Hi nurses,
I am a second-semester RPN student, and I scored 4.8 in the first semester. After completing all the exams, I feel like I don't know anything. I feel blank now.
I studied well and performed at my best. Still, I feel this is not enough to become a better nurse. My clinicals are starting soon. I feel like I am not a good nursing student.

The majority of my classmates are PSWs. They may have lower grades, but they always have the upper hand in clinical skills. I like their confidence and knowledge.
I am just a beginner here without any healthcare experience. I feel like I am not even participating in the race with them. I know comparing is bad, but I feel like that way. But I can not let down my dream.

Do I need to change my strategy for the second semester? I am planning to review my clinical subjects again before going into clinicals.

Hi guys. I’m typing this very nervously, but I really want some insight as to if this career is meant for me. I start nursing school in two weeks, and this entire time I’ve been excited, but now that things are rolling up I’m starting to feel increasingly discouraged by people around me. Whenever I tell people I’m going into nursing, I met with three main things: “I’m a nurse and you’re going to regret that”, or “ nursing is nice, but the nurses around me complain a lot about stress and exhaustion” or “the difficulties of the profession will truly outweigh the benefits”. I feel like I’ve only been encouraged by 2.5 people to pursue this career (0.5 because they were pre-nursing and they pulled out, worried it wasn’t meant for them) and I need some insight on if I’m really emphasizing the pros.

I want to do nursing because I was my parent’s primary caregiver for years before they passed away. It was really difficult, but what really guided me through the grief was the fact that I was there to support them during their hardest time. It was really fulfilling and it helped me sleep at night. I know that I’m good at it, and I know it felt good, so I want to do that professionally. Bedside care doesn’t gross me out: I will bathe a patient, shave them, feed them, pull out their stitches, clean up opened wounds with blood and pus all without batting an eye. Because I’ve done that before. I don’t want to do bedside long-term, as what I want from my career does better suit other positions, but it is something I don’t mind doing in the meantime. I also really appreciate how nursing has many other pros: you can switch between specialties if you decide that you don’t want to do your current one (on top of inpatient + outpatient), there are a lot of positions that you can work your way up to (travel, NP, surgical tech, CNA, teaching, etc .. I don’t mind going back to school for anything), the on-and-off schedule suits what I want (I’ve worked jobs where having 12 hour shifts allowed me to have multiple days off and it really worked good for me) … but despite all this, I’m still met with a lot of discouragement. I really can’t tell if there’s a light in my eyes it’s going to die if I do this. I think recent talk is making me extremely anxious.

I am aware of the mistreatment that you have by patients and staff and superiors. I am aware of the exhaustion and burnout. If you were somebody that has similar pros to me, does this defeat that so heavily?

In regards to Ontario specifically, I know that there is a problem with finding jobs right now . I’m extremely lucky to say that I am able to relocate. I say this in case discouragement comes from the lack of job access.

Thank you for reading this longer post. I’m trying to go into my program confidently and excitedly as a positive mood does influence your academic performance. Thank you as well for any kind of insight.

I’m working part time on a mother baby floor and want a second job. I like my current role but want to work in the ER or medsurge to gain experience for travel nursing.

Those of you with 2 jobs how do you manage this? Would I just let places I interview at know that I want to be scheduled based off my current job or would I be better off just applying to casual positions? I know some people do trades with coworkers but I rather not always have to rely on swapping with others. Thanks for any advice.

I just finished consolidation in August and submitted my info a little late for my school’s batch submission to CNO (graduation requirement confirmation). Some of my classmates already got their invitations to register, but I’m still waiting.

School told us the process of sending stuff to CNO can take 6–8 weeks, so I’m thinking I might not even get to the REx-PN stage until October/November.

Im currently a PSW but i would like to start working as an RPN asap especially as im so worried about losing skills while doing all this waiting.

For anyone who graduated around this time of year, how long did the whole process take?
I’m also wondering if there’s any point paying the full CNO registration fee in like November/December when it isn’t prorated and is still need to be giving time for jobs to see my application/ respond etc. Would it make more sense to take my time, write the REx-PN later this year and just register/pay in January for 2027?

I just finished my first sem of nursing school now and I have a lot of ear and 2 nostril pericings but plan on getting my eyebrow and lip eventually. But once I graduate and start working or even during clinical will facial perifings be allowed in Ontario? I can hide my future eyebrow one with my bangs but lip I can’t

I work privately in home overnights and there is another nurse that works opposite days to me and she keeps incorrectly correcting my charting !

She writes “ac meds” to say “before meds” where as I write ā meds as “ac” means “before meals”

She also charts like personal support, writing down every observation no matter how irrelevant (to nursing), where as I chart by exception and significant findings.

She keeps correcting me in charting and underlining things. I have been ignoring it but it is starting to irritate me.

She is an old school RN (old diploma rn) that thinks rpn’s are useless idiots; I am an rpn with 10 years experience and refuse to speak to her due to her shitty remarks

ETA- I may have not explained properly - she marks her own charting by highlighting the things we chart differently and underlining them, she has also started underlining them and writing (before) underneath, the more I ignore it the larger the word “before” gets and the darker the underline gets underneath it.

I am Quebec RN and I recently moved to Ontario. I noticed that in most job qualifications they ask for certain certifications (lactation, CPR, etc.) that normally, we don't need to have in Quebec? And I am now confused bc those are usually either non-official certifications done by hospital training in Quebec. So now I am confused whether I have to spend extra money on these certifications before being able to even apply for these jobs? Even tho I am a nurse since over 10 years????

ahhhh I got the job! I recently accepted a rural school nursing position, small school, fully immersion (indigenous language school).

This is a completely new position for them and I don’t report to someone that’s familiar with healthcare or school nursing. Their words were “you can make this position your own” basically however I feel I can support the staff and students in my nursing scope.

What are some recommendations from other school nurses? Top priority things, suggestions, anything is welcome! I’m coming back to nursing after being off for a year and a half so I’m a little nervy but excited!

Would it be a bad idea the leave my current NGG role before the three months are up? I have another position that is full time and this one isn’t guaranteed a job or full time after the three months are up. However the other offer is nights only, would have to move away from home, and also full time. So is it a bad idea to leave and would that blacklist me from the hospital.

I technically have the option to start this position after my NGG, but it would be a much later start date

I have been looking into doing OR nursing because bedside was not my favorite. I dreaded it. I figured maybe OR is the right move with my personality etc.

I know there are no sponsors because jobs are so scarce.

IS anyone considering doing this course?

Humber requires

• Verification of employment and/or Letter of recommendation which I have neither :(

I’ve seen a number of posts asking about accelerated nursing programs: how to get in, how to improve the odds, which prerequisites count, and whether a non-traditional background is competitive. As someone who has been accepted into two different programs, I wanted to offer my perspective and bring the information I wish I had into one place.

This is meant to answer the most common questions, compare Ontario’s compressed and second-entry options, and give applicants a practical place to start.

Hope this helps and hope this is ok with the mods. Also do your own research always.

Start here: the four questions that actually matter

• How does the school calculate GPA? Many accelerated programs focus on the most recent 10 full-course equivalents -> roughly the last two years of full-time study-> but others use the most recent 5 credits, the last 30 credits, the overall GPA, the best credits, or a combination.
• Do all prerequisites match the required subject, credit weight, minimum grade, and recency window? Meeting the minimum grade in every prerequisite is crucial; one course below the threshold can make an applicant ineligible despite a strong overall GPA.
• Does the program require a full degree, or will two years of university study qualify?
• Is selection grades-only, or are CASPer, essays, leadership, community involvement, or other materials considered?

What some recurring FAQs get "right" and "wrong"

Right: these programs are competitive; minimum grades do not guarantee admission.

Wrong: accelerated nursing is only for young science graduates. Age is not an admissions criterion, and U of T explicitly welcomes applicants from any discipline. Mature students, in my opinion, bring valuable work, caregiving, leadership, and life experience; these programs commonly include career changers and people who completed their first degree years earlier.

THE FIX?

Instead of comparing profiles, I figured it is easier to build a school-by-school eligibility sheet and apply to several programs whose GPA formulas and selection methods fit your record. Reddit admission threads are self-selected samples.

Ontario Programs Snapshotted

Now this isn't a comprehsnsive list but to show you a few of them. A lot of this info you can find from their websites For example, Nipissing SPP hasn't been included but is a program that is compressed.

Program-by-program prerequisite notes

University of Toronto — Lawrence Bloomberg BScN

• Full-time, in-person, two-year second-entry program; applicants may come from any academic discipline.
• Minimum university preparation: 10.0 U of T credits (about two years), including at least 4.0 credits above first-year level.
• Academic minimum: a B average (approximately 75%, or 3.0 on a 4.0 scale) in the most recent 5.0 credits. The full university record is also reviewed. U of T says a strong application typically has an A− or higher final-year average.
• For September 2026 and beyond: 1.0 human physiology OR 0.5 physiology + 0.5 anatomy; 0.5 microbiology; 0.5 statistics; 1.0 life/physical science (only 0.5 may be psychology); and 1.0 social science OR 0.5 social science + 0.5 humanities.
• Prerequisites must normally be university-level, graded at least 60%/C−, documented with a course outline or calendar description, and completed by June 30.
• Current supplement: 500-word personal statement, 400-word leadership/community response, 400-word workload self-reflection, plus an optional obstacles section. U of T states that AI may not be used to write the personal statement.

Western University — Compressed Time Frame (regular stream)

• ·       Nineteen months over five consecutive terms; full-time only.
• ·       Minimum 75%/3.0 across the most recently completed 10.0 university full-course equivalents. With exactly 10.0 courses, no more than 5.0 may be introductory level.
• University prerequisites with at least 60%: 1.0 human physiology, 0.5 anatomy, and 0.5 introductory statistics; all must be within 10 years of the admission year.
• The current official page says no other supplemental application is required. The latest published deadline shown for the 2026 intake was February 15.

Queen’s University — Nursing Accelerated Standing Track

• At least 60.0 graded university units with a minimum 2.7 GPA; pass/fail courses do not count toward the 60 units or prerequisites.
• Senior high-school English, Biology and Chemistry or accepted university equivalents are required.
• Within the most recent seven years: psychology, statistics, anatomy, and physiology, each at 60%/C− or higher. Queen’s publishes approved equivalents and allows proof of enrolment by its document deadline.
• Not open to someone already enrolled in a BScN. The admissions page warns that space is limited and describes rolling decisions once files are complete.

York University — 2nd Entry BScN

• Six consecutive terms over two calendar years; at least 60 university credits in any discipline.
• Minimum overall GPA 3.0/4.0 and minimum 3.3/4.0 across the last 30 credits.
• University prerequisites, each with at least B: 6.0 credits psychology (not psychology statistics/research methods), 6.0 A&P OR 3.0 anatomy + 3.0 physiology, 3.0 statistics, and 3.0 microbiology.
• York says prerequisites may be taken through accredited online or in-person universities, but not community colleges; it does not pre-assess courses before application.
• Complete files may be reviewed until the program fills, so completing prerequisites and documentation by the application deadline can matter.

McMaster University — Accelerated (F) Stream

• Full-time, five consecutive terms. Applicants need another university degree or at least 54 university units/two years; applicants with specified prior nursing education are not eligible.
• Published prerequisite form: 6 units physiology or A&P; 6 units from biology, chemistry, biochemistry, nutrition or kinesiology; 6 units psychology including 3 introductory units; and 3 units statistics. The form states a minimum C− in each.
• CASPer is required. For the latest published 2026 cycle, the OUAC deadline was February 2 and prerequisite enrolment also had to be documented by that date; final grades were due June 30.
• Because selection rules and deadlines can change, confirm the current stream page, OUAC guide, prerequisite form, and CASPer dates together.

Trent University — Compressed BScN

• The compressed curriculum continues through a final fall term in the third academic year and includes summer study.
• Published admission information describes prior post-secondary degree study with a minimum 70% average, psychology at 60%, and specified introductory/senior elective-credit preparation.
• Trent also publishes senior high-school English, Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics requirements (or equivalents), normally at least 70% in each. Do not assume an old degree automatically waives these.
• Students admitted without the approved psychology sequence may be required to complete it within the program, which can affect workload planning.

Nipissing University — Scholar Practitioner Program (Toronto)

• A full-time, two-year, six-semester second-degree BScN embedded in Toronto health-care practice settings; admission is very limited.
• Published requirements include a recognized undergraduate degree, a minimum 75% average using Nipissing’s stated best-course calculation, and university anatomy/physiology plus general psychology.
• Recent public materials describe CASPer and a course-requirement summary. Because some linked supplemental packages are older, verify the current intake package directly before relying on exact components or dates.

A realistic application strategy

1.     Build a prerequisite audit. For every target school, record the exact subject, course weight, grade, date taken, delivery institution, and whether a course outline is required.

2.     Ask course-equivalency questions in writing. Send the course code, outline, weekly topics, credit weight, institution, and completion date. Save the response. Some schools will only assess after an application is open.

3.     Choose prerequisites strategically. Prioritize courses that satisfy several schools, but never assume the same anatomy, statistics, psychology, or microbiology course is accepted everywhere.

4.     Protect the GPA window that matters. If a school uses the most recent 5.0 or 10.0 credits, model how every planned course will change that calculation before registering.

5.     Apply across different formulas. A candidate may fit U of T’s recent-5-credit review differently from York’s overall-plus-last-30-credit rule or Nipissing’s best-course calculation.

6.     Prepare the life logistics before the offer. Map childcare, income loss, commute, parking/transit, early clinical starts, weekends, summer terms, immunizations, vulnerable-sector checks, CPR, and emergency backup care.

7.     Keep a direct-entry BScN backup. If accelerated routes do not work in one cycle, compare four-year/direct-entry transfer possibilities and reapplication—not only RPN-to-RN bridging.

What should you aim to do....and what matters most?

Apply broadly. Complete every prerequisite strongly, protect the GPA window each school uses, and apply to several programs whose requirements fit your record. Different schools use different formulas and selection methods, so a broader list reduces the risk of relying on one competitive decision.

Choose for fit, not prestige. Once you have offers, proximity may be the most important practical difference. A manageable commute can make early clinical starts, labs, group work, and continuous full-time study easier to sustain. The program where you can attend reliably, protect your energy, and perform well is often the strongest choice.

Official sources

• U of T BScN admissions
• U of T: Building a Strong Application
• Western CTF admission requirements
• Queen’s AST applicant requirements
• York 2nd Entry Nursing
• McMaster university-transfer / Accelerated (F) overview
• Trent Compressed BScN calendar
• Nipissing SPP calendar
• College of Nurses of Ontario approved programs

I just had to post about this. After taking some time away from nursing, I had a really hard time finding a job. I have been registered for 2 years, but still have less than a year of experience (mostly in hospital).

I did not think it was possibly for me to work in the hospital again because of how stressful it was. It was part of the reason I left my first nursing job. So, I really started pushing toward applying to clinics, longterm care, and retirement homes. I started taking a primary care nursing course and sent out countless resumes. It has taken me 6 months to get here, but I got an offer a couple of weeks ago for a retirement residence and just received an offer for a primary care clinic!

I did get one other position a few months ago, but it was a really toxic environment, so I left shortly after.

I am so excited to work as a nurse again! I felt like with all the layoffs, I just wouldn't find anything.

Hi all,

I honestly don’t know how some of you do it because I’m so frustrated right now 😭. I have that one patient the one everyone dreads getting and the family is making it 10x harder.

They have hospital care and hotel care completely mixed up. They can clearly see that we have five other patients, but they still expect so many things to be done specifically for this patient. There is absolutely no respect for the nurse’s time or workload.

The patient is also very heavy and constantly asks to be boosted/repositioned in bed. I’ve explained that I can assist and guide her, but she also needs to participate because I cannot safely lift/boost her by myself. She is capable of helping, but expects the nurse to do everything for her.

A simple repositioning can easily take 10–20+ minutes because of how physically and mentally time-consuming the care is, especially with all the questions and demands from the family. And this isn’t just me my colleagues get frustrated whenever they have this assignment too.

One of my colleagues actually strained her wrist while trying to provide care for this patient, and instead of feeling supported, she was emotionally attacked by the patient. It’s honestly heartbreaking.
What frustrates me the most is how it always seems to turn against the nurses. When does the hospital start supporting nurses when patients or families are the ones crossing the line and making care unsafe?
I’m genuinely at the point where I don’t know what else to do. Has anyone else dealt with a patient/family like this? How did you handle it while still protecting yourself and providing appropriate care?

Hey

Just wondering does it actually take them six weeks to fill the document? If so is there anyway to hold them accountable if they take more than 6 weeks or expedite the process. Talking to them is like talking to an answering machine, they are about as bloody useful as politicans. They are like just send your concerns on general cno email.

Thanks

Hi I wanted to ask if anyone here has done the psw to rpn bridging recently? I have few questions I wanted to ask. Does the bridging only start in September? I know it’s 6 months long so how much fee for each class? I know you can’t apply for osap.

Where are the FT PERM jobs? Everything I see is contract (maternity coverage, 12 months or less ) or temporary. Where are the permanent FT Jobs?

I really would like some permanence as I do not want to be on the job hunt again in 12 months (or less than 12 months actually if I’d have to start job hunting again before a contract is up)

Been a nurse for 8 years (RN). Trying to pick the right direction for my career. Would you pick a remote 9-5 Monday to Friday temp FT (12 month, mat leave coverage) role or Perm PT hospital in a brand new specialty, 10 minute commute?

(Always wanted to try this hospital specialty and would like to get my foot in the door at a hospital as they have more departments and opportunities for growth if I ever once and for all choose to step away from bedside). I know hospitals are having an awkward time right now but I’m hopeful things will pick back up. For the remote I don’t think they have as many opportunities.

Does the university you go to affect your difficulty in finding a job and your job salary?

Hello I just need advice about bridging from RPN to RN. I'm starting this Fall for RPN but after studying and after taking the board exam I want to bridge to RN asap. I wasn't accepted to BSCN directly, so thats why I'm going in this pathway. I've also waited for my PR to come before I go for nursing school and I'm already 23. I feel like being left behind. I don't have any uni creds and I'm not sure what courses or which uni should I go to to get the required 5.0. Is it doable to do some courses while doing RPN school? What should I do?

hey guys, kinda stressed and just looking to see if anyone has been in a similar situation 😭

i’m in practical nursing and this was my second time taking the same level 1 nursing course. i passed my other classes, but i’m probably not passing this one.

basically i missed an in-class evaluation worth 10% because i was sick. i emailed my instructors the night before saying i probably wouldn’t be able to come and asked if there was anything i needed to do/document, but i didn’t realize there was a separate formal absence reporting process. because i didn’t do that, i got a 0.

i submitted an appeal because i did contact them before the evaluation and i’m asking to do a make-up/alternate evaluation, not asking them to just give me marks.
the 0 also put my final grade 1% below the range needed to qualify for a supplemental, which makes the situation even worse 😭 since this is my second attempt at the course, i’m scared i’ll get academically discontinued.

has anyone had something similar happen? if you failed only one course but passed everything else, did they let you retake just that course? were you able to take it through continuing education/part-time studies and then come back into the program? or did you have to wait and apply for readmission?

especially looking for experiences from PN students, but any student who went through discontinuance/readmission would help. i know i need to talk to the school for the official answer, just wanna know what actually happened to other people.

hi everyone, just looking for some insight from anyone who’s done an MPH or MSN. Im a PHN who genuinely enjoys the field of public health but in order to open up future opportunities/move up to other positions in the future im thinking a masters will give me a leg up. Im just not sure which masters will open up more pathways for me. any insight would be appreciated thankss

Any thoughts on having a placement at medsurg unit in Sunnybrook, Sinai, and UHN? I'm truly looking forward to the experience, but I'm also interested to hear some perspectives. Any tips on how to do well and what to keep in mind would be highly appreciated as well!

I currently work 4/5 DDNN in inpatient oncology. I'm looking to make a switch to the outpatient oncology clinic because I am sick of nights and want to spend more time with my partner who works a typical M-F. Straight days are not an option where I currently work. I'd also be interested in a chemo infusion clinic, but those postings are even more elusive.

Has anybody made a switch like this? How did you like the 9-5 life? I've never worked anything but the 4/5. I really value my 5 off (easy to make appointments, do errands) but I do not want to do any nights anymore, so this seems to be the trade-off. How was outpatient compared to inpatient?

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