Nursing (BScN)

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 2022 intake, all requirements and any in progress pre-requisite courses must be completed in the Fall 2021 term (September to December 2021) to be eligible for selection for September 2022. 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

• 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://takealtus.com/casper/ 

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.
• 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
• 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.