Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program educates nurses to work with individuals, families, groups or communities from a health promotion perspective and an ethic of caring. The curriculum is based on a commitment to consider the changing health care needs of our society; emerging from this commitment is the concept of caring. Nursing practice experiences have been planned and integrated throughout the program of studies.

TRU Williams Lake offers years one and two of the BScN, with students seamlessly moving to the TRU Kamloops campus for years three and four, upon successful completion of the first two years.

High school applicants
  • Students who have graduated high school or who present university preparatory (UPrep) or adult basic education (ABE) coursework. A blend of UPrep/ABE and high school courses may be considered.
    OR
  • Students with up to 9 credits of post-secondary coursework. GPA from these courses will not apply.
Educational Requirements
  • Grade 12 (or equivalent) or mature student status
  • English Studies 12/English First Peoples 12 with a minimum 73% (or equivalent)
  • Any Math 12 course with a minimum 73% (or equivalent)
  • Anatomy & Physiology 12 with a minimum 73% (or equivalent)
  • Chemistry 11 with a minimum 73% (or equivalent)
  • One other Grade 11 or 12 level Science with a minimum 73% (or equivalent)

A GPA will be generated using the 5 courses above for admission consideration and ranking.

Post-secondary applicants

Students with 12 credits or more of post-secondary coursework (by the application deadline).

Educational Requirements
  • Grade 12 (or equivalent) or mature student status
  • Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher in the last 30 credits
  • Completion of the following 12 credits:
    • English 1000 level or higher with a C+ minimum
    • Biology 1000 level or higher with a C+ minimum
    • Social Science 1000 or higher with C+ minimum
    • Math/Science 1000 or higher with a C+ minimum

Applicants in this category must have the 4 post-secondary courses noted above. A GPA will be generated for post-secondary coursework. If an applicant has more than 30 credits, the most recent 30 credits will be used for GPA consideration and ranking.

Students are responsible for ensuring that they meet course requirements for BIOL 1592/1594, BIOL 1692/1694 and ENGL 1100. See FAQ #9 & #10 for details on course prerequisites.

Additional Admission Requirements

Situational Judgment Test: CASPer
Applicants will be required to complete an online situational judgment test, which assesses for non-cognitive skills and interpersonal characteristics that we believe are important for successful students and graduates of our program and will complement the other tools that we use for applicant screening (i.e., GPA).

Fall 2024 CASPer dates can be found here.

What if I don't meet the requirements?

If you don’t meet the program specific admission requirements, we're here to help you.

You can still apply and be accepted to the Bachelor of Arts. Then, the TRU Williams Lake academic advisor will help you create a personalized course plan to upgrade and prepare for your program of choice.

Commitment fee

If you are offered a seat in the BScN program, to accept and hold your seat you are required to pay a $500 tuition deposit within two weeks of receiving your official seat offer. The commitment fee will count as payment towards your tuition.

TRU Williams Lake offers Years 1 and 2 of the BScN program, with direct entry to Years 3 and 4 at the Kamloops campus. The following courses are offered at the Williams Lake campus. Please visit the TRU Calendar for a detailed course description. For a complete listing of courses for all four years of the BScN program, please visit the School of Nursing.

Year 1
Semester 1 — Fall
NURS 1170
Communication and Collaboration 1: Self and Others (0,3,0)

NURS 1170 Communication and Collaboration 1: Self and Others (0,3,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Participants focus on learning about themselves as individuals and on discovering how the unique person that they are influences their relationships with others. Knowledge of self and others aids in the development of a wide repertoire of interpersonal skills that facilitate personal and professional interactions. The course emphasis is on understanding how personal values and beliefs, experiences, perceptions, gender, culture, and hegemony shape themselves, how they establish relationships, and ways of being.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into Year 1 of the BSN program or by special arrangement with instructor Co-Requisites: NURS 1730 and NURS 1740 Recommended Requisite: NURS 1700
For more information, search for this course here.

NURS 1700
Professionalism and Leadership 1: Introduction to the Profession of Nursing (3,0,0)

NURS 1700 Professionalism and Leadership 1: Introduction to the Profession of Nursing (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

This course is an introduction to the profession of nursing. Participants are introduced to the curriculum foundational perspectives and concepts and how these relate to nursing practice. Participants explore nursing history and the evolution of nursing. Participants critically reflect upon role of gender, race, and class in social construction of nursing as a profession. Explore their responsibility for safe and ethical nursing practice.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into Year 1 of the BSN program
Corequisite: NURS 1170 and BIOL 1592 or BIOL 1593 and NURS 1730 and NURS 1740
For more information, search for this course here.

NURS 1730
Health and Health Promotion 1: Understanding Health (3,0,0)

NURS 1730 Health and Health Promotion 1: Understanding Health (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

This course is an introduction to the meaning of health including personal health, family health, community health, and societal health. Participants examine significant theoretical and conceptual frameworks of health including health promotion, primary health care, prevention, and determinants of health. By reflecting on personal experiences, participants have the opportunity to identify personal resources and/or challenges that impact health as well as recognize the diversity of beliefs, values, and perceptions of health held by others. Opportunities to learn basic health assessment skills are included in this course.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into Year 1 or the BSN program
Corequisite: NURS 1170 and BIOL 1592 or BIOL 1593 and NURS 1700 and NURS 1740
For more information, search for this course here.

NURS 1740
Nursing Practice 1: Introduction to Nursing Practice (3,0,4P)

NURS 1740 Nursing Practice 1: Introduction to Nursing Practice (3,0,4P)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

This course is an opportunity for participants to integrate their learning from other Semester One courses with their beginning understanding of nursing practice. Participants are engaged with healthy families in the community and with nurses in practice to explore the breadth of nursing practice.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into Year 1 of the Bachelor of Science Nursing program.
Corequisite: BIOL 1592 or BIOL 1593 and NURS 1170 and NURS 1700 and NURS 1730
For more information, search for this course here.

BIOL 1592
Human Biology: Anatomy and Physiology 1 (3,0,0)

BIOL 1592 Human Biology: Anatomy and Physiology 1 (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

This course is intended primarily for students taking the Nursing and Respiratory Therapy programs. However, space is also available for Academic students. Students examine the anatomy and physiology of human organ systems over the course of two semesters, while focusing on the relationship between structure and function.
Prerequisite: Anatomy & Physiology 12 with a minimum grade of C+ or BIOL 0600 and Chemistry 11 or CHEM 0500.
Note: Students do not receive credit for more than one of BIOL 1592, BIOL 1590, BIOL 1593 or BIOL 3540.
For more information, search for this course here.

BIOL 1594
Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory 1 (0,0,2)(L)

BIOL 1594 Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory 1 (0,0,2)(L)

Credits:
Delivery: Campus

This course covers the first half of the laboratory component of anatomy and physiology. Students are introduced to the structure and function of the human body, beginning with an orientation of the body and continuing with the functions of cells, tissues, organs and organ systems (including the integumentary, skeletal, muscular and nervous systems). As well, the healthy functioning of the body and consideration of how each system contributes to overall health and maintenance of homeostasis will be covered.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1592 or BIOL 1593
Corequisite: BIOL 1592
Note: Students cannot get credit for more than one of BIOL 1594, BIOL 1595.
For more information, search for this course here.

ENGL 1100
Introduction to University Writing (3,0,0)

ENGL 1100 Introduction to University Writing (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Students explore the practices of reading and writing in scholarly contexts by investigating a chosen topic or issue. Students read, critically analyze, and synthesize information and ideas found in appropriate secondary sources and coming from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds. They also develop their abilities to communicate knowledge by composing in the genres and sub-genres of scholarly writing, including the incorporation of research and documentation while using a clear, persuasive, grammatically-correct style.
Prerequisite: English Studies 12 /English First Peoples 12 with a minimum 73% or equivalent
Note: students cannot receive credit for both ENGL 1100 and ENGL 1101
For more information, search for this course here.

Semester 2 — Winter
NURS 1800
Knowledge and Critical Inquiry 1: Introduction to the Discipline of Nursing (3,0,0)

NURS 1800 Knowledge and Critical Inquiry 1: Introduction to the Discipline of Nursing (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Students are introduced to the discipline of nursing and explore the historical development of nursing knowledge and theory as well as contemporary understandings of nursing as a discipline and the body of knowledge that defines it. Students begin to develop an inquiry-based approach to learning and nursing practice. The relationships between practice, theory, and research will be explored.
Prerequisite: NURS 1170 and NURS 1700 and NURS 1730 and NURS 1740 and BIOL 1592 or BIOL 1593 and BIOL 1594 or BIOL 1595
Corequisite: BIOL 1692 or BIOL 1693 and BIOL 1694 or BIOL 1695 and NURS 1830 and NURS 1840
For more information, search for this course here.

NURS 1830
Health and Health Promotion 2: Health Across the Lifespan (3,0,0)

NURS 1830 Health and Health Promotion 2: Health Across the Lifespan (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Building on Health and Health Promotion 1, this course focuses on individual, family, and community health assessment. Participants will have opportunities to explore and critique various theoretical and conceptual frameworks in relation to health assessment including early childhood development, family development, healthy aging and community development. The concept of assessment within the context of decision making is explored. Opportunities to learn basic health assessment skills are included in this course.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1592 (or BIOL 1593), NURS 1170, NURS 1700 NURS 1730 and NURS 1740
Corequisite: BIOL 1692 (or BIOL 1693), NURS 1800, NURS 1840
For more information, search for this course here.

NURS 1840
Nursing Practice 2: Coming to Know the Client (3,0,2,9P)(L)

NURS 1840 Nursing Practice 2: Coming to Know the Client (3,0,2,9P)(L)

Credits: 4 credits
Delivery: Campus

This nursing practice experience provides opportunities to develop caring relationships with groups, families, and individuals across the lifespan. Emphasis will be placed on health assessment and coming to know how clients understand and promote their health, and the role of the nurse in collaborating with the client in this process. Participants work with groups, families and individuals in the home and community, in agencies, and in care facilities to incorporate concepts and learning from all the courses in this semester into their nursing practice.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1592 or BIOL 1593 and NURS 1170 and NURS 1700 and NURS 1730 and NURS 1740
Corequisite: BIOL 1692 or BIOL 1693 and NURS 1800 and NURS 1830
For more information, search for this course here.

BIOL 1692
Human Biology: Anatomy and Physiology 2 (3,0,0)

BIOL 1692 Human Biology: Anatomy and Physiology 2 (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Students examine the anatomy and physiology of the human organ systems over the course of two semesters, while focusing on the relationship between structure and function.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1592 or BIOL 1593
Note: Students do not receive credit for more than one of BIOL 1692, BIOL 1693 or BIOL 3550
For more information, search for this course here.

BIOL 1694
Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory 2 (0,0,2)(L)

BIOL 1694 Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory 2 (0,0,2)(L)

Credits:
Delivery: Campus

This course is the second half laboratory course in anatomy and physiology. Students in the course will learn about the nervous system and the senses as well as the endocrine, circulatory, respiratory, urinary, digestive and reproductive systems.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1692 or BIOL 1693
Corequisite: BIOL 1692
Note: Students may only receive credit for one of BIOL 1694 and BIOL 1695
For more information, search for this course here.

Year 2
Semester 3 — Fall
NURS 2300
Knowledge and Critical Inquiry 2: Nursing Research (3,0,0)

NURS 2300 Knowledge and Critical Inquiry 2: Nursing Research (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Students will build on their learning from Knowledge and Critical Inquiry 1 increase their understanding of nursing scholarship and enhance their abilities to comprehend, critique, and utilize nursing and health related research. Students will critically reflect on various scholarly works and research methodologies. Students will critically examine their practice in relation to nursing research and pose research questions for evidence-informed practice. Prerequisites: NURS 1800 and NURS 1830 and NURS 1840 and BIOL 1692 or BIOL 1693 Co-Requisites: NURS 2170 and HLSC 2660 and NURS 2740 and NURS 2750
For more information, search for this course here.

NURS 2750
Health and Health Promotion 3: Community Health Nursing (3,0,0)

NURS 2750 Health and Health Promotion 3: Community Health Nursing (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Students will examine the theoretical underpinnings of nursing practice with clients within the context of community. Students will explore community health nursing, advancing their understanding of health promotion, primary health care, prevention, and determinants of health. Prerequisites: NURS 1800 and NURS 1830 and NURS 1840 and BIOL 1692 Co-requisites: NURS 2300 and NURS 2740 and HLSC 2660 and NURS 2170
For more information, search for this course here.

NURS 2740
Nursing Practice 3: Promoting Health and Healing (2,0,2,13P)(L)

NURS 2740 Nursing Practice 3: Promoting Health and Healing (2,0,2,13P)(L)

Credits: 4 credits
Delivery: Campus

In this nursing practice experience students will develop caring relationships with individuals and families for the purpose of health promotion, understanding their health and healing processes when experiencing more complex health challenges, both episodic and chronic. Students will have opportunities to practice nursing approaches that accompany this understanding. Students will work with families and individuals in the home and community, in agencies, and in care facilities to incorporate concepts and learning from all the courses in this semester into their nursing practice. The community and society are considered as contextual influences on the promotion of health for the individual and the family.
Prerequisite: Completion of Year 1 and BIOL 1692 or BIOL 1693
Corequisite: HLSC 2660 and NURS 2170 and NURS 2300 and NURS 2750
For more information, search for this course here.

NURS 2170
Communication and Collaboration 2: Creating Health-promoting Relationships (3,0,0)

NURS 2170 Communication and Collaboration 2: Creating Health-promoting Relationships (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Students will focus on the nurse's role as teacher. Relational practice will be explored with diverse clients across a range of settings and contexts. Students examine a variety of teaching /learning theories, perspectives, and strategies that underlie meaningful interactions with individuals, families, and groups. Students will develop communication skills and knowledge for collaborative practice and group process.
Prerequisite: NURS 1800 and NURS 1830 and NURS 1840 and BIOL 1692 or BIOL 1693
Corequisite: HLSC 2660 and NURS 2300 and NURS 2740 and NURS 2750
For more information, search for this course here.

HLSC 2660
Health Science: Pharmacology (3,0,0)

HLSC 2660 Health Science: Pharmacology (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

***Please note: HLSC 2660 is a full year course. Students choosing this course in Fall must also register for the same section for it in Winter and vice-versa.*** In this introductory course students will learn foundational knowledge about essential pharmacological principles. Medication safety and the nurses' role in safe medication practice will be emphasized. Students begin to look at medications in relation to body systems and in promoting wellness. Emphasis will be given to recognizing adverse effects and implementing important nursing considerations, client education, and medication administration safety across the lifespan. Students will be encouraged to critically think about specific pharmaceutical industry issues.
Prerequisite: NURS 1800, NURS 1830, NURS 1840, BIOL 1692
Corequisite: NURS 2170, NURS 2740, NURS 2300, NURS 2750
For more information, search for this course here.

Semester 4 — Winter
NURS 2830
Health and Health Promotion 4: Health Transitions (3,0,0)

NURS 2830 Health and Health Promotion 4: Health Transitions (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Students will expand their understanding of knowledge that nurses use in practice. The focus is on the client's experience of health, including people living with chronic and episodic health challenges. Students will incorporate multiple sources of knowledge, including pathophysiology into their nursing practice.
Prerequisite: NURS 2170 and NURS 2300 and NURS 2750 and NURS 2740 and HLSC 2660
Corequisite: NURS 2840 and HLTH 2300
For more information, search for this course here.

HLTH 2300
Interdisciplinary Indigenous Health (2,1,0)

HLTH 2300 Interdisciplinary Indigenous Health (2,1,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

This course introduces students to Indigenous people's health in Canada. Students experience Indigenous ways ofknowing through a decolonization framework, engaging in local knowledge, methodologies and practices ofIndigenous peoples. Students engage in experiential, reflexive learning informed by local Knowledge Keepers. Thecourse embraces Indigenous Knowledge and uses the premise of 'two-eyed seeing'. Students are guided through aninter-professional framework of practice to facilitate collaboration and planning of services to improve Indigenous health.
Prerequisite: Completion of Semester 3 of the BScN program or Special Arrangements with the instructor
For more information, search for this course here.

NURS 2840
Nursing Practice 4: Promoting Health Transitions (2,0,2,13P)(L)

NURS 2840 Nursing Practice 4: Promoting Health Transitions (2,0,2,13P)(L)

Credits: 4 credits
Delivery: Campus

This nursing practice experience will continue to provide opportunities for students to develop caring relationships with individuals and families for the purpose of health promotion, understanding their health and healing processes when experiencing more complex health challenges, both episodic and chronic. Students will have opportunities to practice nursing approaches that accompany this understanding. Students will work with families and individuals in the home and community, in agencies, and in care facilities to incorporate concepts and learning from all the courses in this semester into their nursing practice. The community and society are considered as contextual influences on the promotion of health for the individual and the family.
Prerequisite: HLSC 2660 and NURS 2170 and NURS 2300 and NURS 2740 and NURS 2750
Corequisite: HLTH 2300
For more information, search for this course here.

HLSC 2550
Health Science 2:Pathophysiology I (3,0,0)

HLSC 2550 Health Science 2:Pathophysiology I (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

In this introductory course, students focus on foundational knowledge and concepts related to human pathophysiology. Students will learn about the presentation and pathogenesis of health challenges across the lifespan. In selected units diagnostics, epidemiology, epigenetics, nutrition, and environmental impacts will be introduced. Topics will be closely coordinated with practice and other nursing courses.
Prerequisite: NURS 2750, NURS 2170, NURS 2300, NURS 2740, HLSC 2660
Corequisite: NURS 2840, HLSC 2660, HLTH 2300
For more information, search for this course here.

HLSC 2660
Health Science: Pharmacology (3,0,0)

HLSC 2660 Health Science: Pharmacology (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

***Please note: HLSC 2660 is a full year course. Students choosing this course in Fall must also register for the same section for it in Winter and vice-versa.*** In this introductory course students will learn foundational knowledge about essential pharmacological principles. Medication safety and the nurses' role in safe medication practice will be emphasized. Students begin to look at medications in relation to body systems and in promoting wellness. Emphasis will be given to recognizing adverse effects and implementing important nursing considerations, client education, and medication administration safety across the lifespan. Students will be encouraged to critically think about specific pharmaceutical industry issues.
Prerequisite: NURS 1800, NURS 1830, NURS 1840, BIOL 1692
Corequisite: NURS 2170, NURS 2740, NURS 2300, NURS 2750
For more information, search for this course here.

PHIL 2310
Health Care Ethics (3,0,0)

PHIL 2310 Health Care Ethics (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Students examine the ethical role of the health care provider within the Canadian health care system. Students critically assess a selection of ethically problematic situations that routinely challenge health care providers. The topical issues considered in this course include the relationship among health care providers; care of the elderly; genetic counselling; resource allocation; care of those diagnosed mentally ill; and the ethics of transplantation. These issues are explored within the context of moral theory, common ethical principles, and methodologies arising from interdisciplinary bioethics.
Note: Students will receive credit for only one of PHIL 2310 or PHIL 2311.
For more information, search for this course here.

Spring session — May and June
NURS 2380
Condensed Practice Experience 2 (0,0,22P)(5 weeks)

NURS 2380 Condensed Practice Experience 2 (0,0,22P)(5 weeks)

Credits: 4 credits
Delivery: Campus

This nursing practice experience provides opportunities for students to develop caring relationships with individuals and families for the purpose of health promotion, understanding their health and healing processes when experiencing more complex health challenges, both episodic and chronic. Students will have opportunities to practice nursing approaches that accompany this understanding. Students will work with families and individuals in the home and community, in agencies, and in care facilities to incorporate concepts and learning from all the courses in this semester into their nursing practice. The community and society are considered as contextual influences on the promotion of health for the individual and the family.
Prerequisite: HLSC 2660 and NURS 2830 and NURS 2840 and HLTH 2300
For more information, search for this course here.

Inquiries and Advising

Phone: 250-392-8000
Email: wlmain@tru.ca

Admissions

Phone: 250-392-8020
Email: wladmissions@tru.ca