Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program

Overview

UFV's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program offers a rewarding path for those seeking to become registered nurses. It prepares students to provide care during both joyful and vulnerable moments in patients' lives, ensuring a significant positive impact on their well-being.

Clinical Experience

• Hands-On Learning: The program integrates clinical experiences each year, allowing students to gain practical experience in hospitals and community agencies.
• State-of-the-Art Facilities: Students train in advanced facilities located in Chilliwack, featuring high-tech manikins that simulate clinical and emergency scenarios, providing a safe learning environment.

Degree Completion Options

Students in the program can choose from three options for degree completion:

• Standard Track: Complete the program in four years.
• Accelerated Track: Graduate in three years for those seeking a quicker path.
• LPN Entry Option: Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) have the opportunity to enter the second year of the BSN program.

Accreditation

UFV's BSN program adheres to high standards and has achieved the highest level of accreditation from the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia (CRNBC). Graduates consistently perform above provincial and national averages on registration exams.

Career Outlook for Registered Nurses

The demand for registered nurses in British Columbia is significant, with the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia currently registering approximately 40,000 Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners. Key points regarding career outlook include:

• Job Opportunities: An anticipated 19,850 cumulative job openings for nurses from 2018 to 2028, with a majority located in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley.
• Aging Population: Population growth combined with an aging demographic contributes to the increasing need for nurses across various healthcare settings.
• Evolving Role: As healthcare delivery costs rise, nurses are positioned as crucial figures in providing patient care within collaborative teams or in independent roles as nurse practitioners, thereby enhancing their significance in the healthcare system.

Degree Overview:

Overview:

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) prepares students for a rewarding career as a Registered Nurse. The program emphasizes clinical experience, with students gaining hands-on experience in hospitals and community agencies throughout their studies.

Objectives:

The BSN program aims to equip graduates with the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to provide safe, ethical, and compassionate care to patients across diverse settings.

Description:

The BSN program is delivered through a combination of classroom instruction, laboratory work, and clinical placements. Students gain a strong foundation in nursing theory and practice, while also developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. The program features state-of-the-art facilities and high-tech simulation equipment to provide a realistic learning environment.

Outline:

Program Content:

The BSN program covers a wide range of topics, including:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Microbiology
• Pharmacology
• Health Assessment
• Mental Health Nursing
• Community Health Nursing
• Leadership and Management

Structure:

The program is typically completed in four years of full-time study. Students can also choose to complete the program in three years through an accelerated option. Additionally, Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) can enter the program in the second year.

Modules:

The program consists of a series of modules, each focusing on a specific area of nursing practice. Some examples of modules include:

• Fundamentals of Nursing
• Medical-Surgical Nursing
• Pediatric Nursing
• Critical Care Nursing

Assessment:

Assessment Methods:

The BSN program utilizes a variety of assessment methods, including:

• Exams
• Assignments
• Clinical evaluations
• Simulation exercises

Assessment Criteria:

Students are assessed on their knowledge, skills, and professional behaviors. The specific criteria for each assessment vary depending on the type of assessment.

Teaching:

Teaching Methods:

The BSN program employs a variety of teaching methods, including:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Tutorials
• Group work
• A focus on interprofessional education, which prepares students to work effectively with other healthcare professionals.
• A strong emphasis on simulation, which allows students to practice their skills in a safe and controlled environment.
• A commitment to cultural competency, which ensures that graduates are prepared to provide care to patients from diverse backgrounds.

Careers:

Potential Career Paths:

Graduates of the BSN program are eligible to write the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to become registered nurses.

Career Opportunities:

Registered nurses are in high demand across Canada. Potential career opportunities include:

• Hospital nurse
• Public health nurse
• Community health nurse
• School nurse
• Nurse practitioner

Career Outcomes:

UFV graduates have a high success rate on the NCLEX-RN exam and are well-prepared for careers in nursing.

Other:

Accreditation:

The BSN program at UFV is accredited by the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia (CRNBC).

Clinical Placements:

Clinical placements are an integral part of the BSN program and provide students with valuable hands-on experience.

International Opportunities:

The BSN program offers students the opportunity to participate in international clinical placements.

The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) is a fully accredited, public university located in the beautiful Fraser Valley of British Columbia, Canada, just east of Vancouver. Enrolling approximately 15,000 students per year across campuses in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission and Hope, as well as a growing presence in Chandigarh, India, UFV is a comprehensive university that combines the variety of a large institution with the small class sizes and personal connections of a community-focused one. Students come to UFV to learn in a hands-on environment where they know their instructors and are known in return.

UFV is situated in the traditional territory of the Stó:lō peoples. The Stó:lō have an intrinsic relationship with what they refer to as S'olh Téméxw (Our Sacred Land), and UFV expresses its gratitude and respect for the honour of living and working in this territory.

Changemaking

At UFV, changemaking is not a slogan; it is the organizing principle of the university's identity. As a designated Ashoka U Changemaker Campus, UFV prepares students to lead collaboratively, think critically and contribute to stronger communities through innovation, reciprocity and a shared commitment to positive social change. Changemaking at UFV means turning knowledge into action, connecting learning to the real challenges facing communities in the Fraser Valley, British Columbia and the world beyond.

Academic structure

UFV is organized across six colleges, faculties and a school:

• College of Arts
• Faculty of Education, Community, and Human Development
• Faculty of Applied and Technical Studies
• Faculty of Health Sciences
• Faculty of Business and Computing
• Faculty of Science
• School of Graduate Studies

Programs

UFV offers more than 100 programs across academic, vocational, continuing education and trades pathways, including three master's degrees, 21 bachelor's degrees with majors, minors and extended minors in more than 35 subject areas, four graduate certificates, and more than a dozen trades and technology programs. Programs are available across a wide range of disciplines:

• Arts, humanities and social sciences: Bachelor of Arts in History, English, Philosophy, Communications, Political Science, Indigenous Studies, Global Development Studies, Latin American Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, and more
• Business and management: Bachelor of Business Administration, Business Administration Diploma and Certificate, Agriculture Management BBA, Trades Management BBA, Accounting Certificate, Marketing and Sales Certificate
• Computing and technology: Computing Science BSc, Computer Information Systems (Bachelor, Diploma, Certificate), Automation and Robotics Technician Diploma, Engineering Physics Mechatronics Diploma, Engineering Common Core Certificate
• Creative arts and design: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic and Digital Design BFA and Diploma, Creative Writing BA and BFA.
• Education: Bachelor of Education, Adult Education Degree, Early Childhood Education Certificate and Diploma, TESL Certificate, Master of Education (Educational Leadership and Mentorship)
• Health sciences: Nursing BSc, Practical Nursing Diploma, Certified Dental Assistant Certificate, Child Life and Community Health Graduate Certificate
• Social work and human services: Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Social Work, Child and Youth Care BA, Social Service Worker Diploma (Indigenous Focus)
• Trades: Carpentry, Electrician, Plumbing and Piping, Welding, Automotive Service, Automotive Collision Repair, Cabinetmaking, Heavy Mechanical Trades Foundation, Electronics Technician, and Culinary Arts Certificates
• Indigenous studies: Indigenous Studies BA, Stó:lō Studies Certificate, Social Service Worker (Indigenous Focus) Diploma
• Upgrading and access: Adult Basic Education, English Language Studies, Workplace TASK for adults with disabilities

Campuses

• Abbotsford (main campus): 33844 King Road, Abbotsford, BC, V2S 7M8 — the largest campus, home to the majority of UFV's faculties, research institutes, library, athletics facilities, housing and student services
• Chilliwack: a full-service campus offering a wide range of programs in the eastern Fraser Valley
• Mission: delivering programs and services for Mission-area students
• Hope: outreach and programming for the Hope community
• Chandigarh, India (UFV India): UFV's international campus, extending the university's reach to South Asia

Sustainability

UFV has achieved a Gold sustainability rating from AASHE (the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education), recognising its performance across environmental, social, and governance sustainability dimensions. Sustainability is embedded across campus operations, curriculum and community engagement, and UFV's Peace and Reconciliation Centre has earned international recognition for its work in restorative justice and reconciliation.

Open education

UFV is a leader in open education in British Columbia, committed to making learning more affordable and accessible through open textbooks, open educational resources and flexible learning models. Students who take courses using open textbooks save significantly on the cost of materials, reflecting UFV's belief that quality education should be accessible to everyone regardless of financial means.

Indigenous UFV

Indigenous affairs and reconciliation are woven through UFV's institutional identity. The Indigenous Affairs office, the Indigenous Student Centre, and dedicated programs in Indigenous Studies and Stó:lō Studies reflect a deep commitment to supporting Indigenous students, honouring Indigenous knowledge and advancing reconciliation with the Stó:lō peoples on whose territory the university stands. UFV is actively engaged in implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action in its academic programs and institutional culture.

Research

UFV is an active research university, with faculty engaged in applied and community-focused research across all disciplines. The Centre for the Social Sciences and Humanities, the Peace and Reconciliation Centre, the Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies, and multiple research chairs bring structured research activity to the Fraser Valley community. UFV's research approach emphasises community engagement and real-world impact, consistent with its Changemaker Campus identity. Alumni have gone on to achieve notable research and professional milestones, including the development of North America's first mobile, modular soil-washing facility by a UFV alumnus in 2026.

Student life and housing

UFV offers a full range of student services, housing, and co-curricular programming to support student success and wellbeing. The new EverGreen residence on the Abbotsford campus offers modern suites and social spaces. A shuttle bus service connects campuses. Cascades Athletics supports varsity and recreational sport. CIVL Radio gives students a student-run campus radio station. The Academic Advising Centre, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Human Rights Office, and a dedicated Safe Student Community programme round out UFV's student support offer.

Contact

• Main address: 33844 King Road, Abbotsford, BC, Canada V2S 7M8
• Phone: 1-604-504-7441
• Toll-free: 1-888-504-7441
• Email: info@ufv.ca

Why UFV

1. A fully accredited Canadian public university enrolling approximately 15,000 students, offering more than 100 programs from trades certificates through to master's degrees
2. A designated Ashoka U Changemaker Campus, preparing graduates who lead collaboratively, think critically and contribute to positive social change
3. Small class sizes with accessible, dedicated faculty across campuses in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission and Hope, plus a growing international campus in Chandigarh, India
4. A Gold AASHE sustainability rating and a nationally recognised Peace and Reconciliation Centre, reflecting UFV's commitment to environmental and social responsibility
5. A leader in open education in British Columbia, making learning more affordable through open educational resources across all programs
6. Deep Indigenous roots, with dedicated Indigenous Affairs and Indigenous Student Centre offices, Indigenous Studies and Stó:lō Studies programs, and active reconciliation commitments on Stó:lō territory
7. Located in the Fraser Valley, one of Canada's most scenic and economically dynamic regions, with easy connections to metropolitan Vancouver