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.
Applications Open: October 1, 2024
Next intake: September 2025
Online Information Session – January 25, 2024 – 5:00 PM PST Recording
Application Deadlines: Submit application early!
Prince George Campus (Wood Innovation and Design Centre): Accepting applications until January 15, 2025.
Fort St. John Campus (Northern Lights College): Accepting applications until January 15, 2025.
Applications received by the first deadline of January 15, 2025, will be reviewed and given full consideration for competitive admissions.
Prince George Campus (Wood Innovation and Design Centre): Competitive entry deadline is January 15, 2025.
Fort St. John Campus (Northern Lights College): Competitive entry deadline is January 15, 2025.
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 baccalaureate degree which includes 24 credit hours of specific, non-nursing prerequisite coursework directly relevant to healthcare practice or;
- 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
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.
Program Requirements
300 Level
| NRSG 300-4 | Fundamentals of Nursing |
| NRSG 301-3 | Health Assessment |
| NRSG 302-3 | Pathophysiological Concepts |
| NRSG 303-3 | Pharmacology |
| NRSG 304-3 | Ethics and Law for Nursing Practice |
| NRSG 305-3 | Concepts for Evidence-Informed Nursing |
| NRSG 310-3 | Introduction to Nursing Practice |
| NRSG 311-7 | Medical and Surgical Nursing Practice 1 |
400 Level
| NRSG 400-3 | Nursing Leadership for Quality Care |
| NRSG 410-7 | Professional Practice: Mental Health and Addictions Nursing |
| NRSG 411-7 | Professional Practice: Community Health Nursing |
| NRSG 412-7 | Professional Practice: Perinatal Health and Care of the Childbearing Family |
| NRSG 415-7 | Medical and Surgical Nursing Practice 2 |
At least one of the following areas of clinical focus:
| NRSG 420-8 | Community Health Nursing |
| NRSG 421-8 | Rural Health and Nursing |
| NRSG 422-8 | Indigenous Health and Nursing |
| NRSG 423-8 | Mental Health and Addictions Nursing |
| NRSG 424-8 | Acute Care Nursing |
| NRSG 425-8 | Pediatric Nursing |
| NRSG 497-8 | Specialty Focus in Nursing |
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
Admission Requirements: Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Access
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) who are applying for admission to the NCBNP must
- meet all Northern Collaborative Baccalaureate Nursing Program admission requirements;
- be graduates of a Practical Nursing program recognized by the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) since 1994;
- have current practicing registration or be eligible for practicing registration with the BCCNM.
LPN applicants will be assessed on an individual basis and may be eligible for up to a maximum of 15 transfer credit hours of NCBNP courses.
Applicants who have completed a BC Practical Nursing Certificate prior to 1994, or have completed a certificate or diploma from a program outside of British Columbia, or have graduated from an institution not listed in the BC Transfer Guide, may not be exempt from any of the Year 1 or Year 2 NCBNP courses.
In order to have their documents referred to Nursing faculty members for transfer credit assessment, all successful LPN applicants must meet individually with the Nursing Advisor at the institution to which they are applying. Further criteria may be required in order to receive transfer credit.
Required Pre-Admission course work
All Prerequisite course work must normally be completed within 10 years prior to the semester of admission.
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.
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.
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):
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
September 26, 2024
October 10, 2024
November 12, 2024
November 19, 2024
December 10, 2024
January 9, 2025
Anyone intending to apply for the competitive admission deadline of January 15, 2025, must complete the CASPer exam by January 09, 2025, at the latest. CASPer exams taken before September 26, 2024, or from previous application attempts will not be accepted.
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 2024
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.