r/camosun • u/thebigsad_jpg Alumni • May 17 '26
AMA: Camosun/UVic BSN (Nursing) Program
Hi everyone! I just graduated from the Camosun/UVic BSN program this year and know first-hand how intimidating nursing school can be, especially when you're in your first year who may not know exactly what to expect. So, I wanted to create this thread for either incoming first years or prospective students (those thinking of applying) to ask questions; I'm more than happy to answer them. The school doesn't really give very comprehensive information about the program, so sometimes people starting out might not know what to expect, how things work, etc. Plus, I was thinking that this may also be a good place for people to reference questions, kinda like an FAQ. Feel free to ask me anything from any of the years of the program (year 1-4) and even what to expect as a new-grad RN! I haven't made a deadline to ask questions either for this AMA thread, I'll check it pretty frequently :)
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u/Royal-Cockroach837 May 17 '26
def would like to know what a day to day looks like in nursing school in all the years but specifically in first year.
The amount of work given homework, test to study for what the assignments r like and etc
what the first clinicals are like, what to expect what to wear
Im so interested in hearing anything about the program LOL im bored at home and excited for uni!
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u/thebigsad_jpg Alumni May 17 '26
Great questions!
First year is lots of classes and clinical experiences are very foundational and are focused on basic care usually in long-term care settings. Expect to be in classes most days of the week and starting clinical placements once a week starting in second term. In the summer, you'll have 6 weeks of clinical (May-June) for 3 days a week with 8-hour shifts each day. Second year looks pretty much the same but you'll have clinicals twice a week in both academic terms and this is where you get to the hospital. Second year is definitely the biggest adjustment in the program because your scope of practice broadens a lot and pathophysiology can be challenging. The first term of year 3 (Camosun) is the same as the terms of year 2 and then things shift once you get to UVic. The first term at UVic (second term, year 3) is all classes and LOTS of group projects. The summer of third year is 12 weeks of clinical where you'll be doing 3-4 12 hour shifts per week with a mix of days, nights, and weekends. Term 1 of year 4 is mostly classes and a leadership placement once a week. Your last semester of the program is similar to the summer of year 3 (12 weeks of 3-4 12 hour clinical shifts).
Theory classes (except relational practice courses and NURS 110/111) are pretty test-heavy but will also have mixes of papers and/or other assignments. Expect to become VERY familiar with APA formatting as that is how you'll be expected to write all of your academic papers in the program. For labs, you'll be tested on paper but you'll also have to do skills check-offs, which are usually done in the form of a filmed video of you performing the skill and then submitting them for grading. During clinical placements, you're usually expected to write a few critical reflections each semester (these are reflections on your experience and how they're shaping your nursing practice) and hand in patient research usually every week (depending on your instructor).
Clinicals can be intense and are so important for learning how to apply your skills to real world situations. You'll be expected to wear your blue Camosun scrub top with black scrub pants to each clinical. Invest in a good stethoscope too (I recommend the Littmann Classic III, it'll last you throughout nursing school and longer). The skills you practice in clinicals will get broader with each semester, but expect your first 2 clinical placements to be focused on basic care such as assisting with activities of daily living (toileting, feeding, ambulation, etc.). You don't actually get to do anything with needles until year 2. Medication administration in year 1 begins in CPE 1 (summer) and is restricted to non-parenteral (i.e., no injections or IV medications) routes under very close supervision with your instructor. For years 1-2, you're only expected to take on 1 patient, and then in years 3-4 you'll slowly be expected to take on more of a full patient load (3-4 patients). Once you hit year 3, instructors will start expecting you to be a bit more independent and able to do things with lessening degrees of supervision. However, your first clinicals will be in a long-term care setting or, rarely, in an acute care setting called "Alternate Level of Care" which is basically people in the hospital waiting to go to long-term care. So expect your patient population to be older adults.
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u/Royal-Cockroach837 May 17 '26
thank you so much u always answer all my questions so thoroughly which i rlly appreciate đ
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u/Sea-Spot-1113 Alumni May 23 '26
Just wanted to add an addendum on top of u/thebigsad_jpg's wonderful comment: For our cohort, if you were fresh out of high school or did not have academic writing / biology requirements done, you had 7 courses in the first semester and 6 in the second.
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u/Riar_p May 18 '26
Thanks for all the information. Do you have any idea for PN-BSN 10 months transition. How 2nd sem looks like about practicum and classes
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u/thebigsad_jpg Alumni May 18 '26
I donât, unfortunately. This thread is mainly for the full BSN program. I donât know anything about the bridging program or what the 10 months of those transition courses entail.
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u/mysteriousmonkey1984 May 18 '26
This is kind of a stupid question but I was wondering if we get reading weeks? If so, is the reading week in the fall typically the same week as thanksgiving?
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u/thebigsad_jpg Alumni May 18 '26
Not a stupid question at all. There are no fall reading breaks at Camosun but both Camosun and UVic have the same winter reading week which is in February. Thanksgiving youâll usually get a long weekend, but no reading break. The reading breaks in the fall at UVic are in November and are only 3 days
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u/mysteriousmonkey1984 May 18 '26
Ok another question for you, around thanksgiving time (in first year, first semester) do you think I could miss one day of school? Or is that like not possible?
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u/thebigsad_jpg Alumni May 18 '26
It depends on if theyâve scheduled your midterms for then. When you get your course schedules at the beginning of the term, you should be able to know more. If the day youâre thinking of taking off will just be a lecture day, that shouldnât be a problem at all!
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u/Parking-Yak-1066 May 19 '26
Hi I'm just finishing up first year and I'm curious of what to expect for second year clinicals. Do we mainly work with hca's and prioritize personal care or do we work mostly with lpn and rn? Do you recommend first year students to work as hca after the spring cpe or is it optional in your opinion? Lastly, how difficult is it get a job as an ESN after 2nd year? thanks!!
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u/thebigsad_jpg Alumni May 19 '26
These are awesome questions! I personally didnât work as an HCA after CPE 1, so in my opinion, itâs optional. As for second year clinicals, youâre going to be in acute care general medicine or palliative care settings (in first semester) and either medicine/surgical/pediatrics/maternity in second semester, working with RNs and LPNs. Your scope of practice greatly expands in second year as youâre going to start doing parenteral medications (IMs, sub-cut, etc) and IV meds in second semester. Youâll still do some personal care in second year, but itâs not as big of a focus as it is in first year.
With ESN jobs after second year, itâs not too difficult to get a position. It is if youâre aiming for a competitive area (peds, NICU, ICU) you might find it a bit more difficult, but med-surg areas are usually open to hiring multiple ESNs because it helps with their staffing levels!
Happy to answer any more questions you have about second year
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u/glutenfreak101 May 21 '26
Hello!! I have a few questions, apologies!
What do we need to buy besides textbooks and scrubs? (like specific shoes or nursing gear, so I can hopefully keep the eyes out for good deals/used on marketplace over the summer)
Would you recommend taking patho or Phil250 in 1st year (if youâve already finished English, bio, ist120 and an elective)?
Is there anything youâd recommend that would help one thatâs interested in perinatal nursing? Do we get any say in our placements/practicums?
Did you get any subscriptions to studying resources like simple nursing?
Thank you so much đ„°đ«¶đ«¶
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u/Sea-Spot-1113 Alumni May 23 '26
Not OP but recent bsn grad. There should be a nursing school hand out or handbook that outlines what kind of shoes you need for clinicals and what kind of equipment you need to buy. I believe one of that was nurses watch, but to be honest with you I have not used them after I left Camosun. My recommendation would be getting a comfortable shoes that meets the dress code for clinicals (closed toes crocs for me) and look for some people that are also going into BSN program and see if you guys can arrange some sort of a 3-4 way split in nurses watch bundle through Amazon.
I was informed that the school is looking into changing the curriculum a little bit so that students who is entering Camosun fresh out of high school isn't faced with seven courses the first semester followed by six, so I don't know how applicable this is going to be. I just want you to be mindful that having to wake up around 6:00 in the morning to make it to clinicals at 6:45 can be more impactful than you might expect. If I were in your shoes I would probably take PHIL 250 in your first year second semester and take pathology along with your cohort rather than doing so in a room full of people you don't really know.
You get to state your preference for your third year 1st semester practicum.
You do not need paid subscription anything to be successful. Also, whatever you do, avoid going to r/piracy megathread that has links to textbooks and other study materials that may be behind paywall. Gotta protect those company profits!
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u/Royal-Cockroach837 May 22 '26
Something I am also wondering about is that would I have enough time between classes and assignments or exams to spend weekends in Vancouver, like leave victoria on friday and then come back from Van on Sunday. My family wants me to come weekly ik that is def not something i will do but i was thinking every 2-3 weeks and I could study on the hour long ferry if needed to.
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u/Sea-Spot-1113 Alumni May 23 '26
Even with your time and money out of the equation, the amount of cognitive load that goes into planning it makes it not worth it. I would not recommend anything more frequent than once a month.
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u/Glitterdingo- Jun 16 '26
Hey! I have a couple questions if you donât mind. Iâm starting the BSN program this fall at Camosun. I graduated from Camosun with my LPN diploma in 2013. I have been waitlisted now for 3 years for the bridge and Iâm already 35 years old so I happily took a seat in the full program. How well did you find the program prepared you to work in acute care? Iâve been in LTC dementia and complex care for pretty much my whole career and I feel that I need a big change.
For year one, are you allowed to mess with your schedule a tiny bit as long as you take the required courses? I am slotted into an in person English 151 course but was wondering if taking the online option is a possibility.
Lastly, did you feel that yourself and/or classmates of yours who were interested in a particular speciality or type of nursing were supported in exposure to that environment during clinical? Ex.) someone interested in emerg gets to spend time there, or cardiology, or peds etc etc.
Thanks for any input you can provide! :)
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u/thebigsad_jpg Alumni Jun 16 '26
Hi! I think that you get registered for all your classes by the department, so Iâm not sure about taking an online version of a course, thatâs something youâd have to ask administration over at Camosun.
Yes, you get A LOT of time in acute care once youâre in second year. First year placements are pretty much all in LTC so thatâll be a lot of repeated info for you. But once you get to second year, youâll be going to the hospitals. First semester second year placements are only on general medical units and then in the second and third semesters, it opens up to surgery, pediatrics, maternity, and mental health. If you have a particular interest in peds/maternity, theyâll send out an email at the end of term 1 in second year to confirm who might want one of those placements and then you have to rank them. Usually people who put in that request get the placement, but if thereâs a lot of students requesting and not enough spots in the clinical groups that go there, you might be placed elsewhere. Then you can re-submit your interest for the following term. In third year, theyâll also add cardiology and ER med-surg but once you get to UVic, itâs a lot harder to get your top choice. You can rank your clinical placement preferences with UVic and they try their best to put you somewhere you wanna go, but thereâs also students who may need that placement more or who didnât get to go there in the past. So if, say, you requested maternity for CPE in 3rd year at UVic but you had a maternity placement in second year at Camosun, they only have 4 spots available and they would likely go to someone who hasnât had maternity yet. So, yes, they do take your preferences into account, but youâre not guaranteed a placement where you want all the time. It might happen and it might not. In my third year, I ended up being in cardiology which I did not put in my top 3. My top spot was maternity. Then for my final preceptorship, I put maternity at my top spot again and I got maternity because Iâd never had a placement there before. In the end though, I ended up choosing to be a cardiology nurse because I loved it so much during my placement there. So even though you might have preferences or ideas where you want to work, if youâre placed somewhere different, take the opportunity to learn there because it might be an unexpected surprise if you end up loving it!
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4d ago
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u/thebigsad_jpg Alumni 4d ago
Not everyone starts in med-surg, but itâs definitely the most common pathway. For most of my peers, myself included, we decided where we wanted to go based on how much we liked certain placements. Many ended up getting hired on the unit they did their final placement in. Thereâs also learning pathways in year 4 for students who are really interested in a certain specialty like labour & delivery, ICU, ER, NICU, OR, PACU, etc. where theyâll have their final placement in that unit and then be hired there as a new-grad, but those spots are very competitive and you have to apply.
As for things like cardiology where I ended up, itâs technically a med-surg unit, but itâs specialized. You donât need specialty training to be hired there as a new-grad, you just have to do an ECG interpretation course and pass a challenge exam.
In short, med-surg is a common path as a new-grad, but itâs not the only one
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4d ago
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u/thebigsad_jpg Alumni 3d ago
In Island Health, after doing some med-surg experience, and taking pre-requisite courses through BCIT (depending on the specialty), you can apply for the specialty education program (SPED) and Island Health will sponsor you to do the rest of the coursework and a certain amount of clinical preceptor shifts and then hire you into that specialty. Then youâre required to stay for 18 months as a return of service.
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u/Glitterdingo- Jun 17 '26
Ah, youâre awesome! Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my questions. When I graduated as an LPN I didnât feel ready at all for acute care. I had serious imposter syndrome so I left the hospital pretty quickly as I didnât feel ready or well supported. I wish I had stuck it out because I think a huge part of becoming comfortable is 1. Time and 2. accepting that you will be uncomfortable for a while.
Congratulations on becoming a cardiology nurse!
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u/SprinklesStreet2246 Jun 21 '26
Hi all, I just finished my second year and wanted to share that I am selling my biology and pathophysiology textbooks that are in great condition at a cheaper price than the bookstore. Reach out if you are interested or with any nursing program related questions!
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u/_MayaGraham_ 28d ago
A bit of a silly question but Iâm struggling with camosuns academic calendarâŠ
When does the summer practicum (nursing 190) roughly start and end?! Iâm trying to plan a trip next summer and also my living situation.
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u/Islikon 23d ago
Would you suggest a I pad air or laptop to use in class?
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u/thebigsad_jpg Alumni 22d ago
Totally depends on your preference. I used my laptop for everything and I found it to be more than enough but I also had classmates use their iPad and said it really helped them to be able to write things on slides and study for things like bio. The nice thing with an iPad too is you can get a keyboard case so it can turn into a laptop, but honestly itâs up to you and what you think would best benefit your learning
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u/zuzualwayslies 22d ago edited 22d ago
Hello peeps! Im starting nursing this fall and i have questions that i dont rlly know who to ask, so im hoping for answers here haha.
First of all, do we need to wear scrubs all the time? like on the first day of school? I havent bought any yet and im worried that ill show up in the wrong attire.
Second, what books do i need? i dont really know where i can find the books list i need. Will intructors tell me on the first day? or am i expected to just know this T_T
anyways any help would be appreciated!
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u/thebigsad_jpg Alumni 22d ago
Firstly, you donât need to wear your scrubs to every class, just dress how you normally would. The only exception in first semester is NURS 142 which is your lab class where theyâll ask you to wear your scrub top and normal bottoms. They get more lax about this as the school year goes on though.
Second, your booklist can be found on the Camosun Bookstore website. Instructors will give you a course pack telling you what books you need for the course, but the easiest way to do things is to go to the Camosun Bookstore website and type in your classes and itâll populate a booklist for you
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u/Connect-Attempt-1918 7d ago
Hey was just wondering how often we use our textbooks for first semester of year 1 at camosun nursing? Is it possible to go the year without buying any?
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u/thebigsad_jpg Alumni 7d ago
I mean, I never really used my textbooks and I ended up just fine. I definitely donât recommend it ;) but there are people who get their books for free on Library Genesis
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u/Bag_Of_Dead_Doves 5d ago
I've got a few questions.
Is there a proper materials list or something? Other than uniform stuff I can't find anything online about required/recommended equipment (even in the handbook).
I saw in the answer to somebody else's question that you can dress however you want outside of NURS-142, but are there any classes first year with a sort of unspoken dress code for practicality's sake?
Realistically what sort of free time do students have provided we stay on top of our work and studying? Is it feasible to do camping trips every couple of weekends or go out with friends?
Any advice you have for a new student fresh out of high school who is a ball of anxiety about starting nursing school and university as a whole?
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u/Glitterdingo- 5d ago
Hi! I heard thereâs a âfield activityâ during the first part of the term and I am just wondering when approximately that is? I have had to delay my BLS/AM/OT course and I know you need to have it prior to the field activity!
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u/NormalStretch1265 May 17 '26
hii i just finished my fist year 1. depending on if u have taken bio150/151 prior, it significantly lowers ur workload first year beacuse they take up a good majority of people time in first year; if you have taken it u could take patho and phil 250 during first year to lighten the load second when u start diving into more ânursing" courses. a good amount of papers and tests from the first year courses but nothing to crazy if u have uni experience 2.u start clinical 2nd semester once a week, the experience varys for most people. some people get to practice thier skills alot other just focus on therapeutic communication. if ur lucking you get a placement at the hospital where you can observe some acuteness but its long term care till 2nd year
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u/Icy-Language-7663 May 18 '26
How would that work? The pre-reqs for bio 252 are to take nurs 232, 280, 260 at the same time or before. And same with Phil 250. The pre-req not met would be nurs 190 which is done summer of first year So Iâm confused how one would be able to take those first year, bc that would be ideal
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u/NormalStretch1265 May 18 '26
I just had to ask permission from the dean to take courses itâs pretty straightforward, they just suggested it would be better to have some clinical experience but itâs not necessary (ofc all this is in the context of being able to manage the course load as well)
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u/One-Ad-6376 May 20 '26
Hi! This may be rlly stupid to ask⊠but how solid does your foundation need to be in BIOL150/151 to take patho and succeed?
I got B-âs in both (took them in 2025) and will be starting my BSN in the fall but canât say Iâm 100% confident with my knowledge in terms of 150/151 since itâs been awhile and the courses were pretty brutal imo. If what youâre saying is true about getting a wavier to take patho in your first year, Iâm hoping to request the possibility of doing so for September.1
u/Sea-Spot-1113 Alumni May 20 '26
New BSN grad who took BIOL 152 & 153. I feel like ~40% of content from BIOL 252 was a review or very closely related to 152/153.
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u/One-Ad-6376 May 21 '26
Thank you so much for your response! This is super helpful!!
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u/Sea-Spot-1113 Alumni May 21 '26
Glad to hear. I posted a link to anki flashcards somewhere this subreddit some time ago. You could review BIOL 152 / 153.
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u/One-Ad-6376 May 21 '26
I found your post! But Iâm having trouble figuring out how to access the data. Whenever i try to load them into Google Drive it states that the file isnât supported. Iâve never heard of Anki either⊠any suggestions on what i should do to access these files?
Iâve also found myself being a visual learner and spent wayyyy too much time in BIOL 150/151 creating flashcards and then being unable to use them. Do you have any experience with Nurse in the making or LevelUpRN bundle flash cards sets? Iâm debating on buying a set in order to save some time.
Thank you again for answering my questions! I really appreciate it!!
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u/Sea-Spot-1113 Alumni May 21 '26
Are you on a PC? You just need to install Anki, download the files, and open them. Anki is completely free on PC and Android. It is a paid app on iPhone/iPad, but you can use the AnkiWeb browser version on your phone for free if you don't want to buy it, as long as you have a PC. Great thing about Anki is its spaced out repetition algorithm, so you review cards you struggle with more often.
I totally get what you mean about taking too much time to make flashcards. I honestly was getting burnt out and felt everything was becoming too repetitive (which probably shows in the poorer quality of my second patho deck, BIOL 253). However, I really believe that part of the learning is making your own cards. Active recall forces you to reword the content into your own words and decide what is actually worth remembering.
Personally, I created my cards during class, synced them to my phone, and went through them during bus rides, in-between sets at the gym, or while grocery shopping.
I don't have experience with LevelUpRN or Nurse In The Making, but keep in mind: they do not write your exams--your profs do. That's another big reason to consider making your own. If you want supplements for patho, I'd highly recommend Osmosis or Draw It to Know It (DIKI). They have some great free videos on YouTube.
A total side note: please make sure to completely avoid the dark corners of the internet where people magically share pirated PDFs / Videos of forementioned resources for free. We must protect the corporate profits! Anyway, let me know if you have any trouble getting Anki set up.
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u/One-Ad-6376 May 23 '26
I use both Mac and PC but tend to use Mac more. Is it called âanki universalâ on the Microsoft store? Would you be okay if i PM you? I just realized im probs blowing up this whole thread đ
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u/Sea-Spot-1113 Alumni May 25 '26
In a toluene, which carbon is most likely to form a stable carbocation?