Bachelor of Nursing Accelerated Program (BNAP) β University of New Brunswick
SpaceCat Fit Notes
- CASPer: Yes β CASPer accounts for 40% of the admission score, with GPA at 60%. SpaceCat’s very high CASPer score is a major advantage. At 40% weight, a top-quartile CASPer could substantially offset a GPA closer to the 3.0 minimum.
- GPA window & upgrading strategy: The GPA is calculated on the most recent 46 credit hours (~15 courses). If SpaceCat takes 15 new courses with strong grades, she can fully reset her effective GPA for UNB admissions. Prerequisites can all be taken online through UNB’s Centre for Learning Futures, which is convenient for out-of-province applicants. The Pathophysiology prerequisite is less common among accelerated programs and would need to be specifically sought out.
- Experiential / written advantage: There is no personal statement, no interview, and no references. The admission decision rests entirely on GPA (60%) and CASPer (40%). SpaceCat’s shelter work cannot be directly showcased, though her life experience may indirectly benefit her CASPer performance.
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Out-of-province: Ontario resident. - None found. No published restriction on out-of-province applicants. - None as of 2025-2026. UNB’s published tuition schedules do not show a separate out-of-province rate for domestic Canadian students. However, the NB government has deregulated …
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Overall assessment: Strong fit β The transparent 60/40 GPA/CASPer formula strongly favors SpaceCat’s profile. The 46-credit rolling GPA window is fully resettable, CASPer weight is substantial at 40%, and only 46 credit hours (not a full degree) are required for eligibility. The small cohort (49 seats) and early November 15 deadline are considerations, as is relocation to Moncton.
Quick Facts
- Institution: University of New Brunswick, Faculty of Nursing
- Program name: Bachelor of Nursing Accelerated Program (BNAP)
- Degree granted: Bachelor of Nursing (BN)
- City, Province: Moncton, New Brunswick (UNB Moncton site; the program is administered by UNB Fredericton’s Faculty of Nursing)
- Program type: Accelerated / Second-Entry
- Duration: 2 years (6 terms β Fall, Winter, Summer each year; break in August)
- Delivery format: In-person
- Full-time / Part-time: Full-time only
- Language of instruction: English
- Total credit hours: Minimum 82 ch in the nursing program (79 ch nursing + 3 ch biology for students enrolled 2023 or later)
- Start date(s): September (one intake per year)
- Intake frequency: Annual
- Application deadline: November 15 every year for intake the following September. Prerequisites must be completed by July 31.
- Application system: UNB online application at unb.ca/admissions
- Application fee: $125 (non-refundable)
- Program URL: https://www.unb.ca/fredericton/nursing/undergraduate/accelerated/index.html
- Accredited: Yes β CASN (Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing). “UNB offers the only English-language Bachelor of Nursing program in New Brunswick accredited by the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN).” Source
Admission Requirements
GPA
- Minimum GPA: 3.0 (B or 70%) on the most recent 46 university-level credit hours
- Competitive GPA: Not published. The minimum is 3.0, but the program is competitive with only 49 seats. GPA is weighted at 60% of the admission decision. No publicly available data on average admitted GPA.
- GPA calculated on: “The admission average will be calculated based on the most recent 46 credits for students who have completed more.” Source
- GPA scale used: UNB 4.3 scale (3.0 = B = 70%)
Prerequisites
All five prerequisite courses must be completed by July 31 for the September intake. A minimum grade of C is required in each course, with a combined minimum GPA of 3.0 (B or 70%) across all prerequisites. Applicants are not required to have completed all prerequisites before submitting the November 15 application, but must complete them by July 31.
“These courses can be taken online through UNB’s Centre for Learning Futures or equivalents approved by UNB.”
| Course | UNB Course Code | Credit Hours | Min Grade | Can be taken online? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human Anatomy | BIOL 1711 (or BIOL 1719 online) | 4 ch | C | Yes β BIOL 1719 via UNB Centre for Learning Futures | Human Anatomy I |
| Human Physiology | BIOL 2792 (or BIOL 1782 / BIOL 1789 online, or UNB-approved equivalent) | 3 ch | C | Yes β BIOL 1789 via UNB Centre for Learning Futures | “No lab required” |
| Microbiology | BIOL 2251 (or BIOL 2259 online) | 3 ch | C | Yes β BIOL 2259 via UNB Centre for Learning Futures | |
| Pathophysiology | BIOL 2501 (or BIOL 2509 online) | 3 ch | C | Yes β BIOL 2509 via UNB Centre for Learning Futures | Pathophysiology I |
| Statistics | STAT 2263 (or STAT 2262) | 3 ch | C | Not confirmed online; check with UNB | “Statistics for Non-Science Majors” |
Total prerequisite credit hours: 16 ch
Prereq source URLs: - https://www.unb.ca/fredericton/nursing/undergraduate/accelerated/admission.html - https://www.unb.ca/academics/calendar/undergraduate/current/frederictonprograms/bachelorofnursing.html
High School Requirements
In addition to university prerequisites, applicants must have completed the following Grade 12 courses (or equivalents):
“Minimum grade of 70% in each of the following Grade 12 high school courses (or equivalent), with an overall average of 75% on the four: Biology 120, Chemistry 122, English 122, Pre-calculus 110 or Foundations of Math 120”
| High School Course | Minimum Grade |
|---|---|
| Biology 120 | 70% |
| Chemistry 122 | 70% |
| English 122 | 70% |
| Pre-Calculus 110 or Foundations of Math 120 | 70% |
| Overall average of the four | 75% |
Prior Degree Requirement
- Minimum credits required: 46 university-level credit hours (a full degree is NOT required)
- Degree field restrictions: None β any field accepted
- Specific undergraduate courses required beyond prereqs: No
Supplementary Requirements
- CASPer: Required. “All applicants to UNB’s Nursing programs are required to complete the CASPer test, an online Situational Judgement Assessment, as part of the application process.” Applicants should “endeavour to complete this requirement in advance of the Nov. 15 application deadline.” An applicant may write the CASPer test once per year; those reapplying must retake it. Source
- GRE: Not required
- Interview: Not required
- Personal statement / written component: Not required (not mentioned in application materials)
- Resume / CV: Not required
- References: Not required (not mentioned in application materials)
- Volunteer / work experience: Not required
- Language proficiency (non-native English speakers): Required. Minimum scores: TOEFL IBT 100, TOEFL paper 600, IELTS 7.0, Duolingo 130, Pearson Vue 68, Cambridge C1 190, CAEL 80, UNB ELP 85 (no subscore below 85). Source
How Applications Are Evaluated
Admission is formulaic, based on two weighted components:
“Admission decisions are based on the applicant’s admission average or Grade Point Average (GPA) (60% weight) and the CASPer score (40% weight).”
This is a clear, published weighting β unlike many other programs. No interview, no personal statement, no references. The entire decision rests on GPA (60%) and CASPer (40%).
Indigenous applicants: Those who self-identify as Indigenous may choose the Nutsihpiluwewicik Admission Pathway, under which “CASPer score [is not] factored into their admission process.”
Out-of-Province Considerations
- Residency restrictions or quotas: None found. No published restriction on out-of-province applicants. Source
- Out-of-province tuition differential: None as of 2025-2026. UNB’s published tuition schedules do not show a separate out-of-province rate for domestic Canadian students. However, the NB government has deregulated out-of-province tuition caps, so this could change. Source
Cost
- Tuition (estimated annual, domestic): ~$11,784 per academic year (Fall + Winter) based on UNB nursing full-time domestic rates for 2025-2026. The accelerated program has 6 terms over 2 years (including summers), so total tuition is likely higher than a standard Fall/Winter year. One third-party source (YouApply) lists $21,307/year for this program, though this may reflect international rates. The exact tuition for the BNAP Moncton program could not be confirmed because the official Moncton campus tuition PDF was not parseable. Contact stufees@unb.ca or call (506) 453-4624 for precise figures.
- Estimated total program cost (domestic, tuition only): Likely in the range of ~$24,000β$35,000 over 2 years (6 terms), depending on per-credit-hour rates for summer terms. Confirm with UNB Financial Services.
- Acceptance confirmation fee: $250 (due within two weeks of receiving acceptance letter)
- Application fee: $125 (non-refundable)
Additional Costs
Per the Unique Costs page: - Travel to off-site clinical settings (includes room and board if required) - Uniforms, identification, shoes, lab kits and equipment - Costs associated with clinical requirements (specialized equipment, materials, resources) - Criminal record check with vulnerable sector check (fees apply; must be updated before Year 2) - CPR certification (must be updated before Year 2) - Immunizations - Building access card ($20 replacement if lost) - Parking permit (optional; valid in Moncton, Fredericton and Saint John) - National registration exam (NCLEX-RN) upon completion - Most required textbooks/lab kits are used across multiple courses over both years
Tuition source URLs: - https://www.unb.ca/finance/financial-services/undergraduate/fredericton.html - https://www.unb.ca/fredericton/nursing/undergraduate/accelerated/costs.html
Competitiveness
- Cohort size: 49 students per year. “49 students are accepted into year one and take their theory courses together.” Source
- Acceptance rate: Not published
- Number of applicants: Not published
- Notes: The program advertises “small class sizes” as a feature. The 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio in clinical courses is notably favourable. With only 49 seats and a formulaic admission process (60% GPA + 40% CASPer), strong performance on both metrics is essential.
Curriculum (Term-by-Term)
Year I
| Term | Courses | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 (Fall) | NURS 1121 (3), NURS 1135 (3), NURS 1136 (3), NURS 1142 (4) | 13 ch |
| Term 2 (Winter) | NURS 2133 (4), NURS 3065 (4), NURS 3068 (4), NURS 1131 (3) | 15 ch |
| Term 3 (Summer) | NURS 2171 (3), NURS 2145 (3), NURS 2172 (3), NURS 2175 (3), BIOL 2513 (3) | 15 ch |
Year II
| Term | Courses | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Term 4 (Fall) | NURS 3072 (3), NURS 3073 (4), NURS 3082 (3), NURS 3092 (3) | 13 ch |
| Term 5 (Winter) | NURS 4113 (3), NURS 4121 (3), NURS 4124 (5) | 11 ch |
| Term 6 (Summer) | NURS 4153 (12), NURS 4185 (3) | 15 ch |
Sample course titles: - NURS 1121: ASP Introduction to Nursing and Health - NURS 2171: ASP Young Families’ Health - NURS 3065: Community and Population Health Nursing - NURS 4121: Nursing in Complex Situations - NURS 4153: Preceptorship (12 ch β the capstone clinical experience)
Maximum time to complete: “Accelerated Program Degree students must complete the program within 4 years of enrolment in the first term.” Source
Fieldwork / Clinical / Practicum
- Placements guaranteed? Yes β clinical experience is built into every term of the program
- Total required hours: Not published as a single number
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1 in most clinical courses
- Placement settings / locations: Diverse clinical settings in the Moncton area. The program emphasizes “exposure to diverse clinical settings and patient populations.” Clinical placements are scheduled 2β3 days per week during the semester. There are four placements total β three clinical placements and one preceptorship (NURS 4153, 12 ch).
- Can placements be done out of province? Not indicated; appears to be Moncton-area based
- Simulation: The Moncton site runs “more than 100 simulations a year, covering pediatric emergencies, dementia care and postoperative complications.” Facilities include “high-tech mannequins, operator rooms and a virtual reality lab.” According to simulation strategist Renee Gordon, “simulation is so impactful that it counts as double time” β four-hour sessions replace eight-hour clinical shifts. UNB’s nursing faculty won the SIM Innovator Award in November 2025 for their “multi-modal strategy integrating VR, extended reality and high-fidelity simulation.” Source
- Clinical requirements: Immunizations, CPR certification, and Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Check required before clinical placements. Deadline is August 15 each year; CPR and CRC must be updated before starting Year 2. Source
Licensing & Career Path
- Licensing exam: NCLEX-RN (“A Bachelor of Nursing from UNB qualifies graduates to write the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).”)
- Graduates eligible to practice in all provinces? Yes β NCLEX-RN is accepted across Canada
- Any known issues with credential recognition? None
- Career paths cited by UNB: Emergency Room Nurse, Cruise Ship Nurse, School Nurse, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse, Nurse Educator
Reputation & Notes
- UNB offers the only English-language CASN-accredited BN program in New Brunswick β significant for students wanting to study in the Maritimes in English
- The accelerated program was adopted in 2015; the Moncton nursing site has operated since 1995 (originally with 24 students)
- Small cohort (49 students) with strong faculty ratios β a very different experience from 150+ student cohorts at larger Ontario schools
- State-of-the-art simulation facilities with VR; nationally recognized (SIM Innovator Award 2025)
- Moncton is a bilingual city; potential advantage for students who want exposure to francophone healthcare settings
- The program requires only 46 credit hours (not a full degree) β SpaceCat could potentially apply with 1.5β2 years of university completed
- The admission formula is transparent and published (60% GPA + 40% CASPer) β unlike many programs with opaque holistic review
- No personal statement, interview, or references required β the CASPer test is the only non-academic component
- November 15 deadline is notably earlier than most Ontario programs (which use JanuaryβFebruary OUAC deadlines)
- Student community supported by the Moncton Nursing Society
- Limited student reviews available online (no Reddit or AllNurses discussions found specific to this program)
- Cost of living in Moncton is significantly lower than Toronto, Ottawa, or Vancouver β relevant for a 2-year full-time program
Information Not Found
No specific gaps identified for this program.
Sources
- BNAP Main Page
- BNAP Admission Requirements
- BNAP How to Apply
- BNAP Unique Costs
- UNB Academic Calendar β Bachelor of Nursing
- Nursing β Accelerated Program at UNB Moncton
- Moncton BNAP FAQ
- About the Faculty of Nursing
- Tuition & Fees β Fredericton Undergraduate
- UNB Newsroom β Accelerated Nursing Program (Nov 2025)
- UNB Dates and Deadlines
- BNAP Undergraduate Handbook (PDF)