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The objective of the Master of Nursing Nurse Practitioner program is to prepare advanced practice nurses who will function as Nurse Practitioners providing generalist care to individuals and families of all ages, across the lifespan.

The Nurse Practitioner program builds on students registered nursing knowledge, skills, abilities and judgments.

We work directly with the Department of Health and Regional Health Authority to support students in securing employment.

Graduates of the program receive a Master of Nursing degree and are eligible to become registered as generalist Nurse Practitioners after completing the Canadian Nurse Practitioner Exam: Family/All Ages (CNPE: F/AA).

There are two nurse practitioner education pathways that include our:

• Traditional Master of Nursing Advanced Nurse Practitioner degree program and
  
  
• Master of Nursing Post-Master’s Advanced Nurse Practitioner degree program.

The Master of Nursing Post-Master’s Advanced Nurse Practitioner degree pathway is for those with a completed Master of Nursing degree.

Regardless of which pathway students choose, the Nurse Practitioner program involves synchronous online and in-person learning. Students complete the program over five consecutive terms (20-months).

Students can expect to come to Fredericton, Moncton, or Saint John about 3–4 times per academic term for labs and testing; all theory components are online.

The MN Program curriculum is guided by both an abilities-based framework and the NANB Standards of Practice and Entry Level Competencies for Nurse Practitioners (2024).

Students in the traditional Master of Nursing Advanced Nurse Practitioner degree program complete a total of 43 credit hours across 11 courses and complete a total of 700 clinical practicums hours (4 practicums at 100 hours each and 1 final 300-hour full time practicum).

Students in the Master of Nursing Post-Master’s Advanced Nurse Practitioner degree program complete a total of 34 credit hours across eight courses and complete a total of 700 clinical practicums hours (four practicums at 100 hours each and one final 300-hour full time practicum). Students take Nurse Practitioner specific courses only and thus do not take NURS 60132, NURS 6018, or NURS 6363.

Fall term | Year one

• NURS 6018 (3 CH) | Nursing Leadership Ethics & Health Policy
• NURS 6222 (4 CH) | Advanced Health Assessment Theory & Clinical | Practicum 100 hours
• NURS 6203 (3 CH) | Advanced Pathophysiology

Winter term | Year one

• NURS 6224 (4 CH) PHC | Management Adult I Theory & Clinical | Practicum 100 hours
• NURS 6202 (3 CH) | Adv. Pharmacotherapeutics

Summer term | Year one

• NURS 6363 (3 CH) | Evidence-Informed Nursing Research & Practice
• NURS 6204 (3 CH) | Roles and Issues
• NURS 6226 (4 CH) PHC | Management Pediatrics Theory & Clinical | Practicum 100 hours

Fall term | Year two

• NURS 6013 (3 CH) | Theoretical Foundations of Nursing
• NURS 6228 (4 CH) PHC | Management Adult II Theory & Clinical | Practicum 100 hours

Winter term | Year two

• NURS 6219 (9 CH) | Final Clinical | Practicum 300 hours

Summer term | Year two

• Practice as a graduate Nurse Practitioner and write CNPE

Clinical practicums are organized using a preceptorship model and all hours are completed 1:1 with a NP or Physician. Preceptorship placements are arranged by the Faculty of Nursing and students should not contact NPs or physicians to arrange placement opportunities.

Nurse practitioner students must attend all required in-person components of the program including but not limited to practicums, OSCEs, labs and exams.

Clinical practicums for this program are in diverse geographical regions of the province. All students are expected to travel within New Brunswick; travel costs are the responsibility of the student.

Applicants must meet admission requirements set out by the School of Graduate Studies and by the Faculty of Nursing. Admission is granted on a competitive basis and enrolment is limited.

Note: Students are admitted on a cohort basis every two years.

• Practice in ED, general medicine, and community is good preparation for this program.
• For both Nurse Practitioner program pathways, successful completion of a 4-year or advanced-standing BN or BScN program in nursing from an approved academic institution with a CGPA of a least 3.3 or B+. For the Master of Nursing Post-Master’s Advanced Nurse Practitioner degree program, successful completion of a Master of Nursing (research or course based) degree with overall CGPA of at least 3.3 or B+.
  
  
• Undergraduate-level courses in statistics, nursing research, health assessment, pharmacology and pathophysiology, normally with a grade of B or above in each course.
  
  
• Current registration, or be eligible for registration, with the Nurses Association of New Brunswick (NANB). International students must have this in place before applying. Internationally educated nurses who are seeking registration in the province are directed to NANB for more information on how to register to practice as a registered nurse in New Brunswick. Proof of NANB registration must be submitted with your application.
  
  
• Three references including one from a professor/instructor who taught you in the classroom during your undergraduate nursing degree or other education program.
  
  
• A minimum of two years full-time (3,510 hours) relevant, recent clinical practice as a registered nurse. Verification of practice hours from your employer must be submitted as part of your application. Note: Although we consider applicants with diverse clinical backgrounds for admission to the program, foundational nursing knowledge and skills in the areas of health assessment, interpretation of lab values, critical thinking and clinical judgment, ability to work independently and as part of a team are expected.
  
  
• A personal statement of your professional interest and suitability for the nurse practitioner role. In this written statement, indicate any ongoing competing demands on your time and how you will handle the extensive time commitment required to complete graduate course work and concurrent clinical practicums.
  
  
• A current resume or CV.

English is both the working language and the primary language of instruction and examination at UNB, so students must be able to communicate and comprehend English both orally and in written form.

All international applicants whose mother tongue is not English, including applicants who are landed immigrants or reside in Canada will need to submit a language test as per the UNB School of Graduate Studies Minimum language proficiency test scores.

International credential assessment requirements

Students who have completed prior post-secondary studies outside of Canada or the United States of America are required to submit a World Education Services (WES) ICAP Evaluation as part of their admission package.

Applicants should request the WES International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP) Course-by-Course report. If you have a prior WES report, you must add WES ICAP to your evaluation report.