This document is meant as a planning guide only.  Students are advised to consult with the Bachelor of Nursing Student Advisor if they have specific questions about the program.

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Baccalaureate Nursing (BN) education program is congruent with the mission of Brandon University in its commitment to fostering the development of the whole person as a contributing member of society.  Through a program of study that incorporates active learning and knowledge from the sciences, arts and humanities, the BN program prepares graduates to practice safely as Registered Nurses in a rapidly changing health care environment and as an integral part of the interdisciplinary health care team.  The BN program strives to meet the needs of the diverse population it serves and the needs of the students.  Specifically, the BN program will prepare students to:

• meet the Entry level Competencies for Registered Nurses in Manitoba (College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba) and write the Registered Nurses national licensing examination,
• practice consistently safely, competently, and ethically according to the Standards of Practice for Registered Nurses and the Code of Ethics,
• understand the importance of and the way in which they will be required to maintain continuing competencies as required by CRNM; and
• demonstrate the ability to practice effectively within the interdisciplinary/intersectoral team across the continuum of care.

Faculty Philosophy & BN Program Structure

Nursing is a theory based profession based on scientific principles, humanistic and ethical premises, and the art of caring.  Nursing requires skilled use of interpersonal processes and collaboration to promote, maintain and strengthen the health of all care recipients.  Cultural diversity is respected and valued.  Nursing relies on critical thinking and problem solving skills in clinical, administrative, research and educational practice.  Registered Nurses create and disseminate knowledge within therapeutic relationships and the research process to optimize the health of all recipients of care.

Education in nursing reflects the standards of the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba.  The goal of this education is to promote acquisition, development, synthesis, and critical analysis of knowledge, attitudes, and abilities essential to the provision of theory-based professional nursing.

BN Degree Planning Guide  – this information is for students graduating in 2024 and 2025

During first year, students take introductory courses in Health Studies, Arts and Science.  This first year is referred to as the Pre Nursing Year.  Upon successful completion of the required Pre Nursing courses, students are eligible to apply for entry into Year 2 of the BN program. Year 2 of the BN program accommodates the admission of 60 students per year.

Year 2 of the BN program includes Nursing courses only.  A combination of theory, lab and clinical courses comprise the second year course requirements.  Students invest 360 clinical hours, 294 theory hours, and 78 lab hours in the second year of the BN program.  Health Assessment skills, complex nursing interventions, the study of human responses and related nursing care for individuals challenged by acute and chronic physical or mental health problems will be learned using a family nursing approach.  Students are expected to use clinical practice time to practice and develop basic nursing skills, including assessment skills, communication skills, critical thinking skills and psychomotor skills.

Year 3 of the BN program includes Nursing courses and one 3 credit hour elective.  Students invest 552 clinical hours and 247 theory hours in the third year of the BN program.  Students will study common pediatric illnesses as well as the childbearing experience, mature women’s and men’s health, common aging events and human responses and related nursing care for individuals challenged by complex, chronic and/or terminal, multi-system physical and mental health problems. Clinical courses focus on nursing care provided for supportive/palliative individuals and for individuals and families experiencing complex and multi-system health challenges.  Caring for groups and families as a whole will be emphasized.

Year 4 of the BN program includes Nursing courses only.  Students invest 642 clinical hours and 117 theory hours in the fourth year of the BN program.  Courses provide an overview of leadership in nursing and community nursing practice. A project based course allows students to explore professional practice in nursing leadership, administration, education, health policy, program/community development. The Senior Practicum is the final course which provides an opportunity for students to consolidate previously learned skills in a variety of settings in urban, rural, and northern Manitoba.

Graduates of the Assiniboine Community College LPN program are eligible for admission into Year 3 of the BN program upon completion of Pre Entry courses, 71.269 Nursing Foundations IV and meeting minimum nursing employment hours within the past 24 months in Manitoba.  Enrolment is limited to 12 students per year.

Program Outcomes

Students graduating with a Bachelor of Nursing degree from Brandon University will possess:

1. An understanding of the role of the professional nurse in the areas of practice, research, leadership, administration, education, government/health policy, program/community development and population health.
2. Knowledge and experience to develop and provide nursing care that is individualized, effective and satisfying to recipients of care to achieve mutually determined health goals
3. The knowledge and ability to practice competently according to legal, ethical and professional standards of nursing to provide safe, compassionate and ethical care.
4. The ability to use critical inquiry to inform clinical decision-making and to establish therapeutic, caring and culturally safe relationships with recipients of care and the health care team.
5. Knowledge and application of primary health care and the determinants of health principles to community nursing, population health and the development of nursing as a profession.
6. The skills to collaborate, negotiate and communicate with multisectoral health partners and recipients of care in the development, delivery and evaluation of care.
7. The use of multiple sources of information to provide evidence-informed nursing.
8. The ability to engage in critical reflection and evaluation of practice to facilitate ongoing professional development.

High School Course Requirements

Applications will be accepted from students who meet the Brandon University admission requirements. Although not required for admission to Brandon University, Biology 40S is a pre- requisite for Anatomy & Physiology/Biology of Life and Math 40S Pre-Calculus or Applied is a pre-requisite for Introduction to Statistics. Grade 12 English is required. As a result of pre- requisite requirements for Anatomy & Physiology/Biology of Life and Introduction to Statistics, it is highly recommended that students entering Pre-Nursing have completed Biology 40S and Math 40S Pre-Calculus or Applied.

Career/Graduate School Opportunities

The Bachelor of Nursing Program prepares graduates to work as Registered Nurses (RNs) in a variety of settings. Registered Nurses may assume any one of the following roles:

• Direct care provider to individuals and families with acute or long-term illnesses in institutions or in the community
• Educational institutions – working in the educational environment teaching nursing students theory and clinical based practice
• Administrative areas – assuming responsibility for leading other members of the health care team and for coordinating services

The BN Program attracts men and women, and gender-diverse people who are willing to make a career commitment. RNs participate as members of the health care team to promote health and to prevent illness.

Professional nurses associations in Canada are predicting a dramatic increase in the demand for nurses. The starting salary for Registered Nurses in Manitoba is approximately $80,000 per year. Graduates of the BN program are eligible for application to Graduate Programs.

BN Program Structure: