Program Information

Option A involves completion of the program in its entirety in order to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.  On successful completion of 8 academic semesters and 3 consolidated practice experiences, and institutional Degree English Requirements, students will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from VIU and be eligible to write the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) and apply for nursing registration through the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).

Admission Requirements

• Minimum "C+" in each of Chemistry 11, Biology 12, English 12, and a minimum "C+" in one of Principles of Mathematics 11, Pre–Calculus 11, Foundations of Mathematics 12; or equivalents.
• Completion of Casper test.

Notes on Admission

• Indigenous students can apply for reserved seats by submitting the Access Initiative for Indigenous Students form.
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to use their VIU student number when registering for the Casper test.
• Learn more about the Casper test, including upcoming test dates.
• Please note: Casper scores are only valid for one admission cycle.
• Note: The following documents are required by the first day of classes.
  • Completed Immunization Requirements Form
  • Criminal Record Check. Fieldwork and/or practicums will require a satisfactory criminal record check prior to placement. Criminal Record Checks are requested through VIU. The Registration Centre at VIU will contact prospective students by mail regarding the requirements for a Criminal Record Check. Criminal Record Checks are processed through the Ministry according to the Criminal Records Review Act. A check completed through the RCMP is not sufficient to meet the requirements of the Act.
  • Basic Life Support – It is the student’s professional responsibility to hold a current, unexpired Basic Life Support certificate prior to commencing and throughout the BSN Program. 
• Students who have graduated from an approved Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program and who have practiced a minimum of 450 hours as an LPN in BC within the preceding two years will be given advanced credit for NURS 175.
• Students who have graduated from an approved Health Care Assistant (HCA) program and have practiced a minimum of 450 hours as an HCA in BC within the preceding two years, may request a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) for NURS 175/Consolidated Practice I.  Contact the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Advisor 1.888.920.9921 Ext. 4133. 
• Prior Learning Assessment credit may be available for courses in this program. Contact the Chair, Bachelor of Science in Nursing Advisor, 1.888.920.9921 Ext. 4133.
• This program is not currently available to international students.

Option C (PN to BSN Bridge-in)

Option C allows Licensed Practice Nurses to access/bridge-in to second year of the Bachelor of Science program. On successful completion of 3 years and institutional Degree English Requirements, students will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from VIU and be eligible to write the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) and apply for nursing registration through BCCNM.

Admission Requirements

• Minimum C+ in English 12 and Chemistry 11.
• Must have graduated from a recognized Practice Nurse (PN) Program.
• Must be currently licensed as a Practical Nurse through BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
• Letter from current employer confirming a minimum of 1700 hours as practicing PN over the past 3 years.
• Completion of Casper test.

 Notes on Admission

• Applicants are strongly encouraged to use their VIU student number when registering for the Casper test.
• Please note: Casper scores are only valid for one admission cycle.
• Enrolment in this program is limited. Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program. Admission rankings are determined by a combination of final GPA from the applicant's Practical Nursing Program transcripts, and Casper score.
• Indigenous students can apply for reserved seats by submitting the Access Initiative for Indigenous Students form.
• Note: The following documents are required by the first day of classes.
  • Completed Immunization Requirements Form
  • Criminal Record Check. Fieldwork and/or practicums will require a satisfactory criminal record check prior to placement. Criminal Record Checks are requested through VIU. The Registration Centre at VIU will contact prospective students by mail regarding the requirements for a Criminal Record Check. Criminal Record Checks are processed through the Ministry according to the Criminal Records Review Act. A check completed through the RCMP is not sufficient to meet the requirements of the Act.
  • Basic Life Support – It is the student’s professional responsibility to hold a current, unexpired Basic Life Support certificate prior to commencing and throughout the BSN Program.
• Prior Learning Assessment credit may be available for courses in this program. Contact the Chair, Bachelor of Science in Nursing Advisor, 1.888.920.9921 Ext. 2267.
• This program is not currently available to international students.

Note on Progression - Option A and C

• In order to apply credit for any course towards the requirements of the BSN degree, the nursing student must achieve a minimum grade of "C" in that course. In addition, students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.33 ("C+") for each academic year, and must pass each nursing practicum. The grade point average is calculated on nursing courses and includes PHIL 331, BIOL 156, BIOL 157, and upper nursing elective courses taken within that academic year. 
• Practice experiences within the curriculum are a vital part of learning. Attendance is required in all practice courses. Students that miss more than 10% of a practice course may be at risk of not successfully completing the course. 

Note on Progression - Option A

• Students are required to maintain a 65% ("C+") average in all courses with no grade lower than 60% ("C").
• BIOL 156 must be completed with a minimum grade of 'C' as a prerequisite for semester 2 (Spring semester/year 1) of the BSN Program. 
• BIOL 157 must be completed with a minimum grade of 'C" as a prerequisite for semester 3 (Fall semester/year 2) of the BSN Program.

Progression within the Program

A student may be discontinued in their program for a variety of reasons: course failure; withdrawal for personal, medical, fitness to practice concerns, etc. Since each semester is a prerequisite for the subsequent semester, a student who does not successfully complete a semester will be discontinued in the program. If the student becomes eligible for re-entry, the student may request re-entry for when that course/semester is next offered. Re-entry is subject to seat availability: a seat will not be set aside for a returning student. 

1. Course Failure

• A student who is unsuccessful/fails a program course, cannot proceed into the next semester and will be required to discontinue from the program. The student may request re-entry for the semester when that course is next offered. 
• A student who is unsuccessful/fails a practice course, will be required to retake that practice course when it is next offered and may also be required to retake the theory and/or lab/learning centre course(s) that inform that practice course, upon the discretion of the program chair. 
• A student who is unsuccessful/fails a single program course, re-enters and retakes the same course and subsequently fails that course (e.g., fails the same course twice), will be required to leave the program. If the student wants to re-enter the program, they must wait a minimum of two years and must apply to semester 1/year 1 of the program with no credit for previously completed program courses. 
• A student who is unsuccessful/fails any two program courses (any combination of practice, lab, and/or theory), will be required to leave the program. If the student wants to re-enter the program, they must wait a minimum of two years and must apply as a new student to a semester 1/year 1 of the program with no credit for previously completed program courses. 

*'Program courses' are those courses that are core to the program (e.g., electives are excluded). 

Re-Entry After Withdrawal from Program

See also section below regarding re-entry to program. 

A student who withdraws from the program (e.g., due to personal, financial, health, fitness to practice reasons) may request re-entry for when that semester is next offered.

2. Notice of Discontinuation

A student who is required to be discontinued from the program will first meet with the Program Chair. The re-entry process will be discussed, including any conditions for re-entry and any support services designed to help the student achieve greater success in their future studies. A 'Student Discontinuation Form' will be completed; the student will receive a copy of this form.

Re-entry into the Program

1. Notice of Re-Entry

A student seeking re-entry after withdrawing or being required to discontinue, must make their intent to return known to the Program Chair, in writing (formal letter or email), as soon as possible and no later than four months prior to the desired start date. The approval of a request for re-entry will take into consideration the date which the written notification was received by the Chair of the program. 

2. Seat Availability

Re-entry into the program is subject to seat availability. 

3. Corrective Learning Plan for Re-entry 

In order to facilitate a successful re-entry, prior to offering a re-entry student a program seat, the student will meet with the Program Chair and/or Program Advisor. Each student will be assessed individually and the 'Student Discontinuation Form' notes will be reviewed including recommendations for program re-entry. The student will complete a Corrective Learning Plan of how they have/will ensure competency/currency in their knowledge, skills, and practice; any gaps identified; specific strategies to close those gaps; and a specific timeline of what must be completed prior to re-entry. At the discretion of the Program Chair and/or Program Advisor, the Corrective Learning Plan may include the requirement for the student to complete: 

1. A Directed Studies Course that focuses on integration of program knowledge, skills, and practice including decision-making and critical thinking. (Level/expectation will be consistent with what would be expected of a student at the level the student is returning to). The course will be structured around that student's specific learning needs. 
2. Or one or more of the following:
   • Med Math (Drug Calculations for Health Care) Exam
   • Skills assessment on previously learning skills
   • Simulation Scenario and/or comprehensive lab scenario
   • Comprehensive Care Plan
   • Audit of lab/learning centre and/or theory courses. A student cannot audit a practice course. 
   • Repeat of lab/learning centre, practice, and/or theory courses. 

If the student does not successfully complete the requirements of the Corrective Learning Plan, then the Program Chair may: 

• Permit the student to re-enter but at an earlier semester and repeat certain courses.
• Not permit the student to re-enter or re-apply to that program for a minimum of two years. 

4. Number of Times for Re-entry

A student who has been discontinued from the program due to course failure, may re-enter the program at the point where they exited the program once only. If the student is requesting a second re-entry into the program, they must first meet with the Dean and Program Chair who will determine the eligibility for re-entry.

Completion Requirements

The maximum time for a student to complete all program requirements is 6 years, with no period of absence exceeding 24 months.

Under exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of the Dean and Program Chair, a student may be granted an extension.

Option A involves completion of the program in its entirety in order to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.  On successful completion of 8 academic semesters and 3 consolidated practice experiences, and institutional Degree English Requirements, students will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from VIU and be eligible to write the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) and apply for nursing registration through BCCNM.

Option C Students enter into a bridge-in semester consisting of bridge-in courses, and Transition to BSN Program course. Following completion of the bridge-in semester, Option C students then follow the same program grid as Option A students. 

Program Outline - Option A - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

* General electives: Any VIU course numbered 100 and above with content dissimilar to the BSN. Courses with a "T" suffix are not eligible as electives. Students interested in taking a non-VIU elective must consult with the BSN advisor.

* General electives: Any VIU course numbered 100 and above with content dissimilar to the BSN. Courses with a "T" suffix are not eligible as electives. Students interested in taking a non-VIU elective must consult with the BSN advisor.

Program Outline - Option C - Practical Nurse (PN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Bridge-in Program

* General electives: Any VIU course numbered 100 and above with content dissimilar to the BSN. Courses with a "T" suffix are not eligible as electives. Students interested in taking a non-VIU elective must consult with the BSN advisor.

* General electives: Any VIU course numbered 100 and above 

Domestic (Canadian)