Nursing (BScN) Advanced Entry

Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Advanced Entry) 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 Advanced Entry 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:

• Nursing practice experience demonstrated by the following:
  • Graduate of a Practical Nursing Program or equivalent (transcripts required)
  • Current Canadian registration as a Licensed Practical Nurse (proof of license required)
  • Six months or 900 hours worked to the full scope of Licensed Practical Nurse practice within the last five years, verified by a letter from the employer.

• 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. *taken within 5 years of the application date.
  • 6 credits of courses with a minimum 'C+' grade in Humanities or Social Sciences.

• 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 are 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:

• Completion of Bridging Term:
  • Prior to the start of the BSc Nursing program, successful applicants register for and complete a required, 5 month, full-time Bridging Term. The Bridging Term consists of 4 LPN to BScN courses: NURS 1357, NURS 1399, NURS 1358 and NURS 1359.
  • NURS 1399 and NURS 1357 must be successfully completed before starting NURS 1358 & NURS 1359.
  • These pre-requisite courses are offered together in one term and must be successfully completed within two years.

• 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 offences. If you have ever been convicted of a criminal offence (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*
  • 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.