UofC

Students wishing to begin a Bachelor of Nursing degree program must meet minimum admission requirements as set out in 4. Program Details. Also see the Undergraduate Admissions section of this Calendar.

September Entry:

Refer to the Prospective Students link at: http://www.ucalgary.ca/prospectivestudents/

Transfer Students (January Entry)

September 1 for applications
September 30 for documents

Degree-Holding Students (January Entry)

September 1 for applications
September 30 for documents
Note: Qualifying degree must be completed no later than August 31 prior to the admission date.

BN Program at Medicine Hat College Site

February 1 for applications to the University of Calgary
June 30 for documents

Students who have received one or more approved undergraduate degrees (BA, BSc, BEd, etc.) may apply for admission to the Bachelor of Nursing (Degree Holder Route).  Students who hold a previous bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in nursing, which at the discretion of the University is deemed similar or equivalent, will not be considered for admission.

Students must apply to the Admissions Office and meet all deadlines and requirements. For more information regarding admission to a second undergraduate degree, refer to A.9.5 in Undergraduate Admissions.

Applicants who have previously been enrolled in a baccalaureate Nursing program at another institution, must submit:

1) a letter which outlines their academic plans and explains their reasons for transferring to the University of Calgary program and,

2) a reference letter from the Dean or Designate of the current/prior Nursing program that the applicant is transferring from, confirming that the applicant is/was in good academic standing and that they are eligible to continue in the program.

A follow-up interview with the Associate Dean may be required as part of the review process. Admission is not automatic; applicants will be considered on an individual basis. In instances where applicants have failed prior nursing courses or have been required to withdraw from a prior nursing program, the letter must also explain why they are now likely to be successful. Refer to Section A.11 Undergraduate Admissions: Required to Withdraw Students for more detailed information.

All nursing students are required to complete a series of immunization and diagnostic tests as outlined on the Student Immunization Form. Documented proof of completion must be provided to the Faculty of Nursing prior to commencement of the program.

Throughout the BN program, students are required to ensure that immunizations are current and must provide proof of updates to the Faculty of Nursing. Failure to do so will result in students being removed from practice courses until such time as adequate proof has been provided. Please note requirements may change during the program as determined by Alberta Health Services guidelines.

All Nursing students must be fit tested for a N-95 mask prior to commencement of Term 1 (for High School Students) or Term 3 (for Transfer and Degree Holders). Students may be required to wear this mask in the practice setting to help protect against certain communicable diseases. Documented proof of a fit test must be provided to the Faculty of Nursing prior to commencement of the program. Fit testing is only valid for two years; therefore students must present proof of a second fit testing at the time of expiration.

The Nursing profession requires a high level of spoken and written communication skills in order to ensure patient safety. Students who, after admission, show an inadequate command of spoken or written English must improve their proficiency to the Faculty's satisfaction in collaboration with the English for Academic Purposes program. Students may be asked to withdraw from the program if their inadequate command of English interferes with their ability to provide patient care.

Students should also be aware of the English Language Proficiency requirements as outlined in A.17 of the Undergraduate Admissions section of this Calendar.

Nursing students require certain basic skills and abilities to progress through a nursing education program and for initial entry to practice as a Registered Nurse in Alberta. Prospective students are encouraged to review the document "Requisite Skills and Abilities for Becoming a Registered Nurse in Alberta (May 2011)" to identify their fit with the requirements of becoming a registered nurse and/or identify their potential need for accommodation¹ in becoming a member of the nursing profession. Examples following each requisite skill and ability are included in the document in order to provide a snapshot of the nature and kind of activities involved in typical entry-level registered nurse practice.

¹Accommodation is the process of making alterations (to the point of undue hardship) to the delivery of services so that those services become accessible to more people, including people with disabilities. (Alberta Human Rights Commission)

It is important for students with documented disabilities, who have met the admission criteria, to note that the Academic Accommodation Policy does not require the University to lower or substantially modify standards in order to accommodate students with disabilities. Adaptive technology and/or academic accommodations are available to facilitate learning; however, they do not relieve students of their responsibilities to develop the essential skills and abilities expected of all other students.

All applicants to the Faculty of Nursing are required to provide a current Police Information Check which includes a Criminal Record Check and a Vulnerable Sector Search. In order to be considered "current", the Police Information Check must be completed during the three months prior to admission, (i.e. June 1-August 31 for Fall admission; October 1-December 31 for Winter admission). The original Police Information Check must be presented, in person, to a Faculty of Nursing Student Advisor. Without this documentation, admission to the Faculty will be rescinded. Detailed information, including deadlines, is available on the Faculty of Nursing website at: http://nursing.ucalgary.ca/undergradprogram/security-clearance.

Students who are concerned about the presence of a criminal record should contact the police department to discuss the process for eliminating or erasing such a record. It is important that students keep the original Police Information Check for future employment purposes.

Failure to present a clear Police Information Check may result in admission being denied/rescinded. An internal University appeal process is available to applicants who are refused admission for this reason.

Subsequent to admission and at any time during the program, a student may be required to produce a current Police Information Check, the results of which could require their withdrawal from the program, in the sole discretion of the University. Students are obligated to inform the Faculty immediately of any change in status of their criminal record.