A journey tailored to your next chapter

• Practical Nurse Program stream begins September 2024 at CCNB Bathurst.
• LPN Bridge Program stream begins September 2024 at U de M in Bathurst.
• Participants will divide their time between work and study for the duration of the initiative.

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. It also provides an opportunity for people outside of healthcare, interested in nursing, to become an LPN.       

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 will need to cover all additional costs including licensing exams, books, equipment, clothing, technology, and student fees. Travel and childcare costs must also be considered.

Participants eligible for the PN program stream are New Brunswickers who meet the admissions requirements for CCNB’s Practical Nurse program 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. Both PSWs currently working in the healthcare system and people working outside of healthcare who would like to become LPNs are welcome to apply. 

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

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

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

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

Meet the admission requirements for CCNB’s Practical Nurse program.

• High school diploma (regular courses, modified courses or a combination of both) or adult high school diploma or GED
• Math 30321A or 30311B or 30331C
• Biology 53421

Below are the admissions requirements for you to be considered for the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program stream at the University of Moncton, Bathurst site.

• 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) of work experience as a licensed practical nurse.

To be eligible for the Step Up to Nursing initiative you must be a resident of New Brunswick, and a permanent resident or Canadian Citizen.

You will be asked to submit the following: 

• A professional resumé.
• A written response on your passion for healthcare, reasons for applying to the initiative, and your commitment to working and living in New Brunswick.  
• An employer assessment form.

Those applying for the PN program stream must apply directly to CCNB’s PN program for academic screening in addition to submitting a completed application package to [email protected] .

Participants will be selected based on a set of eligibility criteria including academic and workplace performance, and quality of essay responses. Applicants must also meet all admissions requirements for the university or college delivering the education program.

This is a competitive process, and the selection committee reserves the right to select final applicants.