NOTE:  EFFECTIVE FOR FALL 2024 INTAKE

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) is a four-year program. Graduates are eligible to write licensure examinations to practice nursing, and to hold membership in the College of Registered Nurses of Prince Edward Island.

Admission Requirements (worth 70% of overall admission score)

High School Applicant
A high school applicant must have achieved a mark of at least 65% in each of the following Grade12 Academic courses: English, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology and one other Grade 12 Academic course, with an overall average in these courses of at least 70%.

University Applicant
Applicants attending or having attended a University must meet the same requirements as listed above but can also complete the course requirements by taking degree level courses. A minimum mark of 60% is required in degree level courses.

Mature Applicant
In addition to the general admission requirements for mature students, the following regulations apply: a student of mature years may be admitted to the Faculty of Nursing without fulfilling all the entrance requirements specified for the high school graduates. A mature applicant must have achieved a mark of 65% in each of Grade 12 academic English, Mathematics, Chemistry, and Biology or a mark of 60% for 3 semester hours in the same subjects at the university level.

Selection criteria
The total number of students admitted will be limited in accordance with facilities and resources on campus and in health care agencies.

Approximately seventy (70) seats are available in the four year Nursing Program each year. All students who meet the minimum requirements will be considered.  Priority will be given to applicants who are residents of PEI.  Eligible first year candidates are ranked on their average in Biology, Chemistry, English and Math. University Applicants completing one or more of the core courses listed above will have 15% added to each university course for ranking purposes. University applicants must be in good academic standing, as defined in the UPEI calendar.

Offers to the highest ranked may take place at any time during the process. For applicants completing prerequisite requirements, offers will take place after 1 st semester grades have been received. All first round offers will be made by April. A second round of offers is made in May, with the number depending upon first round acceptances. Finally, a third round of offers is made in July for any seats that are still available. Late offers of a seat to the program will be made to the highest ranked alternate if and when a seat becomes available.

Applicants deemed as alternates and enrolled in courses are to have all prerequisite courses completed by June 30th. Final official transcripts must be received at the Registrar’s Office no later than July 15th.

Note: Former UPEI Nursing students who withdrew in good academic standing during first year may be given priority for readmission to the program.

Application Process
The application deadline is February 15th. To meet this deadline an applicant must, by this date, have their on-line application submitted and application fee paid. Other documents may follow after the deadline. Follow UPEI’s undergraduate application process for professional programs.

Other documents required:

• For high school graduates, a final official high school transcript
• For current high school students, a final official first semester transcript
• (if applicable) Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended. If enrolled in courses, updated transcripts are to be submitted once final results of the first semester are available. Transfer credits received at another institution will not negate the requirement for original transcripts;
• (if applicable) Mature applicants (21 years of age or older) and not enrolled in full-time study are to upload a current Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume;
• (if applicable) An official English Language Proficiency Test result

Arrange to have official transcripts and English Language Proficiency results (if required) sent to;

UPEI Registrar’s Office
550 University Avenue
Charlottetown, PE
C1A 4P3

PLEASE NOTE:

• The Faculty of Nursing requires certification of CPR (BLS Level), First Aid, immunization record, and a certified vulnerable sector check from your local law enforcement agency. Once an applicant is accepted they are to forward this documentation directly to the Faculty of Nursing no later than August 15th. If any of this required documentation is not received by the deadline, this offer may be withdrawn. For more information go to Nursing Passport
• If a second choice program of study is indicated in the application it will be reviewed independently of your Nursing application.  Often a decision is made on a student’s second choice before a decision has been made on their Nursing application.
• Letters of recommendation are not required nor accepted.
• After receiving an offer of admission to the BScN, a non-refundable tuition deposit is required. The deadline for providing this deposit will be stated in the acceptance letter. Extensions to this deadline will not be granted.

B.  CASPer Test Requirement (worth 30% of overall admission score)

All applicants to UPEI’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program are required to complete a CASPer assessment (CASPer Test), in addition to meeting academic requirements. Successful completion of CASPer is mandatory in order to maintain admission eligibility.

CASPer is an online test which assesses for non-cognitive skills and interpersonal characteristics that are important for successful students and graduates of the Nursing program. In implementing CASPer, we are trying to further enhance fairness and objectivity in our admission selection process.

Please note that the CASPer test can only be written once within an admission cycle. Multiple test attempts are not permitted. Additionally, CASPer test results are only valid for one admission cycle. Applicants who have already taken the test in previous years must re-take it.

To view UPEI CASPer test dates and to learn more about CASPer visit this link: https://takealtus.com/faq/#prepare 

Please direct any inquiries on the test to CASPer provider, Altus.

Holland College Articulated Agreement

Graduates of the Holland College LPN program have two options for applying to the BScN program at UPEI.

Option 1 – Admission to 2nd Year of BScN

Admission Criteria

• received at least a 80% average in the LPN program;
• have evidence of a strong clinical performance during the LPN program. A letter from a clinical nursing instructor from Holland College documenting clinical performance in the LPN program. The letter is to be sent directly to the Registrar’s Office at UPEI;
• have completed academic grade 12 English, Math, Chemistry and Biology (Final high school transcript and upgrades if applicable);
• complete a pre-admission math competency test and receive at least 85%;
• have successfully completed the following UPEI courses (or equivalents): Human Anatomy (BIO 1210), Human Physiology (BIO 1220), Microbiology (BIO 1060), Introductory Psychology (PSY 1010 & 1020);
• complete the CASPer test requirement.

Potential applicants who have met the admission criteria, with the exception of the five degree-level university courses, may complete these courses at UPEI. Special permission from the Chair of Biology is required to enrol in Microbiology (BIO 1010). Permission is subject to availability of space in the course.

Important Notes

• The Faculty of Nursing must determine that a seat(s) is available before we can consider an applicant for the 2nd year of the Nursing program. In some years there will not be a seat available.

• As a result of the strong possibility of a seat not being available, applicants are initially considered for first year nursing. If a 2nd year seat becomes available the applicant is considered among all other applicants eligible to be considered for 2nd year.

Application for Articulated Agreement

Holland College Articulated Agreement applicants must follow UPEI’s undergraduate application process for professional programs, and submit other requirements including:

• UPEI Application Fee;
• official high school and post-secondary transcript(s) for any post-secondary study taken. For those enrolled in courses, arrange to have transcripts sent when 1st semester final results can be reported;
• if not currently enrolled (out one semester or more), a resume outlining a list of current activities is required;
• if required, an acceptable English Language Proficiency Test result;
• A letter from a clinical nursing instructor from Holland College documenting clinical performance in the LPN program.

Option 2 – Admission to 1st Year of BScN

The second option is to apply directly to the first year of the 4-year Nursing program. In this case the admission requirements and evaluation of the application is exactly the same as other applicants applying to the first year of the program. If accepted, students start in the 1st year of Nursing, receiving the same transfer credit as under the articulated agreement, but complete the 1st year courses (PSY 1010, PSY 1020, BIO 1060, BIO 1210, and BIO 1220) that have not yet been taken.

Transfer Credit for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)

LPNs accepted into the 4 year Nursing program will receive the following transfer credits:

Graduates from the Holland College LPN program may receive up to 27 credit hours;

Graduates from other LPN programs will receive 9 credit hours of electives with the possibility of further transfer credit upon review of LPN course syllabi.

Any student accepted to the first year of the Nursing program and potentially receiving transfer credit for NURS 1010 and NURS 1020 will be required to complete a Math competency test before transfer credit is granted.

Transfer Applicant Deadline February 15.

Transfer Applicants currently in a Nursing program, or having completed part of a Nursing program at another university, may apply to transfer to the 2nd or 3rd year of the BScN program. Applicants cannot be considered until all of the courses (or equivalent courses at another university) required of UPEI 1st year Nursing students have been completed. Those applicants not able to complete all of the courses required of 1st year UPEI Nursing students must apply as a first year student, but if accepted, may receive transfer credit. Students dismissed from a Nursing program as a result of a clinical failure, or students who have failed two Nursing courses, are not eligible to apply as a transfer applicant.

Transfer students must follow UPEI’s undergraduate application process for professional programs, and submit other requirements including:

• UPEI Application Fee;
• official post-secondary transcript(s) for any post-secondary study taken. For those enrolled in courses, arrange to have transcripts sent when 1st semester final results can be reported;
• if not currently enrolled (out one semester or more), a resume outlining a list of current activities is required;
• a course syllabus for all Nursing courses taken or currently in-progress, including details of any clinical portion;
• a letter from the Nursing school where applicant is currently enrolled or has previously attended, which states the applicant is in good academic and clinical standing with no restrictions;
• if required, an acceptable English Language Proficiency Test result.

Please Note:
The University of Prince Edward Island Nursing program is based on the “PEI Conceptual Model of Primary Health Care”. Students whose previous Nursing program did not include Primary Health Care must apply to the first year of the program. If accepted students may receive transfer credit.

Transfer seats are subject to availability of space in the Nursing program.

Any student accepted to the first year of the Nursing program and potentially receiving transfer credit for NURS 1010 and NURS 1020, will be required to complete a Math competency test before transfer credit is granted.