Health Sciences

LPN Access to Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Access to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is designed for LPNs who wish to complete a nursing degree. The degree prepares graduates for employment in a variety of health care settings.

This is a 2.5-year program, offered in a combination of in-person and hybrid formats. The 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 recognized by the British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals. Graduates will be eligible to write the registration examinations.

Course delivery options vary and include independent study, lectures, seminars, multimedia approaches, and simulation in labs and tutorials. The clinical experiences include hospitals and community agencies with supervised practicums, preceptorships, and observational experiences.

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

Entrance requirements

1. Current full scope practicing registration as a Licensed Practical Nurse in B.C.
2. ENGL 105 or equivalent with a minimum grade of C.
3. HSC 111 and HSC 113 or equivalent with a minimum grade of C or completion of a challenge exam with a minimum grade of C.
4. All applicants must meet the Degree/diploma level English language proficiency requirement. For details on how this requirement may be met, see the English language proficiency requirement section of the calendar.

Other requirements

1. One written reference (from manager/supervisor) indicating work as an LPN within two years prior to application for admission.
2. A health assessment indicating fitness to practice. The assessment must be completed within 12 months prior to enrolment. Health questionnaire forms will be included with the letter of notification regarding an information session. Completed forms must be brought to the interview.
3. Attendance at a program information session with the program faculty is mandatory for applicants being considered for admission to the program. At the information session applicants will be asked to complete the application essay questions. Applicants will be contacted when dates and times have been established; a health questionnaire will be provided and must be returned to the School of Health Studies prior to interview. Applicants that are to be interviewed will be notified.
4. Interview with faculty members.

Students who do not meet these requirements might consider Qualifying Studies.

When to apply

Applications for the Fall semester only. For application deadlines, see Specific intake application process.

How to apply

Applicants may apply to the program prior to the completion of all entrance requirements. The following documents must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar, along with the application fee, in order to process the application:

• UFV application form (available at ufv.ca/admissions/apply).
• ENGL 105 or equivalent requirement.
• HSC 111 and HSC 113 or equivalent or challenge exam requirement.
• Proof of full scope practicing registration as an LPN in B.C.
• Nursing program application (available at ufv.ca/registrar/forms).
• Completed reference form.

Applicants who have completed their LPN and above prerequisite courses at another post-secondary institution must have official transcript(s) sent to the Office of the Registrar. Once these documents have been received, the application will be forwarded to the Nursing program.

Additional documents required prior to full acceptance:

• Basic Rescuer — Level C certificate.
• Proof of valid driver's licence (learner's licence not acceptable).
• Completion of an immunization program prior to the program start date. Immunization forms will be included with a letter of acceptance. Proof of immunization must be received by the date specified.

Basis for admission decision

Admission to the program is on a competitive basis. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. 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.

1. Academic history: Applicants will be awarded points according to their GPA in the three prerequisite courses, with higher GPAs scoring more points. GPA will be calculated using the UFV grading scale.
2. Health care experience and letter of reference: 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: All applicants will be given points on the basis of meeting the criteria and the writing skill demonstrated.
4. Interview: 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.

Applicants will be notified in writing regarding their acceptance. Upon admission to the program, applicants will be provided with registration information. A deposit will be required prior to the first day of course registration to reserve a seat in the program. This money will be applied toward tuition fees. If applicants do not register for courses and pay the deposit, a place will no longer be held for them.

If applicants meet the minimum requirements but are not selected to the program, they will be required to reapply and resubmit all documents for consideration to a future semester.

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 15–17 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 $1,200. Additional textbooks will be required throughout the program. Parking fees are required at some clinical placement agencies.

Financial aid

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

Location

Nursing and most 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.

Program outline

Courses and credits prior to admission

Semester I (Fall)

Semester II (Winter)

Semester III (Fall)

Semester IV (Winter)

Note: Only one of NURS 490 or NURS 491 may be used toward program requirements.

Semester V (Summer)

Program continuance

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

To maintain status as a BSN program student and to continue in the program, students must achieve a minimum grade of C in each course and a cumulative GPA of 2.00. 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 program's continuance requirements and policies.

Undergraduate continuance

Students enrolled in undergraduate courses (courses numbered 100 or higher) must maintain an undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 2.00 to remain enrolled in Good Academic Standing at UFV. Students in Good Academic Standing will have no registration limits placed on them. Failure to meet the minimum CGPA requirement will result in restrictions on registration and may eventually lead to academic suspension from undergraduate studies at UFV. Students on Academic Warning or Academic Probation are limited to registering in 10 credits. For further details, see the Academic standing and undergraduate continuance section of the academic calendar. Academic standing is governed by UFV's Undergraduate Continuance policy (92).

Graduation requirements

It is the student's responsibility to ensure all program requirements are met. This should be done by regular consultation with an Academic Advisor. To be eligible to graduate, students must achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.

Students must apply for graduation in the first month of their final semester. Visit the Graduation webpage for more information. The final deadline for students who wish to attend the June Convocation ceremony is April 1 of each year, with all program requirements completed by April 30.

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the NURS or HSC course descriptions section.