Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program
Offered in Fort St. John and Prince George, UNBC’s Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program (NBNP) provides students with the skills and knowledge to enter the registered nursing field. The NBNP introduces students to the unique aspects of delivering health care in small urban and rural communities located throughout northern BC and beyond.
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)
Length of program: 5 consecutive semesters (Year 3 & 4 of BScN)
Campuses: Fort St. John, BC, & Prince George, BC
Experiential learning: Clinical, laboratory and simulation practice
Initial online applications to UNBC are completed through EducationPlannerBC. UNBC will accept supplementary application materials such as the letter of intent, resume, rural remote suitability index questionnaire, reference letters, CASper score and official transcripts after the application deadline, however only after all required application materials are received will an applicant be reviewed and assessed for admission.
Now Accepting Applications!
Next intake: September 2023
Application Deadlines: Submit application early!
Prince George Campus (Wood Innovation and Design Centre): Accepting applications until June 15 (if seats available)
Fort St. John Campus (Northern Lights College): Accepting applications until June 15 (if seats available)
The program is designed for individuals with previous experience and achievement in university-level, post-secondary education who are interested in careers as Registered Nurses (RNs). Upon completion, students earn a BScN and are eligible to write the NCLEX-RN, which qualifies them to work as RNs in any health care sector where RNs have legislated scope of practice.
Eligibility
Individuals with at least 60 credits of university-level, post-secondary education are encouraged to apply.
Eligible applicants to the NBNP require either:
- A non-nursing baccalaureate degree which includes 24 credit hours of specific, non-nursing prerequisite coursework directly relevant to healthcare practice or;
- A minimum of 60 non-nursing university transferrable credits toward a baccalaureate degree. These credits include or are in addition to 24 credit hours of specific, non-nursing prerequisite coursework directly relevant to healthcare practice.
Admission to the NBNP is a competitive, criteria weighted process consisting of the following two parts:
- Compiled minimum admissions qualification score based on admission GPA, and supplemental application materials
- An online assessment (CASPer)
Application requirements:
- UNBC application
- Statement of Interest
- Resume
- Rural and Remote Suitability Index Questionnaire
- Two reference letters
- CASPer assessment
- Official transcripts
What to Expect
NBNP courses are offered through face-to-face teaching in the classroom as well as online content delivered via the Moodle platform. Some courses without laboratory or clinical components may be delivered entirely online. In practicum course components, students work with a variety of patient populations in hospital, clinic and community settings. Graduates are well prepared to work in rural and northern communities.
Admission Requirements
Priority admission is given to students who meet the admission criteria and apply by the designated date that applications close. Applications received after the deadline may be reviewed based on available space in the program.
Applicants must meet the following admission requirements:
- Meet UNBC admission requirements
- Have a minimum ‘B’ average on the most recent 60 UNBC or university transferable credit hours; completed at the undergraduate level
- Meet the 24 credit hours of required prerequisite course work; and
- Have 24 credit hours completed at UNBC or are transferable to UNBC at the 200 level or above
Required Pre-Admission course work
Students must have a minimum grade of ‘B-‘ in the following courses (consult the BC Transfer Guide to determine UNBC recommended course equivalencies):
University Level Human Anatomy and Physiology (6 credits):
HHSC 111-4 and HHSC 112-4, or HHSC 105-3 and HHSC 305-3, HHSC 306-3, HHSC 325-1 and HHSC 326-1 or equivalents are recommended. Human anatomy and physiology courses must include a lab component and be completed within 5 years prior to the semester of admission.
University Level Microbiology (3 Credits):
HHSC 110-3 is recommended. Microbiology courses relevant to Human health must be completed within 5 years prior to the semester of admission.
University Level Statistics (3 credits):
STAT 240-3 is recommended. Statistics must be completed within 10 years prior to the semester of admission.
University Level Social Sciences with Peoples and Cultures content (3 Credits):
ANTH 213-3 is recommended. Social Science courses dealing with people, languages and cultures must be completed within 10 years prior to the semester of admission.
University Level English (3 Credits):
One of ENGL 100-3, ENGL 102-3, ENGL 103-3, ENGL 120-3 are recommended or a higher-level transferable English composition course. English composition courses must be completed within 10 years prior to the semester of admission.
University Level Indigenous Studies (3 credits):
FNST 302-3 First Nations Health and Healing is recommended. Indigenous Studies courses must be completed within 10 years prior to the semester of admission.
University level Psychology with human development, behaviour and/or cognition content (3 credits):
PSYC 101 is recommended. Psychology course work must be completed within 10 years prior to the semester of admission.
See all NBNP Admission Requirements
Selection Process
Since the number of qualified applicants is expected to exceed the number of placements available, fulfilment of the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. The process is competitive and the School of Nursing reserves the right to select and admit all students into the NBNP. Consideration is given to all applicants who complete the application process; however, preference is given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
The School of Nursing selects and admits those students who demonstrate academic potential, strong motivation to study nursing and the qualities, judgment and clinical aptitude necessary to be a caring and professional nurse.
The admission decisions are based on:
- Academic standing, including prerequisite courses
- Rural Remote and Suitability Index score
- CASPer Score
- Supplemental application score
More information on the Academic Calendar
If you would like to speak with a Program Advisor email nbnpadvising@unbc.ca
Apply to the Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program (NBNP)
To begin the Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program application process, please download the Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program checklist below and follow the instructions.
NBNP Application Process Checklist 2022
Rural and Remote Suitability Questionnaire
Application and all admission documents must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar. If you have application questions, please contact the Office of the Registrar at 250-960-6300 or email nursing-admissions@unbc.ca.
Additional Information
It is highly recommended that applicants review the BC College of Nurses and Midwives – Registration Requirements and the Profile of a Newly Graduated Registered Nurse on the BC College of Nurses and Midwives website to find out further information about entry-level registered nurse competencies, preparation and practice assumptions.
Post Admission Requirements
Successful applicants to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program will be required to complete a Criminal Record Check (CRC), Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation – Health Care Provider (CPR-HCP) certification, proof of immunization and N95 mask fitting test.
