Undergraduate Admissions
Potential applicants are strongly advised to view the ongoing version of the UBC Okanagan Academic Calendar for the most accurate listing of program admission requirements.
Basic BSN Program Applicants
This applies to the following student groups:
- High School Applicants
- University Transfer Students
Students requiring general advising about program admissions, nature of program etc. should be referred to UBC Okanagan Student Recruitment and Advising (STRA).
Contact: Student Recruitment and Advising 250.807.8521
Admission from Secondary School
Procedures, policies, and admission requirements to the University of British Columbia and the School of Nursing are specified in “Admissions”. Because of enrolment limitations, the academic standing required for admissions is higher than the published University minimum, and not every qualified applicant will be offered admission.
Please be advised that there has been a senate approved change to the admission requirements for high school applicants to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program effective for the academic year beginning September 2015. The change includes the addition of the requirement of two courses; all applicants from secondary schools will be required to have Biology 11 and Chemistry 12 or equivalent.
Admission from Post-Secondary Institutions
Transfer students who have completed transferable course work at another accredited post-secondary institution will be considered for admission. The minimum academic standing to qualify for admission to the University as a transfer student is successful completion of 24 transferable credits. A minimum grade-point average of 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale) is required to be considered for admission, although a higher competitive average may be required. Academic standing is based on the average on all college or university courses attempted, including failures and repeated courses. In the case of applicants with more than 30 credits of prior study, the admission average is calculated on the basis of the most recently completed 30 credits. Transfer applicants should present transfer credit in Biology, Chemistry, English, and Mathematics. If an applicant is not able to fulfill these requirements at the post-secondary level, they must be fulfilled at the high school level. Students with unsatisfactory standing or who have been required to withdraw from another post-secondary institution will not be considered for admission.
It is important to note that the curriculum of the nursing program at UBC Okanagan is different than the curriculum of the nursing program at UBC Vancouver. Direct transfer between the two programs is not possible.
Additional Requirements
Prior to the start of classes, all admitted students must present:
- Current certification in Occupational First Aid Level I or Standard First Aid.
- Current certification in Basic Life Support, Level C. This must be maintained throughout the program.
- Signed copy of CRNBC Requisite Skills and Abilities Form.
- Results of Tuberculin Testing done no more than six months before the first day of classes, with evidence of appropriate follow up if the test was positive.
- Criminal Record Check is required for students entering the BSN Program and are done through the BC Ministry of Justice, not the RCMP.
Criminal record checks are completed via an on-line process and have a fee of $28.
Students will be provided an electronic link and a UBC Okanagan School of Nursing access code in their welcome letter, which will be emailed to them via their Student Service Center account SSC in May or June prior to their entering the program.
Students need to apply for the criminal record check between June 1 and August 31 in the year in which the student commences the BSN program.
Applicants who have a criminal record may be denied admission or have their offer of admission revoked.
Applicants who have a criminal record and are seeking a pardon are advised to contact the Solicitor General of BC six months before the start of classes as it could be a lengthy process.
Additionally, the following vaccines are recommended for all health care workers (HCW):
- Tetanus and Diptheria Toxoid (Td) – Booster doses of Td are recommended every 10 years, or as a minimum at least once during adult life.
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccine – For measles protection: two doses of MMR are recommended for all individuals born or or after January 1, 1957 who do not have a history of lab confirmed measeles desease. For mumps protection: two doses of MMR are recommended for all individuals born on or after January 1, 1970; one dose is recommended for all individuals born January 1 1957 to December 31, 1969 who do not have evidence of mumps immunity. For rubella protection, a single dose of MMR is recommended for all individuals who do not have evidence of rubella immunity. One dose is considered evidence of immunity to rubella.
- Polio Vaccine – Primary immunization with inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine (IPV) is indicated for all who have not had a primary course of poliovirus vaccine (OPV or IPV). If you have not been given a full primary course, you should have the series completed with IPV regardless of the interval since the last dose. Booster doses of IPV are not required in Canada.
- Hepatitis B Vaccine – Recommended because of potential exposure to blood or body fluids, as well as increased risk of penetrating injuries.
- Varicella Vaccine – Indicated for those who do not have either reliable history of disease or serologic evidence of immunity.
- Flu Immunization – Annual Flu immunization is recommended.
LPN Admissions
UBC Okanagan offers access to the second year of our BSN program for LPN graduates who have some work experience. This program will help you upgrade your credential and take the next step in your nursing career.
Successful completion of the Basic program provides eligibility to write the Canadian Registered Nurses Exam and to apply for registration as a Registered Nurse with the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia.
Practice experiences are an integral part of the nursing program. The location of practice varies (e.g., hospitals, extended care facilities, community agencies, private homes). Sites are located throughout the Okanagan region. Access to reliable transportation is required.
Students wishing to apply to the LPN Access program will be referred for general inquiries to Student Recruitment and Advising (this includes information about the application process, deadlines, and general requirements). Specific course content advising and more specific admissions questions will be done in the faculty.
Contact: Student Advising : 250-807-8521
Academic Admission Requirements
- Current licensure as a Practical Nurse is required.
- Two of ENGL 112, 113, 150, 151, 152, and 153.
- BIOL 131 and 133 and one university transfer course selected from psychology, sociology, anthropology, or philosophy. Note: No grade less than 60% will be accepted. A 64% grade average in these courses is required.
- Students must demonstrate competency in mathematics by achieving a “C” in MATH 111, 125 or STAT 121, or 60% in Principles of Mathematics 11.
- Verification of the equivalent of six months full time work as a practical nurse (or equivalent position) in a hospital or community health care agency within the last two years. A letter from an employer or supervisor describing satisfactory work performance and suitability for the Access option is required.
Courses must be completed within seven years before entry into the LPN Access to BSN program.
Program Outline
- NRSG 140 LPN Access to BSN
For students entering the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) LPN Access program. Participants will be introduced, through theory and laboratory instruction, to the process of critical reflection and to the foundational constructs associated with courses in the first year of the Nursing program.
RN Admissions
This program may be taken on a full or part-time basis. Practice experiences are an integral part of the nursing program. Practice sites vary and are located throughout the Okanagan region. Attendance in practice courses is mandatory and students will be placed throughout the Okanagan region. Students are responsible for their own travel arrangemetns and placements will not be adjusted on the basis of access to transportation.
Students wishing to apply to the BSN program through the RN Access program will be referred for general inquiries to Student Recruitment and Advising. Advising will be given on application process, deadlines, and general program questions.
Specific course content advising and more specific admissions questions will be done in the School.
Contact: 250-807-9908; daphne.clarke-hamilton@ubc.ca
General Admission Requirements
- A certified copy of practicing registration as a registered nurse in British Columbia. Practicing registration must be maintained throughout the program.
- Two current references indicating a competent standard of nursing practice.
- Applicants must meet the general UBC Okanagan requirements as set out in the calendar.
Students are strongly advised to have a beginners level of competency with computers and word processing before entering the nursing program. Applications are individually assessed by the School of Nursing.
Course Advising
Potential applicants are advised to consult with the School of Nursing before and during the application process. Applicants admitted to the program must receive approval from a designated course advisor before they are allowed to register in any required courses. Diploma graduates from OUC (or other colleges offering a similar curriculum) who enter the RN Access to BSN program within three years of graduation may be exempted from taking NRSG 326, 336 and 346 but must still complete 45 credits of study. Students are encouraged to discuss the English requirements for graduation with a course advisor.
English Requirements
Prior to registering for any 400-level courses, all students must meet one of the following English requirements:
- Successful completion of 6 credits of university transferable English.
- Successful completion of UBCO English 112 or equivalent.
- A Language Proficiency Index score of 5 or greater.
Residency Requirements
Students must take a minimum of 24 credits of required nursing courses at the 300 and 400 level at UBC Okanagan. This must include at least two practice courses, one of which is NRSG 424 for 3 credits. Up to 12 credits may be taken from other institutions offering the same curriculum as UBC Okanagan and a further 9 credits may be transferred from institutions not offering the same curriculum as UBC Okanagan.
Graduation Requirements
At least 36 credits of studies must be completed at the 300 and 400 level. A minimum grade average of 65% is required for all courses in the third and fourth year. Studies must normally be finished within six years.
Program Outline
Third Year
Term One: Introduction to the BSN program
NRSG 326 Health (RN Access of BSN)
NRSG 336 Professional Growth (RN Access of BSN)
NRSG 346 Nursing Practice (RN Access of BSN)
Three Elective credits
Term Two
NRSG 313 Self and Others III: Helping Relationships
NRSG 321 Health IV: Health Promotion and Community Development
NRSG 324 Nursing Practice V
NRSG 412 Professional Growth: Research
Fourth Year
Term One
NRSG 414 Nursing Practice VI
NRSG 422 Health/Professional Growth: Nurses Influencing Change
NRSG 425 Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis (or course that meets department requirements)
NRSG 433 Health Science III
Term Two
NRSG 424 Nursing Practice VII: Transitions (3, 6 or 9 credits)
Up to 6 credits of Focused Electives*
* A focused elective can be a recent nursing or non-nursing course; it must support the students practice; and it must be approved by the course advisor.