LPN-BN Nursing Pathway | UNB

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College of Extended Learning

LPN-BN Nursing Pathway

Young nurse smiling while walking down a hospital hall

Advance your nursing career

The LPN-BN Nursing Pathway provides the education needed for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in New Brunswick to apply to UNB's Bachelor of Nursing (BN) Fredericton program. The LPN-BN Nursing Pathway builds on current knowledge and nursing practices and prepares students for entry into the third year of the four-year BN Fredericton program.

Consisting of six online courses, the LPN-BN Nursing Pathway can be completed in a single term (6 courses in winter term) or over two terms (3 courses each term - fall and winter).

IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ: While the six LPN-BN Nursing Pathway courses are online, years three and four of the BN degree program are not online. Once you complete the Pathway courses and transfer to the BN program, you will be required to complete the BN on-campus in Fredericton, Miramichi or Moncton*.

*The Learn Where You Live: Miramichi or Moncton programs allow students who live in, or wish to relocate to, the Miramichi or Moncton areas to complete years three and four in those regions. LEARN MORE.

Courses

PSYC 1013 - Introduction to Psychology I OR PSYC 1023 - Introduction to Psychology II (or equivalent)

Stats 2263 - Statistics for Non-Science Majors (or equivalent)

BIOL 2759 - Physiology and Pathophysiology for Licensed Practical Nurses
This course provides a detailed review of normal human physiology and then focuses on the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying diseases in each organ system. This course is online and only open to students in the Licensed Practical Nurse to Bachelor of Nursing Pathway program.

NURS 2132 - Pharmacotherapeutics
Includes theory and principles of pharmacology as they apply to Nursing. Provides requisite knowledge to administer medications, provide patient education, and assess the potential for adverse events related to drug and lifestyle issues. The theory will include basic legal and safety issues related to drug administration by the nurse.

NURS 2217 - Professional Nursing Practice
Builds on the concepts of professional nursing practice gained in Practical Nurse curricula expanding knowledge and practice to the scope of the entry-level Registered Nurse. This course will focus on communication, professional identity, and social justice abilities within the BN curriculum. Particular emphasis on role transition, academic writing, and evidence-informed practice.

NURS 2218 - Enhanced Decision Making in Clinical Practice
Using a case-based approach across the lifespan, this course builds on assessment, data collection, pharmacotherapeutics, and clinical decision making of LPNs. Specific attention will be paid to the abilities of knowledge and its application and critical thinking and skills of analysis within the BN curriculum. Frameworks for recognizing and responding to changes in a client’s condition will be introduced (anticipatory thinking).

Transferring to the BN program

Once you complete the LPN-BN Nursing Pathway, you must apply for transfer into the third year of the four-year BN program.

To be eligible for transfer into the BN program, students must have a minimum grade of C in each of the LPN-BN Nursing Pathway courses with an overall minimum grade point average of 3.0. NOTE: Meeting the minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee admission into the BN program.

Admitted students will be granted a block transfer of 50 credit hours based on their Practical Nurse program and earn an additional 18 credit hours from the LPN-BN Nursing Pathway.

Once enrolled in the BN program, students have four years to complete the degree. The transfer application deadline to UNB's Bachelor of Nursing program is Feb. 15. Early application is encouraged.

Admission Requirements

For admission into the LPN-BN Nursing Pathway, you must:

  • Have a current membership in the Association of New Brunswick Licensed Practical Nurses (ANBLPN) in good standing
  • Be a licensed graduate of either the New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) Practical Nurse program or the Oulton College Practical Nurse Program (2014 to present)
    • The applicant from NBCC must have completed either the 18-month or two-year NBCC Practical Nurse program
    • NBCC graduates of the 2-year program must be graduates from 2009 and onward
  • Have a minimum grade of 75% in each course in their PN programs
  • Have completed High School Math (Grade 11 Pre-Calculus OR Math 12 Foundations)
    • For those who completed high school prior to September 2012, the Math requirement is Grade 11 Math Functions & Relations
    • Note: You must have a minimum grade of 70% in High School Math
  • All applicants to nursing programs will be required to write the Acuity Insights Casper Test. Casper is an online, open-response, situational judgement test for applicants pursuing people-centered professions. Admission decisions will be based on the applicant’s admission average or Grade Point Average (GPA) (60% weight) and the CASPer score (40% weight). Learn more about the Acuity Insights Casper Test.

Official transcripts from all high school, community college, or university courses are also required.

Learn more about tuition and fees.

Application deadline

Feb. 15: Application deadline for Bachelor of Nursing, LPN Bridge program, BN Pathway and Bachelor of Health Sciences. Applications will continue to be accepted to Bachelor of Nursing, LPN Bridge program and BN Pathway while seats are available.

Apply now

Learn Where You Live: Miramichi or Moncton

In response to the nursing workforce needs identified by the Province of New Brunswick, the Faculty of Nursing in partnership with Horizon Health Network and New Brunswick Community College is launching a new program called Learn Where You Live.

These programs allow LPN to BN Pathway students who live in the Miramichi or Moncton regions to study and work in those areas. This new program will be offered upon successful completion of the six pathway courses.

A cohort of 24 LPN to BN students living in the Miramichi, 16 students living in Moncton or those interested in re-locating to participate in these programs can apply. This option is available to students admitted to the LPN to BN Pathway for the Fall 2023 term.

Students who choose these options will complete all Year 3 & 4 Bachelor of Nursing coursework and clinicals in Miramichi or Moncton, New Brunswick. Contact us to find out more!

LEARN MORE
Shannon Waite
Phone: 506 447-3449 (toll-free: 1-866-599-4646)
Email: lpnpathway@unb.ca