Health Sciences
www.ufv.ca/health

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The UFV Nursing program is designed to meet the needs of two groups: students who wish to pursue a career in nursing and LPNs who wish to complete a nursing degree. The degree prepares graduates for employment in a variety of health care settings.

The Nursing program has two intakes per year, in September and January, and provides two possible streams as follows:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN) (four years or three-year fast track program)

• LPN Access — Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN) — This option will provide an opportunity for Licensed Practical Nurses to bridge into the Nursing program. Students are admitted only in the September intake.

The Nursing program offers instruction in nursing, health sciences, social sciences, and research, and an opportunity for advanced focus in a variety of areas.

This program is approved by the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia. Graduates will be eligible to write the registration examinations.

Course delivery options are flexible wherever possible and include independent study, lectures, seminars, multimedia approaches, and simulation in labs and tutorials. The clinical experiences include hospitals and community agencies with supervised practica, preceptorships, and observational experiences.

Note: clinical experience may include extended work days, evening shifts, and weekends.

It is possible to complete some of the Health Science and elective courses prior to entering the Nursing program, through UFV or other institutions. A number of seats are reserved in selected Health Science courses at UFV for Nursing Studies students. A minimum C grade must be obtained in these courses in order to receive credit regardless of where the courses are taken. Completion of the Health Sciences courses does not automatically guarantee a seat in the Nursing program.

In order to register in the Health Science courses, you must complete the following steps:

1. Application to Nursing program must be on file.

2. Academic prerequisites must be completed.

3. Consultation with program faculty is required.

4. Faculty will enter “permission to register” or provide you with a permission to register form before you register for each Health Science course.

Location

Most Nursing and Health Science classes are taught at the Health Sciences Centre on the Chilliwack campus. Clinical experiences occur at a variety of agencies throughout the Fraser Valley.

BSN degree applicants

Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete ENGL 105 or equivalent prior to program entry. You may register in ENGL 105 as a Nursing Studies student. Refer to the program paths application details, or see an educational advisor in Student Services for assistance.

The Nursing program is very demanding. Students who are taking a full courseload will not have time to work either full-time or part-time. Competency with basic computer skills is essential.

Entrance requirements (degree applicants)

Academic entrance requirements

1. B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent with:
   a. Completion of each of the following courses with a minimum of C+ grade within five years prior to enrollment:
     • Biology 12 (UFV BIO 093) or UFV BIO 111
     • Chemistry 11 (UFV CHEM 083) or UFV CHEM 105, or 110, or 113
   b. Math 11 (Principles of Math 11) or UFV MATH 085 with a minimum of C+ grade.
   c. English 12 (UFV ENGL 091 or ENGL 099) with a minimum of a B grade, or ENGL 105 with a minimum grade of C.

2. Successful completion of ESL Advanced Speaking/ Listening, and Writing course sequence may be required for applicants for whom English is not a first language.

Other entrance requirements

1. Volunteer experience in a health care setting or employment in a health care field. Volunteer experience will consist of a minimum of 30 hours of volunteer work with adults or children in an acute care, long-term care or community health care agency. You will be asked to submit a written reference that reflects the length and nature of the volunteer experience or employment in a health care field.

2. Current Standard First Aid certificate (16 hrs. minimum)

3. Basic Rescuer — Level C certificate. Currency must be maintained throughout the program.

4. Identification documents — birth certificate, marriage certificate, verification of change of name, landed immigrant status.

5. Valid driver’s licence: You are responsible for arranging your own transportation to class, labs, hospitals, and other community agencies throughout the Fraser Valley.

6. Successful completion of a security clearance check. Criminal records check forms will be provided on acceptance to the program.

7. A health assessment indicating physical fitness and emotional stability. The assessment must be completed within 12 months prior to enrolment. Health questionnaire forms will be included with the letter of acceptance and must be completed by the specified date.

8. Completion of an immunization program prior to the program start date. Immunization forms will be included with the letter of acceptance and must be received by the date specified. A Hepatitis B immunization will be provided upon entry into the Nursing program. Applicants who have completed the Hepatitis B immunization prior to entry to the program must submit proof of immunization.

9. Attendance at an information session.

10. Interview with a faculty member to assess the following:
   • Basic knowledge of the field
   • Time-management skills
   • Communication skills: ability to listen and articulate ideas
   • Ability to think critically
   • Financial resources and support systems
   • Personal and work commitments in relation to assuming the demands of an applied academic program of studies.

Students who do not meet these requirements might consider the Nursing Studies program path.

When to apply

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis throughout the year. Qualified applicants are considered for the next intake in which there is space. See Continuous application process for more information.

How to apply (degree applicants)

1. The following documents must be submitted to the Admissions and Records office, along with your application fee, in order to process your application:

• UFV application form
• Nursing program application
• Proof of B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent (except for high school students, who may apply once they are registered in Grade 12)
• Prerequisite course(s) — submit an official transcript showing final grades in all prerequisite courses (except Grade 12 students who will be required to submit an official transcript showing final grades in all prerequisite courses in early August)

Note: To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly to UFV from the originating institution; see the Transfer Credit section for details.

Once these documents have been received by the Admissions & Records office, your application will be forwarded to the Nursing program.

2. Submit all remaining documents to the Health Sciences Centre, Chilliwack campus.

Documents required in order to achieve “complete applicant” status for degree applicants:
• Nursing program application form
• Proof of B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent
• Official transcript(s) from all post-secondary institutions attended
• Volunteer health care experience reference(s)
• Official identity documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate, proof of change-of-name document, landed immigrant status)
• Valid Standard First Aid certificate
• Basic Rescuer — Level C certificate
• Completion of ESL Advanced Speaking, Listening and Writing course sequence as necessary
• Proof of valid driver’s licence.

The above documents must be received by the School of Health Sciences by January 31 for the September intake, and by August 15 for the January intake. Applications which become "complete" after those deadlines will be kept on file and considered for the next intake.

3. Attendance at a program information session and an interview with the program faculty is required for all "complete" applicants. You will be contacted when dates and times have been established.

4. Applicants will be accepted based on points achieved on the applicant rating form.

5. You will be notified in writing regarding your acceptance. Upon acceptance to the program you will be provided with registration information. A deposit is required by a specified date in order to reserve a seat in the program. This money will be applied toward your tuition fees. If you do not register for courses and pay the deposits, a place will no longer be held for you.

6. If you meet the minimum requirements but are not selected to the class, your application will be held for consideration for the next intake. If you are not selected for a second intake, you will be required to reapply.

Basis for admission decision (degree applicants)

Students will be rated based on the points achieved on the applicant rating form. Points will be given for academic performance on prerequisite courses, work/volunteer experience, personal essay, reference(s), and personal interview.

The highest score that can be achieved by an applicant is 39.

1. Academic history: up to 16 points. The higher the applicant GPA on required academic prerequisites, the more points awarded. GPA will be calculated using the UFV grading scale.

2. Work/volunteer experience and letter of reference: up to 6 points. Points will be allocated according to the duration of the experience and the character of the reference given. Recognition will be given to any applicant who has demonstrated a leadership role in a workplace.

3. Application essay: up to 4 points. All applicants will be given points on the basis of meeting the criteria and the writing skill demonstrated.

4. Interview: up to 13 points. Applicants will be given points related to their knowledge of nursing, organizational skills, planning for program workload and financial aspects, identified supports, management of commitments, communication skills, knowledge of own learning, and problem-solving skills.

Applicants with the highest number of points will be given priority for program seats.

LPN Access applicants

Entrance requirements (LPN applicants)

Academic entrance requirements

1. English 105 or equivalent with a minimum of C grade.

2. HSC 110 and HSC 112 or equivalent with a minimum of C grade or completion of a challenge exam with a minimum of C grade.

3. Successful completion of ESL Advanced Speaking, Listening, and Writing course sequence may be required for applicants for whom English is not a first language.

Other entrance requirements

1. Current full scope practicing registration as a Licensed Practical Nurse in B.C.

2. One written reference (from manager/supervisor) indicating your work as an LPN within two years prior to application for admission.

3. Basic Rescuer — Level C certificate. Currency must be maintained throughout the program.

4. Identification documents — birth certificate, marriage certificate, verification of change of name, landed immigrant status.

5. Valid driver's licence: You are responsible for arranging your own transportation to class, labs, hospitals, and other community agencies throughout the Fraser Valley.

6. Successful completion of a security clearance check. Criminal records check forms will be included with the letter of notification of acceptance to the program.

7. A health assessment indicating physical fitness and emotional stability. The assessment must be completed within 12 months prior to enrolment. Health questionnaire forms will be included with the letter of acceptance and must be completed by the specified date.

8. Completion of an immunization program prior to the program start date. Immunization forms will be included with the letter of acceptance and must be received by the specified date. A Hepatitis B immunization will be provided upon entry into the Nursing program. Applicants who have completed the Hepatitis B immunization prior to entry to the program must submit proof of immunization.

9. Attendance at an information session in preparation for entry into the program.

10. Interview with a faculty member to assess the following:
   • Basic knowledge of the field
   • Time-management skills
   • Communication skills: ability to listen and articulate ideas
   • Ability to think critically
   • Financial resources and support systems
   • Personal and work commitments in relation to assuming the demands of an applied academic program of studies.

Students who do not meet these requirements might consider the Nursing Studies program path.

How to apply (LPN applicants)

1. You may apply to the program prior to the completion of all entrance requirements. The following documents must be submitted to the Admissions & Records office, along with the application fee, in order to process your application:

• UFV application form
• Nursing program application
• Proof of full scope practicing registration as an LPN

Once these documents have been received by the Admissions & Records office, your application will be forwarded to the Nursing program.

2. Submit all remaining documents to the Health Sciences Centre, Chilliwack campus.

Documents required in order to achieve “complete applicant” status for LPN applicants:
• Nursing program application form
• Proof of completion of English 105 or equivalent requirement
• Proof of completion of HSC 110 and HSC 112 or equivalent or challenge exam requirement
• Completed reference form
• Basic Rescuer — Level C certificate
• Official identity documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate, verification of change of name, landed immigrant status)
• Proof of valid driver's licence
• Completion of ESL Advanced Speaking, Listening, and Writing course sequence as necessary.

3. Attendance at a program information session and an interview with the program faculty is required for all "complete" applicants. You will be contacted when dates and times have been established.

4. Applicants will be accepted based on points achieved on the applicant rating form.

5. You will be notified in writing regarding your acceptance. Upon acceptance to the program you will be provided with registration information. A deposit is required by a specified date in order to reserve a seat in the program. This money will be applied toward your tuition fees. If you do not register for courses and pay the deposit, your place will no longer be held for you.

6. If you meet the minimum requirements but are not selected to the class, your application will be held for consideration for the next intake. If you are not selected for a second intake, you will be required to reapply.

Basis for admission decision (LPN applicants)

Students will be rated based on the points achieved on the applicant rating form. Points will be given for academic performance on prerequisite courses, work experience, personal essay, reference(s), and personal interview.

The highest score that can be achieved by an applicant is 39.

1. Academic history: up to 16 points. The higher the applicant GPA on required academic prerequisites, the more points awarded. GPA will be calculated using the UFV grading scale.

2. Health care experience and letter of reference: up to 6 points. Points will be allocated according to the duration of the experience and the character of the reference given. Recognition will be given to any applicant who has demonstrated a leadership role in a workplace.

3. Application essay: up to 4 points. All applicants will be given points on the basis of meeting the criteria and the writing skill demonstrated.

4. Interview: up to 13 points. Applicants will be given points related to their knowledge of nursing, organizational skills, planning for program workload and financial aspects, identified supports, management of commitments, communication skills, knowledge of own learning, and problem-solving skills.

Applicants with the highest number of points will be given priority for program seats.

Fees and additional costs

See the Fees and Other Costs section. Fees are calculated based on a fee-per-credit basis. Course credits for the Nursing program are approximately 12–17 credits per semester. Please note that the majority of books and supplies are purchased in the first semester. Textbooks and supplies for the first semester total approximately $1,000. Additional textbooks will be required throughout the program. Parking fees are required at some clinical placement agencies.

Financial assistance

UFV has a comprehensive financial assistance program including scholarships, loans, and bursaries. Details are available from Financial Aid and Awards.

Program policies

The nursing and support courses for each semester are prerequisites for the coursework in the next semester. Due to the integrated nature of the nursing courses, progression from one semester to the next requires concurrent completion of the nursing courses.

To maintain status as a program student, students must achieve a minimum C grade in each course and a cumulative GPA of 2.0. Students who fail or withdraw from the nursing program may reapply to the program according to the Nursing Program Readmission policy.

Courses taken for elective credit must be approved by the Nursing department.

Each program student will receive a UFV Nursing Program Student Guidelines and Policies manual, which further explains the requirements of the program.

Graduation

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure all program requirements are met. Students must achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher to graduate.

Program outlines

Degree

Semester I

Semester II

Note: NURS 230 replaces NURS 120 and NURS 220 for three-year fast track students.

Semester III

Note: NURS 211 replaces NURS 203 for LPN Access students.

Semester IV

Note: NURS 230 replaces NURS 120 and NURS 220 for three-year fast track students.

Semester V

Semester VI

Semester VII

Semester VIII

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the Nursing (NURS) and Health Sciences (HSC) course descriptions.