that component. Fortunately, since I came from a program that DID focus on that, I can still do well.

Also consider how heavy the course load will be in a program you're looking into. For example, in my first program we had clinical 1-2 days per week and the other days were lab/lecture days. In my second program, half the semester is ALL clinical for 5 days per week for 6 weeks and the other half is theory classes for 6 weeks. I found the second way to be WAY more stressful. Clinical is exhausting - you're basically at school and at work at the same time, full time. You have to be on your game 100% of the time... plus, it's very stressfull. Especially when you're just starting. So I recommend taking that into consideration. Avoid getting so stressed, burnt out, and discouraged that you think nursing is not for you and you throw in the towel. I've seen it happen.

So do some research on what type of learning style you'd prefer. Ask around. Then apply and get ready to work hard! It's stressful and alot of work but it just prepares you for the real world as a nurse. And it's so worth it. Good luck!