Island Health Learning Pathways

What is it?

The Learning Pathway is a partnership with the Post-Secondary Institution (PSI) and Island Health (IH). Select final preceptorship students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program have an opportunity to enrol into an IH advanced training curriculum. 

Currently, IH offers BSN streams for Perioperative, Post Anesthetic Care Unit (PACU), and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nursing. An Emergency and Perinatal Learning Pathway is currently in development. Successful candidates will participate in one of the BSN streams for the duration of the final preceptorship, and at times extending beyond.

Upon completion of the BSN and advanced training curriculum, you will be qualified to practice in the respective advanced practice setting as a New Graduate.

Eligibility Criteria

This pathway is applicable to BSN students in their final preceptorship. Screening of eligibility criteria will occur first at the PSI, followed by IH.

PSI Screening

• BSN student is committed to Perioperative, PACU, or Neonatal in IH

• GPA greater than or equal to 6.0 (B+) 

• Good standing registration

• No practice non-mastery or repeats

• No current learning plan for unsatisfactory performance

• Endorsement from faculty (N370/470 instructor)

IH Screening

• Shadow shift in the Perioperative, PACU, or NICU setting an asset

• Emergency and Perinatal Employed Student Nurse (ESN) experience for desired pathway

• Perioperative, PACU, or NICU ESN experience in specialty or acute area an asset

• Completed application through PSI, including top 3 site preferences, resume, and 2 references

• Interview at sponsoring site

Perioperative/Operating Room (OR)

Island Health offers an internal 17-week Perioperative nursing curriculum, referred to as the Perioperative Nursing Education Program (PNEP), which uses the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) for theory.

This program may be available at: CDH, CVH, CRH, NRGH, RJH, SPH, VGH, & WCGH

Learning occurs: Monday-Friday on location at respective training sites.

Number of seats at each site: 4-6

3rd Year or 1st Term 4th Year BSN

• Obtain surgical floor clinical placement experience

• Complete "job shadow" in the Operating Room

• Apply for Perioperative BSN Specialty Placement for 4th year through the University of Victoria

• Employed Student Nurse (ESN) opportunities in surgical or perioperative unit

4th Year Final Term BSN

• If hired into Perioperative BSN Learning Pathway, complete 12-week full-time curriculum with the following components:

  • AORN PeriOp 101 theory and final exam

  • Case study / instrument orientation

  • Guest speakers / group discussions

  • Clinical preceptorship at training site

  • Final evaluation

Working in the Operating Room

• New Grad consolidation (5 weeks/187.5 hours) in perioperative

• Preceptors and preceptorship

• Pass the NCLEX

Post Anesthetic Care Unit (PACU)

Island Health offers a 17-week Perianesthesia nursing curriculum, as referred to the Okanagan College PACU Program, which uses PAR 101-111 for theory.

This program may be available at: CDH, CVH, CRH, NRGH, RJH, SPH, VGH, & WCGH

Learning mostly occurs Monday-Friday on location at respective training sites.

Number of seats available at each site: 2-4

3rd Year or First Term 4th Year BSN

• Obtain surgical floor clinical placement experience

• Complete "job shadow" in the PACU

• Complete one of the following prerequisite ECG interpretation courses:

  • BCIT NSCC 7150 (self-funded)

  • Mosby's ECG Interpretation (free on LearningHub ~40 hours)

• Apply for PACU BSN Specialty Placement for 4th year through the University of Victoria

• ESN in surgical unit or PACU

4th Year Final Term BSN

• If hired into PACU BSN Learning Pathway, complete 12-week full-time curriculum with the following:

  • Okanagan College PAR 101-111 theory and final exam

  • Cast study / guest speakers / group discussions

  • Clinical preceptorship at training site (approx. 300 hours)

  • Final evaluation

Working in PACU

• New Grad consolidation (140 hours)

• Pass NCLEX

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Island Health offers a Neonatal ICU nursing curriculum, as referred to the NICU BSN Learning Pathway, which uses BCIT for theory and clinical.

This program may be available at: VGH

Learning mostly occurs Monday-Sunday at training site.

Number of seats available at each site: 1-2

3rd Year or First Term 4th Year BSN

• Obtain pediatric unit clinical placement experience

• Complete "job shadow" in the NICU

• Complete prerequisite course:

  • BCIT NSPE 7100 Theory 1 (self-funded)

• Apply for NICU BSN Specialty Placement for 4th year through the University of Victoria

• ESN in pediatric unit

4th Year Final Term BSN

• If hired into NICU BSN Learning Pathway, complete the following:

  • BCIT NSNE 7200 Theory 2 (self-funded)

  • 12-week NICU practicum

Working in NICU

• New Grad consolidation (140 hours)

• Pass NCLEX

• After 6 months of full-time work in the NICU as a New Grad, can obtain PLAR 7300 and 7900 when approved

• Apply for BCIT NSNE 7911 Respiratory Care course

  • Full-time sponsorship for 40 hours

FAQs

• How competitive is the application process for a Learning Pathway?

  • The application process is highly competitive and not all qualified students are guaranteed a seat.

• How can I make my application more competitive?

  • Speak with your N370/470 (CPE 3/4) instructor, ESN in a unit that is similar to your desired Learning Pathway specialty, having a GPA above a 6.0 (B+) on the 9-point scale, shadow shift in your desired specialty.

• When does the Learning Pathway apply in the BSN schedule?

  • Selected Learning Pathway students will start coursework and practice in their respective specialties in January of their fourth year. The specialty training takes place during N475/491 (CPE 5 and final preceptorship). 

• When do I apply for the Learning Pathway?

  • Applications are due at the end of May in your third year.

• When will I find out if I get accepted/rejected?

  • The specialty units typically make their acceptance decisions in July of your third year after they have received endorsements from your N370/470 clinical instructor and have conducted their interviews with eligible students. Accepted students will be notified in July/August and students who did not make it into the Learning Pathway will receive notice in December.

• What do I do if I get rejected from the Learning Pathway?

  • Since there are a very limited number of seats in each Learning Pathway specialty, not all students who apply/qualify are guaranteed a spot. If a student is rejected from the Learning Pathway, they will be notified in December of their fourth year and given options for other clinical opportunities in Island Health to complete their final CPE/preceptorship. 

• What if I don't get into a Learning Pathway during my time in the BSN program? Can I still pursue that specialty after nursing school?

  • Island Health offers a variety of Sponsored Specialty Training opportunities in various areas so, if you do not get hired into a Learning Pathway during the BSN program, there are additional opportunities to receive specialty training when you are a Registered Nurse.

• Can I get funding for the prerequisite courses?

  • Other than Mosby's ECG Interpretation (PACU), all external prerequisite courses are self-funded and are not eligible for student loans or training site sponsorship.