Graduate Nurse with English as an
Additional Language
Offered at Surrey Campus
Full-time
Start date: September, January and March
Limited Enrolment
Description
This unique program prepares graduate nurses from other
countries to work in the nursing profession in British Columbia.
This program is designed for nurses who are required by the
Registered Nurses Association of British Columbia (RNABC), to
upgrade their English language skills to accepted levels on the Test
of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and Test of Spoken
English (TSE). Nursing knowledge and skills are also upgraded
prior to writing the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination.
This program is designed to:
- Prepare graduate nurses from other countries to work in a Canadian health care setting;
- Upgrade nursing knowledge and skills to levels required for beginning practitioners in British Columbia as outlined by the RNABC;
- Upgrade English skills to levels required by the RNABC and to enable effective communication with clients and colleagues;
- Prepare graduates to write the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination required to apply for registration as a nurse in British Columbia.
Career Opportunities
Graduates will be eligible to apply to work as a Registered Nurse in
British Columbia upon successful completion of the program and
the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination.
As space is limited in this program, students are encouraged to
apply early.
Admission Requirements
The admission requirements for this program are under review.
In addition to meeting Kwantlen's general admission requirements,
applicants to the Graduate Nurse with English as an Additional
Language program must complete the following prerequisites
before final acceptance into the program.
- A letter from the RNABC stating eligibility to write the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination.
- English language assessment of written TOEFL 535 (reading comprehension 55) or Computer TOEFL 202 (reading comprehension 22), or IELTS of 5.5 with a minimum Academic Reading score of 6 and a minimum speaking score of 6 or SLEP 59 (reading comprehension 30) and TSE or SPEAK 45, or a 40 for students with two years acute nursing experience within the last five years. A TOEFL is required if the SLEP has been written three times without achieving the required level. Also accepted is an IELTS score of 5.5 (reading 6.0, speaking 6.0.
- Registered nurse experience or graduation from an RNBC recognized nursing program within the past ten years.
- CPR Level C certificate. CPR certification must remain current throughout the program. Immunization consistent with the requirements of clinical agencies.
- A Criminal Record Search completed within three months prior to registration for the program.*
- An interview with the Program Coordinator or designate may be required.
* A criminal record check is required by the Registered Nurses
Association of British Columbia prior to registration as a nurse and
is a pre-practice requirement of some of the clinical agencies used
during the program. Any costs related to having this check done are
the responsibility of the individual student. The Registered Nurses
Association may refuse to register any person who has been
convicted of an indictable offence. Applicants with any criminal
convictions should request advice from the Dean of Community
and Health Studies at Kwantlen, or from the Registrar of the
Registered Nurses Association before making formal application
for admission to the program.
Clinical Agency Requirements
Some agencies may require students to take an Oath of
Confidentiality. If any practice experience agencies require proof of
current immunizations, all costs and responsibilities associated with
these are the responsibility of the individual students. Failure to
have documentation acceptable to the agency at the time of
placement may mean denial of the experience, which in turn will
prevent completion of the program of studies.
Please note that the above are entrance requirements for entry into
the GNEAL program. The exit levels for the GNEAL program are
higher: TOEFL 550 or computer TOEFL 213; TSE 50, IELTS 6.5
(reading 7.0, speaking 7.0)
Content
This full time nine-month program is offered three times a year.
The program includes classroom instruction, independent study,
English laboratory sessions, nursing skill laboratory sessions and
hospital clinical experience.
The content is presented at a basic level and is aimed at providing
students with the knowledge and skills necessary to give safe
nursing care to adults in medical-surgical units and extended care
facilities throughout BC. The courses are organized in three levels.
Level 1
Level 1 is two months in length and is a prerequisite to clinical
experience. This level emphasizes acquisition of English language
skills to enable effective communication in clinical areas. Level 1
also includes communication skills, assertiveness skills, the study of
Canadian culture and values, and upgrading of nursing
psychomotor skills.
EASL 1100 English Upgrading for Graduate Nurses I
GNEA 1103 Canadian Culture and the Health Care Environment
Level 2
Level 2 is five months in length and includes medical, surgical and
extended care clinical experiences, as well as theory review of
medical-surgical nursing. English language upgrading continues as
does upgrading of psychomotor skills.
EASL 1200 English Upgrading for Graduate Nurses II
Level 3
Level 3 includes review of maternal and pediatric nursing, mental
health nursing and Canadian Registered Nurse Examination
preparation, plus a practicum experience.
EASL 1300 English Upgrading for Graduate Nurses III
A student must achieve a minimum grade of C in a theory course
and mastery in a clinical course in order to progress to a subsequent
course and to receive the program certificate. Evaluation in clinical
experience courses includes interpersonal skills and professional
behavior as well as clinical knowledge and skills.
Costs
In addition to tuition fees, students will spend approximately
$2,000 for textbooks, course materials, uniforms, English language
testing, etc. during the program. Students are also responsible for
providing their own transportation to clinical experiences.
Graduation
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be
awarded a Certificate in Graduate Nurse with English as an
Additional Language Upgrading Program.
