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Earn as You Learn Nursing Education Pathway – Bathurst


About the Step Up to Nursing initiative

  

At a glance

  • Practical Nurse Program stream begins September 2023. 
  • LPN Bridge Program stream begins September 2023. 
  • Participants will divide their time between work and study for the duration of the initiative. 
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Initiative details

The Step Up to Nursing initiative is a workplace-based, wage-supported learning model that provides education to New Brunswickers who are interested in becoming either a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or a Registered Nurse (RN) but have been held back because of life circumstances. This new education pathway offers LPNs and Personal Support Workers (PSWs) the opportunity to complete their nursing education and achieve their goals.       

The initiative offers participants the opportunity to work in the healthcare system on a part-time basis, always within an appropriate scope of practice and meeting all employment requirements and standards, while completing one of two nursing education programs: the Practical Nurse (PN) program or the Licensed Practical Nurse Bridge (LPNBR) program leading to the Bachelor of Nursing (BN) program. 

Participants are paid a full-time wage commensurate with their level of experience and certification level. The provincial government will cover tuition and maintain wages during periods of learning, including all classroom and clinical experiences.

Participants eligible for the PN program stream are New Brunswickers with a recognized PSW certificate from CCNB who meet the criteria and are passionate about healthcare. They are people who want to become Licensed Practical Nurses, continue to live in New Brunswick, and contribute to building and maintaining a sustainable healthcare system. 

The LPN Bridge program stream is intended for Licensed Practical Nurses who want to become RNs, are members of the Association of New Brunswick Licensed Practical Nurses (ANBLPN) in good standing and meet all the eligibility requirements. 

Program delivery model

  

Practical Nurse (PN) program stream

The Practical Nurse (PN) program stream will have 24 participants broken out into two cohorts working and studying in 4-week rotating blocks.


LPN Bridge program stream

At the LPN Bridge and BN program levels, there will also be 24 participants in two cohorts working and studying in 4-week rotating blocks.

Eligibility requirements

  

Anyone who meets the Step Up to Nursing initiative admissions requirements, and can attend in-person training when required, can apply. 

Practical Nurse (PN) program stream
  • CCNB PSW certificate within the last five years with a minimum of 75% in all courses.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Bridge program stream
  • LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
    • French: Compulsory French placement test with a minimum level of FRAN1500 and FRAN1600. FRAN1003 or FRAN1101/1102 are prerequisites to be completed for eligibility for admission to the bridging program.
    • English: Compulsory English placement test with a minimum level of ANGL1022; when the placement is below ANGL1022, supplementary courses are prerequisites for admission to the bridging program or are to be completed during third or fourth year; if the level is higher than ANGL1022, students may either take the English course at the level attained or select an optional three-credit course.
  • Eighteen-month or two-year practical nurse diploma
  • Member in good standing of the Association of New Brunswick Licensed Practical Nurses (ANBLPN) and at least six months’ (900 hours) work experience as a licensed practical nurse.


Additional Step Up to Nursing application and selection requirements

  • Must be a resident of New Brunswick and a permanent resident or Canadian Citizen
  • Cover letter
  • Resumé
  • Essay that speaks to passion for healthcare and commitment to New Brunswick
  • Interview
  • Official academic transcripts sent to post-secondary institutions (after initial selection)
  • Criminal record and vulnerable sector checks provided to employers
  • Proof of immunizations provided to employers

 

Application, selection process and deadlines

  

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Application

To start your application process, click the link below to fill out a contact form. Someone from WorkingNB will get in touch with you to discuss the Step Up to Nursing initiative and answer your questions.

 

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Selection

Participants will be selected based on a set of eligibility criteria. This is a competitive process, and the selection committee reserves the right to select final applicants.  

 

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Deadlines

PN Program Stream
March 31, 2023.

LPNBR Program Stream
March 31, 2023.


Post-secondary education program links