This article explains why taking a program that is a collaboration between a college and university is beneficial. It focuses on Centennial College’s Nursing offering, which is also facilitated through Ryerson University and George Brown College.

1. BScN Nursing Program Offers Real Life Training and Thorough
Theoretical Knowledge
A nurse checks a patient’s pulse. She then tends to a bandage on the patient’s arm and
attempts to move the patient into a sitting position. Suddenly, a teacher stops her and
moves in to demonstrate the proper way of helping a patient to sit up. This is just another
day at Centennial College’s Morningside Campus, which boasts facilities that mimic hospital
rooms to enhance the education of students in the School of Community and Health
Studies.
One program that sees students using the mock clinical settings is the nursing
program known as Nursing (BScN). As student Paulina explains, “We get a lot of hands-on
experience. We make use of simulation labs and we use simulation dummies in the labs.
And that gives us a chance to practice on ‘patients’ to really enhance our skills.”
However, this is not the only special aspect of this undertaking. It is actually a rather
unique nursing program Toronto has to offer. That’s because it is a collaborative program
between Centennial College, George Brown College and Ryerson University. As such,
students complete the first two of their four years of training at Centennial College before
moving onto their final two years at Ryerson. Why is this beneficial? The experience of
attending both college and university — and learning from both college and
university staff — gives students the practical application that was described by
Paulina at college level and in-depth theory at university level.
During their time at Centennial College, students of this program partake in about
40 courses throughout which are weaved five themes: primary healthcare/health
promotion; reflective practice/critical thinking; meaningful
relationships/caring/communication; political/social justice; and
personal/professional development. Particular courses, meanwhile, include:
Nutrition for Nursing Practice, Theoretical Foundations of Nursing, Assessment of
the Healthy Individual, Nursing Implications, Understanding Society, Community
Health Nursing, Professional Trends and Issues, and many others. Aside from these and
other nursing courses, students also take a series of required and elective courses, selected
from other disciplines. These both enhance and support the broad knowledge base required
of professional nurses. To ensure that students retain the large amount of information they
receive, the program includes a mentorship program and peer tutoring.
Lastly, to supplement on-campus lessons, students also enjoy a clinical placement. This
opportunity to work in the field gives students the advantage of being able to network and
make employment contacts. They are also able to apply their knowledge to the real world
and real patients.
To receive a registered nurse designation, students must write the College of Nurses of
Ontario registration examination. This nursing school in Toronto makes them eligible for
this exam. Once students obtain the RN designation, they work with persons and
communities of diverse backgrounds, ages and degrees of health and illness, in a variety of
contexts.
For More Information Visit http://www1.centennialcollege.ca/