Practical Nurse to Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing Bridge

Total Credits:	21
Credential:	None - transitions to completion of the Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (awarded by the University of Victoria)
Program Code:	PN2BSN
CIP:	51.3801

Overview

The purpose of the Practical Nurse to Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (PN2BSN) Bridge is to recognize the knowledge and skills of diploma or certificate prepared Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and support their return to post-secondary education in the Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN) offered in partnership with Camosun College and the University of Victoria.

This bridging program recognizes the education and knowledge of LPNs while introducing and emphasizing the disciplinary (theoretical and philosophical) underpinnings of professional nursing knowledge necessary for practice as an RN, including situating and evaluating evidence; critical, scholarly reading and writing; and developing curiosity for inquiry. The program prepares learners to transition from the LPN role to the RN role, and fosters the development of the clinical reasoning and decision-making skills necessary for practice in increasingly complex and acute health care contexts.

Learners experience a transformational education while recognizing the education, skills, and nursing experience that LPNs bring to the program. Learners in the PN2BSN program are supported to achieve their educational and career goals, as the courses are designed to be flexible and include specific pedagogical approaches (such as evolving case studies) that prepare nurses for professional RN practice.

At the completion of the second semester in the PN2BSN Bridge, learners will be able to integrate, consolidate, and generate knowledge, skills, and dispositions in the context of acute and complex health challenges across human systems. Learners focus on clinical reasoning, care planning, prioritization, and evaluation in the context of acute and complex health challenges and co-morbidities. Learners demonstrate clear, caring communication, and documentation for patients, families, and other health care providers. Upon successful completion of the bridging program learners will be eligible to enter the consolidated practice experience at the end of second year (Consolidated Practice Experience 2), continue to the fifth semester of the BSN program, and transfer to UVic for semesters 6-8. Students who meet UVic admission requirements, the School of Nursing at UVic admission requirements, successfully complete all courses/practicums required in the PN2BSN bridge (including CPE 2 and semester 5) at Camosun College, and maintain a BSN program minimum cumulative C+ GPA are guaranteed a seat in the UVic BSN program. Learners will be responsible for applying to the University of Victoria prior to entering semester six.

At the completion of their education, graduates will be prepared to meet entry level professional practice requirements, as identified by the British Columbia College of Nurses & Midwives (BCCNM) for nursing education programs in British Columbia. Graduates will also be required to pass the American based National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to be licensed as a Registered Nurse in Canada.

Admissions

One of:

Completion of Biology 12 or Anatomy & Physiology 12 with at least 73%.
Or Camosun Alternative:
- 73% in BIOL 090
- 73% in BIOL 103
- 73% in BIOL 126

One of:

C+ in English 12
C in English 12 Camosun Alternative

All of:

Graduate of a recognized Practical Nursing diploma or certificate program.
Currently licensed to practice with no restrictions as an LPN with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
A letter from an LPN employer or supervisor describing satisfactory work performance and suitability for the PN2BSN bridge program.
All students must complete the English Language Proficiency as per https://www.uvic.ca/undergraduate/admissions/language-requirements/index.php.
Complete the RSA acknowledgement form here
- Acknowledge and understand the requirements for registration with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) as laid out in the BCCNM document. https://www.bccnm.ca/Documents/competencies_requisite_skills/RN_requisite_skills_abilities.pdf

Note:

Entry to the PN2BSN program is competitive and preference for admission will be given to those with higher academic standing.
GPA for competitive entry ranking will be calculated on the required high school and Practical Nursing program courses.
The program will maintain a short waitlist for entry into the same year, pending withdrawals or deferrals. In extenuating circumstances, an invited applicant may apply for a one year deferral. The waitlist will not be retained for future years. Those applicants meeting the academic requirements, but not gaining a seat in the year of application will need to reapply and resubmit academic information already provided.
Students who are not in good standing at Camosun College or the University of Victoria, or in a healthcare program at another institution are ineligible to apply.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, LPNs will be able to demonstrate readiness to enter into the second-year spring practicum of the BSN program by:

Integrating, consolidating, and generating registered nursing (RN) knowledge, skills, and dispositions in interdisciplinary contexts of acute and chronic health challenges across human systems.
Demonstrating care planning, prioritization, clinical reasoning, and evaluation in collaboration with patients, families, communities, and/or populations in the context of acute and chronic health challenges and co-morbidities.
Applying knowledge from nursing, behavioral, biological, epidemiological, and related disciplines in promotion, preservation, and restoration of health when caring for clients & families experiencing increasingly complex, acute illness.
Demonstrating professional responsibility and accountability by integrating transition theory, professional (CNA) Code of Ethics, BCCNM Professional Standards, and ethical frameworks to begin to develop a vision of professional RN practice.
Utilizing academic reading and writing skills to begin to situate evidence within nursing disciplinary (theoretical & philosophical) knowledge and to support evidence-informed registered nursing practice.
Applying knowledge of Indigenous ways of knowing and being, to promote health of patients, and families, and society.

Curriculum

Year One

Academic Term One

Students considering transfer to a collaborative BC college or university should consider an additional English elective which may be necessary in order to meet graduating requirements of that institution. (Consult that institution’s calendar for program requirements.)

All of:

NURS 112 - Registered Nursing As Scholarly Practice Credits: 3
NURS 252 - Integrated Health Sciences for RN Practice 1 Credits: 3

One of

ENGL 151 - Academic Writing Strategies Credits: 3
ENGL 161 - Literary Genres Credits: 3
ENGL 163 - Intro to Literary Traditions Credits: 3
ENGL 164 - Indigenous Literature Credits: 3

Academic Term Two

All of:

NURS 233 - Acute, Surgical, & Complex Nursing Care Credits: 3
NURS 253 - Integrated Health Sciences for RN Practice 2 Credits: 3
PHIL 250 - Healthcare Ethics Credits: 3
IST 120 - Indigenous Peoples/TELŦIN TŦE WILNEW Credits: 3

Program Participation Requirements

Prior to commencement of Academic Term One of the PN2BSN program:

The RSA acknowledgement form, must be signed as an acknowledgment of understanding the requirements for registration with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) as laid out in the BCCNM document: https://www.bccnm.ca/Documents/competencies_requisite_skills/RN_requisite_skills_abilities.pdf

Upon commencement of Academic Term One of the PN2BSN program:

Students must provide evidence they do not have active TB. Acceptable evidence is a negative TB skin test or a negative chest x-ray. Evidence must be dated no more than six months before the program start date. Students are responsible for the cost of testing. An additional TB test is required after each possible exposure to TB and/or travel within an area where there is a known prevalence of TB.
Students must declare their immunization status, and be prepared to provide proof of vaccination. Students are highly recommended to maintain current immunizations as per the Practice Education Guidelines: spe.healthcarebc.ca
- Failure to comply with immunization guidelines could result in the health care organization or the College barring the individual from the clinical/practicum setting until proof of immunity is provided and/or until a communicable disease outbreak is declared over. This could impact a student’s ability to successfully complete the clinical/practicum placement and/or a clinical/community rotation.
Students are required to submit proof of Standard First Aid and Basic Life Support, including airway management and oxygen therapy courses (BLS add-on courses) prior to the first semester of the program. Basic Life Support must be renewed yearly while in the program.
Students are required to have yearly respirator mask “fit-testing” done. Fitting will be completed in the program and students will be responsible for completing this process prior to the patient contact in a clinical setting and clinical experience and for any associated costs.
Criminal Record Check is required.
The Provincial Practice Education Guidelines require students to complete the BC Provincial Violence Prevention Training prior to clinical/practicum placements. This training will occur during the program. Students will be notified in sufficient time for the training to occur and this training will be provided by a third party. Students will be responsible for any associated costs. Failure to comply with this training could result in the health care organization, community partner or the college barring the individual from the clinical/practicum setting until required training is completed. This could impact a student’s ability to successfully complete the clinical/practicum placement. Violence prevention training from other provinces does not transfer in and meet the requirements.

Program Completion Requirements

Students must complete the BSN program within 7 years of beginning the PN2BSN program.
Students must complete each course in the PN2BSN program with a “C” grade minimum and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (“C+”).

Additional Information

Two semesters of Practical Nurse to Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN) Bridge courses and the second year Spring practicum (NURS 290 ) are completed at Camosun College; students will subsequently complete Semester 5 of the BSN partnership program offered by Camosun College and UVic.
Students must complete the BSN program within 7 years of beginning the PN2BSN program.