Nursing, Baccalaureate of Science

A rewarding career with infinite possibilities. The Camosun College/University of Victoria BSN Program will take you from Camosun to the University of Victoria, where you will complete your Bachelor of Science in Nursing. 

Nursing Student deside

Program at a glance

Credential

No credential

Work experience

Clinical/fieldwork placement

Study options

Full-time

Open to International

No

Area of study

Health Sciences

Length

2.5 years at Camosun College, 1.5 years at the University of Victoria

Information Sessions

BSN information sessions are a great way to learn more about the program and to get your questions answered by faculty and staff.
Scheduled sessions

Blending patient care with health technology

Start in September

We inspire, educate, and transform nursing students for service to humanity through curiosity, innovation, and excellence.

As part of the Camosun College/University of Victoria BSN Program, you'll build your knowledge, skills, and attitudes. You'll learn from a combination of practical experience and coursework in science and the humanities. As part of your degree, you'll have access to meaningful work term placements so that you can integrate your academic knowledge with real-world nursing practice.

Camosun Nursing Program image

Experiential learning

As a nursing student, you'll apply your learning in simulated lab and nursing practice settings throughout your program. Through experience, reflection, conceptualizing, and application, you'll continually build your knowledge.

Complete your BSN education

You'll spend 2.5 years at Camosun, which includes 5 academic semesters and 2 spring practicum terms. You'll then move to the University of Victoria to finish up your final 2 semesters and consolidated practice experiences, which takes a total of 1.5 years. You may be eligible for entrance scholarships to UVic at this time.

HHS Student Handbook

Current information for School of Health and Human Services students and BSN program specific handbook.

Becoming a registered nurse

After completing your four-year program, you'll be ready to write the NCLEX licensing examination, and will have met the British Columbia College of Nurses & Midwives (BCCNM) entry-to-practice competences. You will become a registered nurse (RN).

Working as a student

Island Health (formerly Vancouver Island Health Authority or VIHA) allows you to apply to start working as an employed student nurse (ESN) after your second year of study. After year one, some students are able to work as health care assistants.

Registered Nurses of British Columbia

The British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) sets the standards of practice for Nurses to provide competent and ethical care.

The professional association, Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of British Columbia, acts on behalf of nursing in order to advance the profession and influence health and social policy.

Working conditions

Pay

BC Registered Nurses on Vancouver Island have a 9-step wage scale. New graduates start at Level 3 Step 1 ($5,352 monthly / $32.94 hourly). For every 1950 hours worked, salary increases by 1 step.

Hours

Most nurses work either 8 or 12 hour shifts, depending on the unit. You should expect to work weekdays, weekends, and a combination of days, evenings and nights.

Demand

Currently, there is a very high demand for registered nurses across Canada, and internationally. Recent statistics suggest that between 90 and 100% of BSN graduates find work in their field fulltime, within the first year after graduation. This is amongst the highest rate for all occupations in Canada. This statistic is true for both men and women in nursing! A Canadian program, BSN will prepare you for graduate studies in universities around the world, and is a stepping stone to many learning opportunities, including specialty education.

Unions

Public facilities, such as hospitals, are unionized with the BC Nurses’ Union. Some employment agencies (some clinics) may not be unionized. Information about the union and the collective agreement can be found online.

Indigenous Priority Seating

Indigenous Limited Priority Admissions 

The School of Health & Human Services (HHS) offers Priority Seating for Indigenous students in all Health related programs.

Visit Eyēʔ Sqȃ’lewen - Centre for Indigenous Education & Community Connections (IECC) for information on how to apply.  

Any questions about the application process, please contact hhsindigenoussupport@camosun.ca

The Indigenous Limited Priority Admissions process, approved by the Board of Governors, supported by the Education Council, and approved by the BC Human Rights Tribunal, welcomes applications from all qualified Indigenous applicants.

What you'll learn

Current students wanting information about your program, go to student planning in myCamosun.

Program outline

For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar.

Program outline

Blending patient care with health technology

We inspire, educate, and transform nursing students for service to humanity through curiosity, innovation, and excellence.

Location and schedule

For the first 2.5 years of your program, you'll study at Camosun's Interurban campus, situated near some of Victoria’s most beautiful neighbourhoods and urban beaches. Class time and nursing practice hours are scheduled for a maximum of 25 hours per week. Of these hours, nursing practice per semester varies from 4 to 25 hours per week.

You'll be expected to spend at least 3 to 4 hours of preparation, review, and studying per day. Nursing practice locations and hours vary, but most are located within Greater Victoria, and may include evenings and weekends. Limited numbers of learners travel to International Field Schools, the Yukon, and potentially other remote placements.

Streams of learning

Each semester will have a unique focus. There are five streams that run across the four years of the program: Nursing Practice, Relational Practice, Health and Healing (theory and lab), Professional Practice, and Health Sciences.

All fall and winter semesters include theory, lab, and nursing practice time.

Finish your program at UVic

After 2.5 years at Camosun, you'll finish your program at the University of Victoria. See the UVic calendar for program outline and course descriptions.

Year 1

The focus of year one is on the roles of the registered nurse, including promoting health and well-being, as a professional; becoming self-aware as a practicing nurse; nursing assessment; basic nursing care; and growth and development in the context of family.

In addition to your nursing courses, you'll be required to take English and anatomy and physiology.

Year 2

In your second year, the focus shifts to nursing care of patients with both acute and chronic illness in a culturally safe and ethical manner, on an interprofessional team.

You'll study pathophysiology, interprofessional communication, philosophy and ethics, in addition to extensive nursing knowledge, including skills such as intravenous therapy.

Year 3

During your last six months at Camosun, your courses and nursing practice placements will involve complex and specialty nursing including maternity, pediatrics, and mental health.

Course work, in both theory and lab, will prepare you for advanced nursing skills such as intravenous insertion, cardiac monitoring, newborn assessment, and how to care for patients and families in unstable and crisis situations.

Tuition and fees

Effective from September 1, 2022, to August 31, 2023.

Estimated tuition

Tuition estimates are for the entire program.

Nursing, Baccalaureate of Science

$12,456 (domestic)

Domestic tuition fees vary depending on the individual course fees for the classes you select.

Student fees

In addition to tuition estimates, student fees are calculated based on your enrolment. Refer to: Student Fees.

Financial assistance

You may need to find more than one source of funding to help pay for your education and living costs while attending college. Check out sources of money you don't need to pay back as well as those that need to be repaid.

Financial Aid & Awards 

Curriculum & courses

Admission requirements

This program is in high demand and the number of qualified applicants greatly exceeds the number of seats available, and, as such, not all of those meeting minimum requirements can be admitted.

When you apply you will need to submit proof that you meet the following admission requirements.

Tip: Where a letter grade is specified, you must have proof of that grade or higher.

Next intake: September 2024
Application window: TBA
Application Fee $121.44**
Final Documents/Transcripts due TBA

BC/Yukon high school students are eligible to apply in their Grade 12 year. GPA will be initially calculated on interim grades to determine provisional qualification.
Self-reporting of interim grades for current BC/Yukon high school students due Feb 28, 2023

There is priority seating in this program for students of Indigenous ancestry.

**This amount reflects the Camosun College/University of Victoria BSN Program application fees for both Camosun and UVIC and includes transfer credit assessment for the BSN only.

High School and Adult Basic Education Applicants

If you are applying using high school-level and/or Adult Basic Education (ABE) courses, you will need to submit proof that you meet the following admission requirements.

For information about applying or admission requirements, please contact Admissions.

BC/Yukon high school students are eligible to apply in their Grade 12 year. GPA will be initially calculated on interim grades to determine provisional qualification.

Note: GPA for competitive entry ranking will be calculated on the four Grade 12 courses or ABE alternatives listed below

English 11 - one of:

High School Courses

  • English 11
  • English 11 First Peoples
    Non-BC high school

ABE Courses

  • ENGL 070
    ABE Transfer Guide

Math 11 - one of:

High School Courses

  • 73% in Foundations of Math 11
  • 73% in Pre-calculus 11
  • Non-BC high school

ABE Courses

  • 73% in MATH 072 and MATH 073
  • 73% in MATH 075
  • 73% in MATH 077
  • ABE Transfer Guide

Biology 11 - one of:

High School Courses

  • 73% in Life Sciences 11/Biology 11
  • Non-BC high school

ABE Courses

  • ABE Transfer Guide

Chemistry 11 - one of:

High School Courses

  • Chemistry 11
  • Non-BC high school

ABE Courses

  • CHEM 070
  • ABE Transfer Guide 

Social Studies 11 - one of:

High School Courses

  • Approved Social Studies 11
  • Non-BC high school

ABE Courses

  • ABE Transfer Guide

English 12 - one of:

High School Courses

  • 73% in English Studies 12
  • 73% in English 12
  • 73% in English 12 First Peoples
  • Non-BC high school

ABE Courses

  • 73% in ENGL 091 and ENGL 093
  • 73% in ENGL 092 and ENGL 094
  • 73% in ENGL 092 and ENGL 096
  • ABE Transfer Guide

Academic 12 - one of:

High School Courses

ABE Courses

  • MATH 097
  • MATH 107
  • MATH 115
  • ABE Transfer Guide

Biology 12 - one of:

High School Courses

  • 73% in Biology 12
  • Non-BC high school

ABE Courses

  • 73% in BIOL 090
  • ABE Transfer Guide

Chemistry 12 - one of:                                              

High School Courses

  • 73% in Chemistry 12
  • Non-BC high school

ABE Courses

  • 73% in CHEM 090
  • 73% in CHEM 110
  • ABE Transfer Guide

All of:

  • Grade 12
    • Grade 12 graduation or equivalent
  • English Language Proficiency
    • All students must complete the English Language Proficiency requirement
  • BCCNM requirements

University Transfer Applicants

To meet the admission requirements, you can still use your high school/ABE courses as listed on the previous tab or you can use the following courses to meet the subject requirements.

For information about applying or admission requirements, please contact Admissions.

English - one of:

Camosun Courses

  • B in ENGL 103 and ENGL 104
  • B in ENGL 142
  • B in ENGL 151
  • B in ENGL 161
  • B in ENGL 164
  • B in ENGL 170 and ENGL 273
  • B in ENGL 175

Alternatives

  • BC Transfer Guide

Math - one of:

Camosun Courses

  • B in MATH 100
  • B in MATH 101
  • B in MATH 107
  • B in MATH 108
  • B in MATH 109
  • B in STAT 116
  • B in STAT 216
  • B in STAT 218

Alternatives

  • BC Transfer Guide

Biology - one of:

Camosun Courses

  • B in BIOL 103
  • B in BIOL 126

Alternatives

  • BC Transfer Guide

Chemistry - one of:

Camosun Courses

  • B in CHEM 100 and CHEM 110
  • B in CHEM 100 and CHEM 120
  • B in CHEM 100 and CHEM 121

Alternatives

  • BC Transfer Guide

University Transfer - four of:

  • Additional transferable UT course based on the BC Transfer Guide

All of:

English Language Proficiency

BCCNM requirements

Notes:

  • After the January 31 document/transcript deadline, no in-progress course work can be used towards admission requirements (exceptions for current BC/Yukon high school students).
  • 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 or UVic, or in a health care program at another institution are ineligible to apply.

For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar.

Apply today

Missing admission requirements?

Take an assessment or upgrade with us.

Contact us

If you have admissions questions contact the Admissions office

If you have questions about what you can expect to learn in your Nursing class contact hhsinfo@camosun.ca

Faculty/staff profile

Woman with smile

Kirstin McLaughlin

Chair of Nursing Program

Greetings! My Name is Kirstin McLaughlin and I am the Acting Chair of the Nursing Department at Camosun College. My practice history spans a decade; t ...

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Faculty/staff profile

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Teresa Evangelou

Associate Chair

Faculty/staff profile

Ryan Russell, Year one program leader

Ryan Russell

Nurse Educator and Year One Program Leader

Faculty/staff profile

Stephanie Won

Stephanie Won, RN, Hon BScN, ID, MN

Year Two Program Leader and Nurse Educator

I earned my Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree from the University of Windsor in 2001. In 2015, to advance my ability to support students, ...

Read more

Faculty/staff profile

Sue Abuleal - Nurse Educator

Sue Abuleal

Nurse Educator

I hold a Master of Arts in Leadership, Health Specialization from Royal Roads University and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Vic ...

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Faculty/staff profile

Woman with smile

Ruthie Anderson, BScN, RN, MScCH (IP)

Nurse Educator

I graduated from Toronto Metropolitan University in 2012 with a BScN. My teaching journey started in 2013 when I precepted my first student on a busy ...

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Faculty/staff profile

woman with smile

Hazel Booth

Nurse Educator

With over 20 years as a nurse practitioner, it’s absolutely wonderful to be connected with nursing students embarking on their nursing career. I start ...

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Faculty/staff profile

Lynda Champoux - Nurse Educator

Lynda Champoux

Nurse Educator

I started teaching at Camosun in 2012 and have taught first and second year clinical and theory classes. I originally graduated from one of the las ...

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Faculty/staff profile

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Maria Fyfe

Nurse Educator

I graduated from Vancouver General Hospital and the University of British Columbia in 1995. After working as a RN in the lower mainland on medical and ...

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Faculty/staff profile

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Leah Godwin

Nurse Educator

It has been my pleasure and privilege to work with students in the Camosun College Nursing Program since 2005. I truly enjoy and value students and th ...

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Faculty/staff profile

Robin Humble, Practice Placement Coordinator, BSN

Robin Humble, PhD(c) MPH BSN

Practice Placement Coordinator and Nurse Educator

I have been a faculty member in the Camosun BSN program since 2014. My clinical background is in women’s surgery, oncology, and public health services ...

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Faculty/staff profile

Shannon Keyser, BSN INstructor

Shannon Keyser, MSc, RN, CCNE, CCSNE

Nurse Educator

My first job as a registered nurse was in acute care on an orthopedic unit. I also have experience working as a surgical float nurse, in nursing manag ...

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Faculty/staff profile

Woman with smile

Janet Klok, BN, MN, CACE

Nurse Educator

I have been a nurse for 25 years and began teaching at Camosun 4 years ago. I have worked in almost all areas of nursing, except the critical care are ...

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Faculty/staff profile

Paula Littlejohn - Nurse Educator

Paula Littlejohn

Nurse Educator

I graduated from the British Columbia Institute of Technology General Nursing Diploma program and then went on to receive a Bachelor of Science in Nur ...

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Faculty/staff profile

Cheryl Marr - Nurse Educator

Cheryl Marr

Instructor

Cheryl’s teaching career at Camosun College began in 2010. She has taught in all years but predominantly in year three lab and Pediatric clinical. ...

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Faculty/staff profile

Ann McIntosh - Nurse Educator

Ann McIntosh

Nurse Educator and Curriculum Coordinator

I have been teaching in the nursing department at Camosun College since 2001, in first and second year, nursing practice, classroom and lab settings. ...

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Faculty/staff profile

Woman with smile

Shea Page

Nurse Educator

I am a graduate of the Camosun- UVic BSN Program and completed my Master of Nursing with a specialty in Nursing Education at the University of Victori ...

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Faculty/staff profile

Woman with smile

Alayna Payne, RN, MN, PhD(c)

Nurse Educator

I have been teaching with Camosun since 2018 and I work to integrate critical perspectives in the classroom and focus on emancipatory pedagogical appr ...

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Faculty/staff profile

picture of woman

Betty Poag

Nurse Educator

In my 40-year career in Perinatal and Women’s Health nursing, I have worked in Canada, the US, and the Middle East as a nurse, nurse educator, and pri ...

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Faculty/staff profile

Woman with her dog

Laura Sacilotto, RN, BTN, Med

Nurse Educator

I am Laura and this is my dog Marlie, my hiking partner. I am interested in the synthesis of the literature on decision making in chaos, with the outc ...

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Faculty/staff profile

Aziz (Ajijoon) Shaik

Aziz (Ajijoon) Shaik, RN-BSN, MSc

Nurse Educator

Hello, my name is Ajijoon Shaik, but I prefer people call me Aziz. I grew up in India, moved to the United States for nursing practice and then follow ...

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Faculty/staff profile

Sean Sturgill - Nurse Educator

Sean Sturgill, RN, BSN

Nurse Educator

I reside on lək̓ʷəŋən people’s territory and have been a visitor for over 20 years after moving from rural Manitoba. I graduated from The University o ...

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Faculty/staff profile

Woman with smile

Cici Tavares, RN, MSN

Nurse Educator

My nursing career started on the mainland when I graduated as a diploma nurse from Kwantlen College and started working at SMH. I decided to continue ...

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Faculty/staff profile

Woman with smile

Andrea Turner, BScN, RN, ID, MACP Candidate

Nurse Educator

I’ve taught for over fifteen years. My role as an educator is exciting because I help shape future nurses to be the best nurses they can be by balanci ...

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Faculty/staff profile

Mary Willbond - Nurse Educator

Mary Willbond, RN, BSN, MSN

Nurse Educator

I graduated from the Camosun College RN diploma nursing program and then went on to receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from the Uni ...

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Faculty/staff profile

Stephanie Won

Stephanie Won, RN, Hon BScN, ID, MN

Year Two Program Leader and Nurse Educator

I earned my Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree from the University of Windsor in 2001. In 2015, to advance my ability to support students, ...

Read more

Faculty/staff profile

Aileen Wood-Meszaros, BSN faculty

Aileen Wood-Meszaros, PMED, BSN, RN

Nurse Educator

My teaching style is grounded in having positive and supportive relationships with my students.  The highlights of my career have been the ma ...

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Faculty/staff profile

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Hannah Ashwood Smith

Nurse Educator

Faculty/staff profile

Kerry Ann Dompierre

Kerry-Ann Dompierre

Nurse Educator and Simulation Education Coordinator

Faculty/staff profile

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Selena Hebig

Nurse Educator

Faculty/staff profile

null

Shauna Huffman

Nurse Educator

Faculty/staff profile

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Maureen Lindsay

Instructor

Faculty/staff profile

Diane Nadeau, BSN Instructor

Diane Nadeau

Nurse Educator

Faculty/staff profile

null

Melissa Paul

Nurse Educator

Nursing lab

Learn more

For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar. 

Contact information

School of Health and Human Services

Campus location

Alex and Jo Campbell Centre of Health and Wellness (CHW) 207

Location link

Interurban Campus

250–370–4072

hhsinfo@camosun.ca

 

Admissions Questions: