News Release

SAINT JOHN (GNB) – Licensed practical nursing graduates will be able to enter the bachelor of nursing program at the University of New Brunswick, Saint John campus, under a pilot project supported by the Department Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour.

"We expect this transition program to contribute significantly to addressing the current and projected needs for nursing resources and provide new pathways for licensed practical nurses in the province," said Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Danny Soucy. "This is one way our government is helping to balance the needs of the labour market."

Under the program, licensed practical nurses who are graduates from two-year training programs offered at the New Brunswick Community College and the Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick will be able to move into the third year of the bachelor of nursing program offered at the Saint John campus. To be eligible for admission, students must complete a transition program consisting of six specific courses with no grade less than C and a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (B).

"The University of New Brunswick, Saint John campus, has been proudly educating nursing students since 1985,” said Robert MacKinnon, University of New Brunswick vice-president responsible for the Saint John campus. “Since that time, we have consistently enhanced our programs and continued to develop relevant curricula that reflect emerging trends. This transition program is an example of our ongoing commitment to creating a climate for the advancement of excellence in nursing practice."

The project will accommodate two cohorts with a maximum of 24 students each. The first one will be admitted in January 2014. Successful applicants will graduate in 2016. The expected graduation date for the second cohort is 2017.

"This project will create new opportunities to serve the mobility and continuing education needs of our members," said JoAnne Graham, executive director and registrar, Association of New Brunswick Licensed Practical Nurses. "We are delighted that the University of New Brunswick, Saint John campus, will recognize the excellent training delivered by the New Brunswick Community College and the Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick as well as the knowledge and skills of licensed practical nurses in New Brunswick."

The provincial government will fund the pilot project through the New Brunswick Council on Articulations and Transfer for a total investment of $1,987,743 over four years.

The council was established in 2010 to improve educational opportunities for New Brunswick learners by facilitating credit transfer and prior learning assessment among participating New Brunswick post-secondary education institutions. The council has identified nursing as a key area for the development of formal agreements.

For more information about the program, contact: Boon Kek, University of New Brunswick, Saint John campus, 506-648-5646, [email protected]; or Carol Kennard-Clark, Association of New Brunswick Licensed Practical Nurses, 1-800-942-0222, [email protected].