Become tomorrow’s nursing leader today in the accelerated Bachelor of Nursing – After Degree (BNAD) program. Developed in collaboration with the University of Lethbridge, the After Degree program recognizes and builds on your previous education – regardless of the discipline or field of study. In 24 months, you’ll be ready to write the NCLEX-RN exam and begin your career as a Registered Nurse.

Your first two semesters will be completed at Lethbridge College, where you’ll be immersed in real-world experience and theory. You’ll gain hands-on experience in our labs and in clinical practicums, all while learning the rationale behind what you do. You’ll finish off your six consecutive semesters of studies at the university preparing to write the NCLEX-RN. 

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Career Opportunities

Upon successful completion of the program, you'll be eligible to write the NCLEX-RN exam to be licensed as a registered nurse. This will open career opportunities for you in a range of health care facilities, including:  

  • Acute Care (Medical, Surgical, Mental Health, Pediatric, Maternity, etc.)
  • Continuing Care (Long Term Care, Supportive Living, etc.)
  • Critical Care (ICU, ER, OR, Labor & Delivery, NICU, etc.)
  • Community Health Nursing (Public Health, Primary Health Care, Home Care, etc.)
  • Medical Offices
  • Rural and Remote Nursing
  • Nursing Education
  • Nursing Research
  • Government Agencies

Visit ALIS website for more career information.

145+

number of students, instructors and volunteers involved in the annual simulated emergency that teaches crisis response in real time

24 months

is all it takes to complete the Bachelor of Nursing – After Degree program and begin your nursing career

$97,452

the average yearly salary of a Registered Nurse in Alberta

At-a-Glance

Starts-in

September

Credential / Accreditation

Bachelor of Nursing

Duration

4 years

Dates and Deadlines

Visit the Program Application Status page for more details.

Admissions

This program is available for International Students.

All applicants applying to the Bachelor of Nursing – After Degree program must apply directly to the University of Lethbridge. Please refer to the U of L admissions information.

Applicants to the BN After Degree must present the following:

  • An approved undergraduate degree (a minimum of 30 or more courses (90.0 credit hours) from a recognized degree-granting institution)
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology, 6.0 credit hours (two term courses)
  • Statistics, 3.0 credit hours (one term course)
  • Fine Arts or Humanities courses, 3.0 credit hours (one term course)
  • Social science courses, 6.0 credit hours (two term courses)
  • Proof of Spoken English Language Proficiency and English Language Proficiency

Keep in mind that Human Anatomy and Physiology and Statistics must be completed with 10 years preceding the term of admission.  (Waivers will not be permitted if the ten year limit has passed or if courses taken are less than the required credit weight; these courses will need to be retaken.  

Admission to this program is competitive, with an admission average for the Fall 2022 intake being calculated using the grades received in Anatomy/Physiology, Statistics and the term containing the most recent 17 university level subjects.

Note:  Mid-point grades must be submitted for courses currently in progress.

Academic Standards

During orientation to the program, students receive a handbook outlining all the program policies. It is very important for students to review and understand these requirements.

A student who falls within the ranges below will be in good standing, on academic probation, or required to withdraw, respectively:

 
Nursing CourseMinimum Nursing Course GradeMinimum Cumulative and Term GPA
All Nursing Courses*C-2.50
  2.50
Academic Disqualification

A student is required to withdraw from the Bachelor of Nursing - After Degree program if any of the following occurs:

  • the cumulative GPA falls below the required levels for two or more consecutive terms at the end of the Winter (January) term;
  • the student fails any internship or nursing practice course; or
  • the student fails to meet the Standards of Professional Conduct (see below).

A student dismissed for academic reasons may apply for readmission by the appropriate deadline after a lapse of one full year. Readmission is not guaranteed. Students dismissed for a second time will not be re-admitted to the program. Students are advised to contact an academic advisor as early as possible to discuss the possibility of readmission.

Standards of Professional Conduct

The standards of professional conduct for students in the Bachelor of Nursing – After Degree program are published in the Student Handbook. Students are subject to the general rules and regulations of the agencies with which they are affiliated during practice experiences. Students may be required to withdraw for violations of professional conduct.

Faculty members who are supervising practice-based experiences may require a student to leave a practice setting at any time if, in the opinion of the faculty member, the student’s practice threatens patient/client safety or is disruptive to patient/client care. The Dean, or designate, will review the case in a timely fashion to determine whether, and under what conditions, the student may return to the practice setting.

Practicums
Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Pre-Placement Requirements

This program has a required Work-Integrated Learning Pre-Placement Requirements (WIL) component. The College dictates the legal terms and conditions governing the WIL.

Students must meet and maintain certain requirements to participate in the WIL setting as determined by programs, practice agencies and/or legislated by government bodies. These may include health (e.g. immunizations, screening tests, etc.), privacy and security (e.g. police information check, IT access, etc.), and OH&S requirements (e.g. CPR certification, Fire Safety, WHMIS, Mask Fit-testing, etc.).

Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) coverage - WIL placement agencies and employers usually require WCB coverage on behalf of the student.  Students enrolled in post-secondary institutions in Alberta are deemed to be employees of the Province of Alberta and, as such, provided WCB coverage.  In certain instances for students outside of Alberta, WCB coverage may not be provided (e.g. non-Alberta residents taking a course solely through distance learning with a WIL placement outside of Alberta).  These students are advised to contact the program prior to application.

Students with disabilities who may require accommodations must schedule an appointment with Accessibility Services at Lethbridge College preferably upon acceptance to the program and no later than the Add/Drop deadline to identify potential impacts of their disabilities in the WIL setting. As part of this process, it may be necessary to collaborate with WIL supervisors to determine appropriate accommodations that do not compromise the health and safety of clients, essential placement requirements, or mandatory licensing processes. Failure to consult with Accessibility Services in a timely fashion may compromise the student's WIL placement and opportunities for success in the WIL setting.

In order to participate in a WIL, a student may be required to complete a Police Information Check or other type of Security Clearance to the satisfaction of Lethbridge College and the WIL organization. Completion of a WIL does not guarantee employment with a WIL organization. Many disciplines are provincially or otherwise regulated (e.g. health professions under Alberta's Health Professions Act); such regulation is beyond Lethbridge College's control. Completion of a WIL and graduation from a certain program do not guarantee one's licensure or admission into a regulatory body. Prospective students are encouraged to consult with a representative of the relevant regulatory body if they have concerns.

WIL sites may include Lethbridge, surrounding rural communities, and may extend beyond these boundaries depending on WIL site availability and approvals.   WIL’s may include day, evening, and/or weekend schedules. Students will be expected to travel to assigned sites and will be responsible for arranging travel and any associated costs.

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Delivery Formats

The Bachelor of Nursing – After Degree program is a collaborative program. Students start their first two semesters at Lethbridge College before finishing the program at the University of Lethbridge. The delivery method for Lethbridge College is face-to-face on campus.

On Campus

This program is delivered in a face-to-face format on the main Lethbridge College campus. Lectures, labs and hands-on training opportunities will all take place on campus in Lethbridge.

Courses

View all courses
CourseTitleCredits
Term I
INS-1155Introduction to Indigenous Studies3
NSG-1522Introduction to Praxis3
NSG-1600Nursing and Intersectionality3
NSG-1610Assessing Health and Wholeness3
 Credits12
Term II
NSG-2321Health of Persons6
NSG-2322Praxis With Persons6
 Credits12
Term III
University of Lethbridge 
NURS 2521Health of Families3
NURS 3120Mental Health and Addictions3
NURS 3522Praxis with Families5
NURS 4622Praxis in Mental Health5
 Credits16
Term IV
University of Lethbridge 
NURS 3021Community and Population Health3
NURS 3022Praxis in Health Promotion6
NURS 3610Nursing Leadership and Global Health3
NURS 3200Praxis and the the Digital Age3
 Credits15
Term V
University of Lethbridge 
NURS 2300Evidence and Praxis3
NURS 3321Acute Health Disruptions3
NURS 3322Praxis in Acuity6
 Credits12
Term VI
University of Lethbridge 
NURS 4922Professional Preceptorship15
 Credits15
 Total Credits82

General Requirements

  1.  Required to complete all courses through Lethbridge College and the University of Lethbridge.
  2.  Attain a minimum cumulative grade point average of at least 2.50 on all required Nursing and Health Sciences courses taken for credit toward the program.
  3. A minimum grade of C- is required in all Nursing courses. Any student who does not meet the minimum grade requirement is required to repeat the course and achieve a higher grade before being allowed to proceed in the program.
  4. The time limit for program completion is six years after completion of the first Nursing course used for credit toward the degree.
View course timetables

Tuition and Fees

Title Tuition Fees Books/Supplies
Year 1
$4,250.00
$1,099.00
$3,600.00
View detailed program cost estimates
International Students
Title Tuition Fees Books/Supplies
Year 1
$11,930.00
$1,099.00
$3,600.00
Notes

Costs for supplies may vary considerably depending on what students already have or where they purchased their supplies; cost provided is on the moderately high end.

Students will be charged a medical/dental benefit fee unless they opt out by demonstrating alternative coverage prior to the end of the first week of class.

After degree nursing students take one 3 credit class at the University of Lethbridge this ~$600 has been added to the supplies cost and will be displayed on the Student Aid Alberta loan application but students must pay the university themselves – the college cannot charge this or remit it to the university on behalf of the student.

Terms 3 - 6 fees are determined by the University of Lethbridge. Please contact the U of L at 403-329-2649 for more information.

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Scholarships

With just one online application, you can apply for all the Lethbridge College awards and scholarships for which you qualify, including these featured scholarships:

NAD.BDEG