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.
The Ministry of Health (MoH) is offering the Nursing Tuition Grant to eligible applicants. Read more to find out if you are eligible for this $2000 grant!
Nursing (BScN)
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What you will learn
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able 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
Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion
The BScN degree program is 8 terms and should be completed in three (3) years. There is a possibility of extending the period of time for completion up to five (5) years due to extenuating circumstances with appropriate consultation with Department Head or Dean.
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.
A major emphasis of this program is active student participation. Throughout the program, instructors encourage students to become increasingly self-directed and responsible for their 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 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 model.
Campus virtual tour
Explore labs and classrooms at VCC's Health Sciences building
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 result.
Application advice:
- The BScN is an annual selection based program. You must meet all your education requirements by the date posted on the website.
- If you do not meet the educational requirements on time, your application will be cancelled.
- If you meet the requirements but do not receive an offer of admission, you must reapply and resubmit academic information if you want to apply for another intake. Applicants are not waitlisted for the following intake.
- Under specific circumstances, an applicant who receives an offer of admission may request a one year deferral. Please review the defer request form for details.
ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS:
- 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 Academic 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 *taken within 5 years of the application date.
- 6 credits of courses with a minimum 'C+' grade in Humanities or Social Sciences.
- 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 Academic with an overall minimum score of 7.0, and minimum scores of: Speaking 7.0, Listening 7.0, Reading 6.5, Writing 6.5, or
- CELBAN (Canadian English Language Benchmarks Assessment for Nurses)* with minimum scores of: Speaking 8.0, Listening 9.0, Reading 8.0, Writing 7.0 (NOTE: CELBAN is only suitable for those who have studied nursing in a country other than Canada.
- Submission of a CASPer score. CASPer Test scores are only valid for one admission cycle.
UPON ACCEPTANCE TO THE PROGRAM:
- Criminal Record Check
- Students in this program are required to complete a CRC. The CRC must be completed according to VCC's Criminal Record Check instructions. Students whose CRC results indicate they pose a risk to vulnerable populations will not be able to complete the requirements of the program (e.g. practicums) or graduate.
- 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*
- Students must submit a negative TB skin test taken within 6 weeks of acceptance to the program. If the TB skin test is positive, a negative TB chest x-ray is required.
- Immunizations*
- An Immunization Record must be completed.
- 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
- COVID-19
*NOTE: 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.
- 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.
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) 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 who self-identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to connect with VCC’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement team to learn more about VCC’s Indigenous Enrolment policy, application preparation/completion, program advising, and a range of other individualized services.
- 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 other documents as required by their course or program. Seats are offered to eligible applicants with completed applications, in order of application completion date (except for programs with competitive admissions). A complete application includes an application form, evidence of educational pre-requisites (e.g. transcripts), any required supporting documents (e.g. language proficiency, audition video), and the required deposit or fee payment. If you do not meet the requirements for the term applied, your application may be cancelled.
Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.
Recommended Characteristics
- A sincere interest in people of all ages who require all levels of support and care.
- Computer skills.
- Flexibility to adjust to early morning, evening, or weekend practicum shifts, and to a variety of clinical settings and locations within the Metro Vancouver area.
- Review the BCCNM Becoming a Registered Nurse in BC: Requisite Skills and Abilities
Courses *
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.
Prior learning assessment and recognition
Prior learning assessment and recognition is not available for this program.
| Term One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| NURS 1150 | Pharmacotherapeutics 1 | 2 |
| NURS 1153 | Health Determinants | 2 |
| NURS 1161 | Introduction to Collaboration | 2 |
| NURS 1162 | Introduction to Pathophysiology | 2 |
| NURS 1164 | Nursing Clinical Practice 1 | 6.5 |
| Credits | 14.5 | |
| Term Two | ||
| NURS 1260 | 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 | 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 4064 | Population and Public Health Clinical | 4 |
| NURS 4163 | Community Health | 3 |
| NURS 4165 | Ethics and Law in Health Care | 3 |
| NURS 4166 | Canadian Health Care System | 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 | 36 | |
| Tuition Tuition | 21746 | |
| Student union | 512 | |
| College initiative | 387 | |
| Materials | 319 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | 435 | |
| Laundry | 0 | |
| Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
| Coverall (deposit) | 0 | |
| Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
| Medical and Dental | 1100 | |
| Temporary Medical Insurance | 0 | |
| U-PASS | 1415 | |
| Graduation | 45 | |
| Program-specific extra fees | 0 | |
| Total |
* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable. Tuition fees include a $300 non-refundable deposit.
Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit VCC International.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.
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 university transfer credits. If you are taking university transfer courses at VCC, you do not need to request to have your VCC transcripts sent to the Admissions office.
If you are applying for a September intake, any in progress pre-requisite courses must be completed in the fall term of the previous year (September to December of the year before your intake). You must also complete your CASPer test by the published deadlines. The CASPer assessment is valid for one admission cycle only. CASPer results are not provided to applicants by CASPer or VCC. Please see the CASPer Information for Prospective Students for details. The Math assessment is valid for one year only. Applicants that do not meet all of the program requirements cannot be assessed for selection and their application will be cancelled.
Indigenous applicants: You are encouraged to reach out to Indigenous Services for assistance with becoming a VCC student.
Acceptable university level courses: If you completed your university level courses in BC, you are strongly encouraged to check the transferability of your courses to VCC in the BC Transfer Guide. Only transferable courses meet the educational requirements (for example, BCIT BHSC 1200 is not accepted for BIOL 1120/1220 credits). In the BC Transfer Guide, remember to enter the institution you completed your course at in the 'from' field and VCC in the 'to' field.
- Note: If your courses were completed outside of BC, or if you have questions about the transferability of your courses, please call 604.871.7000, option 2 to make an appointment with an Advisor.
Important dates:
- October 1, 2024: Applications open
- October 10, 2024: CASPer test date
- November 12: CASPer test date
- November 19: CASPer test date
- December 10: CASPer test date
- December 31, 2024: All pre-requisite academic courses must be complete
- January 9: CASPer test date
- January 21: CASPer test date; CASPer assessment must be complete. NOTE: CASPer schedules tests dates, and tests may close earlier than VCC's deadline. Seats are on a first come, first served basis. Once tests are full, there may not be another chance to write the test for the intake of your choice. Contact CASPer early to secure your seat.
- February 1, 2025 at 11:59 pm: Applications close. NOTE: Indigenous applicants are encouraged to contact Indigenous Services (indigenous@vcc.ca) for assistance with their applications.
- Admissions requirements must be met and submitted, including Math assessment.
- Transcripts can be sent to selectiontranscripts@vcc.ca (only official transcripts sent directly by institutions will be accepted). If you are completing university transfer courses at VCC, you do not need to request to have your VCC transcripts sent to the Registrar’s Office.
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Attend an Information Session
Meet instructors, ask questions, and tour our facilities.