Applying to CBU’s Nursing Program: What you need to know [4min read]

Cape Breton University’s Bachelor of Science, Nursing (BScN) program is a popular choice for students from across Canada, as well as some parts of the globe. CBU’s BScN strives for excellence in preparing future nurses to be knowledgeable, competent, compassionate and ethical professionals, who are prepared to lead in all areas of nursing practice. It’s no wonder our students have seen the best NCLEX scores in the province!

Keep reading to learn more about applying to this highly-competitive program.

The first thing you need to know before applying to CBU’s Nursing program is that there are three points of entry, depending on your previous academic experience. To see what entry point is applicable to your current situation, read below. And just to note, no matter what entry point you partake in, the end result is the same. Students who are accepted into any of our three streams of Nursing will ultimately graduate with a Bachelor of Science, Nursing (BScN).

Entry point 1: High School Graduate? The 3-Year Direct Entry Program is your option.

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 (entry point 2).

Here are the 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.  

Note: Students applying to the 3-Year Direct Entry program must accompany their application with official high school transcripts.

Pro Tip: 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.

Entry point 2: Previous university experience? The 2-Year Advanced Standing Program might be for you.

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

Here are the 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.  

Note: Students applying to the 3-Year Direct Entry program must accompany their application with official high school and post-secondary transcripts.

Pro-tip: Although the minimum average to apply is 65 per cent, the academic average of successful applicants ranges between an 80-85 per cent.

Entry point 3: Graduate of NSCC’s Practical Nurse Program? The LPN to BScN Pathway may be your best choice. 

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.

Here are the 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.  

Note: 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.

Other Important Points to Note

• Once you take a course at the post-secondary level, your high school grade for the equivalent course is no longer valid. For example, if you took a chemistry course at university, and had a chemistry mark from high school, the university grade is always taken over the high school grade.  There will be 10 per cent added to university grades to make them comparable to high school grades during the admission process.
• If you are coming from a prior post-secondary institution, you can transfer up to 12 credits into CBU’s Nursing program.

Application DEADLINE – February 20 each year.

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

So, to our prospective Nursing students, there you have it. Everything you need to know when applying to CBU’s Nursing program. Once you meet all of the admission requirements and have all required documentation submitted, our team will take it from there. Good luck, and we hope to see you soon!

To apply, visit cbu.ca/apply. 

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