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Health Programs

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

This collaborative partnership program was jointly developed between various educational institutions in British Columbia and Northwest Territories. Students entering the program will receive a Vancouver Island University degree.

The Program

The Nursing curriculum was developed as a result of the recognized need for increased education for nurses, the changing directions in health care, and the recommendation made by the Canadian Nurses Association and the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia (CRNBC) that the minimum requirement to enter the profession be a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

The curriculum includes eight academic semesters, and three consolidated practice experiences. Each successive practice experience involves increased nursing responsibility in order to prepare students for their professional autonomous roles. During practice experiences, students could be working with local, provincial or international health care agencies.

The curriculum is based on the concepts of caring and health promotion, and has been developed in consultation with various government ministries and nursing theorists, practitioners and professional associations. Clinical experience is emphasized, as well as the need for thoughtful, reflective action as defined by the concept of praxis. The curriculum has some flexibility to address community needs, while maintaining transferability from one collaborative partner site to another.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Vancouver Island University is part of a consortium of eight post-secondary institutions in British Columbia and one post-secondary institution in the Northwest Territories that offer the same nursing curriculum. It is possible to transfer between institutions; however, students should be aware of institutional residency requirements and minimum degree requirements for graduation. Space availability at other institutions varies.

Option A

Option A involves completion of the program in its entirety in order to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. On successful completion of 8 academic semesters and 4 consolidated practice experiences, and institutional Degree English Requirements, students will graduate with a degree. Students will write registration examinations after completion of the program.

Option C

Option C allows Licensed Practical Nurses to access the second year of the Bachelor of Science program after successful completion of selected first-year courses. Students are required to be licensed as a Practical Nurse and eligible students must have graduated from a Practical Nursing program prior to December 2012.

Admission Requirements - Option A

  • General admission requirements apply.
  • Minimum "C+" in each of Chemistry 11, Biology 12, English 12, and a minimum "C+" in one of Principles of Mathematics 11, Pre–Calculus 11, Foundations of Mathematics 12; or equivalents.
  • Admission rankings are determined by GPA scores.

For detailed information about admission and selection criteria please contact the Advising Centre at 1–888–920–2221 local 6410.

Notes on Admission

  • Aboriginal students can apply for reserve seats by submitting the Access Initiative for Aboriginal Students form.
  • Note: The following documents are required by the first day of classes.
    • Completed pdf document Immunization Requirements Form
    • Proof of C.P.R. level “C” training.
    • Proof of W.H.M.I.S. training. Courses are offered through VIU's Continuing Education for Nanaimo, Duncan, and Powell River.
    • Proof of Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training is required prior to the first practicum.
    • Criminal Record Check. Fieldwork and/or practicums will require a satisfactory criminal record check prior to placement. Criminal Record Checks are requested through VIU. The Registration Centre at VIU will contact prospective students by mail regarding the requirements for a Criminal Record Check. Criminal Record Checks are processed through the Ministry according to the Criminal Records Review Act. A check completed through the RCMP is not sufficient to meet the requirements of the Act.
  • Students who have graduated from an approved Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program and who have practiced a minimum of 450 hours as an LPN in BC within the preceding two years will be given advanced credit for NURS 175.
  • Prior Learning Assessment credit may be available for courses in this program. Contact the Chair, Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, 1–888–920–2221 local 6260.
  • This program is not currently available to international students.

Admission Requirements - Option C

  • Admission requirements for Option A.
  • Current registration or eligibility for registration as a LPN in British Columbia.

Notes on Admission

  • Completion of NURS 170, NURS 173, BIOL 156, BIOL 157 and the degree English requirements will allow students to enter the second year of the BSN program subject to availability of seats.
  • Admission rankings will be determined by GPA scores from the Practical Nursing program transcripts and completion of the Option A prerequisites.

Note on Progression - Option A and C

  • Students are required to maintain a 65% ("C+") average in all courses with no grade lower than 60% ("C").

Start Date and Application Deadline

Option A: The program starts in September and applications are accepted starting November 15. The application deadline is February 28. For further information check the Program Availability List.

Option C: Please contact the Nursing department at (250) 740-6175 or the Nursing Advisor at (250) 753-3245 ext. 2648, for information on start dates and application deadlines.

Program Outline - Option A - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

YEAR 1

Credits

NURS 100 - (Health and Healing I: Living Health)

3

NURS 102 - (Relational Practice I: Self and Others)

3

NURS 103 - (Professional Practice I: Introduction to the Profession of Nursing)

3

NURS 104 - (Nursing Practice I: Introduction to Nursing Practice)

4.5

NURS 110 - (Health and Healing II: Health Indicators)

3

NURS 111 - (Nursing Learning Centre II)

3

NURS 113 - (Professional Practice II: Introduction to the Discipline of Nursing)

3

NURS 114 - (Nursing Practice II: Coming to Know the Client)

4

NURS 175 - (Transitional Practice Experience I)

6

BIOL 156 - (Nursing: Anatomy and Physiology I)

4

BIOL 157 - (Nursing: Anatomy and Physiology II)

4

Degree English Requirements

6

Semester Credits

46.5

YEAR 2

Credits

NURS 200 - (Health & Healing III: Health Challenges/Healing Initiatives)

3

NURS 201 - (Nursing Learning Centre III)

3

NURS 202 - (Relational Practice II: Creating Health Promoting Relationships)

3

NURS 204 - (Nursing Practice III: Promoting Health & Healing)

5

NURS 208 - (Health Sciences III: Pathophysiology I)

3

NURS 210 - (Health & Healing IV: Health Challenges/Healing Initiatives)

3

NURS 211 - (Nursing Learning Centre IV)

3

NURS 214 - (Nursing Practice IV: Promoting Health & Healing)

6

NURS 218 - (Health Science IV: Pathophysiology II)

3

PHIL 331 - (Ethics in Health Care )

3

NURS 275 - (Consolidated Practice II)

7

Semester Credits

42

YEAR 3

Credits

NURS 300 - (Health & Healing V: Complex Health Challenges/Healing Initiatives)

3

NURS 301 - (Nursing Learning Centre V)

3

NURS 302 - (Relational Practice III: Connecting Across Difference)

3

NURS 304 - (Nursing Practice V: Promoting Health & Healing)

6

NURS 310 - (Health & Healing VII: Promoting Community & Societal Health)

3

NURS 313 - (Professional Practice IV: Nursing Inquiry)

3

NURS 314 - (Nursing Practice VI: Promoting Health of Communities & Society)

4

NURS 318 - (Health & Healing VI: Global Health Issues)

3

NURS 375 - (Consolidated Practice Experience III)

8

Elective other than Nursing*

3

Semester Credits

39

* General electives: Any VIU course numbered 100 and above with content dissimilar to the BSN. Courses with a "T" suffix are not eligible as electives. Students interested in taking a non-VIU elective must consult with the BSN advisor.

YEAR 4

Credits

NURS 400 - (Professional Practice V: Leadership in Nursing)

3

NURS 403 - (Professional Practice VI: Nursing Research)

3

NURS 404 - (Nursing Practice VII: Engaging in Leadership)

4

Approved Nursing elective

3

Elective other than Nursing*

3

NURS 414 - (Nursing Practice VIII: Transition to Graduate Nurse)

12

Semester Credits

28

* General electives: Any VIU course numbered 100 and above with content dissimilar to the BSN. Courses with a "T" suffix are not eligible as electives. Students interested in taking a non-VIU elective must consult with the BSN advisor.

Program Outline - Option C - LPN Access to BSN

YEAR 1

Credits

BIOL 156 - (Nursing: Anatomy and Physiology I)

4

BIOL 157 - (Nursing: Anatomy and Physiology II)

4

Degree English Requirements

6

NURS 170 - (Health and Healing Bridge-In (Access for PN))

3

NURS 173 - (Professional Practice Bridge-In (Access for PN))

3

Semester Credits

20

Updated: April 22, 2013