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Nursing: Bachelor of Science Degree (BSN)

Vancouver Island University

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Intake
  • Fall
Study Options
  • Work
    Experience
  • Program Start Date
    September
  • Campuses
    Nanaimo

    Resources

    Need more information about Nanaimo?

    City of Nanaimo
  • Length
    4 years
  • Tuition Estimate
    (domestic students)
    $159.94 per credit
  • Book & Supplies Cost Estimates
    $2,400 Year One; see Program Fees tab on the program website for full details
  • Credential Granted
    • Bachelor's Degree
    • University Course Transfer
  • Learning Method Options
    Face-to-Face

Learning Method Option:

  • Face-to-Face: Program is fully delivered in class with face-to-face interaction
  • Online: Program is fully delivered online
  • Blended (Face-to-Face + Online): Program is delivered using a combination of face-to-face and online learning
  • Off-site: All or part of program is delivered in a physical location away from regular classroom/campus

Looking for ways to fund your education? Check out VIU's financial aid and awards page.

Application Deadline Advice

Option A (Year One Entry to the BSN Program): The program starts in September and applications are accepted starting the first business day in October. The application deadline is January 31.

Option C (Year Two Entry for Licensed Practice Nurse to the BSN Program): Currently not accepting applications. Please contact the Nursing department at 250-740-6175 for information on start dates and application deadlines.

Application Fee: $44 (domestic); International Student Fees

1) Program Admission Requirements

VIU offers a full-time 4-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program (Option A), and a full-time 3-year Bridge-in BSN Program (Option C) for Licensed Practical Nurses.

Academic/Non-Academic (minimum grade needed in brackets)

Option A: Year-One Entry to the BSN Program

1. English 12 (C+) or equivalent

2. Math

One of:

  • Pre-Calculus 11 (C+)
  • Foundations of Mathematics 12 (C+)
  • equivalent

3. Chemistry 11 (C+) or equivalent

4. Biology 12 (C+) or equivalent

5. CASPer Test (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics)

Option C: Year Two Entry for Licensed Practice Nurse to the BSN Program

1. Completion of a Practice Nurse (PN) Program from a recognized institution

2. Be currently licensed as a Practical Nurse through BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM)

3. At least one year full-time employment (1700-1800 hours) as practicing Practical Nurse in BC over the past 3 years

4. Letter of recommendation from current employer confirming your work history over the past 3 years

5. CASPer Test (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics)


Admission Advice (for all applicants)

1. Upon acceptance into the program, the following documents are required by the first day of classes:

2. Aboriginal students can apply for reserve seats by submitting an Access Initiative for Aboriginal Students form.

3. Admission to this program is limited. Entry is competitive. For Option A applicants, admission rankings are evaluated by a combination of grade point average and completion of the CASPer test. For Option C applicants, admission rankings are evaluated by a combination of final GPA from the applicant's Practical Nursing Program transcripts and the letter of recommendation from current employer. 

4. This program is not available to international students.

5. Graduates from an approved Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) or Health Care Assistant (HCA) program who have practiced a minimum of 450 hours as an LPN/HCA in BC within the last two years will be given advanced credit for NURS 175.


 

2) Institution Admission Requirements

Applicants also have to satisfy VIU's institution admission requirements as listed below.

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English Language Requirements

If your first language is not English or if your education was completed in any country where English is not the official language, you must have one of the following (minimum scores):

  • English 12 (C) or equivalent
  • International Baccalaureate English A1/A2 Higher Level (HL)/ Standard Level (SL) = grade 3 or higher
  • Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition or English Literature and Composition = Grade 2 or higher 
  • Completion of VIU's English Language Centre's University Preparation Level 5 Program
  • TOEFL paper-based = at least overall score of 550 overall, with no section below 56
  • TOEFL iBT = at least overall score of 88 with no section below 20
  • TOEFL iBT home edition = at least overall score of 88 with no section below 20
  • IELTS Academic = 6.5 overall with sub-score below 6.0
  • CAEL Canadian Academic English Language assessment = score of 60
  • Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) = 176 overall
  • Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) = 176 overall
  • Pearson (PTE) = score of 60, with no sub-section below 60
  • 6 credits of post-secondary English composition and literature with a minimum grade of "C" from a recognized university where English is the language of instruction
  • General Certificate of Secondary Education = English at the O-level with a minimum grade of C or 4

Verify with the institution directly

General Admission Requirements (All Students)

Choose from the following admission categories applicable to your intended program of study:

General Admission Requirements for Academic Programs 

(minimum grade needed in brackets)

1. One of:

  • high school graduation (or equivalent) with English Studies 12 (C) or English First Peoples 12 (C) or equivalent 
  • completion of a university degree
  • be a visiting student from a college or university (a "Letter of Permission" from the home institution is required)
  • be a transfer student from a college or university with at least 24 university transfer credits
  • mature student status (be at least 21 years old in your first semester) with English Studies 12 (C) or English First Peoples 12 (C) or equivalent 

Note: If you don't meet any of the admission categories, you may be admitted as an "Unclassified Student" to register into university-level courses which you meet the prerequisites. You will register after other students, so course availability will be limited.

General Admission Requirements for Trades and Applied Technology Programs 

1. Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status in Canada

2. One of:

 

  • BC high school graduation (or equivalent)
  • Mature student status (be at least 19 years old during the first two months of the program)
3. All of the following:
  • minimum 17 years of age, unless stated otherwise
  • resume and/or letter of intent and/or references may be required
  • an interview may be necessary
  • math and/or Reading and/or trades aptitude test may be required
  • physically fit and able to adapt to working conditions
  • good hand/eye coordination
  • good health, free of vision, hearing or respiratory ailments
  • valid driver's license for vehicle and equipment operation is required
*Be sure to meet the specific admission requirements of your intended program of study at VIU. The program-specific admission requirements are detailed within each program profile in EducationPlannerBC's Undergraduate Program Search Database for VIU.

BC Secondary School (or equivalent)

View details on VIU Admission page.

On the above web page, you will have to scroll down to the following admission categories:

  • General Admission Requirements for University Academic Programs
  • General Admission Requirements for Trades & Applied Technology Programs 
You must also meet the specific admission requirements of your intended program of study at VIU. The program-specific admission requirements are detailed within each program profile in EducationPlannerBC's Undergraduate Program Search Database for VIU.

Out-of-Province

View details on VIU Admission page.

On the above web page, you will have to scroll down to the following admission categories:

  • General Admission Requirements for University Academic Programs
  • General Admission Requirements for Trades & Applied Technology Programs 

You must also meet the specific admission requirements of your intended program of study at VIU. The program-specific admission requirements are detailed within each program profile in EducationPlannerBC's Undergraduate Program Search Database for VIU.

 

BC Transfer Student

If you have completed some post-secondary studies at another institution, you can possibly earn transfer credits toward your program at VIU. Please refer to VIU's Transfer Credit web page. The BC Transfer Guide allows you to check on the transferability of your courses taken at another BC post-secondary institution.

You will qualify for admissions as a transfer student if you have at least 24 university transferable credits. You are required to submit all official secondary and post-secondary transcripts from institutions you have attended to Registration Services before receiving an offer of admission. Transcripts should be sent directly from the institutions that you have studied at.

For details on transfer credits, verify directly here.

Out-of-Province Transfer Student

If you have completed some post-secondary studies at another institution, you can possibly earn transfer credits toward your program at VIU. Please refer to VIU's Transfer Credit web page. 

You will qualify for admissions as a transfer student if you have at least 24 university transferable credits. You are required to submit all official secondary and post-secondary transcripts from institutions you have attended to Registration Services before receiving an offer of admission. Transcripts should be sent directly from the institutions that you have studied at.

For details on transfer credits, verify directly here.

 

Mature Student

See admission details in General Admission Requirements sections referring to Mature Students:

  • In the General Admission Requirement for Academic Programs Section, mature students (at least 21 years old by their first semester at VIU) who have English 12 (C) or equivalent can be admitted into academic programs without high school graduation as long as all other admission requirements are met 
  • In the General Admission Requirement for Unclassified Students Section, unclassified mature students (at least 19 years old by their first semester at VIU) can register into academic classes for which they meet the course prerequisite. 

Students admitted to Vancouver Island University as ‘Mature Students’ must still meet individual course prerequisites. Check VIU's Course Descriptions or consult an Educational Advisor at VIU to find out if you first need to complete prerequisites. Students can meet course prerequisites through VIU's Adult Basic Education program.

International Student

Information for international student applicant can be found here. 

Other Student (including Special Consideration)

Click list for information on alternative admission categories:

Note: By scrolling down you can access the following admission categories:

  • General Admission Requirements - Unclassified Students
  • Admission on the Basis of a Previous Degree
  • Special Admission
  • International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement Program

 

How to Apply

View details on How to Apply for Admission.

 

 

Training in a program like this one can lead to different careers. Related occupations are presented to show potential career options, not definite outcomes.

Follow the links to learn more about these careers on WorkBC's career profiles.