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.

nursing student drawing medication with a syringe

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. 

Application Deadlines: Submit application early!

Applications received by the first deadline of January 15, 2024, will be reviewed and given full consideration for competitive admissions; applications received between January 15 and March 31, 2024, will be considered as they are received.

Prince George Campus (Wood Innovation and Design Centre): Competitive entry deadline is January 15, 2024.  Late applications will be accepted between January 15, 2024 and March 31, 2024 for domestic applicants only.

Fort St. John Campus (Northern Lights College): Competitive entry deadline is January 15, 2024.  Late applications will be accepted between January 15, 2024 and March 31, 2024 for domestic applicants only.

Late applicants (after the January 15 deadline) with more than 6 credits outstanding after the end of the Winter 2024 semester will not be considered for the Fall 2024 cycle.

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

Eligible applicants to the NBNP require either:

  1. A baccalaureate degree which includes 24 credit hours of specific, non-nursing prerequisite coursework directly relevant to healthcare practice or;
  2. A minimum of 60 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

Detailed steps to apply


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. Completion of lab components are highly recommended but not required.  Human Anatomy and Physiology course work must be competed within 10 years prior to the semester of admisssion.

University Level Microbiology (3 Credits):
HHSC 110-3 or BIOL 203-3 or equivalents are recommended. Completion of a lab component is highly recommended but not required. Microbiology courses relevant to Human health must be completed within 10 years prior to the semester of admission.

University Level Statistics (3 credits):
STAT 240-3  or equivalent is recommended.

University Level Social Sciences with Peoples and Cultures content (3 Credits):
ANTH 213-3 or equivalent is recommended.  The following course subjects may also be taken to fulfill the 3 credit university level Social Science requirement:
Anthropology (ANTH)
Commerce (COMM)
Economics (ECON)
Education (EDUC)
Environmental Planning (ENPL)
First Nation Studies (FNST)
Global and International Studies (INTS)
Northern Studies (NORS)
Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Management (ORTM)
Political Science (POLS)
Psychology (PSYC)

University Level English (3 Credits):
Please change this to: ENGL 100-3 or ENGL 102-3 or ENGL 103-3 or ENGL 120-3 or equivalent is recommended.

University Level Indigenous Studies (3 credits):
FNST 100-3 or equivalent is recommended

University level Psychology with human development, behaviour and/or cognition content (3 credits):
PSYC 101-3 or equivalent is recommended.

See all NBNP Admission Requirements

CASPer Test

All applicants to the Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program (NBNP) are required to complete an online computer-based assessment (CASPer) test in addition to meeting academic requirements. CASPer is an online, video-scenario-based, situational judgement test that assesses the non-academic attributes and personal/professional characteristics of applicants that are important for the success of students and graduates of the NBNP. It is mandatory for applicants to complete the CASPer test and submit the results to the UNBC School of Nursing prior to the NBNP application deadline.

CASPer Test Dates

November 2, 2023 8pm
December 5, 2023 8pm
January 18, 2024 8pm
February 1, 2024 8pm
March 5, 2024 5pm
March 19, 2024 8pm

Those who are interested in applying for the 2024 Fall semester will need to complete their CASPer exam before the March 31 deadline. Please do not write the CASPer test during the admission cycle if you are not planning on applying. CASPer tests written during the current admission cycle will not be accepted for a future application.

To register for the CASPer exam, please visit the following website: https://acuityinsights.app/.


Selection Process

Since the number of qualified applicants is expected to exceed the number of placements available, fulfillment 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.