Bachelor of Nursing Science

Queen's BNSc degree is a four year, full-time program. We offer evidence-based teaching and hands-on practical experience in both clinical and community health settings, producing experienced, confident nursing graduates. Upon passing the professional certification exam, you will be designated as a Registered Nurse, ready to make a positive impact on health care.

About the Program

Queen's Nursing gives you the tools needed to become an experienced health professional. This baccalaureate degree program prepares you to take the NCLEX-RN exam, to secure registration to practice with the title 'Registered Nurse (RN)'. Our commitment to nursing science includes evidence-based teaching and rapid translation of research to nursing education and practice.

General Overview:

Over years two, three and four you will complete rotating placements in a variety of community and clinical settings. These include hospitals, public health, clinics and other community agencies.
Setting students up to succeed; we have dedicated program academic advisors and wellness counsellors available to support you as you complete the program. Queen's University also offers numerous academic and wellness supports to the nursing student community, including: Student Wellness Services, Student Academic Success Center, Student Affairs and Peer Support.
Students can customize their degree by applying for research or simulation lab assistant positions, choosing to take the Certificate in Business, Certificate in Law, Arts and Science certificates, or by completing a dual degree in Arts and Sciences.You can choose to complete some of your electives at Bader College, Queen's University in East Sussex, England.

Queen’s nurses work all over the world in many settings, including hospitals, community organizations, and in research, education and government. The program builds a strong foundation for future graduate-level studies, including becoming a nurse practitioner (NP).

Please read our Statement on Accommodation of Students with Disabilities.
Learn more about the Essential Requirements for studying in an Ontario nursing program.

Year 1

First year courses will cover many of the fundamentals of this professional program. Students are automatically registered into core courses. Electives are not required for first year. Students begin preparing for the clinical practice environment in first year by interviewing people at the GSK Clinical Education Centre (CEC), and by learning health and physical assessment skills at the CEC and in the simulation lab.

First year courses are:

Brief descriptions of the courses offered can be found in the current Academic Calendar. Course offerings and program requirements are subject to change each year.

Year 2

Second year continues to cover the fundamentals of nursing. Clinical placements start in second year with students having a two hour lab session and an 8 hour clinical shift each week, both fall and winter terms, in a health care agency.. Students are automatically registered into core courses. One 3.0 credit unit elective course fits into the Winter term of second year.

Medical-Surgical Nursing I
Nursing Practicum: Care of Chronic and/or Acutely Ill Adults
Gerontological Nursing
Pharmacology for Health Sciences
Nursing Research
Mammalian Physiology
Developmental Psychology
One Elective

Brief descriptions of the courses offered can be found in the current Academic Calendar. Course offerings and program requirements are subject to change each year.

Year 3

Students are automatically registered into core courses. In third year, every student will have a rotation in children’s, maternity, mental health and medical/surgical areas. There is room for 3 electives (3.0 credit units each) in this year.

Medical-Surgical Nursing II
Family-Centred Maternal and Newborn Nursing Care & Family-Centred Pediatric Nursing Care
Nursing Practicum: Medical-Surgical and Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Nursing Practicum: Maternal and Child, Family-Centred Nursing Care
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
3 Electives

Brief descriptions of the courses offered can be found in the current Academic Calendar. Course offerings and program requirements are subject to change each year.

Year 4

Students are automatically registered into core courses. The focus of fall term practicum is Community health promotion. In winter term, students complete the final practicum in a health care agency; students can apply to take their final clinical placement anywhere in Canada. The final practicum is 400 hours of clinical practice time. There is room for 1 elective in Fall term.

1 Elective
Concepts of Acute and Critical Illness
Current Issues in Nursing and Health Care
Community Health Promotion Theory
Integrated Practicum
Practicum in Community Health Promotion
Management and Leadership in Health Care

Brief descriptions of the courses offered can be found in the current Academic Calendar. Course offerings and program requirements are subject to change each year.

Students apply to Queen’s Nursing through the OUAC (Ontario University Application Centre) website. Secondary School prerequisites include English 4U, Biology 4U, Chemistry 4U, and a 4U mathematics course. Two additional U or M level courses are also required. A minimum grade of 75% is necessary in English 4U. Applicants outside of Ontario may have additional requirements.

Application Deadline: February 1

We welcome and encourage applications from all equity seeking individuals. Queen's offers a number of additional and alternative admissions pathways that nursing applicants may apply through, including the:

Indigenous students admission pathway
First-generation student admission pathway (for students whose parents did not attend post-secondary).

Candidates must meet the general admission requirements for each program and deadlines for undergraduate admission.

Admission Requirements

I would like a tour of the School of Nursing

We would be happy to meet with you, answer any questions you may have and give you a tour of the nursing facilities.  Please write to bnsc.programs@queensu.ca to arrange a visit to the School of Nursing.  We recommend you also contact Queen’s campus tours and work in a tour of the campus also while you are visiting.

Do I require First Aid and CPR certification, or a criminal records check?

Yes, you do! You require first-aid and CPR BLS (Basic Life Saving) or HCP (Health Care Provider). You must take in-person classes and they should be dated after May 1st of the year you are entering the program. You will receive an email from us, once admitted, advising you how to submit these certifications.

You are also required to provide a criminal records check. You will receive information about this from the School of Nursing once you accept your admissions offer. If you require a letter from Queen's Nursing to give to the police station, please email sonplacement@queensu.ca and we will provide you with this letter.

Can the program be completed online and/or part-time?

The program is full-time (four years) and not available as an online degree. All courses are in-person unless specifically stated in advance.

Can I transfer into the program if I’m enrolled at another university (AST)?

Please see our Undergraduate Admissions page about external transfers to our program. Applicants with previous university course credits are also encouraged to check out our Accelerated Standing Track BNSc program (2 years).

Do I need to take the CASPer test to apply to Queen's Nursing?

No, the CASPer test is not required for admission to this program.

Casn Logo The Undergraduate Program (BNSc) has been granted a 7-year accreditation from the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) as of June 2020.

The Queens University Baccalaureate Nursing Programs (Bachelor of Nursing Science and Bachelor of Nursing Science - Accelerated Standing Track) are approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario (www.cno.org). Current graduates from these programs are eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Nurse in Ontario.

Bachelor of Nursing Science

Bachelor of Nursing Science

Questions about our programs? Contact the Undergraduate Office.

Program Overview

About the Program

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Learn More

Clinical Placement Information

Immunization Requirements

Awards & Bursaries

Admissions

FAQ

I would like a tour of the School of Nursing

Do I require First Aid and CPR certification, or a criminal records check?

Can the program be completed online and/or part-time?

Can I transfer into the program if I’m enrolled at another university (AST)?

Do I need to take the CASPer test to apply to Queen's Nursing?

External Resources

Nursing Science Society

Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario

Canadian Nurses Association

College of Nurses of Ontario

Interested in becoming a Queen's nursing student?