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Nursing Unit Assistant Program

The Nursing Unit Assistant (NUA) program is a 7-month part-time certificate program designed to prepare students for a career in non-clinical healthcare. This program will equip students with the knowledge and skills required to work in hospitals as a Nursing Unit Assistant or in similar roles.

Program Overview

The NUA program is a non-credit, part-time online program that includes a full-time in-person practicum at a hospital. The program consists of six non-credit courses, including Nursing Unit Assistant Orientation and Overview, Interpersonal and Employment Skills for Nursing Unit Assistants, Non-Clinical Pharmacology, Procedures and Observation, Observational Practicum, and Practicum.

Career Opportunities

The NUA program prepares students for a variety of career opportunities, including:

• Nursing Unit Assistant/Coordinator/Clerk
• Hospital Unit Coordinator/Clerk
• Health Unit Coordinator/Clerk
• Surgical Procedures Booking Clerk
• Patient Transfer Coordinator
• Admitting Clerk
• Booking Clerk & Modality Assistant - Medical Imaging
• Clerk - Reception & Image Service Centre - Medical Imaging

Program Content

The program consists of the following non-credit courses:

• Nursing Unit Assistant Orientation and Overview
• Interpersonal and Employment Skills for Nursing Unit Assistants
• Non-Clinical Pharmacology
• Procedures and Observation
• Observational Practicum
• Practicum

Course Delivery

Courses are offered on a part-time basis, starting in September, with online classes, both asynchronous (self-paced) and face-to-face on Teams. Face-to-face classes will be held evenings and some weekends. All students must have access to a desktop or laptop computer with a working camera, audio, and stable internet service to complete this program.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the NUA program, students must meet the following admission requirements:

• General admission requirements for academic programs
• Successful completion of Medical Terminology and Anatomy & Physiology (OSME 002), or equivalent course from a recognized post-secondary institution, within 2 years prior to the NUA program start date, with a minimum grade of 75%
• Keyboarding speed of 30 wpm or greater
• Computer Skills: successful completion of a computer course or a letter that details computer systems and programs that you use and know

Other Program Requirements

Proof of successful completion of the following is required to participate in the practicum:

• Criminal Record Check
• Immunization Requirements Form with a recent TB skin test report within 12 months of entering the program
• HSPnet Student Consent Form
• Island Health Confidentiality Form

Important Program Dates

The following are important dates for the NUA program:

• Admissions open/applications accepted: October 1, 2025
• Information session: March 17, 2026, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
• Application deadline: April 30, 2026
• Proof of admission requirements - document deadline: May 15, 2026
• Registration deadline & non-refundable $200 tuition deposit due: Within 3 weeks of admission offer
• Balance of tuition due: August 11, 2026
• Last day to withdraw (no refunds will be issued after this date): August 11, 2026
• Program start: September 8, 2026
• Program end: March 12, 2027

Program Fees

The following are the estimated program fees:

• Tuition: approximately $5,503.76
• Application Fee: $46.98
• Criminal Record Check Fee: $47.35
• Student Union Fees and Student Activity Fees: $590 (approximately)
• Textbooks: $150 (approx.)
• VIUSU Health and Dental: $285 per year

Certificate Completion Requirements

To be eligible for the program certificate, students must successfully complete all six courses in the program. Students are required to attend all scheduled lectures, observations, examinations, and practicum hours. If a student does not meet the attendance requirement, they may not qualify for the program certificate.