r/RedDeer • u/DueEfficiency7937 • 10d ago
Question Deciding what institution for nursing!
Hey, im trying to figure out what university to apply to for nursing. Im planning on living on campus since these options are far from my house. Im just looking for a good program and livable dorm experience.
My choices: Red deer polytechnic, Uleth, Macewan.
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u/Dry_Profile_8264 10d ago
please take rdp off your list. I am just finally finishing this program, and it was the most mental torture ever. Inconsistent teaching, grading, and testing expectations. Absolutely no moral support, and the higher ups are a disaster and absolute a**holes.
If I wasn’t 2 clinicals away from completing the program, I would’ve started over at any other institution.
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u/DueEfficiency7937 9d ago
Oh my god, I'm so sorry you had to experience all of that. So happy that you're almost done, thank you for your raw insight. I will not be attending there then. Very mixed reviews on the school.
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u/Forward-Love179 9d ago
wait could you expand on this i’m on my first year and i have mixed feelings 😭
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u/Dry_Profile_8264 9d ago
I’m in the practical nurse diploma, but my professors have let me know that it’s similar across the other nursing programs (because management/higher ups are the same). So far we have so many students in clinicals right now, every other class is ran by the same 2 profs—and they’re tired, and 1 is leaving due to stress. I’ve had to redo classes due to their skill exams being inconsistent, one semester they’d grade base off of xyz, the next? It would be completely different grading criteria’s, and a lot of the time you’re redoing the entire class, because of one MINOR ass oversight during the skill exams, and the inconsistencies with grading expectations, just pissed me off as I had no stability as what to expect. I’ve only had two professors who have actually helped me learn, and provided a supportive environment. It was my clinical professor for this acute placement, and my previous Pharm 2 prof(and she was brand new, taught for a semester and told us she’s not coming back).
The other clinical groups this semester, their professors aren’t setting them up for success, and they’ve been practicing lowkey negligently (giving out meds without the proper checks, without knowing a thing about the medication or what it does).
Even when I started, it was supposed to be a regular 2 year diploma, but over the summer they couldn’t find another professor to fill in for the one that left, and that one who left did ALOT of the classes, so without my consent, I got my schedule changed from 2 years, to 3, with only a week of notice. They didn’t care they didn’t have the staff and did nothing about it until it was too late.
I’ve got family friends who are apart of the higher ups at rdp, so I am given a bit more info than anyone else, but even some of the higher ups are like: if you weren’t this far in, we’d suggest going somewhere else.
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u/Forward-Love179 9d ago
oh wow i was not expecting all of that, im in my first year of the bachelors of science in nursing program and it hasn’t been too bad, ive only had a problem with one professor. the main reason im going here is only for the uofa degree so thats the only reason im dealing with it
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u/Icy-Layer-7783 9d ago
Can I DM you? May start the nursing program at RDP in January and have a question…
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u/Pickledespressos 9d ago
SAME. I’m in the RN program and done in December, what an absolute shit show it has been. I have cried so many tears over this school, I recommend it to no one. Thank god I’m almost done.
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u/Competitive-Crow-687 10d ago
I’d definitely give U of L a serious look, especially since living on campus is important to you! They have both traditional dorms and apartment-style residences, which gives you some flexibility depending on the experience you’re looking for. Their residence community also has organized activities and opportunities to meet other students, which I think would be a nice bonus when moving away from home.
Their nursing program is also worth researching since it’s a collaboration with Lethbridge Polytechnic, so you get exposure to two different postsecondary environments. I’d definitely look into their housing options and program structure before making your decision!
It’s also significantly less competitive than the other schools.
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u/Medical-Taste-6112 10d ago
Please for the love (or hate) of god choose CHINA. I tried it it's sooo goood
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u/Tribblehappy 10d ago edited 9d ago
I attended RDP (when it was RDC) for pharmacy tech and shared some classes with the nursing program. It was a fantastic experience.
Edit, why the downvote? OP asked if it's a good program. From my interactions with the nursing students I can say it is.
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u/Martian-lover 8d ago
I'm in the BSCN right now and not having any issues. Yes there is one new prof who is disorganized but we are supposed to learn on our own after the lecture. I haven't made it to clinicals yet but happy with the program. The exams are what is taught. No curved grading which I've encountered at the UofA. If you go to class, read the text, take the time to learn the material, you will do fine. And you need to take the time, it is true about one hour lecture to 3 hours learning. RDP is a good choice in my opinion. It is also a collaborative program with UofA without the extra cost.
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u/PsychologicalGood513 9d ago
Personally, I’d apply to all 3 and see where you get in. Nursing is incredibly competitive. You might not have a choice in the matter.