program overview
Due to the high volume of applications we receive for this program, the Admissions Officer is unable to respond to individual email or phone inquiries. Applicants will be informed of the status of their application by email following our review. Thank you for your patience.
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.
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. Courses are taught at the David Lam Campus located in Coquitlam.
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.
NOTE: International students are not currently eligible for this program. For more information, contact Douglas College International.
curriculum framework
Year I: Certificate in Academic Foundations (Nursing eligibility)
To be eligible for admission to the Nursing program, students must complete the following courses as part of their 30-credit Certificate in Academic Foundations, with a minimum grade of C+ (65%):
- * can be taken in any semester
- ** can be taken in any semester provided the prerequisite for MATH 1160 is met
- *** can be taken in any semester provided the prerequisite for PSYC 2300 is met
Please note that admission to the Certificate in Academic Foundations program does not guarantee course availability or registration.
The courses required to advance into the second year of the Nursing program are in very high demand and fill quickly. Students are encouraged to plan a second-choice academic program or path in the event that seats are not available in the required Nursing eligibility courses.
Year II: Semester I: Health & Health Challenges (Elder Care)
| NURS 2111 |
Nursing Art and Science: Professional Foundations |
3.0 |
| NURS 2112 |
Health Assessment: Adults and Older Adults |
2.5 |
| NURS 2113 |
Nursing Practice: Beginning Client Care |
5.0 |
| NURS 2114 |
Pharmacology: Introduction for Nurses |
3.0 |
| NURS 2116 |
Relational Practice: Introduction |
3.0 |
| |
Total |
16.5 |
Year II: Semester II: Health & Acute Health Challenges (Adult/Older Adult)
| NURS 2211 |
Nursing Art & Science: Acute Health Challenges |
3.0 |
| NURS 2212 |
Health Assessment: Acute Health Challenges |
2.5 |
| NURS 2213 |
Nursing Practice: Acute Health Challenges |
5.0 |
| NURS 2215 |
Leadership: Interprofessional Collaboration |
3.0 |
| NURS 2217 |
Nursing Inquiry: Evidence-Informed Practice |
3.0 |
| |
Total |
16.5 |
Year III: Semester III: Health Transitions & Challenges (Maternity/Pediatrics)
| NURS 3311 |
Nursing Art & Science: Family-Centered Care |
3.0 |
| NURS 3312 |
Health Assessment: Maternal and Child Care |
2.5 |
| NURS 3313 |
Nursing Practice: Family-Centered Care |
5.0 |
| NURS 3315 |
Leadership: Partners in Health Promotion |
3.0 |
| NURS 3316 |
Relational Practice: Engaging with Families |
3.0 |
| |
Total |
16.5 |
Year III: Semester IV: Community Health & Mental Health and Psychiatry (Health Promotion)
| NURS 3411 |
Nursing Art & Science: Vulnerable Populations |
3.0 |
| NURS 3412 |
Health Assessment: Community Health and Mental Health |
2.5 |
| NURS 3413 |
Nursing Practice: Community Health and Mental Health |
5.0 |
| NURS 3415 |
Leadership: Applied Nursing Ethics, Leadership and Moral Courage |
3.0 |
| NURS 3417 |
Nursing Inquiry: Research in Nursing |
3.0 |
| |
Total |
16.5 |
Year IV Semester V: Complex Health Challenges (Adult/Older Adult)
| NURS 4511 |
Nursing Art & Science: Acuity and Complexity |
3.0 |
| NURS 4512 |
Health Assessment: Complex Health Challenges |
2.5 |
| NURS 4513 |
Nursing Practice: Complex Health Challenges |
5.0 |
| NURS 4515 |
Leadership: Influencing Health Care Reform |
3.0 |
| NURS 4518 |
Nursing Elective: Issues in Nursing Practice Focus |
3.0 |
| |
Total |
16.5 |
Year IV: Semester VI: Complex Health Challenges (Professional Transition)
| NURS 4611 |
Nursing Art & Science: Professional Transition |
1.5 |
| NURS 4613 |
Nursing Practice: Professional Transition |
10.0 |
| |
Total |
11.5 |
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 Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) CPI certificate (within two years), a current Health Care Provider Level CPR 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 Health Care Provider Level CPR 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.
career transfer 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.
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.
Graduates will qualify to write the required NCLEX-RN Canadian Registered Nurse Examination and apply to become a Registered Nurse (RN) with the College of Registered Nurses of BC.
admission requirements
I. Academic Admission Requirements
To be eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, students must complete the following required 30 university transfer (UT) credits, with a minimum grade of C+ (65%) in each 3 credit course:
- BIOL 1103, BIOL 1203, BIOL 2200, BIOL 2401
- ENGL 1130 and one UT ENGL elective course
- MATH 1160 or PSYC 2300
- 3 credit UT Social Science/Humanities elective
- 6 credits UT electives
Students may apply to the BSN program for the Fall or Winter semester following completion of the required 30 credits listed above. Students are accepted to the BSN program on a first qualified, first admitted basis. In the event where students qualify for admission at the same time, but there are fewer program seats available than demand dictates, offers will be given to those students with a higher GPA on the required courses for admission to BSN.
Priority Registration for Potential Nursing Applicants
As the above courses are in high demand, students do have the option of applying for priority registration. To receive priority registration, students may apply to Academic Foundations (for potential Nursing applicants).
Students who are approved for priority registration under the Academic Foundations (for potential Nursing applicants) category are not guaranteed admission to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
II. Non-Academic Admission Requirements
A. After successful completion of the required 30 credits for BSN eligibility, and prior to an offer of admission to the second year of the BSN program:
- Mandatory Program Orientation - Applicants will be notified by mail of the Program Orientation date.
B. Following an offer of admission to the BSN program:
- Potential Interview - Applicants may be required to participate in an interview with a representative(s) of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program for the purposes of providing additional information and/or for academic counselling.
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Basic Rescuer (CPR) Level HCP Health Care Provider Certificate current within 1 year of the start date of the program. Standard First Aid Certificates that include CPR Level HCP within 1 year of the date of application are also accepted.
- Standard First Aid Certificate current within 3 years of the start date of the program.
- Health Assessment - A satisfactory health assessment completed by a physician or nurse practitioner.
- Immunization Record - A current record of recommended immunizations consistent with the requirements of practice agencies; details will be provided at the time the applicant is offered admission to the program
- Criminal Record Check - details will be provided at the time the applicant is offered admission to the program.
- Non-violent Crisis Intervention Certificate
- Respiratory Mask Fit-test (N95) - All semester one students will be required to be fit-tested for a respiratory mask. There is an additional applicant cost for fit-testing.
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.
curriculum 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.
tuition deposit
When offered a full-time seat in this program a non-refundable, non-transferable $350 tuition deposit is required.