Nursing at Vancouver Community College: BScN, Advanced Entry and Practical Nursing

Canada · Vancouver, British Columbia · Last checked October 2026

Vancouver Community College (VCC) offers both registered nurse and practical nurse education, including a route for licensed practical nurses who want to move into a BScN.

Fiabita is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Vancouver Community College. Admissions, programs, placements and professional requirements change: confirm them with the school and the regulator.

What the school offers (nursing)

Nursing (BScN): a degree offered by VCC itself, in eight terms to be completed in three years. VCC describes consolidated practice experiences at the end of terms 2, 3 and 6, a final preceptorship in term 8, and clinical practicums in the Metro Vancouver area.
Nursing (BScN) Advanced Entry: four terms (about 1.5 years) for licensed practical nurses with current Canadian registration and 900 hours worked to the full LPN scope in the last five years, after a mandatory five-month bridging term.
Practical Nursing: a 16-month diploma, with a final preceptorship, at VCC.
Access to Practical Nursing: a 13-month diploma for people with care experience; VCC lists 600 hours of work experience in a care setting within the last two years and gives priority to people with an HCA or RCA credential.

Becoming licensed after graduating

In British Columbia, nurses are regulated by the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM), and VCC says registration to practise is mandatory in B.C. BCCNM’s exam page says new graduates of a B.C. registered nursing program who want to practise in B.C. must take the NCLEX-RN. For licensed practical nurses, VCC’s pages say licensing is mandatory but do not describe the exam, so check BCCNM for LPN requirements.

How to apply

For the Access to Practical Nursing and BScN Advanced Entry programs, VCC directs applicants to EducationPlanner BC, the province’s application service, and the BScN page describes a CASPer test requirement and a minimum GPA on 18 prerequisite credits. Practical Nursing seats are offered in order of application completion date. Deadlines and prerequisites change by intake, so check each program page.

How Fiabita’s Study Lab can help students here

With several entry routes at VCC, students often move between practical nursing and degree study. Study Lab can turn your own notes into quizzes and flashcards on medication knowledge, assessment and documentation at either level. It follows your material, not VCC’s curriculum.

Fiabita is not affiliated with Vancouver Community College, and Study Lab does not replace your program or your instructors. AI-generated content can contain errors, so check it against your course material.

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Sources

Last checked October 2026. Programs, dates and rules change, so always confirm with the school and the regulator.