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Hi there! I'm so glad to hear you're considering nursing at mac! I'm in first year and I'd be happy to answer some of your questions, especially since they seem to resemble a lot of the questions I had going in.
What exactly is PBL?
PBL or problem based learning, is somewhat like you described it (i.e. "throwing problems at you and working as a group to solve them") but not at first. When you first start PBL, it's mostly about getting you comfortable with the group process, helping you to settle into what it means to be a nurse and how nurses work with other members of health care teams. It can feel VERY dry and boring in the beginning, as well as a little awkward since they expect you to evaluate yourself and your other group members at mid-term and finals. When you finally begin Case Studies, you're presented with a patient problem, in the form of a video or a write-up, and as a group you brainstorm ideas about the patient, questions you might have about their condition, etc. In first term, your PBL tutor (kind of like a TA/prof) will usually give you readings to do on each case scenario, but later in the year you'll be expected to decide what additional research needs to be done. You'll spend a few weeks on each scenario and then move on to the next one. I personally don't find PBL more effective than a lecture as far as solid knowledge is involved, there is little memorization of facts and no final exam to study for. I will say, however, that while PBL can be irritating, uncomfortable, and boring as hell, it is also pretty good at teaching you how to approach clinical problems as a group and how to "play nice" with others
How was the course load first year?
Well, I've already described PBL, but the homework load outside of class varied according to the scenario you were working on and how much research you have to do. However, since there are no exams in PBL, the grade is based entirely off of assignments worth a large portion of your grade. If you don't spend time on those, you probably won't get a very good grade. Clinical classes are a little less heavy first term, but they pick up quickly second term, so watch out. You might be able to get away with skipping the readings first term, but be ready to spend a lot of time prepping come winter. Anatomy is definitely the course that I spent the most time on first term, it is a VERY tough course and you need to stay on top of it in order to do okay. It gets easier second term, once you've adjusted to the course load. Psych is easy first term, not too much work if you keep up with the lectures and participate in tutorials. Second term, however, the psych work load increases significantly. Biochem is second term and begins with easy material, but it too will pick up quickly, so its important to spend time reviewing as you go. Overall, the course load wasn't too heavy. At times you'll be swamped, but most of the time, its manageable. I would suggest taking a relatively easy elective though, I had a friend who took calculus and the added workload negatively affected her other marks.
Would you say the courses are nursing specific?
I would absolutely say that the courses are nursing specific. It is true that Anatomy is the same course as the health sci kids, BUT it has a different marking arrangement for the nursing students. We are not marked on labs, nor do we have bell ringers and the tutorials are clinical scenarios that often cross over into what we are learning in PBL/Clinical. I also found Psych very relatable to the things I was learning in my nursing courses and a lot of second term psych is simply an expansion of the neuroscience unit in anatomy which makes it slightly easier for us nurses. Biochem is probably one of my favourite course, not because I'm particularly good at it mind you, but because our prof has designed the way she teaches the class around providing information to support what we are learning this year AND in years to come. In each class and tutorial we are given clinical scenarios regarding the best way to diagnose or react to a patients condition from a biochemical standpoint. I personally don't see the organization of the Mac Nursing science courses as a negative, but as one of the programs highest achievements!
Why did you choose McMaster?
I personally chose McMaster because I live in Hamilton and because I had three older siblings who went there. I knew McMaster's Nursing program was well rated and I hoped I was making the right choice in program rather than choice of school. I won't say the program is perfect because it definitely isn't, and I can't say whether I would have been happier somewhere else, but I can say that one year after I first applied I am very happy with my progress thus far.
Advice?
Two things! First make friends! Especially within your PBL group if you can. It took me the whole of first term to become good friends with the other members of my group, and I have to say I only wished we'd become close sooner! This group will be with you in PBL and clinical all year and they are your best support! Second, try not to overthink things, I started off first year judging myself too harshly and freaking out if the smallest thing went wrong with school. Keep in mind that you aren't in high school anymore, the grades don't matter as much so long as you do your best! Good luck, and I hope you do decide to come here!
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