
Get industry-leading training to provide safe, ethical, culturally sensitive, and person-centered care as a registered nurse in hospitals, communities, homes, clinics, and residential facilities.
What you will learn
On completion of the Program, graduates will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Maintain professional responsibility and accountability?of nursing practice and professional conduct.
- Apply clinical judgment in nursing practice based on evidence from nursing science, other sciences and humanities.
- Collaborate relationally with the interdisciplinary team to provide healthcare services in the best interest of clients.
- Uphold and promote the ethical standards of the nursing profession.
- Demonstrate consistent application of knowledge, skills, attitudes, judgment, and professional/ethical conduct to promote patient safety at an individual and system level.
What to expect
This program is offered on a full time basis and is divided into eight terms each with a different clinical focus such as maternity, pediatrics, mental health, gerontology, community health and acute medical/surgical. Each term contains a clinical experience. There is also a consolidated practice experience provided at the end of Term 2, 3 and 6 designed to enhance the learning in previous terms. In Term 8, a final preceptorship prepares the learner for the role and expectations of the graduate. The clinical component offers students an opportunity to integrate theory to practice with emphasis on patient safety and patient-centred care.?
Each term must be successfully completed before the next one can be started. The VCC BScN Framework for Healing and Health Promotion integrates several theories studied in this program. This framework looks at the relationships between the (person, family, community and population), environment, and nurse. The nurse uses “Relational Inquiry” (Doanne & Varcoe, 2015) and “Safe Care Nursing Framework” (Hundial, 2017) as a basis for nursing care.
A major emphasis of this program is active student participation. Throughout the program the instructor will encourage the students to become increasingly more self-directed and responsible for their own learning. Students are expected to come to class prepared for active participation in classroom, nursing lab and clinical activities. Course guides provide direction of learning for each class and/or lab. These guides may be presented online using the VCC learning platform Moodle.? The instructor acts as facilitator and expert to promote a positive learning environment through activities such as small group seminars, group activities, case studies, and formative and summative lab activities designed to simulate clinical reality. Some courses may be offered in a blended delivery mode.
Hartrick Doane, G. & Varcoe, C. (2015).?How to nurse: Relational inquiry with individuals and families in changing health and health care contexts. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
Hundial, H. (2017).?Safe Care Nursing Framework. Retrieved from http://www/safecarenursing.com?
Admission requirements
Program-specific
Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing is through a competitive selection process. Successful applicants are identified through a combined evaluation of GPA (based on the program pre-requisites) and a CASPer test results.
The BScN is an annual selection based program. If you are applying for the September intake, you must meet all your education requirements in the January to April term of the same year. Applicants that do not meet the educational requirements cannot be assessed for selection and their application will be cancelled.
The program will maintain a short waitlist for the same year pending withdrawals. An invited applicant may receive a one year deferral if requested. Those applicants meeting the requirements and not gaining entrance will need to reapply and resubmit academic information already provided. Applicants are not waitlisted for the following intake.?
- 18 credits in first-year level university courses:
- 6 credits in English:
- ENGL 1100 and ENGL 1200 with a minimum C+ grade or equivalent,?or
-
ENGL 1101 and ENGL 1102 with a minimum C+ grade, for students whose first language is not English and who have entered the program with an IELTS or CELBAN English proficiency assessment
-
6 credits in BIOL 1120 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 and BIOL 1220 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 with a minimum C+ grade or equivalent
-
6 credits of courses with a minimum C+ grade in one of the following Humanities or Social Sciences: Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology or equivalent
- 6 credits in English:
- English Language Proficiency demonstrated by one of the following:
-
Three years of full-time, face-to-face secondary or post-secondary education at an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction and is also one of the country’s official languages. English as Additional Language courses is not included in this three-year calculation,?or
-
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)with an overall minimum score of 7.0, and minimum scores of: Speaking 7.0, Listening 7.5, Reading 6.5, Writing 7.0,?or
-
CELBAN (Canadian English Language Benchmarks Assessment for Nurses)* with minimum scores of: Speaking 8.0, Listening 10.0, Reading 8.0, Writing 7.0
-
* CELBAN is only suitable for those who have studied nursing in a country other than Canada
- Knowledge of mathematics demonstrated by the following:
- VCC Health Sciences Math Assessment with a minimum 80% overall and in the applications section?or, if unsuccessful, completion of MATH 1054 Math for Health Sciences with a minimum grade of 80%
- A minimum of 30 hours of volunteer or work experience with adults or children in acute care, long-term care or community health care agency, verified by a written reference from a volunteer coordinator or employer that details the length and nature of the experience
- Submission of a CASPer Test score. CASPer Test scores are only valid for one admission cycle. Instructions are available at:?https://takecasper.com/
UPON ACCEPTANCE TO THE PROGRAM:
- Criminal Record Check
- In accordance to the Criminal Records Review Act, all individuals who work with vulnerable adults and/or children must complete a Criminal Records Check through the Ministry of Justice.?Applicants to the program will be responsible for any costs incurred in the Criminal Record check.?
- Please Note:?The regulatory body, the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives asks each applicant about criminal offenses. If you have ever been convicted of a criminal offense (other than a minor traffic violation) you should consider whether your application for membership would be accepted. Registration to practice is mandatory in B.C.
- Current CPR Level C
- CPR Level C includes:
- Adult/Child/Baby CPR – one rescuer
- Adult/Child CPR – two-rescuer
- Adult/Child/Baby – choking
- CPR certificates other than CPR Level C must be accompanied by documentation indicating the certificate includes the above.?
- CPR certificates expire one year from the date of issue. Current status is required for all clinical and practicum experiences.
- CPR Level C includes:
- TB Screening*
- Within six months of the start of the program, students must submit a negative TB skin test. If the TB skin test is positive, a negative TB chest x-ray is required.
- Immunizations*
- Immunizations in the following are strongly recommended and in some case may be required for practicum placements:
- Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis
- Polio
- Measles, Mumps & Rubella
- Varicella (Chickenpox)
- Hepatitis B
- Influenza
- Immunizations in the following are strongly recommended and in some case may be required for practicum placements:
- N95 Respiratory Mask
- An N95 respirator mask that is individually fitted by a trained provider, following CSA guidelines.
- The individual mask fitting should be done just prior to beginning the program. Mask fitting must be done annually. Students are responsible for the cost of the mask fitting.
- The original certificate must be presented to the department on the first day of class.
* Clinical facilities may decline individual students for their placement if a student is unable to provide proof of immunizations, satisfactory serum titers and TB screening.
NOTES:
Applicants with educational documents not from a Canadian or American institution must complete a comprehensive evaluation of education from International Credential Education Service (ICES)?https://www.bcit.ca/ices/? in addition to the above admissions requirements. Applicants will be referred to the Department to assess eligibility.
General
- This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at VCC International.
- Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and educational documents as required by their course or program.
Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free in academic upgrading, university transfer or English as a Second Language (ESL) Courses.
Recommended Characteristics
- A caring attitude.
- A sincere interest in people of all ages who require all levels of care. This includes individuals who are: mentally or physically disabled, experiencing life-threatening situations or requiring rehabilitation.
- Basic computer skills: email, word processing, use of search engines and simple web-based programs.
- Good manual dexterity.
- Flexibility to adjust to early morning, evening, or weekend practicum shifts, to a variety of clinical settings and locations within the Metro Vancouver area.
- For information about being a registered nurse, please review: Becoming a Registered Nurse in BC: Requisite Skills and Abilities?BCCNP - RN Requisite skills and abilities.
Courses
*Program general hours
Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Practicums are two days a week (weekdays or weekends), from 6:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., 6:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., or 2 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Term One | Credits | |
---|---|---|
NURS?1160 | Nursing Pharmacotherapeutics 1 | 1.5 |
NURS?1161 | Introduction to Collaboration | 2 |
NURS?1162 | Introduction to Pathophysiology | 2 |
NURS?1163 | Determinants of Health | 2.5 |
NURS?1164 | Nursing Clinical Practice 1 | 6.5 |
? | Credits | 14.5 |
Term Two | ||
NURS?1260 | Nursing Pharmacotherapeutics 2 | 2 |
NURS?1261 | Collaboration with Older Adults | 2 |
NURS?1262 | Pathophysiology of Chronic Disease | 2 |
NURS?1263 | Developmental Transitions Older Adult | 2 |
NURS?1264 | Nursing Clinical Practice 2 | 6.5 |
NURS?1370 | Clinical Consolidation 1 | 6 |
? | Credits | 20.5 |
Term Three | ||
NURS?2160 | Nursing Pharmacotherapeutics 3 | 2 |
NURS?2161 | Collaboration Nursing Profession | 2 |
NURS?2162 | Pathophysiology Acute Illness | 2 |
NURS?2163 | Health Illness Transitions | 2 |
NURS?2164 | Nursing Clinical Practice 3 | 6.5 |
NURS?2370 | Clinical Consolidation 2 | 6 |
? | Credits | 20.5 |
Term Four | ||
NURS?2261 | Collaboration with Families | 2 |
NURS?2263 | Childbearing Family Transition | 2 |
NURS?2264 | Nursing Clinical Practice 4 | 6.5 |
NURS?2265 | Child Health and Pharmacology | 2 |
NURS?2266 | Maternal Health and Pharmacology | 2 |
? | Credits | 14.5 |
Term Five | ||
NURS?3160 | Mental Health Nursing | 6 |
NURS?3163 | Situational Transitions | 3 |
NURS?3164 | Clinical Mental Health | 3 |
MATH?1111 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
NURS?3265 | Nursing Research | 3 |
? | Credits | 18 |
Term Six | ||
NURS?3262 | Pathophysiology of Complex Illness | 2 |
NURS?3263 | Multiple Transitions | 2 |
NURS?3264 | Nursing Clinical Practice 6: Care of the Acutely Ill Adult | 9 |
NURS?3266 | Focused Practice: Preceptorship Preparation | 2 |
NURS?3370 | Clinical Consolidation 3 | 6 |
? | Credits | 21 |
Term Seven | ||
NURS?4163 | Community Health | 3 |
NURS?4164 | Community Health Clinical | 3 |
NURS?4166 | Canadian Health Care System | 2 |
NURS?4168 | Ethics in Health Care | 2 |
NURS?4169 | Health Law | 2 |
Elective in a College level Non-Nursing course * | 3 | |
? | Credits | 15 |
Term Eight | ||
NURS?4261 | Nursing Leadership | 3 |
NURS?4264 | Focused Preceptorship | 12 |
? | Credits | 15 |
? | Total Credits | 139 |
* | Please Note:?Courses taken for elective credit must be approved by the Nursing Department. |
Eligibility to move into the next term or clinical experience is dependent upon the successful completion of all of the other courses in the term. This guide is intended as a general guideline only. The college reserves the right to make changes as appropriate.
* This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.
Fees and other costs
*Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
---|---|---|
Application fee | 35 | |
Tuition | 20724 |
Tuition Breakdown
5379 - Year 1
5379 - Year 2
5817 - Year 3
4150 - Year 4
|
Student union | 426 | |
College initiative | 371 | |
Materials | 307 | not including textbooks |
Campus resource | 415 | |
Laundry | 0 | |
Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
Coverall (deposit) | 0 | |
Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
Medical & Dental | 1100 | |
U-PASS | 1388 | |
Graduation | 40 | |
Program-specific extra fees | 0 | |
Total |
- This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at VCC International.
- Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and educational documents as required by their course or program.
Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free in academic upgrading, university transfer or English as a Second Language (ESL) Courses.
Apply now
The BScN program is an annual selection based program based on a combination of GPA and CASPer? assessment. You must meet a minimum GPA of 2.33 in order to be considered, based on your 18 required UT credits. If you are applying for the September 2021 program, you must meet all educational requirements, any in progress courses must be completed in the winter term (January to April 2021), to be eligible for selection for September 2021. You must also complete your CASPer assessment by May 2021, please see CASPer link above for date information. Applicants that do not meet the educational requirements cannot be assessed for selection and their application will be cancelled.
Applications for September 2021 will open on February 1, 2021 and close May 31, 2021 at 4 p.m. Final transcript and in progress transcripts must be received in the Registrar’s Office on or before May 31, 2021. Final transcripts for in progress courses in the Winter 2021 term (January to April) must be received by the Registrar’s Office on or before May 31, 2021. Those attending VCC for their UT courses do not need to send in transcripts.
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