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 > Douglas College Home > Programs and Courses > Bachelor of Science in Nursing > FAQs

FAQs

Getting started

About the Program

Is this program right for me?

Successful nurses tend to have the following qualities:

How and when do I apply?

The demand for nurses has made it a popular career choice; getting into nursing school is competitive. Apply early!

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 Fall (September) and June 1 for Winter (January).

Besides the general College entrance requirements, you will also require:

  • 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

For more details on College entrance requirements, see the Calendar or contact an Academic Advisor.

Where, when, how much, how long?

The BSN program at Douglas College is a full-time, four-year Bachelor's Degree program. There are two intakes per year: September (Fall) and January (Winter).

All classes are held at the David Lam Campus in Coquitlam, at the new Health Sciences Centre.

For a complete list of expenses (tuition, supplies, textbooks, etc.), please refer to the Program Costs Guide.

Can I study part-time?

Due to the nature of the program, the Bachelor of Nursing is not offered on a part-time basis. It is a full-time, four-year program.

What courses will I take?

The program content, developed in consultation with nursing practitioners, theorists, professional associations and various government ministries, educates you to be effective health care practitioners. For more details on courses and practicums, please see the Courses page or the BSN Calendar section.

What about the clinical practicum?

Every semester, supervised clinical experiences in a variety of health care settings will help you apply what you have been learning. Practicum locations include hospitals and home care facilities throughout the Lower Mainland. Bachelor of Science in Nursing students are required to have their own transportation or to independently find their own transportation in order to travel to health care agencies, community agencies, professional organizations and meetings.

What are the career opportunities?

The demand for health care practitioners is greater than ever, especially in British Columbia. The Canadian Institute for Health Information, Projecting RN Retirement in Canada, identifies that BC has:

  • The lowest registered nurse to population ratio of any province in Canada (66.5 RNs per 10,000 population).
  • The largest population growth rate in Canada with one of the greatest declines in RN supply.
  • The oldest RN workforce in Canada (average of 44.7 years) and that most RNs are aged 50 years or older.

Upon graduation, you will be able to work in a variety of settings including hospitals, nursing homes and community health settings. Nursing careers are diverse and include practice, education, administration and research.

For more information on nursing demand in Canada, visit the Canadian Nursing Association.

How do I become a Registered Nurse?

After graduation from the Douglas College Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program, you can apply to the College of Registered Nurses to become a Registered Nurse (RN) in British Columbia. This requires proof of graduation and a written exam.

For more information on becoming an RN, see Becoming a Registered Nurse, Prerequisites and Abilities on the Student Resources page.

Where can I find more detailed information?

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