hi! I just graduated from the Mac program, but also know a bit about Queens.
Mac Advantages:
- PBL courses (it's like our theory course) really help prepare you in critical thinking and, if you luck out and get a good group, can stimulate some enriching discussion between your classmates
- there is a lottery for placements in level 4 (can be good or bad)
- you get to know your professors on a first-name basis (really advantageous for future reference letters)
- our pharmacology course is outstanding
- just the mac vibe in general. Everyone is really friendly and helpful, the faculty is very understanding and accommodating, etc.
Disadvantages:
- Mac is constantly trying to revamp their curriculum, so there are hiccups along the way, stupid assignments..but you'll find that in any nursing program.
- it's a shorter program vs Queen's, so a lot more information is squeezed in during the first year. SEcond semester of first year was incredibly busy and overwhelming.
- we don't get to dabble in every placement setting. So some students will come out never having a mental health placement, pediatrics, mat/child etc.
With that said, the biggest advantages of Queen's are that it's a bit longer (unless you're looking to just get it done) and that you DO get experience in mental health, peds, and mat/child (i.e babies). What I highly dislike about Queen's though is that their nursing program does not engage with CNSA (Canadian nursing students association) - this is an amazing means of networking and meeting students and faculty across the country.
hope that helps! You should also check out
www.reddit.com/r/studentnurse - may find more people to help answer your questions
