Program

Nursing (Bachelor of Science)

Fall 2023 Applications ReOpening!

Domestic applications for Fall 2023 will re-open on Feb. 1, 2023, and close when program has reached capacity. Students interested in Fall 2023 and Winter 2024 should apply to Fall 2023, and Admissions will determine if also eligible for Winter 2024.

Winter 2024 Domestic Applications

  • Applications for Winter 2024 will open at 9 AM on Weds. Feb. 1, 2023.
    • For additional information on the application process please review the Admissions Requirement information below, and the FAQ section.
Campus
Coquitlam
Learning Format
Full-time
Admission Type
Limited Enrolment
Offered
Fall
Winter

Overview

The Nursing (Bachelor of Science) at Douglas College prepares graduates who are committed to excellence in professional practice and who will be able to contribute to the health and well-being of individuals, families, communities across a continuum of care needs. BSN graduates will be educated to provide safe, competent and compassionate nursing care grounded in theory and professional standards.

Prospective students should be aware the BSN program is a full-time rigorous program, the workload and intensity are demanding.  All courses and learning experiences are critical to student success.

Fundamental theory and practical experience

The conceptual framework is based on the concepts of relational practice, critical inquiry, leadership, ethics of care, health promotion and inter-professional collaboration. This degree program is designed to give students the knowledge and experience for safe, compassionate, evidence-based, competent and ethical nursing practice.

Classroom learning is augmented with supervised clinical practicums each semester as well as hands-on practice in our campus simulation labs. Courses are taught at the Coquitlam Campus.

Further education

The program prepares graduates with the required knowledge and academic skills for further education. Entry into graduate studies is dependent upon the individual program criteria, and will depend on the requirements of the learning institution.

Graduate ready to become a Registered Nurse

Graduates will qualify to write the required Canadian Registered Nurse Examination (NCLEX-RN) and apply to become a Registered Nurse (RN) with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives.

Surveys show that 99 percent of our Nursing degree graduates are working in the field after graduation. (Source: B.C. Student Outcomes).

Designated Indigenous seats and support

The Psychiatric Nursing program offers a limited number of designated seats to Indigenous applicants who meet academic and admission requirements. ​Faculty in the Department of  Nursing are committed to reconciliation while creating a culturally safe learning environment where inclusivity and equity are valued. The application deadlines for a designated Indigenous seat are February 1 for the Fall intake and June 1 for the Winter intake.

As an Indigenous student, you’ll also have access to resources through Indigenous Student Services, such as one-on-one support with an Indigenous Student Support Navigator, spiritual and cultural guidance from Elders, information about funding options for status and non-status Indigenous students and more. For more information on how to apply, contact our Indigenous Coordinator or Indigenous Student Support Navigator.

NOTE: International students are not currently eligible for this program. For more information, contact Douglas College International.

Program Requirements

Curriculum Framework

Graduation Requirements For Students Completing By Summer 2023:

  • Successful completion of 124 credits
  • Completion of the program within seven (7) years once admitted to the BSN program
  • A minimum 45 upper level (3000 - 4000) level credits
  • A minimum grade of C+ in all graded NURS and elective courses
  • Mastery of all Nursing Practice courses and NURS 4611
  • Minimum program GPA of 2.33

Graduation Requirements For Students Completing After Summer 2023:

  • Successful completion of 124 credits
  • Completion of the program within seven (7) years once admitted to the BSN program
  • A minimum 45 upper level (3000 - 4000) level credits
  • A minimum of 40% (49 credits) of all credits must be completed at Douglas College
  • A minimum grade of C+ in all graded NURS and elective courses
  • Mastery of all Nursing Practice courses and NURS 4611
  • Minimum program GPA of 2.33

Program Requirements:

  • The maximum number of attempts in a required NURS course is limited to 2 (1 original attempt + 1 repeat attempt). A withdrawal (W notation) is considered an attempt.
    • Students may appeal for special consideration to the BSN Progression Committee.
  • Students who need to repeat a course must meet with the BSN Program Director or appropriate program Coordinator no later than 4 weeks after course failure/withdrawal to discuss eligibility and options for re-entry.
  • Students who fail or withdraw from a course must exit the program.

Year 2 to Year 4 Course Requirements:

NURS 2111 Nursing Art and Science: Professional Foundations 3.00
NURS 2112 Health Assessment: Adults and Older Adults 2.50
NURS 2113 Nursing Practice: Beginning Client Care 5.00
NURS 2114 Pharmacology: Introductions for Nurses 3.00
NURS 2116 Relational Practice: Introduction 3.00
NURS 2211 Nursing Art and Science: Acute Health Challenges 3.00
NURS 2212 Health Assessment: Acute Health Challenges 2.50
NURS 2213 Nursing Practice: Acute Health Challenges 5.00
NURS 2215 Leadership: Professional Collaboration 3.00
NURS 2217 Nursing Inquiry: Evidence Informed Practice 3.00
NURS 3311 Nursing Art and Science: Family-Centred Care 3.00
NURS 3312 Health Assessment: Maternal and Child Care 2.50
NURS 3313 Nursing Practice: Family-Centred Care 5.00
NURS 3315 Leadership: Partners in Health Promotion 3.00
NURS 3316 Relational Practice: Engaging with Families 3.00
NURS 3411 Nursing Art and Science: Vulnerable Populations 3.00
NURS 3412 Health Assessment: Community Health and Mental Health 2.50
NURS 3413 Nursing Practice: Community Health and Mental Health 5.00
NURS 3415 Applied Nursing Ethics, Leadership and Moral Courage 3.00
NURS 3417 Nursing Inquiry: Research in Nursing 3.00
NURS 4511 Nursing Art and Science: Acuity & Complexity 3.00
NURS 4512 Health Assessment: Complex Health Challenges 3.00
NURS 4513 Nursing Practice: Complex Health Challenges 5.00
NURS 4515 Leadership: Influencing Health Care Reform 3.00
NURS Elective Nursing Elective from a list of approved courses 3.00
Select one from the following two options:
Option 1 NURS 4611 - Nursing Art and Science: Professional Transition 1.50
NURS 4613 - Nursing Practice: Professional Transition 10.00
Option 2 NURS 4618 - Nursing Practice: Pathways 11.50
Total   94.00

Admissions Requirements

I. Academic Admission Requirements

Priority admission to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program will be given to students who complete the Certificate in Academic Foundations for Potential Nursing Applicants (AFNURS) and meet all the BSN admission requirements. Students who are offered a seat in the AFNURS program are not guaranteed admission to the BSN program. Students who meet the minimum academic admission requirements for BSN are also not guaranteed admission to the BSN program.

To be eligible for admission to the BSN program, students must meet the following requirements:

Note: A maximum of 2 attempts*** includes the following possible combinations:

  • All attempts in these required courses, including those taken at other post-secondary institutions, will be included in calculating the applicant's GPA, and reviewed to ensure course repeats do not exceed the limitations****.
  • No previous withdrawal from any nursing program(s) in Canada****.

*A university transfer (UT) course is a course that transfers to one of the 5 Research Universities - SFU, UBCO, UBCV, UNBC or UVIC according to the BC Transfer Guide.

**BIOL 1109 can be used as a substitution for BIOL 1103 and BIOL 1209 can be used as a substitution for BIOL 1203.

***The maximum number of attempts in a required course is limited to 2 (1 original attempt + 1 repeat attempt). A withdrawal (W notation) is considered an attempt. See Course and Status Changes Policy.

****Official transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions attended must be submitted directly to Douglas College. Failure to do so may result in the application being denied, and/or the student being withdrawn from the program and/or College in accordance with the Academic Integrity Policy.

Note: Students who have shown the greatest success in the BSN program have typically completed the required AFNURS courses within 1 to 2 years.

II. Non-Academic Admission Requirements

Following an offer of admission to the BSN program: 

  • Criminal Record Check - Details will be provided at the time the applicant is offered admission to the program.

Cost

You can get an average cost for your program - tuition and student fees, books, uniforms, lab fees etc - on the Program Cost page. 

Only programs approved for student loan funding are listed on the Program Cost page. For all other programs, refer to the Tuition Fee page.

Career Pathways

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program are prepared to practice nursing in a variety of settings, including acute care (general and selected specialized areas), intermediate care, long-term care, and community care.

Career opportunities include:

  • Clinical Nurse
  • Community Health Nurse
  • Diabetes Educator Registered Nurse
  • Nurse Practitioner
  • Forensic Nursing Services
  • Public Health Nurse

Program Guidelines

Program Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this program and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the program, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

FAQs

Successful nurses tend to have the following qualities:

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 community 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.

Students must be able to attend clinical practicums which can occur any day of the week (including weekends). The shifts can be 8 or 12 hours long and may start as early as 0630 am. 

The BSN program at Douglas College is a full-time, 1+3 structure 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.

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.

There are a limited number of seats reserved for Indigenous students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Please note that all admission requirements must be met in order to qualify for a seat.

Interested students should self declare when applying for the program on Education Planner BC.  For questions and support, please contact Indigenous Student Services for further details.

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.

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.

A nursing career can be physically and emotionally demanding. Anyone considering a nursing education should be able to cope with stress and have the resilience to contend with the emotional labour of nursing.

Nurses are role models whom the public holds in high esteem. As such, nurses must adhere to best practices based on scientific evidence and be willing to follow guidelines and recommendations to protect the public.

Nurses are at the front line of protection of public health, even when there is a personal risk in doing so, as is evident in the current pandemic.  Furthermore, nurses must be comfortable with physical contact and possess excellent communication and relationship building skills.

https://www.bccnm.ca/Documents/competencies_requisite_skills/RN_requisite_skills_abilities.pdf

Yes, a regular program review revealed a decrease in the successful completion of the BSN program, as well as a decrease in the pass-rate of the national licensing exam required to practice as a registered nurse after graduation.

Further assessment determined that admission requirements contributed overwhelmingly to the overall success in the program, and that current admission requirements did not adequately prepare prospective nursing students for the rigor and demands of this intensive program.

All students applying for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program for Fall 2022 onwards must meet the updated admission requirements published in the September 2022 program guideline.

If you are not offered admission to BSN before the changes come into effect, yes, you would be subject to the new Admission requirements.

If you have not been accepted into the BSN program, you must reapply for future intakes.  Each time you apply, your application will be re-evaluated to ensure you meet the the most current admission requirements for the program.

There are a limited number of seats available for each intake of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.  Typically there are more qualified applicants than space available, therefore Enrolment Services - Admission must send out offers in ranking order of first qualified, first admit with priority to those in the Academic Foundations for Nursing program. 

For those that completed within the same term, they would be ranked in order of their Academic Foundation for Nursing requirements GPA, based on all course attempts. Those that were not offered a seat in the program, would have to re-apply and would be ranked against the applicants for the next intake they apply.

Students that are currently in progress in their final requirements for admission into the program at the time of application will be considered for admission if all courses will be finished prior to the start of the the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program.   Students in progress will be ranked below those that have completed all of the Academic Foundation courses at the time we evaluate applications.

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More Information

Special academic requirements

Students in the BSN program are required to maintain a passing grade of 65% in all courses in order to progress in the program. 
Special Clinical Requirements

A current Basic Life Support certificate, a Standard First Aid Certificate (within three years) and respiratory mask fit-testing will be required prior to the first clinical placement.

Annual clinical requirements include updating of required Health Authority practice modules and receipt of yearly flu vaccine.

It is also the student's responsibility to maintain the currency of their Basic Life Support certificate and annual renewal of mask fit-testing before clinical experiences begin.

All costs related to obtaining and renewal of these certificates is the responsibility of the student.

Tuition deposit

When offered a full-time seat in this program a non-refundable, non-transferable $350 tuition deposit is required.