Admissions for Nursing Program

2023 admission applications open October 11, 2022. The application deadline is February 28, 2023 for Spring/Summer (May 2023) intake & Fall (September 2023) intake.

CBU’s Bachelor of Science, Nursing (BScN) program prepares graduates to provide safe, compassionate, competent and ethical nursing care consistent with entry-level competencies as defined by the College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia (CRNNS). Admissions criteria provide the basis to select academically qualified students who are able to meet the rigours of the program and ultimately be successful in the program.

CBU’s BScN program has limited seating; therefore, this program is open to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada only. International applicants must have Permanent Resident of Canada status to apply. Preference is given to Nova Scotia residents. Applications are received and then ranked by academics and the score received on the CASPer test. There are three points of entry into the BScN program: Direct Entry, Advanced Standing and LPN to RN Bridge.

CBU invites applications for the Direct Entry, Advanced Standing, and LPN to RN Bridge Pathway streams in September of each year.

Applicants applying for the Advanced Standing and LPN to RN Bridge Pathway may also apply in May of each year.

For Direct Entry Bachelor of Science Nursing stream. The early admission requirements will be:

Applicants must have completed grade eleven academic English, mathematics, two of three sciences from biology, chemistry and/or physics, along with one other academic grade eleven courses with no mark below 85% per course.
Applicants must also be registered in and successfully complete these courses at the grade twelve academic level with no mark below 70% per course or admission offers will be rescinded.
Early acceptance is conditional upon completion of the CASper test. Test dates can be found on our website or at www.takealtus.com.
Early Acceptance offers will be issued in December and successful applicants will have 30 days to confirm their seat. Those who do not meet the Early Admission Criteria will be considered for a second round of offers in March.

Nursing Streams

Direct Entry (3 year / 8 semester program) – September intake ONLY

For Direct Entry Bachelor of Science Nursing – Early Admissions stream. This stream is intended for applicants directly from high school and who are currently registered in their grade 12 year. The Early Admission requirements include:

Applicants must have completed grade eleven academic English, mathematics, two of three sciences from biology, chemistry and/or physics, along with one other academic grade eleven courses with no mark below 85% per course.
Applicants must also be registered in and successfully complete these courses at the grade twelve academic level with no mark below 70% per course or admission offers will be rescinded.
Early acceptance is conditional upon completion of the CASper test. Test dates can be found on our website or at www.takealtus.com.
Early Acceptance offers will be issued in December and successful applicants will have 30 days to confirm their seat. Those who do not meet the Early Admission Criteria will be considered for a second round of offers in March.

Direct Entry – This stream is intended for applicants directly from high school or mature students who do not qualify for admission to the Advanced Standing program. Requirements include:

Successful completion of Grade 12 or equivalent with a minimum grade of 70 percent in each of five academic Grade 12 courses that must include: English, Math, and two sciences from Biology, Chemistry or Physics.
Offers will be issued in March.

Advanced Standing (2 year / 6 semester program) – September & May intakes

This stream is intended for applicants with previous university study. Requirements include:

Successful completion of a minimum of thirty credits of university level courses is required with a minimum grade of 65% in all subjects.

Within the 30 credits, students must have the following:

5 required pre-requisite courses (3 credits each of: Human Physiology, Human Anatomy, English, Microbiology, and Statistics) with a minimum grade of 65% in each course.
Additional 15 credits of university level courses with a minimum average of 65%.
CBU Courses
- Human Anatomy (BIOL 2203)
- Human Physiology (BIOL 3203 or Human Physiology for Nursing BIOL 2204
- Microbiology (MICR 2101)
- 3 credits of English (ENGL 1XXX)
- Statistics (MATH 1109)
- 15 credits in Humanities, Social Sciences, Sciences
- Students must have at least a 65% in each of the required courses, and a 65% average in their most recent 30 credits at the post secondary level.
Offers for the Spring intake will be made early February, documents are required no later than January 15th.
Offers for the Fall intake will be made in March, documents are required by February 28th.

LPN to RN Bridge Pathway (Completion time may vary – typically 24 months) – September & May intakes

This stream is intended for applicants with a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) designation who possess in-career experience. Requirements include:

currently licensed as an LPN in Nova Scotia, and completed (by the application deadline) a minimum of 1800 hours of work experience as an LPN within the last two years (confirmed by the employer).
minimum of 75% overall average for all practical nursing courses
completion of CASPer exam
Students applying for the LPN to BScN Pathway program must accompany their application with official transcripts, a letter(s) from employer(s) confirming work hours completed, letter of reference from employer(s) and a copy of their valid Nova Scotia LPN license.
Offers for the Spring intake will be made early February, documents are required no later than January 15th.
Offers for the Fall intake will be made in March, documents are required by February 28th.

CASper® test

ALL APPLICANTS must also write the CASper test and have their results forwarded to Cape Breton University to be considered for admission. The snapshot component of CASper is not required. The CASper test must be written by the associated deadline listed in the table below for your program of choice, limited test dates are available.

You cannot take the CASper test before applications for BScN open (October 11, 2022) and cannot complete them after the dates associated with your program of application (see below). Tests taken in previous years are not considered.

Admissions Cycle	Program Option	Test Dates	ID Requirements	Documentation Deadline	Anticipated Admission Decisions
May 2023 Intake	LPN and Advanced Standing Option	November 3, 2022 – 8:00 PM EDT December 6, 2022 – 5:00 PM EST January 19, 2023 – 5:00 PM EST	CBU Applicant ID 7 digits	January 15^th, 2023	Early February
September 2023 Intake	Direct Entry Option	November 3, 2022 – 8:00 PM EDT December 6, 2022 – 5:00 PM EST January 19, 2023 – 5:00 PM EST February 2, 2023 – 8:00 PM EST March 2, 2023 – 8:00 PM EST	CBU Applicant ID 7 digits	February 28^th, 2023	Early Admission – December Second Round – Mid-March
September 2023 Intake	LPN and Advanced Standing Option	November 3, 2022 – 8:00 PM EDT December 6, 2022 – 5:00 PM EST January 19, 2023 – 5:00 PM EST February 2, 2023 – 8:00 PM EST March 2, 2023 – 8:00 PM EST April 6, 2023 – 8:00 PM EDT May 2, 2023 – 5:00 PM EDT	CBU Applicant ID 7 digits	February 28th, 2023	March

Steps to register for your CASper test:

Please visit www.takealtus.com and select Dates and Fees, then select Browse Test Dates and Times.

Step 1. Canada

Step 2. English

Step 3. Nursing – Undergraduate

Step 4. Cape Breton University (you can select multiple institutions for an additional fee but must have all Institutional IDs).

Step 5. Reserve your Test

*Please note test scores will be automatically issues to CBU within a few weeks after your test date, you do not need to verify receipt of scores and we are not able to provide applicants with the scores they received as per policy.

The CASper® test is required for all applicants for all entry options for the Bachelor of Science, Nursing program. Please refer to https://takealtus.com/ for additional information, review sample scenarios, and to sign up for the test. Test dates may be subject to change. Refer to the official Altus® website for details.

For more information on the Bachelor of Science Nursing programs and admission requirements please email nursing_admissions@cbu.ca.