Fleming College

Angelica Rumbaoa always loved helping people, so she wanted to pursue a career in nursing. When Angelica was not accepted into the Practical Nursing program at Fleming College, she didn’t let that stop her from pursuing her dream; instead, Angelica enrolled in the General Arts and Science – College Health Science program to better prepare herself.

The General Arts and Science – College Health Science program, since renamed “Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Certificates and Diplomas,” is a pathway program designed to prepare students for admission to college programs in health sciences, biological or chemical sciences. Fleming College has reserved spaces in the Practical Nursing, Pharmacy Technician, Paramedic, Health Information Management, and Occupational Therapist Assistant/Physiotherapist Assistant programs for qualified graduates.

“I gained a great amount of knowledge throughout the course I took in the General Arts and Sciences program,” said Angelica, who completed the program in 2015 and is currently in her first-semester of Practical Nursing. “It definitely prepared me for the Practical Nursing program, especially for anatomy and physiology. I gained some great friends in the General Arts and Sciences program, where we were able to stay friends in the Practical Nursing program. I also gained a good relationship with teachers who were able to write letters of recommendation and references for my resume.”

Angelica said she is enjoying the challenge of the Practical Nursing program at Fleming College, especially the hands-on experience. “We are in the middle of our clinical experience, and that alone is an amazing experience where I am in the real world doing a lot of things I have learned– and I am also learning from the experience.”

The Practical Nursing student said she is grateful for her experience in the General Arts and Sciences program. “The advantage of doing the pathway program to the Practical Nursing program would definitely be being exempt from courses you’ve done,” she said. “This lightens up your workload so you are able to focus on the core nursing classes. “

Angelica said she is enjoying the Fleming College community, where she is doing well socially and academically.