Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Note: for the Fall 2010 intake, the application deadline for Special Entry Nursing has been extended to July 14, 2010. This deadline may be extended.

Douglas College offers a four-year baccalaureate degree program, approved by the provincial government and the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia and accredited by the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN). This Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is designed to educate nurses to be effective practitioners capable of meeting the needs of a changing client population within the health care system. Graduates are prepared to work with individuals, families, groups and communities within a variety of settings. In all settings, the graduate's practice focuses on maintaining people's health, preventing illness and restoring health. Restoring health includes helping people to care for themselves and also helping family members to care for one another. Nurses who graduate from the program are prepared to be active participants in the ongoing reform of the health care system. At the completion of the degree, graduates will be able to write the national registration examination and to apply for registration with the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia.

Advanced Placement

Douglas College also offers advanced placement for applicants who are Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses (see Access I and Access II information). This option is under review.

Department Website

For an overview of this program, including faculty listings and frequently asked questions plus other resources, visit the departmental website.

Career Opportunities for Graduates

Graduates are prepared to practise nursing in a variety of contexts. These include: acute care (general and selected specialized areas), intermediate care, long-term care, home care, and prevention.

Curriculum

The curriculum is based on the concepts of caring and health promotion. It has been developed in consultation with nursing practitioners, theorists, professional associations and various government ministries. The program includes courses from other disciplines which complement nursing theory and practice courses.

This program uses an innovative educational design that is well-suited to preparing the kind of professional that is required in health care today. The program is rich in nursing practice experience where students come face-to-face with people's experiences of health and healing. From real-life experience, students come to know the role that nurses play in helping people remain healthy and cope with illness. Critical and creative thinking and compassionate care are emphasized in the program. The program is offered in a climate which is supportive of individual rights and diversity. The curriculum incorporates innovative technology as learning tools and in preparing students for practice. Students in the program are active participants in the learning process. Students' interests are recognized and they are given choices in planning their educational experience. This curriculum design ensures that students will become effective practitioners who are committed to and capable of ongoing learning.

Location

David Lam Campus, Coquitlam

Intake Dates/Application Deadlines

Note: for the Fall 2010 intake, the application deadline for Special Entry Nursing has been extended to July 14, 2010. This deadline may be extended.

**Application deadlines may be extended.
There are two intakes each year: Fall (September) and Winter (January).

Completed applications with all required documents must be submitted to the Registrar's Office by February 1 for the Fall intake and June 1 for the Winter (January) intake.

A current (within three years) First Aid Certificate and a current (within one year) Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate at the Health Care Provider (HCP) level will be requested as part of the final admission requirements if a conditional offer of acceptance is made.

EARLY ADMISSION
Although application and document deadlines may be identified for this program, we encourage all applicants to apply early and to submit all supporting documentation as early as possible. Those applicants who apply early and submit all documents early may be offered early admission.

Information Sessions

Free information sessions for this program are held throughout the year. Please check online at www.douglascollege.ca/new-students/information-sessions or phone the Registrar's office at 604-527-5478 for exact dates and times of these sessions.

Transportation

Students must be responsible for their own transportation needs while in the BSN program. There are nursing practice experiences at various hospitals and health care agencies all over the Lower Mainland. During community nursing practice experiences students must have access to a car. These experiences will occur during Semesters 6 through 8.

Transfer Credit/Nursing Program Transfer

* Please note that transfer credit from other educational institutions, including courses from other nursing programs, is not automatically granted.

Students must request transfer credit by submitting an official transcript with their Application for Admission or Re-admission along with a Transfer Credit Request Form. Detailed course outlines of courses taken at a BC institution may also be required before credit can be evaluated. Detailed course outlines are required for credit evaluation of courses taken outside of Douglas College. Foreign credentials cannot be evaluated.

Students are strongly recommended to request transfer credit at least four months in advance of the first semester of attendance. Requests for evaluation of credit received after this time may not be processed in time for registration prerequisite checking.

For additional information about transferring courses from other nursing programs, please contact the Health Sciences Office at 604-777-6407.

Please Note:

Nursing programs follow different curricula, therefore it may be difficult to transfer equal course credits from one institution to another.
Please review the curriculum overview and courses for the Douglas College BSN program to compare with the nursing program where you are currently enrolled. Course equivalency from the transferring institution to Douglas College BSN program will be carefully considered, but credit is not automatically granted.

Admission

I. Minimum Admission Requirements (first-year Nursing applicants)

All applicants must meet the minimum admission requirements listed in sections A and B below. Applicants are then selected based on PREFERENTIAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS.

A. Academic Admission Requirements

1. Graduation from BC Senior Secondary School (or equivalent) or mature student status (see Douglas College Calendar for definition).

AND

2. Completion of the following courses (or one of the equivalents):

a) English 12, within the past four years, with a minimum grade of "B" or completion of the Douglas College Writing Assessment Test, within the past four years, with a level designation of College Level Writing Courses (recommended for entry into English 1130). Refer to the Faculty of Language, Literature and Performing Arts Assessment Equivalents.

b) Principles of Math 11 with a minimum grade of "C" or one of the equivalents.
Equivalents: Algebra 11 with a minimum grade of "C", or Principles of Math 12, Algebra 12 or Math 12 with a minimum grade of "P", or DVST 0411 with a minimum grade of "C", or acceptable score on the NURS Readiness Assessment, or a minimum grade of "P" in any university transferable Math or Stats course (including PSYC 2300) or Math 1101 with a minimum grade of "P".

c) Chemistry 11 with a minimum grade of "C+" or one of the equivalents.
Equivalents: Chemistry 12 with a minimum grade of "C" or university transferable Chemistry course with a minimum grade of "P".

d) Biology 11 with a minimum grade of "C+" or one of the equivalents.
Equivalents: Biology 12 with a minimum grade of "C" or university transferable Biology course with a minimum grade of "P".

e) One Grade 12 Science course with a minimum grade of "C+".
Approved Science courses are: Biology 12, Chemistry 12, Geography 12, Geology 12 or Physics 12 with a minimum grade of "C+" or university transferable Science course with a minimum grade of "C".OR
Instead of Chemistry 11, Biology 11, and one grade 12 Science course, successful completion of nine university transfer credits with a minimum grade of "C" in each course.

* It is recommended that applicants who do not have the high school courses select nine University Transfer Credits from the following required program support courses:

English 1130
English Elective (must be three credits and university transferable)
two General Electives (each must be three credits and university transferable, e.g. Psychology, Sociology, Philosophy)
Biology 1103 and Biology 1203

Note: Only those applicants who do not have English 12 or one of the approved exemptions are required to complete the Douglas College Writing Assessment Test.

B. Other Requirements

1. The following documents will be requested if an offer of admission is made (appropriate forms will be provided):

Current (within three years) Standard First Aid Certificate
Current (within one year) Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate - HCP (Health Care Provider)
A satisfactory health assessment completed by a physician
Current record of recommended immunizations
Criminal Record Search - In this program, students are placed in a variety of different health care settings (hospitals, community agencies etc.) for nursing practice experiences. Agency policy requires all students to demonstrate that they have a satisfactory criminal record search. Therefore, all applicants must have a satisfactory Criminal Record Search completed prior to acceptance into the program

* All Criminal Record Searches which indicate there is a criminal record will be reviewed by the Registrar. The Registrar will determine whether or not the Record is relevant to the program and if the applicant will be accepted into the program.

* Applicants are responsible for all costs related to Criminal Record Searches.

Note: Student Membership with the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia (CRNBC) is a requirement for all students while enrolled in the BSN program. Douglas College BSN students apply for CRNBC membership in their first semester and will need to maintain Student Membership throughout the program. An additional Criminal Record Search is required by CRNBC (differs from the Douglas College BSN program admission requirements) for Student Membership and post-graduation registration. Prior to applying to the program, applicants with a criminal record are advised to contact CRNBC at 604-736-7331 regarding eligibility for Student Membership and post-graduation registration. (This requirement is under review)

2. An interview may be requested by the program coordinator for the purposes of providing information, seeking clarification and academic counselling.

II. Preferential Admission Requirements (first-year Nursing applicants)

Effective Winter 2010, Fall 2010 and Winter 2011. For Fall 2011, see below.

The selection process for preferential admission, using the criteria listed below, is now in effect for applicants. It is recommended that applicants contact an Academic Advisor for more information to assist in planning to increase chances for admission into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program. Applicants must first meet the minimum admission requirements as listed above in sections A and B. Applicants are then assigned to one of the two categories below and ranked based on the preferential admission criteria for the category.

Category "A" - Grade 12 Graduation

1. High School GPA based on the following courses (= maximum of 5 points):

The higher grade of Chemistry 11 or Chemistry 12
The higher grade of Biology 11 or Biology 12
The higher grade of another Science 12 (excluding Chemistry 12 and/or Biology 12 if used above)
The higher grade of Principles of Math 11 or Principles of Math 12
English 12

2. Certificate/Citation in a health-related field( = maximum 4 points)

3. Volunteer/Work experience (= maximum 4 points):

301 - 400+ hours = 4 points
201 - 300 hours = 3 points
101 - 200 hours = 2 points
001 - 100 hours = 1 point

Total Maximum points for Preferential Admission Category "A" is 13 points

Category "B" - Successfully completed 9 university transfer credits

1. Cumulative GPA of all UT credits (= maximum of 5 points)
2. Completed Credential (= maximum 10 points)
* Only the highest credential will be awarded points.

Undergraduate or Graduate Degree	= 10 points
Associate Degree	= 8 points
Diploma	= 6 points
Certificate/Citation in a health related field	= 4 points

3. Volunteer/Work experience (= maximum of 4 points)

301 - 400+ hours = 4 points
201 - 300 hours = 3 points
101 - 200 hours = 2 points
001 - 100 hours = 1 point

Total Maximum points for Preferential Admission Category "B" is 19 points

Effective Fall 2011

II. Preferential Admission Requirements (first-year Nursing applicants)

Category "A" - Grade 12 Graduation

1. High School GPA based on the following courses (= maximum of 5 points):

The higher grade of Chemistry 11 or Chemistry 12
The higher grade of Biology 11 or Biology 12
The higher grade of another Science 12 (excluding Chemistry 12 and/or Biology 12 if used above)
The higher grade of Principles of Math 11 or Principles of Math 12
English 12

2. Completion of a Credential (= maximum 2 points)

Certificate in a health-related field from a recognized/credited institution in an English speaking Country = 2 points
Citation in a health-related field from a recognized/credited institution in an English speaking Country = 1 points

3. Volunteer/Work experience (= maximum 3 points):

301 - 400+ hours = 3 points
201 - 300 hours = 2 points
100 - 200 hours = 1 point

Total Maximum points for Preferential Admission Category "A" is 10 points

Category "B" - Successfully completed 9 university transfer credits

1. Cumulative GPA of all UT credits (= maximum of 5 points)
2. Completed Credential (= maximum 6 points)
* Only the highest credential will be awarded points.

Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized/credited institution in an English-speaking country = 6 points
Bachelor’s Degree in a non-English-speaking country = 4 points
Associate Degree from a recognized/credited institution in an English-speaking country = 3 points
Diploma from a recognized/credited institution in an English-speaking country = 3 points
Certificate in a health-related field from a recognized/credited institution in an English-speaking country = 2 points
Citation in a health-related field from a recognized/credited institution in an English-speaking country = 1 points

3. Volunteer/Work experience (= maximum of 3 points)

301 - 400+ hours = 3 points
201 - 300 hours = 2 points
100 - 200 hours = 1 point

Total Maximum points for Preferential Admission Category "B" is 14 points

III. ACCESS I: Admission Requirements

The program is located at the David Lam Campus in Coquitlam.

These admission requirements apply to Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses who want to receive advanced placement and credit for their previous nursing education and experience.

Registered Psychiatric Nurses who graduated from Douglas College may apply to Access II (see Access II admission requirements).

All applicants must meet the minimum admission requirements listed in sections A and B below. Applicants are then selected based on PREFERENTIAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS.

Application Deadline - Access I
August 1 for the November/December Bridge-In Course (Winter Semester)
December 1 for the April Bridge-In Course (Summer Semester)

NOTE: The Summer 2010 intake is suspended. The next intake will be January 2011.

A. Practice Requirements

Current registration with no restrictions (in good standing) as a Licensed Practical Nurse or as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse in any Canadian province.

*Access I applicants must disclose whether or not they have (or are in the process of receiving) terms, limits or conditions on their certificate of registration.

A minimum of 1120 hours of nursing practice/ employment in a hospital based medical /surgical setting. This nursing practice must be within 2 years of date of application.

*Resident care work will not be accepted as acute care nursing experience. Any other LPN work experience will be assessed on an individual basis.

B. Academic Admission Requirements

Principles of Math 11 with a minimum grade of "C" or one of the equivalents.
Equivalents: Algebra 11 with a minimum grade of "C", or Principles of Math 12, Algebra 12 or Math 12 with a minimum grade of "P", or DVST 0411 with a minimum grade of "C", or acceptable score on the NURS Readiness Assessment, or a minimum grade of “P” in any university transferable Math or Stats course, or Math 1101 with a minimum grade of "P".
English 1130 with a minimum grade of "C" or equivalent.
One three-credit University Transfer English elective with a minimum grade of "C".
Biology 1103 and Biology 1203, within the past five years, with a minimum grade of "C", or a passing grade in the Challenge Exam for Biology 1103 and Biology 1203, within the past two-and-a-half years.

C. General Requirements

At the time of processing the application, the following document will be requested:

1. Current (within one year) Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate - Level HCP.

D. Other Requirements

1. Once academic admission requirements are met, the following documents will be requested (appropriate forms will be provided):

A satisfactory health assessment completed by a physician
Current record of recommended immunizations
Criminal Record Search - In this program, students are placed in a variety of different health care settings (hospitals, community agencies etc.) for nursing practice experiences. Agency policy requires all students to demonstrate that they have a satisfactory Criminal Record Search. Therefore, all applicants must have a satisfactory Criminal Record Search completed prior to acceptance into the program.

* Applicants are responsible for all costs related to Criminal Record Searches.

Note: Student Membership with the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia (CRNBC) is a requirement for all students while enrolled in the BSN program. Douglas College BSN students apply for CRNBC membership in their first semester and will need to maintain Student Membership throughout the program. An additional Criminal Record Search is required by CRNBC (differs from the Douglas College BSN program admission requirements) for Student Membership and post graduation registration. Prior to applying to the program, applicants with a criminal record are advised to contact CRNBC at 604-736-7331 regarding eligibility for Student Membership and post-graduation registration.

2. An interview may be requested by the program coordinator for the purposes of providing information, seeking clarification and academic counselling.

E. Program Requirements

Once all admission requirements are met, applicants must successfully complete NURS 1290 Access I: Bridge-In, with a minimum grade of 65 percent. Contact the General Nursing Department at 604-777-6407 for intake dates.

Students who have successfully completed NURS 1290 will receive credit for the first year of the Nursing Program and will be eligible to enter semester three.

IV. Preferential Admission Requirements - Access I

1. University transfer courses (Required support courses) that meet the program electives (excluding English 1130 and one other UT English course)	2 points
2. Work experience over 2,000 hours	3 point
3. Work experience over 4,000 hours	4 points
Total maximum preferential admission points:	6 points

V. ACCESS II: Admission Requirements

The program is located at the David Lam Campus in Coquitlam.

These admission requirements apply to Registered Psychiatric Nurses who graduated from Douglas College and who want to receive advanced placement and credit for their previous nursing education and experience.

All applicants must meet the minimum admission requirements listed in sections A and B below. Applicants are then selected based on PREFERENTIAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS.

Application Deadline - Access II
August 1 for the November/December Bridge-In Course (Winter Semester)
December 1 for the April Bridge-In Course (Summer Semester)

NOTE: The Summer 2010 intake is suspended. The next intake will be January 2011.

A. Practice Requirements

Current registration with no restrictions (in good standing) as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse in any Canadian province.

*Access II applicants must disclose whether or not they have (or are in the process of receiving) terms, limits or conditions on their certificate of registration.
A minimum of 1120 hours of Psychiatric nursing practice/ employment. This nursing practice must be within 2 years of date of application.

B. Academic Admission Requirements

Principles of Math 11 with a minimum grade of "C" or one of the equivalents.
Equivalents: Algebra 11 with a minimum grade of "C", or Principles of Math 12, Algebra 12 or Math 12 with a minimum grade of "P", or DVST 0411 with a minimum grade of "C", or acceptable score on the NURS Readiness Assessment, or a minimum grade of "P" in any university transferable Math or Stats course, or Math 1101 with a minimum grade of "P".
Biology 1103 and Biology 1203, within the past five years, with a minimum grade of "C", or a passing grade in the Challenge Exams for both Biology 1103 and Biology 1203, within the past two and a half years.
NURS 2140 Health Science III: Pathophysiology course, within the past five years, with a minimum grade of "C" or 60 percent, OR
Completion of the Challenge Exam for NURS 2140 Health Science III: Pathophysiology course, within the past two and a half years, with a minimum grade of "C" or 60 percent.
English 1130 with a minimum grade of "C" or equivalent
One three-credit university transfer English elective with a minimum grade of "C".

C. General Requirements

At the time of processing the application, the following document will be requested:

1. Current (within one year) Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate - Level HCP.

D. Other Requirements

1. Once academic admission requirements are met, the following documents will be requested (appropriate forms will be provided):

A satisfactory health assessment completed by a physician
Current record of recommended immunizations
Criminal Record Search - In this program, students are placed in a variety of different health care settings (hospitals, community agencies etc.) for nursing practice experiences. Agency policy requires all students to demonstrate that they have a satisfactory Criminal Record Search. Therefore, all applicants must have a satisfactory Criminal Record Search completed prior to acceptance into the program.

* Applicants are responsible for all costs related to Criminal Record Searches.

Note: Student Membership with the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia (CRNBC) is a requirement for all students while enrolled in the BSN program. Douglas College BSN students apply for CRNBC membership in their first semester and will need to maintain Student Membership throughout the program. An additional Criminal Record Search is required by CRNBC (differs from the Douglas College BSN program admission requirements) for Student Membership and post-graduation registration. Prior to applying to the program, applicants with a criminal record are advised to contact CRNBC at 604-736-7331 regarding eligibility for Student Membership and post graduation registration. (This requirement is under review)

2. An interview may be requested by the program coordinator for the purpose of providing information, seeking clarification and academic counselling.

E. Program Requirements

Once all admission requirements are met, applicants must successfully complete NURS 2190 Access II: Bridge-In with a minimum grade of 65 percent. Contact the General Nursing Department at 604-777-6407 for intake dates.

Students who have successfully completed NURS 2190 will receive credit for the first year of the nursing program and will be eligible to enrol in NURS 2191 in Semester Three.

Prior to completing Semester IV, students are required to have credit for NURS 2240 Health Science IV: Pathophysiology, with a minimum grade of 60 percent.

VI. Preferential Admission Requirements - Access II

1. University transfer courses (Required support courses) that meet the program electives (Excluding English 1130 and one other UT English course)	2 points
2. Work experience over 2,000 hours or	3 point
3. Work experience over 4,000 hours	4 points
Total maximum preferential admission points:	6 points

Required Support Courses:

It is strongly recommended that all generic students (students who begin at semester one of the BSN program) complete the following support courses, with a minimum grade of "C" for each course, prior to entering the BSN program. If students do not have these courses, they are required to complete them with a minimum grade of "C", by the end of the semester indicated below:

a) Biology 1103 or equivalent:	Semester one
b) English 1130 or equivalent:	Semester one
c) Biology 1203 or equivalent:	Semester two
d) English Elective (UT 3 credit):	Semester two
e) General Elective (UT 3 credit):	Semester four
f) General Elective (UT 3 credit)*:	Semester seven
*this is a second 3-credit UT General Elective

For Access I and II BSN intakes:

a) English 1130 or equivalent:	Semester five
b) English Elective (UT 3 credit):	Semester five
c) General Elective (UT 3 credit):	Semester five
d) General Elective (UT 3 credit)*:	Semester seven
*this is a second 3-credit UT General Elective

Note: there is one nursing elective to be taken within the last two years of the BSN program. Students cannot take this elective prior to entering the program. Further information will be provided to students as they enter the final two years of the program.

Credentials

This program is a baccalaureate nursing program with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) credential granted by Douglas College after successful completion of four years of study. On program completion, graduates are eligible to write the national registration examination. Upon successful completion of this exam, graduates may apply to become registered as Registered Nurses in British Columbia.

Program Content

NOTE: Students in the BSN program are required to maintain a passing grade of 60% in all courses in order to progress in the program.

Note: Students are required to achieve a semester average of 65 percent.

Year I: Semester I: Personal Meaning of Health

NURS 1100	Nursing Practice I	4.5
NURS 1110	Health I: Health Styles	2
NURS 1120	Self and Others I: Self-Awareness	2
NURS 1130	Professional Growth I: Nurses' Work	2
BIOL 1103	Human Biology I	3
ENGL 1130	Academic Writing	3

		16.5

* Generic student: Successful completion of Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) course is required prior to entering semester two.

Information about this course will be provided prior to semester one start. This course is offered through Continuing Education at a cost of $150.

Year I: Semester II: People's Experiences of Chronic Health Challenges

NURS 1200	Nursing Practice II	7.5
NURS 1210	Health II: Facilitating Health and Healing in Families	2
NURS 1220	Self and Others II: Creating Health-Promoting Relationships	2
BIOL 1203	Human Biology II	3
ENGL(elective)	English Elective (university transfer)	3

		17.5

Year II: Semester III: People's Experiences of Episodic Health Challenges

NURS 2100	Nursing Practice III	7.5
NURS 2110	Healing I: Episodic Health Challenges	4
NURS 2130	Professional Growth II: The Nursing Profession	2
NURS 2140	Health Science III: Pathophysiology	2

		15.5

* Access students: Successful completion of Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) course or equivalent is required prior to entering Semester Four.

Year II: Semester IV: People's Experiences of Complex Episodic Health Challenges

NURS 2200	Nursing Practice IV	7.5
NURS 2210	Healing II: Complex Episodic Health Challenges	4.5
NURS 2240	Health Sciences IV: Pathophysiology	2
ELECTIVE	General elective (university transfer)	3
NURS 2300	Consolidated Practice Experience II	5

		22

Year III: Semester V: People's Experiences of Prevention

NURS 3100	Nursing Practice V	8
NURS 3110	Health III: Teaching & Learning for Prevention	3
NURS 3130	Professional Growth: Nursing Ethics	3
NURS 3140	Healing/Health Science: Advanced Health Challenges	2

		16

Year III: Semester VI: Health Promotion and Community Development

NURS 3200	Nursing Practice VI	5.5
NURS 3210	Health IV: Health Promotion and Community Empowerment	3
NURS 3220	Self & Others III: Reflection on Caring Practice	3
NURS 3230	Professional Growth: Nursing Inquiry	3

NURS 3300	Consolidated Practice Experience III	6
NURS 3301	Consolidated Practice Experience IV	4.5

		25

Year IV: Semester VII: Societal Health and Nurses Influencing Change

NURS 4100	Nursing Practice VII	5.5
NURS 4130	Professional Growth: Research	3
NURS 4131	Professional Growth: Nurses Influencing Change	3
ELECTIVE	General Elective (university transfer)	3

		14.5

All students are required to complete the following courses, with a minimum grade of "C", by the end of Semester VII:

One Nursing Elective: acceptable courses will be identified by the program

Year IV: Semester VIII: Area of Clinical Focus

NURS 4200	Nursing Practice VIII	6
NURS 4201	Consolidated Practice Experience V	6

		12

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