Website: http://www.unbc.ca/nursing

Statement of Nursing

Nursing is a professional practice discipline which offers a valuable service to the public by working with individuals, families, groups, and communities, to develop and implement strategies to meet health care needs. Caring is a central and dominant feature of Nursing.

Nursing:

1. considers the physical, psychological, social, environmental, and spiritual domains of clients;
2. requires cultural sensitivity; and,
3. collaborates with clients, other health care providers, and the community.

Nursing is based on knowledge and skills developed in its own and related disciplines. Nursing knowledge is developed through research and other methods.

Nursing advocates for a health care system that:

1. emphasizes health promotion, and illness prevention,
2. is based on practical, affordable, manageable, and culturally acceptable care and technology, and
3. is available for all clients in a universal, equitable manner.

Statement of Nursing Education

Nursing education responds to societal concerns by developing a curriculum that is relevant and considers future trends in health care. Nursing education strives to provide an environment that is challenging and supportive, where all students learn the practice of nursing through the application and evaluation of knowledge, the practise of skills, and the internalization of caring and professional attitudes. A dynamic and positive relationship occurs between health care services and education through the sharing of knowledge, skills, and research.

Undergraduate Programs of Study

UNBC offers the following programs:

• Northern Collaborative Baccalaureate Nursing Program (NCBNP)is offered collaboratively between UNBC, the College of New Caledonia (CNC), and Northwest Community College (NWCC), providing  entry into the nursing profession. The integrated program of studies leads to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN), awarded by UNBC. Graduates are eligible to write the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination and to apply for registration with the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia (CRNBC) after passing the exam.
• Post-Diploma Baccalaureate Nursing Program for registered nurses is offered by UNBC. Acknowledging the previous learning of post-RNs, the program is organized to expand and update knowledge and skills for nursing practice. Students have the opportunity to focus in one area of practice. Successful completion of the program leads to a BScN.

Aims of the BScN Program

The goal of the BScN program is to improve access to and successful completion of nursing education for residents of the north. The aim of the School of Nursing is to prepare professional nurses who will:

• practise with cultural sensitivity
• practise with awareness of particular health needs of northern populations
• practise assessment and promotion of holistic health with individuals, families, groups, and communities
• participate in activities that reflect the appraisal of population health needs and implement and evaluate the appropriate interventions to meet those needs
• make nursing judgments that reflect application of current nursing research and research from related disciplines
• practice in a broad range of settings with an emphasis on northern communities
• influence health services to bring about policy development that meets the health needs of northern populations
• practice effectively within collaborative interdisciplinary and intersectorial health care teams
• demonstrate critical thinking skills and effective clinical decision making
• demonstrate skills of a self-directed learner
• meet professional practice requirements as identified in the CRNBC Professional Standards for Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners
• NCBNP students will meet professional practice requirements as identified in the current CRNBC Competencies in Context of Entry-level RN Practice in BC

General Requirements

Nursing courses are normally restricted to students admitted into the BScN program, unless otherwise specified in a course description. Not all courses in the Calendar are offered every semester or academic year. Admission to the BScN program does not guarantee registration in any specific course; early registration is advised.

The admission criteria and general requirements set out in the Admissions section of this Calendar are applicable to this section.

Standards of Professional Conduct

In addition to all University and Program expectations, all students are expected to abide by professional standards as set forth in the current CRNBC Professional Standards for Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners and the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses. Violation of professional standards may result in suspension or dismissal from the program or the educational institution.

All students who apply to the Northern Collaborative Baccalaureate Nursing Program must demonstrate the capacity to meet College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia's (CRNBC) Requisite Skills and Abilities. Certain basic skills aand abilities are required for a stufent to attain the Competencies in the Context of Entry -Level Registered Nurse Practice in British Columbia. These Requisite Skills and Abilities can be found on the CRNBC website.  

Clinical Practica Scheduling and Expectations

Clinical practica may be configured and offered outside the existing timetable structure and sessional dates, such as a four or six week block. The students in the NCBNP must complete a consolidating nursing practicum following both their fourth and sixth semesters of study in the program.

Attendance in each clinical course is mandatory. Students who do not complete their total required practicum experience hours will be at risk of failure. Any time a student is unable to attend practicum due to unforeseen circumstances, the student must contact his/her clinical instructor and the clinical area with as much notice as possible. The opportunity to make up missed clinical time is not guaranteed and may only be granted for extreme extenuating circumstances.

Program Costs

Costs associated with study in the BScN programs are the responsibility of the individual student, including transportation costs and any expenses involved in academic studies, lab, and clinical practica.  Students may be required to complete clinical experiences at sites other than Prince George, Quesnel, or Terrace.  Provision for all travel, accommodation, and living expenses associated with required clinical practice is the sole responsibility of the student.

Academic Performance

Students must adhere to all policies and regulations of the institution(s) where they are registered for courses. This requirement includes, but is not limited to, matters related to academic appeals and academic dishonesty.  Progression through the program is governed by guidelines on academic standing and continuance.  Probation guidelines are governed by UNBC. 
Qualification for Degree

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that his/her degree requirements are met. Graduation requirements are found in the Regulations and Policies section of this Calendar. To fulfill the requirements of graduation, the student must:

• attain a minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.33 (C+) on all courses used for credit towards the degree or certificate
• attain a minimum passing grade of P in NURS 220-5 and NURS 330-5
• obtain a minimum passing grade of 2.00 (C) in the following courses, or their equivalents, as applicable to the specific program. Note: Students enrolling in any required course must have completed all prerequisites with a grade of (C) or better, or if NURS 220-5 or NURS 330-5 is the prerequisite, a passing grade of P is required:
  • all NURS courses, including NURS electives
  • all mandatory HHSC courses
  • ANTH 213-3
  • MATH 240-3
  • POLS 403-3
• complete all requirements for the appropriate program as follows:
  • NCBNP BScN within eight years, starting with the first semester of registration in a NURS course in the NCBNP at UNBC or one of its collaborative partner institutions
  • Post-Diploma BScN within eight years, starting with the first semester of registration in a NURS course in the Post-Diploma BScN at UNBC
  • Certificate program within six years, starting with the first semester of registration in a NURS course in the Certificate program at UNBC

Letter of Permission

Once admitted to the School of Nursing, students who want to take course work at other institutions for transfer credit towards the degree may require a Letter of Permission prior to registration in the course. Students should contact the Nursing Advisor at the institution they are currently attending for further information. (Refer to Academic Regulation #17 in this Calendar).

Course Challenge

Course challenge is available for up to six credits of the required nursing courses in the Post-diploma Baccalaureate Nursing program. Up to six credits of course challenge may be applied towards the degree if less than nine credit hours of nursing courses have been transferred in. Only three credits of course challenge can apply towards the degree if the maximum of nine credit hours in nursing have been transferred in.

Part-time Studies

With prior approval by the Nursing Advisor at the institution the student is applying to or currently attending, and subject to course availability, undergraduate Nursing programs may be taken on a part-time basis; however, students may be required to enrol full-time during a portion of their program.

Leave of Absence

Students wanting to take a Leave of Absence must apply, in writing, to the Nursing Advisor at the institution that the student is currently attending. Upon approval, students are eligible for up to a one year Leave of Absence. Students who do not apply for a Leave of Absence will be considered to be out-of-sequence and will lose their priority for registration.

Withdrawal from the School of Nursing

Students who voluntarily withdraw from the School of Nursing must notify, in writing, the Nursing Advisor at the institution that the student is currently attending. Where students fail to notify the Nursing Advisor, the Nursing Advisor will deem a student to have voluntarily withdrawn from the School of Nursing where the student has not registered in Nursing courses in any of the last three semesters.

 

Northern Collaborative Baccalaureate Nursing Program

The Northern Collaborative Baccalaureate Nursing Program (NCBNP) requires students to take at least 95 credit hours of Nursing courses.  The minimum requirement for completion of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing is 136 credit hours.

Transfer credit and/or advanced standing may be awarded for course work completed at other recognized institutions. All transfer credit for course work taken prior to admission to the BScN program will be evaluated at the request of the student, and applied at the time of initial registration in the program.

The total transfer credit awarded on the basis of acceptable course work completed at non-collaborative partner institutions may not exceed 60 credit hours. Nursing courses must have been completed within five years prior to admission to be eligible for transfer credit into the School of Nursing.

Criminal Records Search

Students will be required to undergo a criminal records search prior to being admitted. (Refer to Academic Regulation 20 in this Calendar). 

Immunization and CPR Certification

All students accepted into the NCBNP are sent documentation and information regarding immunization policies. Once accepted to the Program, all students must submit:

• A record of immunization status. The following immunizations are strongly recommended and the current status of each is to be submitted:
  • Diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B and varicella
  • A Mantoux test (PPD) for tuberculosis
  • Meningococcal C conjugate for those born on or after January 1, 1988
  • Yearly Influenza vaccine.  Submission deadline to be announced annually based on release date of vaccine.

• Documentation of CPR certification, level C, which must be successfully maintained throughout the program. Proof of CPR certification (and re-certification, as needed) must be submitted prior to commencement of classes.
  • CPR must be re-certified every two years regardless of expiry date on the card.

Admission Requirements

Self-identified Aboriginal applicants who meet or exceed the minimum requirements for admission to the program will be given priority for up to twenty percent (20%) of the first-year seats for the Northern Collaborative Baccalaureate Nursing Program (NCBNP).

Students must apply at the collaborative colleges: The College of New Caledonia in Prince George or Quesnel, or Northwest Community College in Terrace. Admission is based on academic qualifications and available space. Priority admission will be given to students who meet admission criteria and apply by the deadline of  March 31. Applications received after the deadline may be reviewed based on available space in the program.

Applicants from BC and Yukon secondary schools must:

• meet UNBC admission requirements, and
• have completed the following courses with a minimum C+ (65%) in each course:
  • one of Foundations of Mathematics 11, Pre-calculus 11, or Principles of Math 11
  • Chemistry 11
  • English 12
• have completed Biology 12 with a minimum B (73%) within 5 years prior to the semester of admission to the NCBNP

Other applicants must:

• meet UNBC admission requirements, and
• have completed the equivalent of the following courses with a minimum C+ (65%) in each course:
  • one of Foundations of Mathematics 11, Pre-calculus 11, or Principles of Math 11
  • Chemistry 11
  • English 12
• have completed the equivalent of Biology 12 with a minimum B (73%) within 5 years prior to the semester of admission to the NCBNP

Admission Requirements: Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Access

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) who are applying for admission to the NCBNP must: 

• meet all Northern Collaborative Baccalaureate Nursing Program admission requirements
• be a graduate of a Practical Nursing program recognized by the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of BC (CLPNBC) since 1994
• have current practising or be eliglble for practising registration with the CLPNBC
• have practised as a LPN for a minimum of 1700 hours in a patient care setting during the last 4 years, OR graduated from a BC Practical Nursing Program within the year of application. Proof of worked hours must be submitted with application and can be obtained from employers.

LPN applicants will be assessed on an individual basis and may be eligible for up to a maximum of 24 transfer credit hours of Nursing courses.

Applicants who have completed a BC Practical Nursing Certificate prior to 1994, or have completed a certificate or diploma from a program outside of BC, may not be exempt from any of the first or second year nursing courses.

All successful LPN applicants must meet individually with the Nursing Advisor at the institution to which they are applying in order to be referred to a Nursing Faculty member for transfer credit and proficiency assessment.

Upper-Division Requirement

Prior to each academic year, students will be advised which courses are being offered at each campus.  Courses may be offered face-to-face, online, or using a combination of delivery methods.  Students must expect to complete at least one practicum rotation at a site other than Prince George, Quesnel, or Terrace.

300 Level

NURS 304-3		Introduction to Nursing Knowledge
NURS 306-3		Introduction to Epidemiology
NURS 308-3		Ethics and Law in Nursing
NURS 317-5.5		Nursing Theory and Practice: Maternity
NURS 318-5.5		Nursing Theory and Practice: Pediatrics
NURS 323-5.5		Nursing Theory and Practice: Older Adult
NURS 326-5.5		Nursing Theory and Practice: Mental Health
NURS 330-5		Extended Clinical Practicum II

400 Level

NURS 403-3		Introduction to Nursing Research
NURS 408-3		Nursing Leadership
NURS 418-7		Introduction to Community Health and Nursing
POLS 403-3		Social and Health Policy and Administration

At least one of the following areas of clinical focus:

NURS 420-8		Community Health Nursing
or
NURS 422-8		First Nations Health and Nursing
or
NURS 426-8		Acute Care Nursing
or
NURS 432-8		Mental Health Nursing
or
NURS 435-8		Pediatric Nursing
or
NURS 454-8		Perinatal Care
or
NURS 455-8		Critical Care, Emergency and Trauma
or
NURS 461-8		Rural Health and Nursing
or
NURS 497-8		Specialty Focus in Nursing

Elective Requirement

Eighteen credit hours chosen to fulfill the requirements below, and to ensure completion of a minimum of 136 credit hours.  A course may not be used to satisfy the requirements in more than one category.  Students are strongly advised to complete elective course work prior to fourth year.

• 3 credit hours in First Nations Studies at any level, or HIST 215-3 Global History of Indigenous People, or equivalent.
• 3 credit hours in Humanities, or ENGL 170-3, or equivalent
• 3 additional credit hours in Nursing at the 200 level, or 3 credit hours at the 200 level or above in a subject related to Nursing (with permission of Program)
• At least three credit hours at the 200 level or above in any subject
• At least three credit hours at the 300 level or above in any subject
• 3 credit hours at any level in any subject

Post-Diploma Baccalaureate Nursing Program

The minimum requirement for completion of the Post-Diploma Baccalaureate Nursing Program BScN is 45 credit hours with 24 of these required credits in nursing. Admission occurs in September and January. The fulfillment of admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the post-diploma program and is based on available space.

A total of 15 credit hours may be transferred from other recognized institutions into the nursing program. In order to meet the clinical concentration requirement of the nursing program, students may transfer credit from successfully completed studies at the nursing post-diploma level, provided that the certificate or diploma was completed within the five years prior to admission. Normally, the student is currently practicing in that specialty area.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must:

• meet UNBC admission requirements
• submit official transcript(s) from diploma program
• provide evidence of active and continuing registration as a nurse in British Columbia. Annual documentation of current, practising CRNBC licensure is required while enrolled in the program.

Once accepted to the Post-Diploma Baccalaureate Nursing Program, all students must complete and submit specified immunization forms prior to commencing a course with a clinical component. Failure to do so may result in the student not being allowed to practice in the clinical setting. Current status for the following immunizations is strongly recommended: diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B and varicella. A Mantoux test (PPD) for tuberculosis is also strongly recommended.

In order to meet the graduation requirements for the BScN, the post-RN student must successfully complete the following courses:

Program Requirements

Lower-Division Requirement

200 Level

MATH 240-3

Basic Statistics, or equivalent

Upper-Division Requirement

300 Level

NURS 304-3		Introduction to Nursing Knowledge
NURS 306-3		Introduction to Epidemiology

400 Level

NURS 403-3		Introduction to Nursing Research
NURS 408-3		Nursing Leadership
NURS 415-3		Introduction to Community Health and Nursing
* or NURS 418-7		Introduction to Community Health and Nursing
NURS 451-3		Health Assessment and RN First Call
POLS 403-3		Social and Health Policy and Administration

At least one of the following areas of clinical concentration:

NURS 420-6		Community Health Nursing
or
NURS 422-6		First Nations Health and Nursing
or
NURS 426-6		Acute Care Nursing
or
NURS 428-6		Nursing Management
or
NURS 430-6		Community Continuing Care Nursing
or
NURS 432-6		Mental Health Nursing
or
NURS 435-6		Pediatric Nursing
or
NURS 454-6		Perinatal Care
or
NURS 455-6		Critical Care, Emergency and Trauma
or
NURS 497-6		Specialty Focus in Nursing

Elective Requirement

Six credit hours chosen to ensure completion of a minimum of 45 credit hours and fulfillment of the following requirements:

Three credit hours of First Nations Studies at any level.

Three credit hours at the 200 level or above and related to area of clinical concentration (with permission of program).  

 

Rural Nursing Certificate Program

The Rural Nursing Certificate Program provides the opportunity for Registered Nurses to pursue a concentrated program of courses in Rural Nursing. The Certificate provides students with some of the essential knowledge and clinical skills needed to provide nursing care in rural practice.

The Certificate Program has been developed as an academic program that is practice-driven, and is supported by health authorities across British Columbia.  It is based upon the principles of primary health care, and provides an orientation to the needs of nurses working in rural and remote communities.

The Certificate requires successful completion of 30 credit hours. Admission occurs in September and January.

A maximum of 15 credit hours from other recognized institutions may be transferred into the Certificate and the BScN completion option.

The Certificate is designed to be completed on a part-time basis through distance education. Students can complete their BScN through the attainment of 15 additional credit hours of prescribed courses.

This Certificate does not replace the UNBC Post -Diploma BScN program as it offers a focus in one specialized area only. Other focus areas provided through the Post Diploma BScN, notably community health, community continuing care, First Nations health and nursing, and nursing management are not included in the Certificate program.

Nursing Program policies for Registered Nurse students pursuing a degree apply to Certificate students.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must:

• meet UNBC admission requirements
• submit official transcript(s) from degree or diploma program
• provide evidence of active and continuing registration as a nurse in British Columbia. Annual documentation of current, practicing CRNBC licensure is required while enrolled in the program.

Certificate Requirements

NURS 451-3		Health Assessment Across the Lifespan
NURS 452-6		Chronic Disease Management, Palliative Care and Wound Care
NURS 453-3		Nursing Practice with Older Persons
NURS 454-6		Perinatal Care
NURS 455-6		Critical Care, Emergency and Trauma
NURS 456-3		Mental Health and Addictions
NURS 457-3		Living and Working in a Rural Community

BScN Completion

Students wishing to complete the Post -Diploma BScN will be required to successfully complete 15 credit hours in addition to the Rural Acute Care Nursing Certificate to a total of 45 credit hours.

200 Level

MATH 240-3

Basic Statistics, or equivalent

300 Level

NURS 304-3

Introduction to Nursing Knowledge

400 Level

NURS 403-3		Introduction to Nursing Research
NURS 408-3		Nursing Leadership
POLS 403-3		Social and Health Policy and Administration