Academic Calendar Archives
Academic Calendar 2023-2024

Bachelor of Science, Nursing - collaboration with University of Alberta

Bachelor of Science, Nursing - students in rural practicum setting

Credential

Bachelor's Degree

Duration

4 years at RDP collaborative with University of Alberta

Location

-Main Campus

The Program

The focus is on concept based and intentional clinical learning. Intentional clinical learning is a purposeful approach to providing students with the foundational knowledge and skills to provide safe quality patient care in today’s complex health settings.

The program begins with admission to Red Deer Polytechnic in year one as a student in the University of Alberta Collaborative Baccalaureate Nursing Program with Red Deer Polytechnic. For the first three years you are registered as a Red Deer Polytechnic student. During year three you apply for official admission to the University of Alberta for your fourth year. If you meet the criteria (see below), you continue at Red Deer Polytechnic to complete your fourth year.

After completing year four, you will convocate from the U of A with a BScN. As a graduate, you will be eligible to write the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). This is required for license to practice in Alberta as a registered nurse (RN).

Program Content

The goal of the collaborative program is to provide a comprehensive curricular approach to student learning that is learner centered and based on the development of discipline, profession, and practice components with mutual responsibility for teaching and learning by faculty and students. Year one of the program is a foundational year, years two to four build on this foundation. In addition, a 3 credit English course and one elective are part of the program.

Course Sequence

1. To proceed to Year 4, students must have successfully completed all courses listed in Years 1, 2, and 3 and the two open electives.

2. Students who receive a grade of F or WD in any NURS course will be considered out of sequence. As a result, program length will be extended.

3. Courses may be configured differently depending on clinical placement availability.

4. Students who withdraw or fail a fourth year nursing course (NURS 422, NURS 425, NURS 485) are required to follow applicable University of Alberta policies. Fourth year students who have been out of clinical for a year or more are required to follow the applicable University of Alberta Academic Calendar.

Year 1

NURS 215 Anatomy
NURS 230 Physiology & Pathophysiology I
NURS 236 Medical Microbiology
NURS 206 Foundations for Success in Nursing
ENGL (3 cr)
NURS 231 Physiology & Pathophysiology II
NURS 207 Foundations of Nursing I
NURS 208 Health Assessment & Nursing Process
NURS 209 Innovation, Systems Thinking & Leadership in Healthcare
INDX 205 Indigenous Peoples in Canada

Year 2

NURS 217 Foundations of Nursing II
NURS 250 Introductory Acute Care Nursing Practice I
NURS 251 Pharmacology I
NURS 304 Statistics and Knowledge Management
NURS 301 Evidence Informed Nursing Practice
NURS 252 Pharmacology II
NURS 237 Foundations of Nursing III
NURS 253 Introductory Acute Care Nursing Practice II

Year 3

NURS 360 Community Nursing Through the Lifespan
NURS 361 Advanced Acute Care Nursing Practice I
NURS 362 Health Policy, Healthcare Organizations, Change Management
NURS 363 Mental Health and Wellness in Nursing
NURS 364 Advanced Acute Care Nursing Practice II
NURS 365 Leadership in Nursing & Inter-professional Practice

*NOTE: two open electives must be successfully completed by the end of the Winter term of year 3

Year 4

NURS 422 Contemporary Issues in Healthcare Ethics & Law
NURS 425 Nursing Leadership in a Focus Area
NURS 485 Nursing Practice in a Focused Area
INTD 420 Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity in Global Health

Transfer Features

University of Alberta (at off-campus RDP site)

You will apply to the University of Alberta for admission to Year 4 of the University of Alberta Collaborative Baccalaureate Nursing Program with RDP as directed by the Nursing Department Staff. The University of Alberta will accept the completed first three years of the program as a block transfer. To be eligible to continue to fourth year, you must have completed all required 3rd year courses and have a minimum G.P.A. of 2.00.

Program Cost Estimates

Admission Requirements

Related Link: Admission requirements for specific programs will often refer to Alberta Grade 12 course groups. Visit the Admissions page for detailed group descriptions.

Bachelor of Science Nursing applicants will be offered admission on a competitive basis, based on GPA ranking and the Casper score.

1. Academic:

Minimum average of 65% with no mark below 50% in:

Biology 30
Chemistry 30 or Science 30
ELA 30-1
Mathematics 30 (pure) or Mathematics 30-1 or 30-2
Subject from Group A, B, or C

2. Non-academic:

Casper

Applicants are only permitted to do the Casper assessment once per academic cycle. Applicants who have taken the test in previous years will be expected to retake it. The deadline to write Casper and be considered for admission to the program is February 2. If you write Casper after February 2, you will be considered for the waitlist. For general information about the Casper Test go to the More Program Information, Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Note: Bachelor of Science Nursing applicants will be offered admission on a competitive basis, based on GPA ranking and successful completion of the Casper assessment.

The GPA calculation for Conditional Admission will be calculated according to one of the following:

20 high school credits from the following subjects: Biology 30, Chemistry 30 or Science 30, Math 30-1 or 30-2, ELA 30-1. If any of these courses are in progress at the transcript submission deadline, the 20-level in the subject will be used.
18 post-secondary credits including all credits from the most-recently completed term plus the best grades from the next most recent term.
Applicants with fewer than 18 post-secondary credits will have their GPA calculated using all post-secondary credits plus the credits from the most recent semester from high school using the best grade(s) from the following five subjects: Biology 30, Chemistry 30 or Science 30, Math 30-1 or 30-2, ELA 30-1 to reach 18 credits.

Note: Post-secondary credits will be used in the Conditional Admission GPA calculation before High School credits, regardless of when the post-secondary credits were taken. Post-secondary credits do NOT include any High School equivalents completed at a post-secondary institution (i.e. High School equivalents completed at RDP).

Note: Transcript deadline for the initial GPA calculation is March 1.

English Language Proficiency

Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency in addition to the program admission requirements.

Indigenous Applicants

Indigenous applicants to the Bachelor of Science Nursing program, go to Program Admission Features below for more information.

Health and Safety

Note: Health Sciences workers are responsible to attain and maintain required health and safety certifications and maintain recommended immunization standards. As a student of a Health Sciences program you also are required to meet these standards of practice. These Health and Safety Requirements do not need to be submitted as part of your application. You are encouraged to become familiar with these requirements. See full information at Health & Safety Requirements.

Program Admission Features

The Bachelor of Science Nursing program recognizes the need to facilitate access to post-secondary education for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners. In order to facilitate greater participation of Indigenous learners the Bachelor of Science Nursing program has designated four seats for applicants who are Status Indian/First Nations, Non-status Indian/First Nations, Metis or Inuit. Should no Indigenous applicants apply and meet the admission requirements for the designated seats, they will be released after June 1st of each year to qualified applicants on the waitlist if one exists for the program.

In accordance with the Constitution Act, 1982, Part II, Section 35(2) the applicant must meet the definition of Indigenous as an Indian, Inuit, or Métis person of Canada, or a person who is accepted by one of the Indigenous peoples of Canada as a member of their community.

Indigenous applicants must meet the admission requirements for the program as outlined in the Academic Calendar and qualify for a designated seat by:

Self-identifying as an Indigenous applicant on the Application for Admission.
Providing proof of Indigenous ancestry.

Proof of Indigenous ancestry (one of the following):

Certified copy of a Status or Treaty card, Metis membership card, Nunavut Trust Certificate card, roll number or any other proof accepted by Inuit communities.
Proof that an ancestor’s name has been entered in: the Indian Register according to the Indian Act, band list of an individual band or the Inuit roll.
Written confirmation of Indigenous ancestry from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada.
Statutory Declaration by an applicant attesting to Aboriginal ancestry with supporting documentation.

Other forms of proof may also be considered at the discretion of the Registrar.

Recognition of Prior Learning/Experience

Nursing courses from other programs will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for prior learning. Nursing coursework older than two years from the Bachelor of Science Nursing admission date is not eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning.

Other Requirements

In order to proceed to the next clinical nursing course you must satisfy the following requirements by September 1 of your first year in the Nursing Program:

A specific schedule of immunization (forms provided by college).
Evidence of a current Heart and Stroke Foundation: Basic Life Support Provider Level. You must be recertified in each year of the program.

Note: Please see Clinical performance section of Academic Calendar for further information.

Note: Applicants are required to either have a MAC or a PC laptop that meet the following specifications:

Apple Laptop
Minimum requirement
MacBook Air with 1.6 GHz dual-core Intel i5 processor, 128 Gb storage solid state, 4 Gb memory
Web camera (built in or as peripheral)
Microphone

Windows Laptop
Minimum requirement
Laptop with 2.6 GHz dual-core Intel i5 processor, 128 Gb storage, 4 Gb memory and Windows 10 operating system
Web camera (built in or as peripheral)
Microphone

Software
Google Chrome browser
Microsoft Word *

Other
USB memory stick (Flash drive)

* Microsoft Word is used for several purposes. Students can either purchase and install the Microsoft Word application, or access Office 365 which is provided as part of the RDP student account.

Note: While not an admission requirement for the program, applicants are advised that they will be required to provide a Police Information Check (also known as a Criminal Record Check) including a Vulnerable Sector Check to most agencies where they will be placed for practicum experiences. The existence of police information or a criminal record may prevent practicum placement, program completion, professional licensure and therefore affect future employment prospects. It is the decision of each agency or institution to accept or reject a student for placement or observation experience based on the results of the police information check.

Note: Students with Study Permits that are admitted to a program that has a practicum or clinical placement in childcare, primary/secondary school teaching or health service field occupations must complete their Medical Authorization as required by Citizenship and Immigration Canada one month prior to the start of classes.

Note: Practicum Travel - While every effort is made to consider student preferences for practicum location due to practicum availability students may be required to travel to locations outside of their preferences in the province of Alberta to complete the practicum requirements. (Please note practicum refers to either clinical or preceptorship courses)

Continuation Requirements

In-Program Requirements

a. Foundational Course Minimum Pass: Students wishing to proceed in the Nursing program must achieve a grade of at least C+ in the foundational Nursing courses. A student who has not passed all foundational courses may not be able to progress. If a student receives a grade less than C+ in the second attempt of a foundational course, the student will normally be required to withdraw from the program.

Foundational Courses:
NURS 215, NURS 230, NURS 231, NURS 236, NURS 206, NURS 207, NURS 208, NURS 217, NURS 251, NURS 252

b. Non-Foundational Course Minimum pass: Students wishing to proceed in the Nursing program must achieve a grade of at least C in the non-foundational Nursing courses. If a student receives a grade less than C in the second attempt of a non-foundational course, the student will normally be required to withdraw from the program.

Non-Foundational Courses:
NURS 209, NURS 301, NURS 304, NURS 237, NURS 362, NURS 365

c. Probation: Requirements for nursing clinical courses: Any BScN student will be placed on probation following a failure/NCR in any nursing clinical course. When placed on probation, a student must fulfill any conditions specified by the Associate Dean, including receiving a grade of CR in any future nursing clinical course.

NOTE: Students who fail to satisfy any of the conditions of probation are required to withdraw and are ineligible for readmission to the BScN program.

d. Standing: A student with a term GPA of less than 1.7 will be required to withdraw from the BScN program. Students may re-apply to the program under the standard admission procedures for incoming students. Students who have been required to withdraw and who, after being readmitted, have a GPA of less than 2.0, will be required to withdraw and will not be readmitted to the BScN program.

e. Academic Progression Criteria: In order to progress to the winter term of each year of the BScN Program, students must successfully meet the minimum passing grades for each course in their fall term. In order to progress to subsequent years, students must successfully meet the minimal passing grades for all courses of the prevous year.

Courses taken outside RDP while in the BScN Program, require a letter of permission from RDP. The letter of permission only applies to the term for which it was applied.

Progression from Year 1 into Year 2 may be on a competitive basis by GPA, due to a limited number of clinical placements, which will be calculated using all courses within the Fall and Winter terms for the first year of the BScN Program. A maximum of two attempts at enrolment in 2nd year will be permitted.

f. Maintaining Registration:

Permission of the Associate Dean is required before students can register in courses in which they have previously received a grade of F, NCR, or WD. Students who receive a grade of F or WD or NCR in any NURS course will be considered out of sequence. As a result, program length will be extended and program completion may not be guaranteed.
Reregistration in Courses - A student who has a grade of WD, or does not achieve the minimum grade of C+ in a foundational nursing course, or minimum grade of C in non-foundational nursing course, or who receives a grade of no credit (NCR) for a clinical nursing course may be permitted a second attempt of the course or its equivalent.

Clinical Performance

a. Clinical Course Minimum pass: To proceed in the Nursing program students must achieve a grade of credit (CR) in the clinical nursing courses. Throughout the program, if a student receives a grade of no credit (NCR) for any two nursing clinical courses, the student will normally be required to withdraw from the program.

Nursing Clinical Courses (Years 1 – 3):
NURS 250, NURS 253, NURS 360, NURS 361, NURS 363, NURS 364

b. Clinical competency development

i. INTP 303

a. Students who withdraw or who receive a grade of no credit (NCR) for a nursing clinical course in the 2nd year or 3rd year of the Bachelor of Science Nursing program (NURS 250, NURS 253, NURS 360, NURS 361, NURS 363, NURS 364) will be required to enrol in and receive a grade of credit (CR) for INTP 303 prior to the next attempt of the clinical course.

b. Students for whom INTP 303 is required who receive a grade of no credit (NCR) for this course will be required to withdraw from the BScN program.

c. INTP 303 may be required when:

More than 12 months has passed since a student’s most recent successfully completed clinical course, or
A student is accepted for transfer from another Nursing program and it is considered necessary to assess the student’s knowledge and skills.

NOTE: Students who receive a grade of no credit (NCR) on the second attempt in any nursing clinical course after successfully passing INTP 303 will be required to withdraw from the program.

Professional Ethics: All students enrolled in the BScN program at Red Deer Polytechnic are bound by, and shall comply with the Canadian Nurses Association’s Professional Codes of Ethics governing the profession and practice of Nursing, including the current Canadian Nurses Association’s Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses, and all other relevant professional codes and practice standards for registered nurses.

Students in year 4 of the BScN program will need to be familiar with the University of Alberta’s Code of Student Behavior (See §30.1 and 30.2 of the Code of Student Behaviour). The official version of the Code of Student Behaviour, as amended from time to time, is housed on the University of Alberta website at www.governance.ualberta.ca).

Related Careers

Registered Nurse

Mental Health Worker

Surgical Nurse

Acute Care Coordinator

Personal Trainer

Substance Abuse Counsellor

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