Please note: The Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program (NBNP) is a proposed degree offering and is subject to the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training approval. Join our mailing list for program updates.

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)
Length of program: 5 consecutive semesters (year 3 & 4 of BScN)
Campus: Fort St. John, BC
Experiential learning: Clinical, laboratory and simulation practice
Cohort: 16 students

Next intake: September 2020
Application deadline: March 30, 2020
Initial online applications to UNBC through the EducationPlannerBC site must be received by March 30, 2020.    UNBC will accept supplementary application materials such as  the letter of intent,  resume, rural remote suitability index questionnaire,  reference letters, CASper score and official transcripts  after  the application deadline, however only after all required application materials are received will an applicant be reviewed and assessed for admission. 

Offered in Fort. St. John, UNBC’s Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program (NBNP) provides students with the skills and knowledge to enter the registered nursing field. The NBNP introduces students to the unique aspects of delivering health care in small urban and rural communities located throughout BC’s Peace region and beyond.  

The program is designed for individuals with previous experience and achievement in university-level, post-secondary education who are interested in careers as Registered Nurses (RNs). Upon completion, students earn a BScN and are eligible to write the NCLEX-RN, which qualifies them to work as RNs in any health care sector where RNs have legislated scope of practice. 

Eligibility

Individuals with at least 60 credits of university-level, post-secondary education are encouraged to apply.

Eligible applicants to the NBNP require either:

1. A non-nursing baccalaureate degree which includes 24 credit hours of specific, non-nursing prerequisite coursework directly relevant to healthcare practice or;
2. A minimum of 60 non-nursing university transferrable credits towards a baccalaureate degree. These credits include or are in addition to 24 credit hours of specific, non-nursing prerequisite coursework directly relevant to healthcare practice.

Admission to the NBNP is a competitive, criteria weighted process consisting of the following two parts:

• Compiled minimum admissions qualification score based on admission GPA, and supplemental application materials
• An online assessment (CASPer)

Application requirements:

• UNBC application
• Personal statement/letter of intent
• Resume
• Rural and Remote Suitablility Index Questionnaire
• Two reference letters
• CASPer assessment
• Official transcripts

Detailed requirements (steps to apply)

What to Expect

NBNP courses are offered through face-to-face teaching in the classroom as well as online content delivered via the Blackboard Learn platform. Some courses without laboratory or clinical components may be delivered entirely online. In practicum course components, students work with a variety of patient populations in hospital, clinic and community settings. Graduates are well prepared to work in rural and northern communities.

Career Opportunities

Employment opportunities for nurses in northeast BC are expected to trend upwards for the next decade. Be part of a team that brings innovative and integrated healthcare to communities in this growing and vibrant region.

If a rewarding career in primary health care is in your future, join UNBC in Fort St. John next September! Please contact us at futurestudents@unbc.ca with your questions.

Admission Requirements

Priority admission is given to students who meet the admission criteria and apply by the deadline of March 30, 2020. Applications received after the deadline may be reviewed based on available space in the program.

Applicants must meet the following admission requirements:

• Meet UNBC admission requirements
• Have a minimum ‘B’ average on the most recent 60 UNBC or university transferable credit hours; completed at the undergraduate level
• Meet the 24 credit hours of required prerequisite course work; and
• Have 24 credit hours completed at UNBC or are transferable to UNBC at the 200 level or above

Required Pre-Admission course work

Students must have a minimum grade of ‘B-‘ in the following courses (consult the BC Transfer Guide to determine UNBC recommended course equivalencies):

University Level Human Anatomy and Physiology (6 credits):
HHSC 111-4 and HHSC 112-4, or HHSC 105-3 and HHSC 305-3, HHSC 306-3, HHSC 325-1 and HHSC 326-1 or equivalents are recommended. Human anatomy and physiology courses must include a lab component and be completed within 5 years prior to the semester of admission.

University Level Microbiology (3 Credits):
HHSC 110-3 is recommended. Microbiology courses relevant to Human health must be completed within 5 years prior to the semester of admission.

University Level Statistics (3 credits):
STAT 240-3 is recommended. Statistics must be completed within 5 years prior to the semester of admission.

University Level Social Sciences with Peoples and Cultures content (3 Credits):
ANTH 213-3 is recommended. Social Science courses dealing with people, languages and cultures must be completed within 10 years prior to the semester of admission.

University Level English (3 Credits):
One of ENGL 100-3, ENGL 102-3, ENGL 103-3, ENGL 120-3 are recommended or a higher-level transferable English composition course.  English composition courses must be completed within 10 years prior to the semester of admission.

University Level Indigenous Studies (3 credits):
FNST 302-3 First Nations Health and Healing is recommended. Indigenous Studies courses must be completed within 10 years prior to the semester of admission.

University level Psychology with human development, behaviour and/or cognition content (3 credits):
PSYC 101 is recommended. Psychology course work must be completed within 10 years prior to the semester of admission.

See all NBNP Admission Requirements

Selection Process

Since the number of qualified applicants is expected to exceed the number of placements available, fulfillment of the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. The process is competitive and the School of Nursing reserves the right to select and admit all students into the NBNP. Consideration is given to all applicants who complete the application process; however, preference is given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

The School of Nursing selects and admits those students who demonstrate academic potential, strong motivation to study nursing and the qualities, judgment and clinical aptitude necessary to be a caring and professional nurse.

The admission decisions are based on:

• Academic standing, including prerequisite courses
• Rural Remote and Suitability Index score
• CASPer Score
• Supplemental application score

More information on the Academic Calendar

Steps to Apply (Checklist)

Please read the following instructions carefully. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of the Registrar at 250-960-6300 or email nursing-admissions@unbc.ca.

Application and all admission documents are due in the Office of the Registrar by March 30, 2020.

1. Review admission requirements

NBNP admission requirements on the Academic Calendar

2. Apply to UNBC

3. Email documents

Email the following to nursing-admissions@unbc.ca: 

• Resume: Outline your education, work, and volunteer experience.
• Personal Statement/Letter of Intent (maximum two double-spaced pages): Please describe the reasons behind your desire to enter the nursing profession. Mention any special skills or talents you have that will enrich your future work as a nurse (e.g.: travel, volunteer, experiences, etc). It is important that your writing be specific rather than general. Additionally, you should check your writing for spelling, typographical, and grammatical errors. Please ensure your name is at the top of each page of your document. If you have ever withdrawn from, interrupted, or been required to withdraw from a Nursing program, please include the name of the institution, date of withdrawal, and provide the details on a separate sheet of paper at the end of your personal statement.
• Rural and Remote Suitablility Index Questionnaire

4. Contact your referees

Contact two referees and email them a copy of the NBNP Reference Form. Referees should email the completed form to nursing-admissions@unbc.ca by March 30, 2020.

5. Complete the CASPer assessment

Complete the Online Computer-based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics (CASPer) Assessment.   All applicants must complete the CASPer (Canadian Nursing) as part of the admission process and request that results be sent to UNBC.

Casper  assessments dates for 2020 admission are February 23 and April 2.  If an applicant has already completed a CASper assessment in the Fall 2019, Winter 2020  assessment sitting dates, these results may be sent by CASper directly to UNBC to fulfil this supplemental application requirement.

CASPer is an online assessment tool that captures applicant’s non-cognitive skills and interpersonal characteristics. CASPer is normally offered in January and/or February. Information and online registration are available on the CASPer website. Applicants who do not complete the CASPer assessment will not be considered for admission. CASPer results are valid for one year. Applicants who completed the assessment in previous years must retake it for the current application cycle. The CASPer assessment tool is comprised of 12 sections of video and written scenarios. Following each scenario, you will be required to answer a set of probing questions under a time contract.

Review sample CASPer scenarios and view the test structure

6. Submit official transcripts

Submit official transcripts from ALL post-secondary institutions you have attended to the Office of the Registrar:

Office of the Registrar
University of Northern British Columbia
3333 University Way, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9

Unofficial interim transcripts can be emailed to nursing-admissions@unbc.ca.

Additional Information

It is highly recommended that applicants review the British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals – Registration Requirements and the Profile of a Newly Graduated Registered Nurse on the British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals website to find out further information about entry-level registered nurse competencies, preparation and practice assumptions.

Post Admission Requirements

Successful applicants to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program will be required to complete a Criminal Record Check (CRC), Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation – Health Care Provider (CPR-HCP) certification, proof of immunization and N95 mask fitting test.

Print the NBNP Application Checklist