Education is the foundation of safe and ethical midwifery and nursing practice. BCCNM reviews and recognizes midwifery and nursing education programs in B.C. to ensure they meet the education standards and indicators approved by the board. Graduates from a BCCNM recognized program meet the education requirements for licensure with BCCNM.
BCCNM is committed to addressing Indigenous-specific racism within our health system and providing culturally safe care for Indigenous Peoples. As part of this commitment, the education program review process for all entry level nursing and midwifery education programs requires evidence of how the curriculum incorporates the Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility, and Anti-racism ethics standard and how the program is actively addressing these principles.
Recognized education programs
BCCNM maintains a master list of all recognized education programs and their end recognition date.
What do you want to do?
- Prepare for an education program review
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Policies
Recognized education programs and courses undergo regular review by BCCNM based upon their recognition length. A member of the Education Program Review team will reach out to program or course contacts in advance of the recognition end date to start the review process and to provide orientation.
What to expect
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The program or course will be required to provide evidence to address the Education Standards and Indicators or the Certified Practice Course Standards and Indicators. A reporting template will be provided by BCCNM.
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A member of the Education Program Review team will review the report and may ask for additional evidence, if required.
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A site visit may be required as part of the review. A member of the Education Program Review team will contact the program or course if a site visit is required.
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Based on the evidence submitted, the Education Program Review Committee may renew or grant recognition to an education program or course.
- Make changes to a recognized education program
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If a BCCNM-recognized education program is considering a substantial change, it must notify BCCNM's Education Program Review team. Definition and examples of substantial changes can be found in the Education Program Review Policies and Certified Practice Course Review Policies.
If the program or course is planning to make a substantial change, please contact
epr@bccnm.ca with a brief description of the proposed change. The EPR team will review and determine next steps.
- Proposing to offer a new education program
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If an institution is proposing to offer a new midwifery or nursing education program, it must obtain BCCNM recognition of the program prior to admitting students.
Institutions proposing to offer a new midwifery or nursing education program should review the Education Program Review Policies and New Program FAQs prior to contacting
epr@bccnm.ca.
FAQs
- Who is eligible to offer a new midwifery or nursing re-entry, refresher, or internationally educated program?
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An educational institution must first offer a BCCNM-recognized entry-level midwifery or nursing program before proposing to offer a new re-entry, refresher, or internationally educated midwifery or nursing program of the same designation.
- Who is eligible to offer a nurse practitioner education program?
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An educational institution must first offer a BCCNM-recognized entry-level registered nursing program before proposing to offer a new nurse practitioner education program.
- Our educational institution currently offers a recognized entry-level Practical Nursing program (either Generic or Access) and we would like to offer the other type (Generic or Access). Is this considered a new program?
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Yes, this is considered a new program. Contact
epr@bccnm.ca for further information.
- Our educational institution wants to offer a new entry-level nursing or midwifery program. How do we begin this process with BCCNM?
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Begin by reviewing the
Education Program Review Policies Section 3. BCCNM will not ordinarily recognize a new program until all required external approvals have concluded. Once you have reviewed the policies and are ready to proceed, contact epr@bccnm.ca.
- Are other internal or external approvals required before offering a BCCNM recognized program?
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Educational institutions are responsible for determining what other internal or external approval processes may be required in British Columbia to offer a nursing or midwifery education program. BCCNM staff will not recognize a new program until all required external approvals for the new program have concluded. Private educational institutions must have PTIRU designation prior to offering a new program.
- What happens once the Notice of Intent (NOI) has been submitted?
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After you submit the completed Notice of Intent (NOI), BCCNM staff will provide next steps.
- What is the timeline for the program review process with BCCNM?
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The full education program review process can take up to one year to complete. Timelines can vary due to regulatory and operational requirements, the educational institution timelines, as well as the quality and completeness of the submitted reports and documents.
- Is a site visit required for a new program review?
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A site visit may be made as part of a new program review.
- What information must be provided by the Educational Institution during the education program review process?
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Educational institutions are required to submit a program review report providing evidence related to the Education Standards and Indicators located in the Education Program Review Policies (Appendix A). Examples of types of evidence include but are not limited to:
- Governance and resources: Policies, processes, curriculum development, program delivery, and faculty recruitment plans;
- Facilities and placements: Access to classrooms, labs/simulation spaces, and clinical placements across the lifespan;
- Curriculum: A developed nursing curriculum including course outlines, learning activities and evaluation tools.
BCCNM staff will provide templates and guidelines for reporting.
- Does BCCNM provide guidance on student/faculty lab ratios for health programs?
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BCCNM does not provide guidance on student/faculty ratios for the lab. Educational institutions are responsible for determining students have adequate access to hands-on learning opportunities prior to practicing with clients. Educational institutions are required to provide evidence of how their student/faculty ratios are sufficient to ensure client and student safety.
- Does BCCNM provide guidance on lab space, supplies, and equipment?
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BCCNM does not provide guidelines on lab space, supplies, and equipment. Educational institutions are required to provide evidence that their space, supplies and equipment are sufficient to support students in achieving Entry-Level Competencies, and BCCNM Standards of Practice.
- Can we submit a draft curriculum for early feedback before completing the full curriculum?
- BCCNM does not provide feedback on the educational institutions curricular materials prior to submitting the materials for their education program review.
- Does BCCNM recommend consultants or experts to assist with curriculum or program development?
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BCCNM does not provide referrals or recommendations to consultants or experts.
- What are the maximum program recognition lengths for nursing and midwifery programs?
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Programs must meet recognition criteria as outlined in the BCCNM Bylaws and Education Program Review Policies. Based on achievement of recognition criteria, the maximum recognition lengths programs may be eligible for are:
- 7 years: RN and Midwifery programs, RPN degree programs
- 5 years: Practical Nursing (PN) programs and RPN diploma programs
- 3 years: Certified and Specialized Practice courses
Note: *New programs are not eligible for the maximum recognition length.
- Update program contact information
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BCCNM maintains a list of key contacts for each recognized education program and course. This list is used to communicate regulatory changes impacting programs or courses, and to provide updates. To update the key contacts for your education program/course, please email us at
epr@bccnm.ca.