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Nursing (BScN) Year 1 Entry

This full-time 36 month program prepares graduates to become registered nurses.Registered nurses provide nursing care autonomously and in collaboration with other health care professionals with people of all ages in a variety of settings. Graduates may work in hospitals, communities, homes, clinics or residential facilities. Graduates will have the competencies to plan, coordinate and provide care for individuals, families, groups and communities. Graduates have the ability to work in a complex, ever-changing health care system by the use of critical thinking skills and evidence-informed practice.

Graduates of the program are eligible to write the national registration exams, and to apply for registration as a Registered Nurse in BC. Registration through the College of Registered Nurses of BC is required before employment as a Registered Nurse in BC.

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Program Description Career Prospects Admission Requirements Program Status

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Program Description

This program is offered on a full-time basis. Each term must be successfully completed before the next one can be attempted. A major emphasis of this program is active student participation. Throughout the program faculty will encourage students to become increasingly more self-directed and responsible for their own learning. Students are expected to come to class well prepared for active participation in classroom and clinical activities.

All courses are presented in the form of learning packages. Learning activities guide the student through each package/module. The teacher acts as facilitator and expert to promote an environment conducive for learning through activities, such as guided discussion, debate, audio-visual presentation, and skill building exercises.

The clinical component of the courses provides the learner with the opportunity to integrate practice and theory in a safe and caring way. This clinical practice encompasses a variety of supportive and healing measures.

Year 1 (Term 1) focuses on health promotion and prevention for individuals from infancy to adulthood. Effective communication skills, orientation to the practice of nursing and the process of health and healing are examined.

Year 1 (Term 2) focuses on adaptations to normal aging as well as support for the older person who experiences a need for nursing care, including the maintenance of medications.

Year 2 (Term 3) focuses on individuals of all ages who experience disruptions to health and healing and who require support in an acute care setting.

Year 2 (Term 4) focuses on the health promotion and illness prevention of the child and childbearing family. The process of health and healing in the context of the childbearing family are examined.

Year 3 (Term 5) focuses on individuals and families experiencing mental health transitions within residential and community settings.

Year 3 (Term 6) focuses on care of the individual and family who experience major disruptions to health and healing and require support in an acute care setting with follow-up in the community and home care.

Year 4 (Term 7) focuses on the health of populations as measured by the health status indicators and as influenced by social, political and physical environments, personal health practices, individual capacity and coping skills, human biology, early childhood development and accessibility of health services.

Year 4 (Term 8) is an extended consolidation of clinical practice at diverse sites.

Classes are generally held 8:30 am - 3:30 pm, Monday - Friday. Practicums are 2 days a week, weekdays or weekends, from 6:30 am - 1:30 pm, or 6:30 am - 3:30 pm, or 2:00 pm - 9:00 pm (class times are subject to change).

Topic

Start Length Credential Campus Part or Full‑time September 36 months Bachelor Degree Broadway Full-time

Career Prospects

Admission Requirements

General

VCC welcomes applications from Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

As Vancouver Community College is a post-secondary institution committed to educating adult learners, applicants should be 18 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school.

Please note that you must submit official transcripts and educational documents to support your application; unfortunately, we cannot accept photocopies or fax versions.

Program Specific

1) University Transfer first year courses* equivalent to 18.0 credits including:

- VCC English 1127 and 1229 or equivalent with a minimum C+ or better in each course, or VCC 1101 and 1102 with a 'C+' or better in each course and the Listening and Speaking components of the VCC ELA with a score of 27/30 or higher 

- VCC Biology 1120 and 1220 (Human Anatomy & Physiology), or equivalent within the last five years with a minimum C+ or better in each course

- 2 semesters (6.0 credits) of a Humanities course (Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Philosophy, or another Humanities course) with a minimum C+ or better in each semester. Note: Students are required to take both halves of the Humanities course. eg. Psychology 1100 and 1200 qualifies as two semester (6.0 credits). Psychology 1100 and Sociology 1100 does not qualify.

2) Proof of English Language Proficiency

3) Volunteer experience in a health care setting or employment in a health care field (see Additional Information).

4) Criminal Record Search 
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. Access http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/criminal-records-review/apply/index.htm to complete the review request. The Criminal Record Form, with payment (no personal cheques), need to be sent directly to the Solicitor General’s Office. 

The Criminal Record Check Form will ask for the Organization Name: Vancouver Community College and the Organization Contact Name - Niki Scarfo, Registrar's Office, ID Number 937836 for Dental, BScN, Tutoring ESOL programs and Kathy Andreatta, Registrar's Office, ID Number 113043 for all other VCC programs.

Ensure you use your legal name and that you have applied at VCC under the same name.

Please Note: The regulatory body, the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia 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.

Upon Acceptance

5) Current First Aid for Health Professionals certificate

6) TB Skin Test or Chest X-ray

7) Regulations stipulate that a properly fitted respiratory mask must be used when providing care to patients with suspected, known, or probable cases of acute respiratory infections. The respiratory mask must be a N95 respirator that is individually fitted by a trained and certified person. This individual mask fitting should be done just prior to beginning your program and is good for one year and must be performed annually. The original certificate must be presented to your program during the first week of classes. Please view online list of approved fit test service providers

*Post-secondary transcripts must be official. Photocopies or faxed transcripts will not be accepted.

If you have foreign documents, your documents must be evaluated by the International Credential Evaluation Service. For an evaluation application and current fee information, email ICES or call toll free 1.866.434.9197.

All requests for transfer credits or course exemptions for all courses in the program must be submitted with application to the program. Click here for Request for Transfer Credit (PDF) form.

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, confused or requiring rehabilitation

- Good command of oral and written English

- Good manual dexterity

- A basic foundation in mathematical calculations of decimals, fractions and metric conversions

- Flexibility to adjust to early morning and evening practicum shifts, to a variety of clinical settings and locations within the Metro Vancouver area

Program Status

Accepting applications (approximate 2 year waitlist)

VCC is accepting applications from international students.

Apply to this Program

Post-secondary transcripts must be official (sent directly from post-secondary institution or submitted in a sealed envelope). Photocopies or faxed transcripts will not be accepted.

Online     Fax     In Person If you're ready and know the program you want, apply now. Download and complete the (PDF) application form and fax to 604.871.7458. Visit us at one of our campus locations.

Notification Alert: System Maintenance Due to scheduled maintenance, web student self-service, including online application and registration, will be unavailable starting on Monday, May 20 at 8:00 PM. Thank you for your patience. If you would like an email notification after the system maintenance is complete, please fill out our contact form.

Please apply when the system maintenance is complete.

Fees and Other Costs

Application Fee Tuition Fee $30.00 $4,501 year 1 $4,501 year 2

Other Costs

Cost Type Details College initiative fee $2.28 per credit hour Student union fee $24.81 per term Student union health plan fee $442.80 Student union dental plan fee $421.56 U-Pass $30 Other costs Medical Dental is for 36 months U-Pass:$30/month Textbooks: $1,000 Instruments: $175 Uniforms: $200 Lab Kit Year 1 $86.70 Lab Kit Year 2 $76.50

Additional Information

Volunteer experience will consist of a minimum of 30 hours of volunteer work with adults or children in an acute care, long-term care or community health care agency. A written reference from an employer or volunteer coordinator that reflects the length and nature of the volunteer experience or employment in a health care setting must be submitted

Health Requirements:

Updated immunizations strongly recommended: measles, mumps, rubella, polio, tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis B vaccine and current influenza vaccination. Please review Important Health Requirements for the VCC School of Health Sciences.

Courses