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About Nursing How do I know that nursing is the right career choice for me?
One
of the ways to help you determine if nursing is a fit for you is to
review "Becoming a Registered Nurse in British Columbia Requisite
Skills and Abilities" required to be a nurse. This document is found in
a document published by The College of Registered Nurses of BC and is
available at: http://www.crnbc.ca/downloads/464.pdf).
It provides information about the skills and abilities necessary for
nursing. You should assess yourself in relationship to these skills and
abilities to determine whether you are likely to be able to complete a
nursing program and become a registered nurse.
One of the
program requirements is 30 hours of volunteer or work experience in a
health care field. This experience in health care will provide you with
exposure to nurses. Take the time to observe then at work and talk to
them about their work. Family and friends can be good sources of
information about the work of nurses, and the rewards and challenges. A
student enrolled in a nursing program will be able to provide
information about the program.
Do I have to write the provincial exam for a prerequisite course I am taking?
You
will need to write the provincial exam for English 12 as a requirement
for grade 12 graduation. The program does not require provincial
exams beyond that. If you have written the Biology 12 provincial
exam, please refer to UFV Provincial Exam Policy in the UFV calendar.
Where can I do my volunteer work experience?
Volunteer
work experience can take place in long term care facilities or
hospitals (i.e., candystriping/junior volunteer).You should contact the
institution where you wish to volunteer; they normally have a volunteer
coordinator who will set up hours for you. We also accept people with
work experience in a doctor’s office, pharmacies, physiotherapy
clinics, etc. During the experience you must have contact with
patients/clients – for example working in the kitchen at the hospital
with no patient contact would not meet this requirement. If you require
further clarification regarding the appropriateness of your volunteer
experience please contact the Program Assistant.
Does UFV have a bridging program from LPNs or RPNs to become RNs?
Yes,
UFV is currently offering an LPN Access option for LPNs to bridge into
the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. See Application Information for
details.
Where can I take the prerequisite courses?
You
can take them at high school or adult education centres, at UFV
through University Upgrading and Preparation department, or by
correspondence (ie. Fraser Valley Distance Education or Open Learning).
As a mature student do I have to have all of the academic prerequisites?
Yes,
you do. The biology and chemistry prereqs must be completed within five
years prior to entry into the program, but if you have the required
grades for English 12 (B) and Principles of Math 11 (C+) you do not
have to re-take them again.
What is a competitive entry applicant selection process?
A
competitive entry process supports the selection of the most qualified
applicants to the program. Each "complete" applicant will be rated
using the program requirements as the criteria. Students are selected
on the basis of points awarded; the applicants with the highest
score are given first priority for seats.
How many students do you accept each year?
We have two intakes per year in September and January. We admit 48 students in September and 32 students in January. Sixteen of the 48 students admitted in September will do the 3 year fast track option.
Is there a waitlist? How long?
We
no longer operate using the waitlist system. Each complete application
is considered for admission on a competitive basis for 2 intake
periods.
If I do not get into the program, do I have to re-apply every year?
If
you are not accepted, you would still remain on the wait list for the
next intake; you do not need to re-apply. If you are not admitted a
second time, your file will be inactivated. You will need to reapply to
the program if still interested.
Can the BSN program be done on a part-time basis?
No it is a full-time program, Monday to Friday (clinical hours may vary and include early starts, some evenings and weekends).
I took courses at another college/university, can I get credit for them?
If
you took the courses at a BC college or university, the BC Transfer
Guide can be accessed to see if your courses are equivalent to courses
at UFV. If your courses are from another province or not in the guide,
they would have to be articulated by Admissions and Records. You would
have to apply for a Transfer Credit and provide an official transcript
(in a sealed envelope) to Admissions and Records along with detailed
course outlines for unarticulated courses. These would be assessed and
a decision made to accept or not accept your courses for transfer
credit.
I would like to take the Anatomy & Physiology (HSC 111) before I come into the program, is this possible?
Sometimes
there are limited seats available (full time nursing students have
priority). Should there be extra seats, they will be offered to nursing
applicants who have “complete” status but have not been accepted into
the program at that time. Please contact the program assistant for
additional information.
Is the diploma option still available?
No this option has been discontinued.
What does the 3 year fast track program option look like?
Students are admitted to the program as part of the September intake. Selection to the fast track is done at the end of the first semester. Fast track students will complete the same program as the four-year students but will do so over three years. Students will be schedule for classes and clinical experiences through the summer. Short breaks occur between each semester with slightly longer breaks halfway through the program.
What is the job market for BSN graduates?
New
graduates generally work in acute care, long term care or community
agencies. Many are employed in the setting where they completed their
preceptorship. Graduates are able to obtain full-time, part-time or
casual work in and outside of the Fraser Valley.
What are the possibilities for education beyond the BSN program?
Nurses
with a BSN degree are eligible to apply to graduate studies at any
university in Canada. Completion of a master's degree will provide an
opportunity for employment in education, administration or advanced
practice. BSN graduates are also eligible for continuing education in
specialty areas of nursing such as critical care, maternity,
emergency or the operating room.
What are the hours of work for nurses?
Nurses
working in acute or long term care will work either eight or twelve
hour shifts. Nurses who work twelve hour shifts usually have a pattern
of two days followed by two nights of work. Nurses working eight hour
shifts often work a combination of days-evenings or days-nights,
usually six or seven in a row. In some areas of employment such as the
community, nurses work a regular day shift Monday to Friday with a few
evening or weekend shifts.
What type of salary can a new graduate of the BSN program expect to receive?
In British Columbia the current starting wage is $27.85 per hour.
If I was a nurse in another country, what should I do to get a license to practice in Canada?
You
should contact the College of Registered Nurses of BC (CRNBC) at 2855
Arbutus St., Vancouver, BC V6J 3Y8. They are the governing body of RNs
in British Columbia; they will give your directions as to what you must
do.
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