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Program Fees
Program fees are required in addition to tuition/student fees to provide additional services directly related to nursing practice such as:
- nursing lab consumable materials
- respiratory fit testing program1
- name tags
Students are eligible for WorkSafeBC coverage while doing their practicum provided the practicum meets requirements as determined by the BC Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. The student accident insurance is required and provides additional coverage for practicum.2
1 Note: For further information please refer to the B.S.N. Program Procedure for Prevention & Management of Infectious Diseases in the Practice Setting located on the School of Nursing website.
2 Note: For further information please refer to the B.S.N. Program Procedure for Student Injury or Exposure during Practice Experience/Insurance located on the School of Nursing website.
Requisite Skills and Abilities for Registered Nurses in British Columbia
Certain basic skills and abilities are required for a student to attain the Competencies in the Context of Entry-Level Registered Nurse Practice in British Columbia. The British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM), in conjunction with the Nursing Education Council of British Columbia, has identified these requirements. Students are required to read the BCCNM document and submit a signed UBC declaration form.
Informatics Competencies
Applicants are strongly advised to have at least a beginner's level of competency with computers and word processing before entering the Nursing program.
Practice Requirements Prior to Commencement of Practice
All admitted students must submit, in the first week of classes, evidence of having met the below program requirements. Students who fail to meet these requirements will not be able to commence practice courses and will be required to withdraw from the B.S.N. Program.
- Current First Aid (within 2 years of the start of program) and current Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (within 6 months of start of program);
- Immunization/Health Record providing evidence of British Columbia Health Authorities Required Immunizations;
- BC Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General Criminal Record Check that provides clearance to work with children and vulnerable populations (or equivalent for international students). Note that international students will also be required to apply for a BC Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General Criminal Record Check upon their arrival in BC.
- International students will require a medical exam meeting the requirements outlined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for workers (healthcare related field) to apply for a co-op work permit. Information regarding this process will be provided with an international student’s offer of admission and visa instructions.
Note: For further information all students need to refer to the B.S.N. Program Standard for Practice Requirements Prior to the Commencement of Practice located on the School of Nursing website.
Practice Requirements During B.S.N. Program
UBC Okanagan’s School of Nursing requires students to complete a number of practice courses in a variety of contexts throughout the program.
Practice Placements
Practice placement experiences are assigned throughout the Okanagan Valley (Salmon Arm, Vernon, Kelowna, Summerland, Penticton, and Oliver) within a 100 kilometer radius from UBC’s Okanagan Campus. Students are required to provide their own transportation to commute to assigned practice experiences. Students may request out of region experiences in some preceptored practica.
For further information refer to the documents listed below that are located on the School of Nursing website.
- Practice Requirements Standard;
- B.S.N. Program Guideline for Principles in Determining Practice Placement Experiences;
- B.S.N. Program Standard for Nursing Practice Placement Transportation Requirements;
- B.S.N. Program Procedure for Vehicle Ride Along & Authorization;
- B.S.N. Program Standard for Out of Region Practice Placement Experiences;
- Out of Region Practice Placement Application Procedure;
- Global Health Practice Placement Application Procedure
Conflict of Interest
A Conflict of Interest can be defined as any situation that could result in compromised nursing judgment or nursing care because of a personal or familial relationship with an assigned client, resident, patient, health care provider, facility, agency or patient care area. Students are required to report any situation where a conflict of interest may be present.
Note: For further information refer to the B.S.N. Program Standard for Conflict of Interest located on the School of Nursing website.
Professional Appearance
The School of Nursing has Professional Appearance Standards for practice placements that all students are required to adhere to.
Note: For further information refer to the B.S.N. Program Standard for Professional Appearance on the School of Nursing website.
Professional Development
Nursing is a profession that requires nurses to maintain their knowledge, skill, and abilities and to be able to articulate them professionally. The School of Nursing has several program components that are required (e.g. SMART learning goals, portfolios, reflective journaling, self-appraisals of their practice, and skills checklist).
B.S.N. Program Student Files
The School of Nursing maintains a student file for each student that includes program required documents such as immunization records, practice records, and progression information. Access to a student's record is available only to the student, teachers in the School of Nursing, and designated support staff.
The record may be reviewed by the student in the presence of a teacher. Students have a right to a copy of all components of their file.
Note: For further information refer to B.S.N. Program Standard for Student Files and Work on the School of Nursing website.
Professional Memberships
The School of Nursing does not require students to be registered with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
Note: BCCNM will only accept applications from students seeking registration for the purpose of working as an employed student and on completion of the B.S.N. degree.