Applications for the Fall 2025 intake open August 15, 2024. For more details, please email us at mscnadvising@unbc.ca.

• Admission information
• Application requirements

Admission information for the Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner Program

Admission to the program is highly competitive. We prioritize applicants who:

• Live and work in rural or northern B.C. or, if not located in northern BC, have a demonstrated background working in one or more of the following (with longevity of practice/consistency in role):
  • Remote settings
  • A community health centre or nursing station
  • Recent work experience in a team-based primary health care setting
  • Express an authentic interest in working in rural or northern primary health care settings post-degree completion.

The ideal applicant will show:

• Interest and actions demonstrating their interest in rural or northern primary health care (e.g.  international work or travel nursing, shadow experiences or through a family nurse practitioner mentor in primary health care).
• Intent to remain in or move to a rural or northern community or, if staying in  an urban centre, clearly articulate why UNBC is chosen for their studies.
• Interests outside of nursing that highlight service or other community involvement in activities or organizations.
• Satisfactory academic background in their BN/BScN credential with a particular focus on mastery in the following competencies/courses:
  • Research
  • Statistics
  • Pathophysiology
  • Pharmacology

A strong applicant will have:

• Courses at the A- level or above (or substantial breadth and depth of professional experience to augment academic performance).
• Relevant post-graduate certifications that align with their stated career goals and trajectory.
• A demonstrated interest in scholarship (for example, presentations, publications, membership in a journal club).
• Past scholarships, bursaries, and awards.
• References who can comment specifically on strengths, qualities, and achievements of the applicant.

The School of Nursing is committed to principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice. We consider lived experience and a demonstrated commitment to supporting communities who have been historically marginalized in health care systems in our admission review. A key component of our program as part of our commitment to TRC as well as aligning with BCCNM standards is a focus on the healing and well-being of Indigenous peoples and we prioritize applicants who demonstrate alignment with this ethic.

Webinar: Preparing your application for the August 2025 intake (Updated video will be available closer to applications being opened)

Application requirements

Supplemental application

All applicants are required to upload a supplemental application in their online application. As mentioned above, admission to this program is competitive. We generally have seats available for 25% of the applications we receive, and the majority of our applicants meet minimum admission requirements. We encourage you to reflect on the applicant profile above and use this supplemental application to demonstrate what makes you a uniquely qualified applicant for admission to UNBC.

Professional curriculum vitae

You will be asked to upload a a professional curriculum vitae (CV) as part of the application that best represents the applicant and demonstrates at least 2 years full time practice experience following completion of a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.

Proof of practicing membership

You will be asked to upload a copy of your current British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) registration. If you are currently licensed outside of B.C., upload your current registration but note that you will be required to be licensed in BC to complete your practicum courses if admitted.

References

This program requires 2 references: 1 from an academic and 1 from a supervising health professional in your most recent practice setting. If you have been out of an academic program for more than 10 years, you may replace the academic reference with a reference from a supervising health professional in recent practice settings ensuring that at least one of your references is from your current practice setting. Referees should not include friends, peers/co-workers or family. For more information on selecting referees, visit the Admissions section.

Your references must be received no later than Dec 1, 2024 to be considered for admission. Please review our guide to tracking your application to monitor receipt of your references.

Cultural safety course (within the previous two years prior to the semester of application)

You will be asked to upload a copy of proof of completion of a cultural safety course completed within the previous two years prior to the semester of application (e.g. San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training). This upload is optional, but completion of this certificate is required for admission and you are encouraged to include proof of completion at the point of application.