Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Programs

The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Programs in Nursing provide professional development opportunities for nurses wanting to broaden their scope of practice in specific areas of nursing. These are post-degree professional programs designed to complement a baccalaureate degree in nursing that has already been achieved. A Post-Baccalaureate Certificate (10-21 credits) will be issued upon completion of required courses.

To respond to professional schedules, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate courses are offered in a variety of formats. Course delivery approaches for each certificate program will be specified in the certificate description. "To obtain the certificate, students must complete the courses within a maximum six-year period."

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate programs requires a bachelor's degree in nursing, registration as a nurse (RN/RPN) in Canada in good standing, or permission of the UBC Okanagan School of Nursing.  

Students wishing to enrol in individual courses, and who are not in the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program require fourth-year standing in a Bachelor of Nursing program in a Canadian Institution, must be in good standing, and require approval of the School of Nursing where they are enrolled.

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Primary Care

The Registered Nurse in primary care is generally a member of an integrated team-based practice and their responsibilities may include: illness care, health promotion, disease prevention, rehabilitative care, supportive care, administrative responsibilities, research involvement and quality improvement.  

The primary care nursing role often requires additional competencies beyond those obtained in baccalaureate nursing programs. The Canadian Family Practice Nurses Association (CFPNA) has developed National Competencies for Registered Nurses in Primary Care. A Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Primary Care Nursing will provide Registered Nurses with additional competencies to prepare them for practice in this integrated team-based health care context.

Program Requirements  

To earn a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Primary Care students must complete the following 10 credits.

• NRSG_O 424/524 (3) Primary Care Nursing I  
• NRSG_O 425/525 (3) Primary Care Nursing II  
• NRSG_O 435/535 (4) Primary Care Nursing Preceptorship

Students are required to complete a minimum of 3 credits of required courses while enrolled in the Certificate program. The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate is awarded upon the completion of the above 10 credits.

To respond to professional schedules and to be available to students across Canada, NRSG_O 424/524 (3) Primary Care Nursing I and NRSG_O 425/525 (3) Primary Care Nursing II are offered in an online format. Classes for each course are scheduled for 3 hours per week over 2 weeks or 6 hours per week over 6 weeks. Each course will be offered once a year.

Practice Placements Requirements

Practice Placements

NRSG_O 435/535 (4) Primary Care Nursing Preceptorship will be offered in each of the three terms. This 120-hour (4 week) practice placement may be completed in a variety of primary care settings with an RN or NP as preceptor. The UBC Okanagan Nursing Practice Placement Coordinator will work with the student and make attempts to find practice placements close to the student’s place of residence or at a location of the student’s choice. Practice placements are subject to UBC Okanagan’s ability to arrange a placement with the site/agency. Students must complete a Primary Care Nursing Practice Placement Request Form and submit it to the Nursing Practice Placement Coordinator six months before they begin the practicum.

All students must submit evidence of the following to the Nursing Practice Placement Coordinator; students who fail to meet these requirements will not be permitted to commence the practice placement courses:

• Current Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation within 6 months prior to practicum.
• Immunizations Record that align with Agency’s Health Authority or Agency immunization requirements.
• Current Respiratory Fit Test
• Current nursing registration, in good standing, in a province in Canada  

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 Standard for Nursing Practice Placement Transportation Requirements;  
• B.S.N. Program Procedure for Vehicle Ride Along & Authorization

Program Fees

Program fees are required in addition to tuition/student fees to provide additional services directly related to nursing practice such as:

• student accident insurance 
• name tag

Student Placement Insurance

Students are eligible for WorkSafeBC coverage while doing their practicum provided the practicum is in the province of BC and meets requirements as determined by the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.  

Arrangements for optional Workers Compensation insurance are only in place for Ontario, Alberta & the Yukon. For more information and the procedure to apply for coverage, see Insurance Programs – Student Insurance for Practicum / Clinical Placements.  

The student accident insurance is required and provides additional coverage for practicum.¹

¹Note: For further information please refer to the B.S.N. Program Procedure for Student Injury during Practice Experience/Insurance located on the School of Nursing website.

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.