Nursing Pathways and Accreditation

Programs

3-Year Direct Entry Pathway

This route of entry into CBU’s Nursing program is for applicants who are coming directly from high school, or for mature students who do not qualify for admission into the Advanced Standing Program.

Intake for this program is in September of each year.

Admission requirements:

  • Completion of Grade 12 or equivalent with a minimum grade of 70 per cent in five academic Grade 12 courses, including English, Math and two Grade 12 science courses from Biology, Chemistry, or Physics.
  • Completion of the CASPer test (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics). CASPer must be written by the application deadline, and results will be sent directly to CBU from CASPer.

Students applying to the 3-Year Direct Entry program must accompany their application with official high school transcripts. Although the minimum average to apply is 70 per cent, the academic average of successful applicants for this program ranges between an 85-90 per cent.

2-Year Advanced Standing Pathway

This route of entry into CBU’s Nursing program is for applicants who have previous university experience.

Intake for this program is in May and September of each year.

Admission requirements:

  • 30 credits from post-secondary with a minimum grade of 65 per cent in all subjects. Note: one semester-long course at CBU is equivalent to 3 credits.
  • 15 of 30 credits must include credits from Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, English, Microbiology and Statistics.
  • The additional 15 credits can be any courses in the fields of Science or Humanities.
  • Completion of the CASPer test (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics). CASPer must be written by the application deadline, and results will be sent directly to CBU from CASPer.

Students applying to the 3-Year Direct Entry program must accompany their application with official high school and post-secondary transcripts. Although the minimum average to apply is 65 per cent, the academic average of successful applicants ranges between an 80-85 per cent.

LPN to BScN Pathway

This route of entry into CBU’s Nursing program is for applicants who have graduated from NSCC’s LPN program, are a Licensed Practical Nurse and have in-career experience.

Intake for this program is in May and September of each year.

Admission requirements:

  • Completion of the two-year NSCC Practical Nurse Program in 2008 or later.
  • A minimum average of 75 per cent in all Practical Nurse Diploma Program courses.
  • Completion of at least 1800 hours of work experience as an LPN within the last two years. Note: a signed letter from employer is required as proof of hours.
  • Possession of a current LPN license.
  • Completion of the CASPer test (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics). CASPer must be written by the application deadline, and results will be sent directly to CBU from CASPer.

Students applying to the LPN to BScN Pathway Program must accompany their application with official NSCC transcripts, a professional letter of reference from a current employer and a copy of their valid LPN license.

Applications 0pen September 30th.
Application DEADLINE is December 31 each year, for both May and September in-takes.

All applications and documentation must be received by this date. For more information please contact our Enrolment Services Professional at nursing_admissions@cbu.ca.

Accreditation

Cape Breton University’s Bachelor of Science, Nursing is accredited by the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing. 

Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing Accreditation involves the objective assessment of professional education programs against national standards of excellence, and Cape Breton University BScN nursing program has met these rigorous national standards a testimony to the public of the quality of  CBU’s BScN program.