First of its kind in Canada, this pathway is designed to accelerate advanced practice nursing professionals into much needed leadership and teaching roles.
The need—and the opportunity—for nurses with advanced practice and specialized knowledge has never been greater. Cheryl Isaak, Associate Dean of BCIT’s School of Health Specialty Nursing programs, and Susan Duncan, director of UVic’s School of Nursing have worked together to help develop a new educational pathway for advanced practice nursing to help meet service needs facing B.C.’s health system.
With the new pathway between the two schools, any nursing professional holding a bachelor’s degree and a BCIT Advanced Certificate in Specialty Nursing may receive transfer credit to the online, two-year UVic Master of Nursing program. Qualified applicants will receive six units of block credit (equal to one third of the coursework) upon admission with a choice of Advanced Practice Leadership or Nurse Educator options.
This new pathway was specifically designed to integrate the UVic Master of Nursing program with BCIT’s nine areas of Specialty Nursing. “We understand the growing demand for senior level nurse leaders and educators with specialized knowledge,” says Duncan. “By accelerating professional readiness for advanced practice nursing, this pathway could stem increasing pressures to better support health service delivery.”
“We see this as a positive step forward for the nursing profession in B.C.,” says Isaak. “We strive to enhance service delivery on the front lines and this new pathway serves as an important milestone toward developing leaders with specialized knowledge and practice.”
The first intake starts in September 2018. Deadline for application is January 15th 2018. To learn more or to apply, visit the UVic School of Nursing website or contact:
Lori Klear, Coordinator of Student Affairs
University of Victoria – School of Nursing
nurscoord@uvic.ca
250-721-7961