Have you dreamed of going back to school but were held back by the financial reality of needing a full-time job?
Advancing your education doesn't have to mean a leave of absence from work. Post-secondary education providers are increasingly introducing more flexible scheduling options to enable you to advance your education while continuing to meet your personal obligations.
- New delivery options like distance and mixed learning (combination of in-class and online study) are increasingly available to allow greater schedule flexibility to those trying to balance very busy lives.
- There are also creative, training-delivery models, that allow you to work full-time while you continue your education.
Conestoga offers just such an opportunity, on a part-time basis, that uniquely prepares a Personal Support Worker to bridge to the Practical Nursing program by attending classes one or two days per week.
Meet Nancy Kay, Joy Barker and Teresa Kutchaw; all students within the PSW to PN Bridge. All have unique stories yet share many things in common, in particular the desire to advance their health care careers.
Nancy Kay
- 28 years married, 2 daughters
- Golf & volleyball enthusiast
- Passionate about travel (and her cottage-life)
- Personal Support Worker
- Saint Luke's Place Long Term Care Facility (22 years)
- Lifelong dream to become a nurse
Thoughts on Faculty:
"Every single one of my instructors has just been so supportive, so enthusiastic and I mean that alone is what gets the students going. My first teacher was Sharon and just to see her come in with so much excitement and enthusiasm and the drive to see us all succeed. It has just been overwhelming. They're patient, understanding and even though our program is just one day a week; we have to do a lot of work at home. If you have an issue, you email them, they get back to you. They are just so dedicated to their work." Nancy Kay
Joy Barker
- Married, mother of two daughters
- Immigrated from the Philippines
- BSc. (Biology) and Masters degree (Community Development & Social Work) from University of Philippines
- Employed within Government Environmental Department (7 years)
- After several years, and various occupations, decided to study to become an RPN at Conestoga
- Ambition to successfully apply nursing skills every day in the caring profession
Thoughts on the Program:
"My classroom experiences have been valuable in everyday life and work. The course in Professionalism in Nursing is very interesting and applicable to everyone wanting to be a nurse. Theory courses like Anatomy and Physiology, Physiology of Diseases and Pharmacology, are the core scientific courses which make bridging challenging. Also I have gained much insight as to what I can do in my present and future role as a nurse. One of those insights is the mastery of confidence. As I learn the basic concepts and then apply them to practical nursing situations my confidence grows. Self reflection and critical thinking are other important skills gained through the program." Joy Barker
Teresa Kutchaw
- Managed Horse Farm (10 years)
- Private business owner within the Horse Industry
- Graduate of PSW program
- Ultimate goal to become a registered nurse
Thoughts on Conestoga's NEW State of the Art Health Wing:
"It's beautiful. I love all of the natural light, the vibrant colours and the big open spaces. I think it's all really conducive to learning. There are no closed dark rooms. Everything is so illuminated and I think it helps to relax people too." Teresa Kutchaw
Hear more about the program from Nancy, Teresa and Joy: