General Information

The Bachelor of Nursing Program is a four-year degree program. This degree program prepares students for professional careers as Registered Nurses in a variety of settings. Students will benefit from the program’s learner-centred approach and a strong emphasis on nursing practice preparation and specialization opportunities.

The program is offered over four Fall and Winter academic years with required Spring Semesters. Most courses will be offered in both the Fall and the Winter Semesters. Students completing all degree requirements will be awarded a Bachelor of Nursing (BN) degree from Mount Royal University.

Reading Break

Students registered in courses in the third year of the program (NURS 3102 , NURS 3104 , NURS 3112 , NURS 3114 , NURS 3122 , NURS 3124 , NURS 3132 , NURS 3134 , NURS 3142 , and NURS 3144  ) should be aware that fall and winter reading weeks will not likely be the same as the scheduled Mount Royal reading weeks. These students will be informed of when fall and winter reading weeks will occur before the beginning of fall and winter semesters. Students in the first, second and fourth year of the program will have reading weeks congruent with the Mount Royal scheduled reading weeks.

Requirements for Nursing Practice Experience

Students’ nursing practice experiences may be scheduled at varied hours, including evenings, nights and weekends. Approximately half of each student’s clinical placements will be in community settings – this may require the use of a vehicle. Students may be completing practice experiences at sites distant to Calgary. All travel and accommodation costs associated with practice experiences are the responsibility of the student. Students will require a standard uniform for most practice experiences. The uniform policy is found in the BN Student Handbook.

Participation in practice and laboratory sessions is mandatory. A student who is unable to attend practice experiences due to exceptional circumstances, and therefore is unable to meet course objectives may apply to the Chair for a deferral of course work. Students are cautioned that even if a deferral is granted, required practice and/or laboratory experiences may not be immediately available and student progress through the program may be delayed.

A student may be prohibited from attending or completing a practice experience if there is evidence to suggest that the student’s physical and/or psychological health may be detrimental to patients or patient care.

Academic Performance Requirements

In matters of progression and continuance, there are instances when institutional processes do not fully address concerns related to student continuance in a program.

This applies in the following circumstances:

1. Violations of a professional code of ethics and/or standards of practice (i.e. NEPAB, CARNA, CNA nursing professional practice documentation). A committee established by the program will assess violations of relevant codes and standards and whether the student will be required to withdraw from the program based on the seriousness of the violation.
2. Students who are unsuccessful after two registrations in the same core course (as defined by the program) will be required to withdraw from the program. This includes, but is not limited to, the following examples of unsuccessful registration:
   • students who do not achieve the minimum required grade (as defined by the program) in one or both registrations
   • students who earn a grade of “F” in one or both registrations
   • students who withdraw from the course with a “W” in one or both registrations
3. Students who are denied a practicum placement by an external stakeholder because of an assessed detrimental impact on the client, client group, or community being served. Students who are unable to meet clinical or field course requirements on this basis will be required to withdraw from the program.

In order to be considered a continuing student of record in the Bachelor of Nursing program, the student must achieve a minimum ‘C’ grade (or minimal prerequisite grade) or “EP” (Experiential Pass) grade in all nursing (NURS) courses. The required Health Studies Courses (HLTH) are also considered nursing courses. Students are required to achieve a passing grade, as determined by each discipline, in all non-nursing courses.

Grades below a ‘C’ in a nursing course or an unsatisfactory (“EF”: Experiential Fail) in a nursing clinical practice course must be cleared by repeating the course before students may progress to any further nursing courses.

Students with two failures in the same nursing course will be required to withdraw from the program and will not be eligible for re-admission to the program.

Students are permitted one re-registration in the same required nursing program course (a course with the prefix NURS, BIOL, INTS or HLTH). That is, students are not allowed more than two grades below the minimum pass or two withdrawals in the same nursing program course, nor are they permitted one withdrawal and one grade below the minimum pass within the same nursing program course. Students who are unsuccessful after two registrations in the same nursing program course will be required to withdraw from the program and will not be eligible for re-admission. An appeal process is available, see Student Handbook.

Regulations

Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the policies and procedures of Mount Royal University as outlined in the Calendar, Code of Student Conduct and the Student Handbook: Undergraduate Nursing Program. Refer to the Student Handbook for details.

Duration of the Program

Program requirements for degree completion can be completed in four (4) academic years. Students have seven calendar years from the date of initial registration in the Bachelor of Nursing Degree to complete all requirements. Students seeking an extension beyond seven years may be required to complete additional course work. Extension requests will be considered See the Chair for details.

Interruption of Program

Students who interrupt their program are advised that they will be required to comply with any regulations that may have come into effect in regard to their program and requirements. Students will be required to re-apply for admission and notify the Chair of the Department of Nursing and Midwifery in writing by March 15 of their intention to return for the following Fall Semester or by October 1 for the following Winter Semester.

Students With Disabilities

When warranted, and without compromising academic and professional nursing practice standards, Mount Royal University will provide reasonable accommodation for the students with documented disabilities. Students need to fulfill program requirements to be eligible for graduation.

National Registered Nurse (RN) Examination

Students will be eligible to write the national Registered Nurse Examination upon satisfactory completion of all degree program requirements. Students are responsible for all costs related to the examination.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (C.P.R.) Certification

Students must provide annual proof of current C.P.R. Certification for Healthcare Providers. Evidence of certification is to be provided to the School of Nursing and Midwifery office, by August 1 each year. All associated costs are the responsibility of the student.

Failure to maintain current CPR certification will result in immediate withdrawal from the clinical practice area.

Police Information Check

Provincial legislation requires that new employees and volunteers in publicly-funded agencies, including hospitals, seniors’ lodges, group homes, and nursing homes are subject to a Police Information Check (PIC) that includes a Vulnerable Sector Check. In some cases, agencies may require students to provide proof of a police information check prior to commencing a clinical course. Thus, students may be required to obtain more than one police information check during their program of studies. All costs related to the police information check are the responsibility of the student. If a student is denied a clinical placement, due to concerns resulting from the check, then the student will be unable to meet course requirements and will be required to withdraw from the program. Refer to the statement regarding Police Information and other background checks in this calendar.

Immunization

Proof of up-to-date immunization (including rubella) status is required for all professional practice courses and is the responsibility of the student. All associated costs are the responsibility of the student. Failure to maintain a current immunization status will result in immediate withdrawal from the clinical practice area.

Mask Fit Testing

As a prerequisite for acute care clinical practice, all students must be fitted for N95 masks in accordance with Alberta Health Services policy. Mask fit testing is valid for two years or less if you have weight gain or loss greater than 4.5 kilograms, or following nasal fracture or facial scarring. Evidence of mask fit testing is to be provided to the School of Nursing and Midwifery office and students must have their mask size with them for practical experiences. All costs associated with this service are the responsibility of the student.

General Admission Requirements

All students must meet the general admission requirements for Mount Royal University programs, as indicated in the Admission  section of this calendar

Additional Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the general admission requirements indicated in the Admission  section of this calendar, applicants must also satisfy the following criteria:

Academic Course Requirements

The following specific courses (or equivalencies) with the specified minimum grades are required for admission into the Bachelor of Nursing program:

• English Language Arts 30-1 - 60%
• Mathematics 30-1 or 30-2
• Biology 30

One of the following courses:

Chemistry 30, Physics 30 or Science 30

Although Conditional Admission may be granted in advance of receipt of final/official transcripts, confirmation of the achievement of specified minimum grades will take place after all final/official transcripts have been received by the University.

Applicants who do not meet these minimum grade requirements will be denied admission.

Minimum Overall Average Required for Admission

To be eligible for admission on the basis of High School or Mature Standing, applicants must present a minimum admission average of 70% on their five appropriate Grade 12 subjects for high school standing and 4 required subjects for mature standing. To be eligible for admission on the basis of Post-secondary Standing, applicants must present a minimum GPA of 2.5 on the eight most recently completed post-secondary courses (minimum 24 credits).

Although conditional admission may be granted before final/official transcripts are available, confirmation of the achievement of specified minimum grades will take place after all final/official transcripts have been received.

Application Deadline: February 1

The application for admission and all supporting documents (required for admission assessment) must be received by this date.

Transfer Credit Assessment

Transfer credit towards Mount Royal University nursing (NURS) courses will be limited to courses that have been successfully completed within seven years from the date of initial registration in the student’s original nursing program.

Indigenous Student Admission

Each year up to 4% of the seats in the Bachelor of Nursing program will be reserved for Indigenous applicants through an Indigenous admission target.

1. self-identify as an Indigenous applicant on the Application for Admission
2. meet the definition of an Indigenous Applicant
3. meet the minimum admission requirements as indicated in the general admission requirements for Mount Royal University as well as any program level admission requirements

Designated seats for this special consideration target will be filled by Indigenous applicants on a competitive basis. Applicants are encouraged to apply during Early Admission period. Any unfilled designated seats will be released on June 1 to students applying under the general admission requirements.

See general admission requirements in the Admission  section of this calendar for further information.