Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) – Vancouver Community College (VCC)
⚠️ Program status: Active
SpaceCat Fit Notes
- CASPer: Required. GPA + CASPer combined for admission ranking. Weight not published but preference given to applicants with higher GPA AND CASPer. SpaceCat’s high CASPer is a significant asset. details
- GPA window & upgrading strategy: GPA calculated on 18 required prerequisite credits only (~6 courses). This is a very small, fully resettable window. Minimum 2.33 GPA. SpaceCat can take these 6 courses fresh with no reference to her prior record. details
- Experiential / written advantage: None beyond CASPer – no essays, interviews, or personal statements mentioned. details
- Out-of-province: Open to Canadian residents. No BC residency restriction stated. details
- Overall assessment: Strong fit – VCC has the best combination of features for SpaceCat among BC BSN programs: (1) very small GPA window (18 credits / ~6 courses, fully resettable); (2) CASPer required and used in ranking (SpaceCat’s high CASPer is a major asset); (3) low minimum GPA (2.33). The GPA + CASPer combination means SpaceCat’s high CASPer can directly offset a moderate prerequisite GPA. The 3-year program with CASN accreditation is efficient. BC’s Ministry of Health also offers a $2,000 Nursing Tuition Grant.
Quick Facts
- Institution: Vancouver Community College (VCC)
- Program name: Nursing (BScN)
- Degree granted: BScN
- City, Province: Vancouver (Broadway campus), British Columbia
- Program type: Standard (3-year, 8 terms)
- Duration: 3 years (8 terms)
- Delivery format: In-person (class-based). Some courses may use blended delivery.
- Full-time / Part-time: Full-time only
- Language of instruction: English
- Start date(s): September
- Intake frequency: Annual
- Application deadline(s): Check VCC website for specific dates. Prerequisites must be completed in fall term of the year before intake.
- Application system: Direct to VCC
- Program URL: https://www.vcc.ca/programs/nursing-bscn/
- Accredited: Yes – CASN accredited, BCCNM recognized
Admission Requirements
GPA
- Minimum GPA: 2.33 on the 18 required prerequisite credits
- Competitive GPA (if known): Not published. “Preference may be given to applicants with higher than the minimum GPA and CASPer test result.”
- GPA calculated on: 18 required university transfer prerequisite credits only.
- Number of credits in GPA window: 18 credits (~6 courses). At 5 courses/semester = slightly more than 1 semester to complete all prerequisites.
- GPA scale used: 4.33 (BC standard)
- Do post-degree upgrading courses count? Yes – prerequisites can be completed at VCC or equivalent institutions via BC Transfer Guide.
- Are online/summer/part-time courses included in GPA? Not stated. Courses must be university-transferable.
- “Entire record” caveat? No – only the 18 prerequisite credits are used.
- Can applicants explain/contextualize a low GPA? No – no supplementary written components.
Prerequisites
18 required university transfer credits. Specific courses listed on VCC program page and calendar. Likely include:
| Course Area | Credits | Min Grade | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Anatomy & Physiology | ~6 | C+ | Check VCC calendar for exact courses |
| English | ~3 | C+ | University-transferable |
| Psychology / Social Sciences | ~3 | C+ | |
| Additional UT courses | ~6 | C+ |
Note: “You don’t have to finish all 30 credits if you meet the admissions requirements for the BScN program” – VCC also offers a Pathway to Health Sciences program for students who need to complete prerequisites.
Prerequisites must be completed by the fall term of the year before the September intake (i.e., September-December of the previous year).
CASPer
Required. CASPer is used in combination with GPA for admission ranking.
“Preference may be given to applicants with higher than the minimum GPA and CASPer test result.”
CASPer assessment is valid for one admission cycle only. Weight not published.
Supplementary Requirements
- Interview: Not mentioned
- Personal statement: Not mentioned
- References: Not mentioned
- Other: Standard clinical requirements (immunizations, criminal record check, CPR)
How Applications Are Evaluated
- Admission model: Combined GPA + CASPer ranking.
- Published formula: No specific weights published. “Combined evaluation of GPA (based on the program pre-requisites) and a CASPer test result.”
- GPA cutoff before other components? Minimum 2.33 GPA must be met. Then ranked by combined GPA + CASPer.
The Key Question: BA Holder with Strong HS Marks
High school marks are not used. SpaceCat’s Dalhousie BA is irrelevant for GPA calculation – only the 18 prerequisite credits matter. She can take 6 courses fresh and build a strong prerequisite GPA from scratch. Her high CASPer score is then combined with this new GPA for ranking. This is the most favorable setup among BC programs: smallest GPA window + CASPer that directly offsets GPA.
Out-of-Province Considerations
- Residency restrictions or quotas: Not stated. VCC is a public BC college; domestic students from any province are typically eligible. No BC residency requirement found on program page.
- Out-of-province tuition differential: None expected – BC public colleges charge the same domestic tuition for all Canadians. See VCC fees information.
Cost
- Tuition (total program, approximate): $22,882 (published on VCC website)
- Nursing Tuition Grant: BC Ministry of Health offers a $2,000 Nursing Tuition Grant to eligible applicants.
“The Ministry of Health (MoH) is offering the Nursing Tuition Grant to eligible applicants.”
Competitiveness
- Cohort size: Not published
- Annual selection process – competitive but CASPer provides SpaceCat an advantage
Fieldwork / Clinical / Practicum
- Each term contains a clinical experience.
- Consolidated practice experiences at end of Terms 2, 3, and 6.
- Final preceptorship in Term 8.
- Clinical areas: maternity, pediatrics, mental health, gerontology, community health, acute medical/surgical.
Licensing & Career Path
- Licensing exam: NCLEX-RN
- Graduates eligible to practice in all provinces? Yes
Reputation & Notes
VCC recently earned CASN accreditation. Located in central Vancouver (Broadway campus) with access to diverse clinical placements. The Pathway to Health Sciences program provides a feeder for students who need to complete prerequisites.
Information Not Found
- Exact weight of CASPer vs. GPA in the admission formula (CRITICAL – could determine how much CASPer offsets a moderate GPA)
- Exact list of 18 prerequisite credits (specific courses)
- Competitive GPA for recent intakes
- Exact cohort size
- Whether out-of-province students face any practical barriers
Contact: VCC Nursing Department – check VCC website for current contact
Sources
- Official program page: VCC BScN
- Advanced Entry program: VCC BScN Advanced Entry
- VCC Calendar - First Year Entry: Calendar
- Pathway to Health Sciences: VCC Pathway
- EducationPlannerBC: VCC BScN on EPBC