Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree
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Bachelor's degree |
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Priority admission for Indigenous students |
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Domestic applicants only |
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (when applying choose Option A)
NIC's four-year BSN degree is delivered in partnership with Vancouver Island University. In this program you'll gain hands-on experience in classrooms, simulation labs, clinical environments and community settings. Whether you choose to work in urban, rural or global health care, you'll graduate ready to begin a rewarding career as a registered nurse (RN).
LPN Access to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (when applying choose Option C)
Are you a Licensed Practical Nurse looking to advance your career? This bridging options allows qualified LPNs to enter directly into the second year of the BSN program. This pathway is for highly motivated candidates ready to take the next step toward becoming an RN.
This is an academic credit program offered through the Faculty of Health and Human Services.Stay connected
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Overview
NIC's CASN-accredited program offers a collaborative, concept-based curriculum with BCCNM's highest seven-year accreditation, ensuring you graduate with the skills needed to excel as an Registered Nurse.
Program highlights
- Community-Focused Learning: the BSN program combines academics, hands-on skills and clinical practice with a focus on community health and Indigenous perspectives
- Year one: explore health promotion and holistic assessments in community settings
- Year two: study healing and health issues in hospitals, public health and other care settings
- Years three and four: build skills in societal health, leadership and complex care with placements in First Nations communities, rural areas and diverse healthcare settings
Requirements and courses
Practicum
Clinical placements are key to this program. You’ll gain real-world skills in a variety of settings.
Things to note
- Placements are in Comox Valley, Campbell River, Bella Coola, Port Alberni, Port McNeill, Port Hardy, Powell River and Tofino
- Travel and accommodation are your responsibility
- Practicums run May/June or July/August, depending on availability
- Shifts are eight to 12 hours, scheduled day, evening, night or weekends
Career outlook
With over 25,000 Registered Nurse (RN) job openings projected in BC, nursing is one of the most in-demand careers requiring post-secondary training. It offers independent roles in clinical care, research, advocacy and community health —more than a job, it’s a calling.
Areas of specialization:
- Acute care (medical-surgical)
- Critical care (emergency, intensive care units, cardiac care, operating room)
- Gerontology
- Maternal/child care
- Mental health, public health and community care
- Nursing education
- Nursing with Indigenous communities
- Travel nursing, international nursing
- Women’s health
$89,681*
Annual estimated earnings for registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses in BC.
Career profile*Based on WorkBC data
Costs
Check the table below for estimated costs for the full program.
Curious about funding?
Financial support is available. Learn more about financial aid and awards.
How to apply
Apply for this program through EducationPlannerBC. After you’ve applied, you’ll receive an email from NIC with your next steps. Be sure to add @nic.bc.ca to your safe sender list.
Questions? We’re with you along the way. To contact a recruiter, email futurestudents@nic.bc.ca.
“The Indigenous education component of the program was so enriching and I got to be part of cultural and leadership opportunities, which I loved.”
Josh Duncan - NIC Bachelor of Science in Nursing alum
"I had some pretty old ideas of what nurses do and I didn’t think it would be challenging enough. I thought it was taking doctors’ orders, not advocating for patients. Meanwhile, here I am now in the most rewarding and challenging degree ever."
Dawn Tisdale - NIC Bachelor of Science in Nursing alum
Frequently asked questions
Applications open the first business day in October. After you've applied the registration and BSN departments work together to process your application following the criteria in the selective entry guidelines.
If you're selected, invitation emails will be sent out the end of April and beginning of May.
You may need to upgrade if your grades don’t meet requirements, high school transcripts are unavailable, you didn’t finish high school or if your high school chemistry/biology are over ten years old (due to the 10-year limit for BIO-160).
And yes, NIC offers upgrading classes!. Please refer to upgrading and the Adult Basic Education program description for more information.
Yes, you can take elective courses before the BSN program if you meet the prerequisites. You'll need to apply and register in University Studies at NIC. It’s recommended to complete ENG-115 or ENG-117 before starting the BSN program. You can also take up to six courses, including anatomy and physiology (BIO-160/161), English and general electives to ease your first-year workload.
Selective entry means meeting specific academic requirements including GPA, non-nursing graduation requirements (BIO-160/161; ENG courses and two program-approved general electives), your residency and CASPer Assessment.
NIC uses a selective entry process with a point system. This system evaluates a combination of components and your portfolio as a whole. The top 36 applicants will receive an invitation letter.
