Neonatal Nursing Specialty

Entrance requirements

The following are requirements for entry into Specialty Nursing certificate and degree courses. Enforcement or waiving of any or all entry requirements is at the discretion of the program head.

If you have any questions about your experience or qualifications, please contact the program head.

• English language proficiency: Category 1 – English Studies 12 (73%) or equivalent


• Post-secondary education: diploma in nursing


• Current practicing registration with one of the following:
  • BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) or
  • Canadian provincial equivalent or
  • Registered Nurse (RN) license number (if practicing outside Canada)
• Work Experience: minimum six months work experience in an acute care setting
  
  

  Submit a resume of work experience with your application.

  Exceptions may be granted for undergraduate students taking entry-level theory courses or new graduates. A resume is required for placement in the program. If you have questions about whether your work experience qualifies, please contact the program head.

  Interested nurses from international practice, residential, or other areas of care lacking recent (within two years) acute care experience may be required to complete a refresher course. BCIT recommends the following programs:

  • Douglas College
  • Kwantlen Polytechnic University
  • Thompson Rivers University

  Please contact one of the institutions above, as well as the program head, to determine an appropriate preparatory course of study.

Read more about how to meet BCIT’s entrance requirements

Clinical requirements

Note: Effective immediately, all health care workers who come into contact with patients at publicly funded health care facilities or in the community, including at long-term care facilities, will have to get the influenza vaccine or wear a mask during flu season. This policy affects all students who will be entering a clinical setting.

As such, you will be required to provide proof of your immunization or agree to wear a mask at all times prior to being placed in your clinical studies.

Basic Cardiac Life Support Certification

All students participating in clinical courses must have current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Level C or Level Health Care Provider (HCP). The original certificate must be presented upon application to the clinical courses.

BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) registration

As well as providing this information at the time of admission, BCIT requires students to provide proof of BCCNM membership, Canadian provincial equivalent, or RN license number for each clinical course. Without proper registration, you will not be permitted to continue in the course.

Face Respirator Fit Testing

A face piece respiratory fit test is required before students are permitted to enter the clinical practicum. Upon successful completion of the fit test, the original certificate must be presented to the program and annual re-fitting is required. Students are expected to carry their certificate with them at all times during their practicum.

For the Respirator Fit Testing, fit testing with a N95 respirator (1860, 1860s, or 1870) is required and must be performed, in accordance with CSA Standard CAN/CSA-Z94.4-02. Fit Testing must also include inspection, cleaning, maintenance, and storage of protective equipment. Students will be given specific instructions in preparation for their fit testing by the provider they choose.

International applicants

This program is available to international applicants who will complete the program from outside Canada or who currently have a valid work permit in Canada that will be valid for the duration of clinical training.

Study permit: International applicants accepted into this program are not eligible for a study permit.

Post-graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility: While this program currently meets the eligible field of study requirement (CIP) to apply for a PGWP, this program is not eligible for a PGWP due to other criteria not being met.

(CIPC: 51.3806)

Program declaration

Please contact the program assistant to declare this program.

Scheduled Intakes

Ongoing Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) intakes: January, April, and September.

Tuition fees

Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) tuition is charged on a course-by-course basis. Please see the Flexible Learning Tuition & Fees page for more information on domestic and international tuitions.

Books & supplies

Please check the BCIT Bookstore for most current prices.

Program matrix

Check current availability of courses for this program.

Check current availability of courses for this program.

Transfer credit

Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.

Program length

The length of the program varies, as it is offered in a variety of formats:

• BCIT offers theory and some clinical courses by part-time, independent study. We deliver theory courses over a 12-week term using guided-learning modules and telephone tutor support. They often include teleconferences, which provide opportunities for students and tutors to discuss issues relevant to the course. If you work full-time, you would generally register for one theory course per term, although this can vary depending on your additional commitments.

• Through independent study, learn in you own community and structure your learning schedule in a manner that is most convenient for you. Complete full-time clinical courses at clinical sites throughout BC, over 3 to 4 weeks. If you live outside BC, clinical placements may be negotiated.

• Most Specialty Nursing programs arrange special offerings of courses as "Compressed Time Frame programs". Offered in full-time study formats, they enable you to take several courses over a specified period of time. If you are interested in this option of study, contact the program assistant for more information and program start dates.

• Nurses with relevant experience and/or previous courses can request assessment for credit for prior learning.

Maximum program length for either the Advanced Certificate or the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is seven years. Preparedness for employment can take from 10 weeks to 1 year.

We offer a Compressed Time Frame (CTF) that consists of two required courses (NSNE 7200 and NSNE 7300) plus a clinical elective and course elective (NSNE 7900 and NSNE 7911) via a full-time, 11-week program in greater Vancouver. The first theory course (NSNE 7100) is a prerequisite for this program.

Program delivery

Online: This program is delivered fully online.

Program location

Continue your education

You are eligible to apply for an Advanced Certificate in Neonatal Nursing after completing 24 credits of approved courses. After receipt of an Advanced Certificate, you can choose to continue in the degree completion portion of the program, which requires completion of another 36 credits. Upon completion of all 60 credits of approved courses (including the Advanced Certificate courses), you are eligible to receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Specialty Nursing.

Graduate employment outcomes

The BCIT student outcomes report presents summary findings from the annual survey of former students administered by BC Stats one to two years after graduation. These reports combine the last three years of available results for the 2022-2024 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2021-2023 graduates and for Degree 2020-2022 graduates. The reports are organized into three-page summaries containing information on graduates’ labour market experiences and opinions regarding their education. More detailed information can be accessed at the BC Student Outcomes website.

To view these results, you may need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.

• Neonatal Nursing Specialty

Professional associations

Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) has the mission of advancing the practice and profession of nursing to improve health outcomes and strengthen Canada’s publicly funded, not-for-profit health system. Toward this end, it promotes high standards of practice, education, research, and administration. The CNA is the national and global professional voice of Canadian nursing, representing registered nurses, nurse practitioners, licensed and registered practical nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, and retired nurses across all provinces and territories.