Overview
The only academic renal nursing program in Western Canada, BCIT's Nephrology Nursing Advanced Specialty program enables you to work in any renal health care setting in Canada. As renal disease becomes more prevalent, the demand for our grads is on the rise. You will be ready to start working from day one.
About the program
Nephrology nurses work closely with patients, clients, and their families who require ongoing care or life-sustaining treatment. Using dialysis, renal transplantation, and other treatment methods, nephrology nurses manage illnesses such as chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease. Their work directly impacts quality-of-life and end-of-life care for renal patients.
The BCIT Nursing Specialty Bachelor of Science (BSN) is a combination of our advanced certificate program and our specific academic BSN courses. Choose to complete both concurrently or study in the order that works best for you.
Visit Nursing Specialty BSN for information about the required academic courses.
Visit Nephrology Nursing Advanced Certificate for information about the required specialty courses and clinicals.
Entrance Requirements
Note: In alignment with public health orders, this program requires that students be vaccinated for a number of communicable diseases – including COVID-19.
Application processing
Ongoing throughout the year.
Entrance requirements
The following are requirements for entry into Specialty Nursing certificate and degree courses. Enforcement or waiving of any or all entry requirements is at the discretion of the program head.
If you have any questions about your experience or qualifications, please contact the program head.
- English language proficiency: Category 1 – English Studies 12 (73%) or equivalent
- Post-secondary education: diploma in nursing
- Current practicing registration with one of the following:
- BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) or
- Canadian provincial equivalent or
- Registered Nurse (RN) license number (if practicing outside Canada)
- Work Experience: minimum six months work experience in an acute care setting
Submit a resume of work experience with your application.
Exceptions may be granted for undergraduate students taking entry-level theory courses or new graduates. A resume is required for placement in the program. If you have questions about whether your work experience qualifies, please contact the program head.
Interested nurses from international practice, residential, or other areas of care lacking recent (within two years) acute care experience may be required to complete a refresher course. BCIT recommends the following programs:
- Douglas College
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University
- Thompson Rivers University
Please contact one of the institutions above, as well as the program head, to determine an appropriate preparatory course of study.
Clinical requirements
Note: Effective immediately, all health care workers who come into contact with patients at publicly-funded health care facilities or in the community, including at long-term-care facilities, will have to get the influenza vaccine or wear a mask during flu season. This policy affects all students who will be entering a clinical setting.
As such, you will be required to provide proof of your immunization or agree to wear a mask at all times prior to being placed in your clinical studies.
Basic Cardiac Life Support Certification
All students participating in clinical courses must have current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Level C or Level Health Care Provider (HCP). The original certificate must be presented upon application to the clinical courses.
BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) registration
As well as providing this information at the time of admission, BCIT requires students to provide proof of BCCNM membership, Canadian provincial equivalent, or RN license number for each clinical course. Without proper registration, you will not be permitted to continue in the course.
Face Respirator Fit Testing
A face piece respiratory fit test is required before students are permitted to enter the clinical practicum. Upon successful completion of the fit test, the original certificate must be presented to the program and annual re-fitting is required. Students are expected to carry their certificate with them at all times during their practicum.
For the Respirator Fit Testing, fit testing with a N95 respirator (1860, 1860s or 1870) is required and must be performed, in accordance with CSA Standard CAN/CSA-Z94.4-02. Fit Testing must also include, inspection, cleaning, maintenance and storage of protective equipment. Students will be given specific instructions in preparation for their fit testing by the provider they choose.
International applicants
This program is available to international applicants who will complete the program from outside Canada or who currently have a valid work permit in Canada that will be valid for the duration of clinical training.
International applicants accepted into this program are not eligible for a study permit.
Apply to program
International students must receive program head approval before applying.
To submit your application:
- Include proof of meeting all entrance requirements.
- Convert all transcripts and supporting documents to PDF files.
- Have a credit card ready to pay the application fee.
Apply Now
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
The program faculty assesses learners with previous Specialty Nursing course work and relevant work experience on an individual basis.
- The program assesses learners with previous BCIT course work for potential credit into the degree program.
- The program may grant transfer of credit for non-BCIT Specialty courses.
- The program assesses experiential learning through prior learning assessment processes.
- The Registrar's office assesses transfer of credit for Liberal Studies courses.
BCIT requires original, sealed transcripts and course outlines to assess transfer of credit.
myCommunication
Within two business days of submitting your completed application, BCIT will send a message to your personal and myBCIT email addresses. All correspondence regarding your application will be posted to your online myCommunication account at my.bcit.ca. We will send you an email when a new message is posted. It is important to watch for these emails or regularly check your account online.
You can expect to receive communication concerning the status of your application within four weeks.
Costs & Supplies
Face respirator fit testing – approx $25 per year; annual re-fitting required.
Tuition fees
Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) tuition is charged on a course-by-course basis. Please see the Flexible Learning Tuition & Fees page for more information on domestic and international tuitions.
Courses
Program matrix
Check current availability of courses for this program.
| Required Courses: (25.0 credits) | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| NSNN 7200 | Nephrology Nursing Theory 1: Introduction | 3.0 | |
| NSNN 7300 | Nephrology Nursing Clinical 1: Chronic Kidney Disease | 3.0 | |
| NSNN 7400 | Nephrology Nursing Theory 2: Introduction to Dialysis Nursing | 3.0 | |
| NSNN 7500 | Nephrology Nursing Clinical 2: Nursing Care of the Person on Dialysis | 5.0 | |
| NSNN 7600 | Nephrology Nursing Theory 3: Living with Renal Disease and Complex Health Challenges | 3.0 | |
| NSNN 7700 | Nephrology Clinical 3 | 5.0 | |
| NSSC 7115 | Teaching and Learning in Specialty Nursing | 3.0 | |
| Core/Management Component: (24.0 credits) | Credits | ||
Required courses: (15.0 credits) |
|||
| BUSA 7250 | Management Skills and Applications | 3.0 | |
| NSSC 8000 | Systematic Inquiry | 3.0 | |
| NSSC 8300 | Creative Leadership | 3.0 | |
| NSSC 8500 | Professional Growth | 3.0 | |
| NSSC 8600 | Community Nursing: Facilitating Health | 3.0 | |
Electives: (9.0 credits)Complete 9.0 credits from the following list of electives, or alternate courses approved by the Program Head. |
|||
| NSSC 8110 | Independent Study in Specialty Nursing | 1.0 | |
| NSSC 8120 | Independent Study in Specialty Nursing | 2.0 | |
| NSSC 8130 | Independent Study in Specialty Nursing | 3.0 | |
| NSSC 8160 | Independent Study in Specialty Nursing | 6.0 | |
| NSSC 8800 | Community Nursing: Facilitating Health Action | 3.0 | |
| Liberal Studies Component: (12.0 credits) | Credits | ||
Required courses: (6.0 credits) |
|||
| COMM 7100 | Intercultural Communication Competency and Diversity Awareness for Professionals | 3.0 | |
| LIBS 7021 | Health Ethics | 3.0 | |
Electives: (6.0 credits)6.0 credits of General Education [PDF] electives at a 100 level minimum in at least two different academic disciplines. |
|||
| Total Credits: | 60.0 | ||
Check current availability of courses for this program.
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
Program Details
Additional program options
- Specialty Nursing (Critical Care - Combined Critical Care / Emergency Option)
- Specialty Nursing (Critical Care - Standard Option)
- Specialty Nursing (Emergency - Combined Emergency / Critical Care Option)
- Specialty Nursing (Emergency - Standard Option)
- Specialty Nursing (High Acuity)
- Specialty Nursing (Neonatal)
- Specialty Nursing (Pediatric - Critical Care Option)
- Specialty Nursing (Pediatric Nursing - Standard Option)
- Specialty Nursing (Perinatal - Perioperative Option)
- Specialty Nursing (Perinatal - Standard Option)
- Specialty Nursing (Perioperative)
Program delivery
Online: This program is delivered fully online.
Program location
Courses are offered through online learning.Program structure
| Credits | ||
| Nursing Component | 44.0 - 55.0 | |
| A. Advanced Certificate | 21.0 - 34.0 | |
| B. Core Courses | 18.0 - 24.0 | |
| Liberal Studies Component | 12.0 | |
| Total | 60.0 - 67.0 | |
Graduating & Jobs
Watch the BC Renal video
Learn more about the work they do by visiting the BC Renal website.
Health Match BC
Health Match BC is a new service that helps recent specialty nursing graduates find work within BC. Funded by the provincial government, Health Match BC prioritizes the hiring of BC nursing graduates. For more information, download the Health Match BC [PDF].
Graduate employment outcomes
The BCIT student outcomes report presents summary findings from the annual survey of former students administered by BC Stats one to two years after graduation. These reports combine the last three years of available results for the 2021-2023 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2020-2022 graduates and for Degree 2019-2021 graduates. The reports are organized into three-page summaries containing information on graduates’ labour market experiences and opinions regarding their education. More detailed information can be accessed at the BC Student Outcomes website.
To view these results, you may need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
Faculty, Advisors & Staff
Tony Chacon
Program Head
Tony_Chacon@bcit.ca
604-451-7104
Toll-free: 800-663-6542 x 7104
Gurpreet Bains, MSN, BSN, BEd., BSc.
Faculty
Gurpreet_K_Bains@bcit.ca
604-451-7096
Toll-free: 800-663-6542 x 7096
Stephanie Strong
Program Assistant
SStrong4@bcit.ca
604-432-8875
Toll-free: 800-663-6542 x 8875
Subscribe
Sign up to receive updates, invitations to events, and information about BCIT and your program.
We promise not to spam you, we won’t share your personal information, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice.