Practical Nurse to Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing Bridge

Program at a glance

Credential

Degree

Work experience

None

Study options

Full-time

Open to International

Area of study

Health Sciences

Length

8 months + completion of BSN Year 3 and 4

Build on your experience as an LPN

You'll build on your education and work experience as an Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) through an accessible, unique program designed to achieve success in Nursing, Baccalaureate of Science (BSN) program.��

Information Sessions
Find out more about upcoming networking and information sessions occurring at Camosun.

This bridging program recognizes your education and knowledge as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) while introducing and emphasizing the disciplinary (theoretical and philosophical) underpinnings of professional nursing knowledge necessary for practice as an RN.

Start at Camosun, finish at UVic

After successfully completing your two bridge semesters (September to April) you will transition into a Consolidated Practice Experience (CPE2/N290), in May with the rest of the BSN cohort. You will then complete the two remaining years (Years 3 and 4) for BSN offered by AV��Դ and UVic.

Graduates

After completing your three-year program, you are prepared to write the NCLEX RN licensing examination and will have met the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) entry-to-practice competencies. After passing the NCLEX exam, and registering with BCCNM, you will become an RN. RNs are in high demand in British Columbia, Canada, and internationally.

Many opportunities exist for BSN graduates to specialize, travel, and pursue graduate education in disciplines such as nursing, public health, or leadership.

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��.

PN2BSN Semester 3

The focus of this semester is on your transition from LPN to RN. Your coursework will review foundational nursing assessments while employing the use of evolving case studies to explore pathophysiology, pharmacology and clinical decision-making across the lifespan. In addition to two nursing courses (one in-person and one online), you will take an English course to enrich your developing RN practice. ��

PN2BSN Semester 4

The focus shifts to the role of the RN caring for patients in perioperative and acute medical situations. You will continue to integrate pathophysiology, interprofessional communication, evidence-informed practice, and clinical-decision-making into increasingly complex patient care scenarios. In addition to your nursing courses, you will take philosophy and Indigenous studies to enrich your developing RN practice. In the classroom setting you will practice advanced nursing skills such as administration of medications via Peripheral and Central Vascular Access Devices, nasogastric tube insertion and maintenance, and complex wound management across the lifespan. During the end of semester four, you will focus on your upcoming transition to the mainstream BSN program and prepare for that transition.

What to expect

The courses are designed to provide you with a transformational education while recognizing and honouring the education, skills, and nursing experience that LPNs bring to the program. The PN2BSN courses offer a flexible design and include specific pedagogical approaches that prepare you for professional RN practice.

Your focus will be on clinical decision-making, care planning, relational ethics, and the importance of evidence-informed care in the context of acute and chronic health challenges and co-morbidities. You will continue to enhance your communication and documentation skills with patients and families through the lens and scope of an RN. PN2BSN students will merge, after two semesters of bridging, into the Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. You will join the BSN cohort to complete consolidated practice experience two (CPE2/N290) at the end of their second year. Following CPE2, you will continue to semester 5 (third year) of the BSN program and transition to the University of Victoria for your final year and a half of schooling.

A graphic representation of a hand pointing at a book with an "i" for information on the cover.

PN to BSN program handbooks

Find current student information in the��School of Health and Human Services��and BSN program��handbooks.

Tuition and fees

Effective from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025.

Estimated tuition

Tuition estimates are for the entire program.

Practical Nursing Bridge, Baccalaureate of Science

$6,030 (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��

Application deadline

Next intake: Fall 2025
Application period: Sept 15, 2024 – Jan 15, 2025
Document deadline: Jan 31, 2025��

Admission requirements for fall 2025 intake

Requirements for previous academic years can be found within the .

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:

English Studies 12
English 12
English 12 First Peoples

Or:
C in Camosun Alternative:

ENGL 091 and ENGL 093
ENGL 092 and ENGL 094
ENGL 092 and ENGL 096
ELD 097
ELD 092 and ELD 094
ELD 103 and ELD 104

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 the University of Victoria's (UVic) .
Complete the
- Acknowledge and understand the requirements for registration with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) as laid out in the .��

Notes:

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 resubmit academic information already provided.
Students who are not in good standing at AV��Դ or the University of Victoria, or in a healthcare program at another institution are ineligible to apply.