Nursing

The UCFV Nursing program is designed to meet the needs of two groups: students who wish to pursue a career in nursing and RNs who wish to complete a nursing degree. The degree is offered in partnership with the Open University and prepares graduates for employment in a variety of health care settings.

The Nursing program has one intake per year in September and provides three possible streams as follows:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree BSN) (four years)
• Diploma Exit option (three years) (This option may not be offered in the future.)
• RN Access — Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN) (part-time option)

Some students may choose to work in the health care field after graduation from the diploma portion of the program and return to complete the degree at a later date.

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 Registered Nurses Association of B.C. Graduates will be eligible to write the registration examinations. Students in the RN Access program will already hold a current Practising Licence.

Course delivery options are flexible wherever possible and include independent study, lectures, seminars, multimedia approaches, and simulation in labs and tutorials. A part-time component is available for RNs. Many of the RN Access courses are offered within a flexible format in order to facilitate RNs’ existing employment schedules. The clinical experiences include hospitals and community agencies with supervised practica, preceptorships, and observational experiences.

Please 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 UCFV or other institutions. A number of seats are reserved in selected Health Science courses at UCFV for pre-nursing students. A minimum 60% (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. A letter of eligibility will be sent to you which must be taken to Admissions and Records at the time of registration.

Location

All 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.

Degree applicants (and diploma exit option)

Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete English 105 prior to program entry. You may apply for English 105 as a General Studies student. Refer to General Studies in the Introduction & General Information section.

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.

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 (UCFV BIO 093) or UCFV BIO 101 or 111
• Chemistry 11 (UCFV CHEM 083) or UCFV CHEM 101 or 111

b) Math 11 (Principles of Math 11) or UCFV MATH 085 with a minimum of C+ grade.

c) English 12 (UCFV ENGL 091 or ENGL 101) with a minimum of a B grade and a CPT score of 48 or greater 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. Successful completion of a security clearance check. Criminal records check forms will be included with the letter of notification regarding an interview.

6. A health assessment, completed by a physician, 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 notification regarding an interview. Please bring the completed questionnaire to your interview.

7. Completion of an immunization program prior to the program start date. Immunization forms will be distributed at the time of the interview 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.

8. Interview for information sharing and to assess the following:

• Basic knowledge of the field
• Time-management skills
• Communication skills: ability to listen and articulate ideas
• Financial resources and support systems
• Personal and work commitments in relation to assuming the demands of an applied academic program of studies.

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

How to apply

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

a) UCFV application form

b) Nursing program application

c) Prerequisite course(s) — submit one of the following:

• Final grade(s)
• Interim grade(s)
• Proof of course registration
• Proof of B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent (except for high school students, who may apply once they are registered in Grade 12).

Once these documents have been received by the Admissions & Records office, an application date will be recorded and your application will be forwarded to the nursing program.

2. Submit all remaining documents to the Health Sciences Centre, Chilliwack campus. Applicants will be considered for the program based on:

• Complete applicant status
• Date of application

Documents required in order to achieve “complete applicant” status for degree/ diploma applicants:

• Nursing program application form
• Proof of B.C. secondary school graduation
  or equivalent
• Academic prerequisites
• Volunteer health care experience reference(s)
• CPT score
• 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
• Security clearance check
• Proof of valid driver’s licence.

3. An interview with the program faculty is required for basic degree/diploma applicants. Preference will be given to those with “complete applicant” status. You will be contacted when interview dates and times have been established.

4. 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 to the tuition fees and is not refundable. If you do not register for courses and pay the deposits, your place will no longer be held for you.

RN Access applicants academic entrance requirements

1. English 105 or equivalent with a minimum grade of C+ or CPT score of 60 or greater.

Note: Additional academic evidence may be required for individual cases.

Other entrance requirements

1. Current Practising Registration as a Registered Nurse in B.C. Practising Registration must be maintained throughout the program. Interested applicants without registration or with Non-Practising Registration should contact the Registered Nurses Association of B.C. (RNABC at 1-800-565-6505).

2. Two written references indicating your work as an RN within three years prior to application for admission.

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

4. Completion of an immunization program prior to the program start date. Immunization forms will be distributed during regularly scheduled RN Access information sessions. A Hepatitis B immunization will be provided upon entry into the Nursing program.

How to apply

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

• UCFV application form
• The Nursing program application
• The registration form or interim grade(s) for the prerequisite English.

Once these documents have been received by the Admissions & Records office an application date will be recorded, and your application will be forwarded to the nursing program.

2. Submit all remaining documents to the Health Sciences Centre, Chilliwack campus. Applicants will be considered for the program based on:

• Complete applicant status
• Date of application.

Documents required in order to achieve “complete applicant” status for RN Access applicants:

• Nursing program application form
• Proof of Practising Registration
• Two completed reference forms
• Completion of English 105 requirement or CPT score
• Basic Rescuer — Level C certificate.

3. RN access applicants are asked to attend regularly scheduled information sessions to provide an overview of the degree program and an opportunity to address individual questions or concerns.

4. 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 to the tuition fees and is not refundable. If you do not register for courses and pay the deposits, your place will no longer be held for you.

Note: RN Access students are required to complete the degree program within six years of initial enrollment.

Fees and expenses

Fees are calculated based on a fee-per-credit basis. Course credits for the Nursing program remain under review, although a current average is 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. See Fees and Other Costs section for more information. New tuition fees are usually set each May.

Parking fees are required at some clinical placement agencies.

Financial assistance

UCFV has a comprehensive financial assistance program including scholarships, loans and bursaries. Details are available from the student Financial Aid office.

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. In order to continue with degree completion (Semesters B6–B8), students are required to maintain a CGPA of 2.33 for the first five semesters.

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

Once enrolled in the Nursing program, students are required to maintain RNABC student membership. RN Access students are required to maintain practicing membership. As one of the several services offered through this membership, an annual criminal records search will be done.

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

Program outlines

Degree/Diploma exit

Year 1 — Semester B1 

Year 1 — Semester B2 

Year 2 — Semester B3 

Year 2 — Semester B4 

Year 3 — Semester B5 

Diploma Exit (Only)

Degree (continued)

Year 3 — Semester B6 

**Note: Students will enroll in the Open University course APST 450 or APST 451 and transfer credit to NURS 307 to meet program requirements.

Year 4 — Semester B7 

Year 4 — Semester B8 

RN Access Degree

Year 3 — Semester A1 

Year 3 — Semester A2 

**Note: Students will enroll in the Open University course APST 450 or APST 451 and transfer credit to 
NURS 307 to meet program requirements.

Year 4 — Semester A3 

Year 4 — Semester A4 

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

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the Course Descriptions section (link below.).

Faculty

Wanda Gordon, Program Head, RN, BSN, MA (UBC)
Joyce Barnes, RN, SCM, MTD, BSN (City University)
Karen Davidson, RN, SCM, BScN (Alberta), MSN (UBC)
Sheila Edwards, RN, BSN, MSN (UBC)
Sandra Flynn, RN, BSN (UVic), MEd (Calgary)
Nancy Goad, RN, BScN (UWO), MEd (UBC)
Hannah MacDonald, RN, BSN (UVic), MEd (SFU)
Kiyo Matsuno, RN, BScN (UBC), MSc(A), (McGill)
Rona Miller, RN, BSN (UBC)
Elaine Tessaro, RN, BSN (UBC), MEd (UVic)
Elvira Warner, RN, BSN (UVic)
Lynne Wells, RN, BSN (Windsor), MEd (SFU)

Support staff

Janice Corbeil, Program Assistant
Joanna Hirnschall, RN, Lab Coordinator
Sherry Neetz, Secretary/receptionist

Advisory committee

Jackie Bourdages, Chilliwack General Hospital
Marilyn McDougall, Continuing Care, Fraser Valley Health Region, Abbotsford
Donna Ketteringham, Heritage Village
Pam McIntee, Community Health, Fraser Valley Health Region, Chilliwack
Cora McRae, Chilliwack General Hospital
Barbara Patterson, UBC Nursing Faculty
Elma Pauls, Health Programs, Hope
Bonnie Penner, Program Graduate
Betty Price, Health Programs, Chilliwack
Bernadet Ratsoy, Nursing Programs, BCIT
Diane Reed, Health and Human Services, OLA
Irene Rohrer, MSA General Hospital 

To Course Descriptions
Back to Faculty of Science, Health, & Human Services index