A journey tailored to your next chapter

• Practical Nurse Program at CCNB Bathurst began in September 2023 (first cohort) and will start in January 2025 (second cohort).
• LPN Bridge Program at Université de Moncton in Bathurst started in September 2023 (first cohort) and September 2024 (2^nd cohort). 

The Step Up to Nursing (SUN) 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).

The initiative offers participants the opportunity to continue to work in the healthcare system on a part-time basis 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 up to a full-time wage commensurate with their level of experience and certification level.

The provincial government covers tuition and maintain wages during periods of learning. Participants 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 work for a NB partnering employer.

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 and are employed by NB partnering employer.

The Practical Nurse (PN) program stream has up to 24 participants 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 be up to 24 participants working and studying continuously in 4-week rotating blocks for three years and three months.