Nephrology 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.

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

Program declaration

Please contact the program assistant to declare this program.

Scheduled Intakes

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

Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)

Experienced Nephrology nurses have a variety of opportunities to gain advanced placement in our program. We invite nurses with experience to challenge courses in the program by demonstrating knowledge in relation to the learning intentions of each of the courses being challenged. In addition, prior learning assessment processes provide an opportunity to gain credit for the first four courses. Please contact the program head if you wish to investigate these possibilities.

Tuition fees

Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) tuition is charged on a course-by-course basis. Please see the Flexible Learning Tuition & Fees pages for more information:

• Domestic tuition for Flexible Learning
• International tuition for Flexible Learning

Books & supplies

The program requires four texts for a cost of approximately $335. The Renal Nursing text has an e-book option. Cost of all the texts including optional texts is $525.

Please check the BCIT Bookstore for most current prices.

(general estimated cost, subject to change).

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 BCIT offers it 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. Clinical courses range from a few days of clinical placement to 125 hours of clinical placement completed either full time over three to four weeks, or part time over 12 weeks. If you live outside BC, you may negotiate clinical placements.

Maximum program length for either the Advanced Certificate or the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is seven years.

Program delivery

Online: This program is delivered fully online.

Program location

Apply for graduation

Upon successful completion of all program requirements, complete an Application for BCIT Credential [PDF] and submit to the Program Assistant to receive an Advanced Certificate.

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.