Nursing - BScN (McMaster)

About the Program

A baccalaureate degree in nursing is the minimum requirement for nursing registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario. Conestoga College, Mohawk College and McMaster University are working together to meet this requirement.

Through this consortium arrangement, Conestoga College offers nursing curriculum leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) degree.

Students accepted to Conestoga's BScN program will take all four years of study at the Doon campus in Kitchener. Graduates of the program will receive a degree from McMaster University.

All prospective nursing students should be aware that the College of Nurses of Ontario has outlined the requisite skills and abilities necessary to practice nursing in the province of Ontario. We encourage applicants to consider these carefully as part of the preparation to pursue a nursing career: http://www.cno.org/Global/docs/reg/41078%20SkillAbilities%204pager-Final.pdf

The Nursing Act requires that program graduates applying for Nurse Registration in Ontario must not have been convicted of:

- a criminal offence; or
- an offence under the Narcotic Control Act (Canada) or the Food and Drugs Act (Canada).

In addition to the above, the Nursing Act also identifies a number of other abilities and requirements that must be met in order to practice nursing in the province of Ontario. Please see detailed information about these requirements at the following website:
http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/regs/english/elaws_regs_940275_e.htm

Program Information

Length: Four-year Academic Bachelor's degree program
Delivery Sequence: Doon (Kitchener) - September/2018 - Fall | Winter | Fall | Winter | Fall | Winter | Fall | Winter
Location: Doon (Kitchener)
Start: September
First-Year Capacity: 120

Note:

• This is a highly competitive program. Apply by February 1 (for September).

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, OR 19 years of age or older
• A minimum of six (6) Grade 12 courses with a minimum cumulative average of 75%, including four (4) required U level courses and two (2) additional U or M level courses (Higher averages are often required for admission due to competition for available spaces in the program.)
• The following Grade 12 U courses are required:
  • English (ENG4U)
  • One (1) Grade 12 Mathematics course from the following: Advanced Functions (MHF4U) OR Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U) OR Mathematics of Data Management (MDM4U)
  • Grade 12 Biology (SBI4U) with a minimum average of 75% (Higher averages are often required.)
  • Grade 12 Chemistry (SCH4U) with a minimum average of 75% (Higher averages are often required.)
  • Two (2) other Grade 12 U or M courses

Note re: Admission Requirements

• Applicants applying directly from Ontario secondary schools must apply with the completion of the Grade 12 U or M course requirements with a minimum 75% cumulative average and have not attended any post-secondary educational program.
• Transcripts from institutions previously attended must be submitted to the College. Failure to do so may result in rescinding an offer of acceptance.
• Applicants who have attended university must submit all university transcripts. This includes all Canadian and international universities. Failure to do so will result in withdrawal of the offer of admission. The university transcripts WILL BE used as the basis of admission. Applicants must achieve a cumulative average of at least B (75%) in all university degree credit courses taken. A minimum of 12 units or equivalent are required. (These courses may be taken as a full-time or part-time student. University correspondence degree courses are acceptable.) University degree credit courses completed prior to admission will be assessed for advanced credit following admission to the program.
• Applicants who have successfully completed a one-year pre-health sciences program (no exemptions or equivalencies) at an Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology (CAAT) will be considered for admission to Level I of the BScN program at all sites. The program must include two terms (two credits) of biology, chemistry, mathematics, English and two other courses and achieve at least a 75% in each of the biology and chemistry courses and a cumulative average of 75% in the entire pre-health sciences program. PLEASE NOTE: Applicants who have attended university cannot use the pre-health sciences program as their basis of admission.
• The one-year pre-health sciences program is the ONLY college program that meets admission requirements for this degree program.
• Applicants to the BScN program using a pre-health sciences program as the basis for admission should be aware that the full pre-health sciences program (no exemptions or equivalencies) should be completed in the year immediately prior to the applicant's anticipated start date in the BScN program. Note: Transfer credit will not be granted for any pre-health sciences courses.
• Each student granted admission must be proficient in the use of the English language. Students will be expected to speak and write clearly and correctly in English.
• Applicants possessing degrees/diplomas from institutions where the language of instruction was not English will be required to provide test scores as evidence of their English language proficiency. Test scores, if required, would be a minimum of TOEFL iBT 88; IELTS 6.5 with no bands less than 6.0; CAEL 70 with no sub-test band scores less than 60; PTE Academic 58; Conestoga English Language Test (CELT) Band 6; or equivalent scores in other recognized standard tests of English.
• You may be exempted from this requirement if you meet one of the following requirements:
  • Attended, in full-time academic studies, an accredited secondary school (high school) or post-secondary college in an English-speaking country for at least three years, OR
  • Attended, in full-time academic studies, an accredited English medium secondary school (high school) for at least three years, OR
  • Attended, in full-time academic studies, an accredited English medium university for at least one year, OR
  • Resided in an English-speaking country for at least four years immediately prior to application to Conestoga.
  • It is your responsibility to make all arrangements regarding the writing of any English language proficiency test and to have the official score report forwarded to the Office of the Registrar in a timely manner.

Admission Procedures

• Academic strength is calculated by averaging all submitted Grade 12 marks (or equivalent) of the required subjects and two additional U or M courses. If more than two additional courses are submitted, the courses with the highest marks will be used.
• All applicants are required to complete an online assessment (CASPer™) as part of the admission process. Further information will be sent to applicants after the application has been received by Conestoga. A sample of the(CASPer™) test content may be found at the following link: http://takecasper.com/sample-casper-content/
• Testing dates for the Fall 2017-18 academic year are as follows:
• Sunday, November 19, 2017 at 4pm
• Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at 5:00pm
• Sunday, February 11, 2018 at 12:00pm, 3:00pm
• Thursday, February 22, 2018 at 5:00pm, 8:00pm
• Final selection is made using a formula that combines academic strength with the score on the CASPer™ assessment.

Program Requirements

• Mandatory practicum health and safety requirements must be completed by students prior to student field/clinical placements. Successful placement completion is required for students to progress to program completion. To qualify for field/clinical placement learning experiences, students must present the following at the start of the program in accordance with pre-admission information provided by the College:
  • A complete immunization record including MMR, Tdap, Varicella, and Hepatitis B. Seasonal flu vaccination is required during flu season (October - March).
  • TB Testing: Evidence of current 2-step or previous 2-step + current 1-step if more than one year has passed since 2-step testing.
  • Standard First Aid and CPR - HCP level
  • An annual Police Check for Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS). Police Checks must be clear of any unpardoned criminal offences. An unclear criminal record may result in the inability to participate in field placement/clinical which will jeopardize progress in the program. Acceptance for placement is at the discretion of the agency; some agencies may request students to provide a VSS completed within six months of placement start date. Students with criminal records are advised to meet with the program chair for academic counselling to determine program suitability.
  • In addition, students are responsible for costs associated with respirator fit testing required for clinical practice.
    
    

Tuition & Fees

Tuition fee details for the 2017-2018 year are listed below. Fees for the next academic year are unavailable at this time. Books and supplies are additional.

International fees are currently unavailable; please check back at a later time.

Pathways & Credit Transfer

Conestoga pathways enable students to build on their academic achievements in order to earn a degree or additional credential. Pathways are formed through agreements between Conestoga programs or partner institutions. View the transfer agreement opportunities for this program.

Often applicants have earned credits from another college or university that may allow a student to be granted advanced standing or exemption. Learn more about credit transfer opportunities at Conestoga.

Program Handbook

Handbook