Which rpn college has a better program?

AshuM. · Feb 1, 2013

Hi AshuM, I am currently enrolled at Centennial in the flex program. If you have any questions feel free to ask!

Hi nurserock4!

I'm sorry for the late reply, was going through my posts and saw your reply. I already started the program this month. so far I'm doing good, I have the best prof in ANAT. Are you almost done? what advice can you give me for 1 sem especially course like PNUR103. Thank you in advance.

babybabyG · Jun 5, 2013

Hello, nursesrock4

Sorry about jumping in. I'm in practical nursing at Centennial now. I'm currently taking nursing theory(PNUR104). What semester are you in? I need some advice for the theory course. I'm doing "the guides" that they provide us as notes weekly basis. Then, our first test is coming up soon. I feel I'm not getting it and the prof scares me too. Just doing the guides and going over it would be enough for the tests? what is the best way to study to pass theory? Also, can anyone who is in practical nursing program at Centennial or graduated there please give me some advise?

Thank you very much for your help in advance.

toronto_nurse · Jun 7, 2013

Hello, nursesrock4
Sorry about jumping in. I'm in practical nursing at Centennial now. I'm currently taking nursing theory(PNUR104). What semester are you in? I need some advice for the theory course. I'm doing "the guides" that they provide us as notes weekly basis. Then, our first test is coming up soon. I feel I'm not getting it and the prof scares me too. Just doing the guides and going over it would be enough for the tests? what is the best way to study to pass theory? Also, can anyone who is in practical nursing program at Centennial or graduated there please give me some advise?
Thank you very much for your help in advance.

They have tutors at your campus library for these courses so take advantage of it!

GBC_Student, BSN, RN · Sep 29, 2013

I'm currently a fourth semester GBC student (the name might be a give-away) and for anyone thinking of attending GBC for practical nursing, I really recommend thinking twice. You might think this is sour grapes or believe that I've just had a uniquely bad experience, but I would disagree. GBC should be avoided like the plague. The nursing program is poorly run and sorely lacking in caring teachers and administrators. It's difficult to describe the culture at GBC. You have a group of teachers and administrators that seem to think it's their duty to drum people out of the program. And then you have a small group of teachers that genuinely seem to care and want to see their students succeed. Unfortunately these are in the minority. I've found very few staff members to be helpful or sympathetic. I know more than a few people who transferd to Centennial or Humber and are much happier. Honestly if I could go back in time I would have gone to any other college. I can't even count the number of times I've been lied to at GBC. There is a reason the nursing students have what we call the George Brown frown.

cctori · Sep 29, 2013

I'm currently a fourth semester GBC student (the name might be a give-away) and for anyone thinking of attending GBC for practical nursing, I really recommend thinking twice. You might think this is sour grapes or believe that I've just had a uniquely bad experience, but I would disagree. GBC should be avoided like the plague. The nursing program is poorly run and sorely lacking in caring teachers and administrators. It's difficult to describe the culture at GBC. You have a group of teachers and administrators that seem to think it's their duty to drum people out of the program. And then you have a small group of teachers that genuinely seem to care and want to see their students succeed. Unfortunately these are in the minority. I've found very few staff members to be helpful or sympathetic. I know more than a few people who transferd to Centennial or Humber and are much happier. Honestly if I could go back in time I would have gone to any other college. I can't even count the number of times I've been lied to at GBC. There is a reason the nursing students have what we call the George Brown frown.

Hi GBC_Student,

I am just new to this form as I was searching which college should I attend for practical nursing and came upon this. Thank you for your advice about GBC practical nursing program. From reading posts on this discussion, a lot of people look forward to GBC as one of their top choices rather than Centennial or any other colleges. But one did mention that GBC offers more courses compared to Centennial but some are not handy at all. Are you able to give me more information about this since you are a current GBC student? Also, I've heard a lot of people complain about centennial college's practical nursing program as it being the worse as GBC is much better. What are your friends thinking about centennial's practical nursing so far?

I am sorry there is just so many questions but I am having a tough decision here as GBC is closer to me since I do live in Toronto compared to Scarborough. any advice is appreciated

loriangel14, RN · Sep 29, 2013

My daughter is currently an RPN student at GBC and she really likes the program and the teachers and is doing well.

GBC_Student, BSN, RN · Sep 30, 2013

Hi GBC_Student,
I am just new to this form as I was searching which college should I attend for practical nursing and came upon this. Thank you for your advice about GBC practical nursing program. From reading posts on this discussion, a lot of people look forward to GBC as one of their top choices rather than Centennial or any other colleges. But one did mention that GBC offers more courses compared to Centennial but some are not handy at all. Are you able to give me more information about this since you are a current GBC student? Also, I've heard a lot of people complain about centennial college's practical nursing program as it being the worse as GBC is much better. What are your friends thinking about centennial's practical nursing so far?
I am sorry there is just so many questions but I am having a tough decision here as GBC is closer to me since I do live in Toronto compared to Scarborough. any advice is appreciated

GBC has a few courses that feel like a time waster. From looking at the GBC website it appears that they are adding more. First semester professions of nursing is pretty useless considering in the third semester they have another professions of nursing class that repeats most of the content. But looking at GBC's website it looks as though they have added an third professions of nursing class. I can't imagine why. The general education courses feel like a cash grab. I was happy to have already had college credits so I didn't have to bother with them. Second semester there is a course called critical enquiry. It's another time waster course. It's essentially an APA course. And from reading GBC's website they are expanding that to 2 semesters of that silly course.

My two friends that are at Centennial claim that the workload is less, the tests are designed more to test your knowledge and less to trick you, and the teachers, for the most part, are friendlier and more understanding. My one friend who is now at Humber is in love with the school. She really feels like they want her to succeed. One of the biggest problems GBC has is they really don't seem to care. I can't even count the number of times one of the people who run the program have come to one of my classes to say we know a lot of you are failing, maybe this program isn't for you. It's a very discouraging place after the first semester.

As for going to GBC over Centennial because of distance, I get that. It's not easy having to commute long distances each day. All I can say is I wish I had picked another school. I don't except people to read this and go elsewhere based on one persons opinion. I just wanted to be a counter balance to other people. Honestly if I were you I would come down to GBC on a Tuesday. That's the day the 4th semester students are at the college. Ask around and get other opinions. I believe the majority will be negative. I can't think of a single student that has a good thing to say about the school.

My daughter is currently an RPN student at GBC and she really likes the program and the teachers and is doing well.

What semester is your daughter in? In my experience the opinion of the students shifts mid second semester.

loriangel14, RN · Sep 30, 2013

She's in second semester now.She really likes her teachers.

loriangel14, RN · Sep 30, 2013

She's in second semester now.She really likes her teachers.

Usually people that are doing poorly tend to blame the school or the teachers for their lack of success instead of taking any responsibility for their own learning.Just because a program is viewed as being "easier" doesn't mean it is better.

cctori · Sep 30, 2013

My daughter is currently an RPN student at GBC and she really likes the program and the teachers and is doing well.

Thank you for your opinion. How is your daughter liking the workload/courses she has for this semester? Have she started clinical placement yet, it starts 2nd semester?

GBC has a few courses that feel like a time waster. From looking at the GBC website it appears that they are adding more. First semester professions of nursing is pretty useless considering in the third semester they have another professions of nursing class that repeats most of the content. But looking at GBC's website it looks as though they have added an third professions of nursing class. I can't imagine why. The general education courses feel like a cash grab. I was happy to have already had college credits so I didn't have to bother with them. Second semester there is a course called critical enquiry. It's another time waster course. It's essentially an APA course. And from reading GBC's website they are expanding that to 2 semesters of that silly course.
My two friends that are at Centennial claim that the workload is less, the tests are designed more to test your knowledge and less to trick you, and the teachers, for the most part, are friendlier and more understanding. My one friend who is now at Humber is in love with the school. She really feels like they want her to succeed. One of the biggest problems GBC has is they really don't seem to care. I can't even count the number of times one of the people who run the program have come to one of my classes to say we know a lot of you are failing, maybe this program isn't for you. It's a very discouraging place after the first semester.
As for going to GBC over Centennial because of distance, I get that. It's not easy having to commute long distances each day. All I can say is I wish I had picked another school. I don't except people to read this and go elsewhere based on one persons opinion. I just wanted to be a counter balance to other people. Honestly if I were you I would come down to GBC on a Tuesday. That's the day the 4th semester students are at the college. Ask around and get other opinions. I believe the majority will be negative. I can't think of a single student that has a good thing to say about the school.
What semester is your daughter in? In my experience the opinion of the students shifts mid second semester.

Wow, thank you for the in depth information and honest opinions about the courses. I guess colleges just like to add and swap/change courses around as years progress, etc. But if you didn't tell me the critical enquiry course was an APA course, I wouldn't have known so.

Yes, I heard about Centennial is more about sticking the core information as the courses are so too as someone posted here well before I asked (but that was 3 years ago already). But then a lot of people do complain about Centennial's teachers, staff and administration, but I guess it really depends on who you have as a teacher or who is there while you ask. From reviews, Humber is always the one with the highest student satisfaction, it's nice to hear that your friend is enjoying it at Humber and Centennial. Wow, that's pretty harsh to say in the first place and I agree it is very discouraging as people do lose confidence at that point.

If you don't mind me asking, what drew you George Brown for practical nursing rather than other colleges when you applied (b/c of the reviews, students, commute)? Yes, commuting can be a hassle and waste of time, but I guess it is best for me to live near campus once I decide which college to attend (either it's Seneca, GBC or Centennial).

I understand this is your opinion (as I have asked from you) and I appreciate your honest opinion about your experience. I will keep it in mind since I just don't want to make the wrong decision and then end up transferring after a semester or something. Thank you, I will definitely find a Tuesday and go down and see, I haven't seen the campus myself neither. So I guess during that time, it's the best opportunity to ask around.

loriangel14, RN · Sep 30, 2013

My daughter has a clinical placement first semester and she has clinical 2 days a week for this whole semester.The workload is heavy.

loriangel14, RN · Oct 1, 2013

I notice that when students do well they credit their own hard work and effort. When they do poorly they immediately blame the school and the teachers.Whining that the teachers want them to fail makes no sense and shows a lack of maturity.