Northern Baccalaureate Nursing
If a rewarding career in health care is in your future, join UNBC to earn the degree you need to become a Registered Nurse.
Employment opportunities for nurses in northern B.C. are trending upwards. This degree is offered in Fort St. John and Prince George to help meet emerging needs.
The Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program (NBNP) is a two-year degree (3rd & 4th level) that introduces you to the unique aspects of delivering health care in small urban and rural communities located throughout northern B.C. and beyond. This 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).
68 credits, 2 Years,
Part-time available
Program Details
The NBNP curriculum is designed for you to:
- consider the physical, psychological, social, environmental and spiritual domains of clients
- demonstrate cultural sensitivity
- collaborate with clients, other health-care providers, and the community
You will appreciate how nursing advocates for a health-care system that:
- emphasizes health promotion and illness prevention
- is based on practical, affordable, manageable, culturally acceptable care and technology
- is available for all clients in a universal, equitable manner
The NBNP offers courses through face-to-face teaching in the classroom as well as online content. In practicum course components, you will work with a variety of patient populations in hospital, clinic and community settings.
In addition to meeting certain admission requirements, applicants are required to complete an online computer-based assessment CASPer test.
Graduates are eligible to write the NCLEX-RN and to apply for registration with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) after passing the exam.
Career Paths
- Registered Nurse
- Nursing manager
- Surgical nurse
- Community health nurse
- Intensive care nurse
- Emergency room nurse
- Nursing educator
- Nursing researcher
- Hospital administrator
- Policy analyst
- Policy consultant
- University instructor
Why at UNBC
- Prepare for a career as a Registered Nurse, with a special emphasis on the health needs of northern populations
- Develop critical thinking, apply effective clinical decision making, and gain practical experience in a variety of health-care settings
- Learn the practice of nursing through the application and evaluation of knowledge, the practice of skills, and the internalization of caring and professional attitudes
- Study theory online and in the classroom, practice in nursing laboratories and high-fidelity simulation centres, and apply it all through sequential practica in diverse clinical settings
'En Cha Huná
UNBC’s motto, from the Dakelh (Carrier) Elders, reminds us that all people have a voice and a viewpoint. Interpreted as “respecting all forms of life,” 'En Cha Huná encapsulates the spirit of academic freedom, respect for others, and willingness to recognize different perspectives.
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Admission Requirements
Students must complete prior post-secondary studies before applying to the Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program. For our direct-entry nursing program (no prior post-secondary required), please see the Northern Collaborative Baccalaureate Nursing Program.
Eligibility
- A non-nursing baccalaureate degree which includes at least 24 credit hours of specific, non-nursing prerequisite coursework directly relevant to healthcare practice, or
- A minimum of 60 credit hours of non-nursing university transferable coursework toward a baccalaureate degree.
- These credit hours include or are in addition to 24 credit hours of specific, non-nursing prerequisite coursework directly relevant to healthcare practice.
Note: Fifty percent (50%) of NBNP seats in the Fort St. John cohort are allocated to applicants who complete a minimum of 15 university transfer credit hours at Northern Lights College (within 10 years prior to the semester of admission).
Indigenous Applicants
Self-identified Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) applicants who meet or exceed the minimum requirements for the program receive priority for up to twenty-five percent (25%) of the seats.
Admission Requirements
- Have a minimum "B" average in the most recent 60 credit hours of university transferable coursework
- Meet the 24 credit hours of required prerequisite coursework
- Have a minimum of 24 credit hours of university-level coursework completed at the 200-level or above
- Completion of an online computer-based assessment CASPer test in addition to meeting the above academic requirements.
In addition, applicants must also submit the following documentation:
- A rural and remote suitability index questionnaire
- A resume detailing education, work, and volunteer experience and any credentials, accomplishments, or experiences relevant to nursing
- A personal statement outlining the reason(s) why the applicant is a suitable candidate for the program
- Two references submitted directly by the referees to UNBC using the BScN Confidential Reference Form. One academic and one work-related reference are preferred
See full program applicant eligibility and admission requirements
Priority Consideration
Domestic applicants receive priority consideration for seats in the Northern Baccalaureate Nursing program. International applicants will be considered only if seats remain after all qualified domestic applicants have been considered.
English Language Requirements
English language requirements are available on the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) website.
Tuition and Fees
(68 credits total, 5 semesters total)
| Cost | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year Tuition (3 Semesters)* | $8,253 | 43 |
| Second Year Tuition (2 Semesters)* | $5,000 | 25 |
| Student Fees* | $990 | - |
| Books* | $1,600 | - |
* Tuition, fees and books are subject to change and vary among programs.
Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards
View the hundreds of available scholarships, bursaries, and awards.
- 1 in 4 students receive a UNBC financial award.
- $3,500,000 in financial awards given each year.