Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)

Articulation Agreements

A number of articulation agreements have been negotiated with universities and other institutions across Canada, North America and internationally. These agreements are assessed, revised and updated on a regular basis. Please contact the program coordinator for specific details if you are interested in pursuing such an option.

Canadian Field of Study/CIP Code List

CIP Code: 51.3801

International students: check the Canadian Field of Study/CIP Code List to see if your program is eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

Career Opportunities

Upon successful completion of all courses outlined in the program of study, the graduate will be eligible to write the licensure examination for Registered Nurse credentialing (NCLEX-RN) as set out by the College of Nurses of Ontario.

Graduates of the BScN program may find employment opportunities across the health sector including positions in settings such as: acute and long-term care, community health, public health, occupation health, primary care, travel agencies, and more.

Graduates may also pursue post-graduate certificate programs to allow for practice specialty certification in programs areas such as critical care, public health, perioperative care, and more.

BScN graduates may also choose to pursue graduate studies at the Masters level in nursing, science, or other related health/education field, including Masters’ level education in a Nurse Practitioner education program.

Explore labour market information for related careers and employment trend data from the Government of Canada Job Bank.

Admission Requirements

From Ontario Secondary School:
Ontario Secondary School Diploma with 6 credits at a U/M level including:

• Grade 12 Math (U),
• Grade 12 English (U),
• Grade 12 Biology (U),
• Grade 12 Chemistry (U),
• and any two additional Grade 12 courses (4U/M)
• with a minimum overall average of 75%.

Prior CAAT Studies:

• 2 semesters English or one year study of English,
• 2 semesters biology,
• 2 semesters math,
• and 2 semesters chemistry
• Must have minimum average of 70% on a full year of studies and,
• Must be in good academic standing with the sending CAAT
• Those who have a minimum average of 70%  plus a 2 year diploma may qualify for the transfer of up to 15 elective credits towards

Prior university studies:

• 1 English,
• 1 biology,
• 1 math,
• and 1 chemistry
• Must have minimum overall average of at least 60%
• Must be in good academic standing with the sending university
• Transfer credits will be accessed on an individual basis

Mature student:
Must meet minimum criteria in one of the categories listed above.

Northern College does not offer academic testing for the Science equivalencies. The successful completion of Northern College’s two semester Pre-Health Science program (2014 or later, with a minimum overall average of 70%) will provide students with the admission requirements for entry into the BScN program.

Additional Requirements for International Students

In addition to the admission requirements, international students must have proof of English Proficiency and meet the requirements below.

1. Proof of Senior High School Diploma/Certificate with 75% in each for the equivalents of Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology plus 2 senior level courses.

2. English Proficiency (we will require one of the following):

• IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System: minimum overall score of 6.5 must be achieved with no individual band score under 6.0;
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) – Internet Based Test (iBT) overall minimum score of 88, with the minimum of 22 in each component: Reading: 22; Listening: 22; Speaking: 22; Writing: 22.
• PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic – Graduate Diploma: 60+

If your country of citizenship has English as its official language, we may accept alternate proof of English Proficiency.

All educational documents must be submitted in English and will be dependent on the country of citizenship.

For more information, please contact admissions@northern.on.ca.

Program Specific Requirements & Additional Information

Applicants and students in the Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing program are required to disclose all education, which requires submission of all prior educational transcripts from high school and post-secondary studies. Failure to fully disclose your educational documents could be grounds for dismissal from the program.

The BScN program is oversubscribed and receives more than enough qualified applicants to fill the seats available. Applicants accepted into oversubscribed programs confirm their offer and pay their fees early to reserve a place in the program.

Work Integrated Learning Opportunities

An essential part of nursing education consists of clinical placement experiences. Students in the BScN program will enter the clinical environment for experiential learning in every semester of the program, beginning in semester one.

There are mandatory clinical requirements all students must complete, and submit,  in order to participate in clinical placements/practicums.

On admission to the BScN program students must complete and submit all mandatory clinical requirements by the due date of August 15th . Students entering the program are strongly encouraged to initiate the completion of all mandatory clinical requirements by no later than June 1 to ensure that they avoid potential delays with the access to CPR/First Aid training opportunities and medical appointments for Immunization/Communicable Disease Testing Requirements/required vaccinations.

The package containing information about mandatory clinical requirements can be found here:

• BScN Nursing Clinical Requirements [PDF, 441 KB]
• BScN Nursing Clinical Requirements (International) [PDF, 1.3 MB]

Requirements for Clinical Placements

• Completed Immunization/Communicable Disease Testing Requirements forms, supplied by the College
• Current Basic Cardiac Life Support Certificate (BCLS/C.P.R. – HCP Level)
• Standard First Aid Certificate (or equivalent)
• WHMIS Certificate (may be obtained at a minimal cost through the College)
• A recent Canadian criminal reference/vulnerable sector check (original only/photo copy not accepted) – must be applied for no earlier than July 1st of the current year and is required prior to the start of the fall. Do not delay initiating the request for this after July 1 to ensure you are not faced with a processing delay to meet the Aug 15 submission deadline.
• Mask Fit Testing. This will be offered in September, on campus by the Nurse Training Officers. See below for more details.
• AODA certificate
• Workers Safety Awareness in 4 Steps training certificate (free of charge, access via link to Ministry of Labour)

For more information please review the BScN Nursing Clinical Requirements [PDF, 441 KB] or BScN Nursing Clinical Requirements (International) [PDF, 1.3 MB] document.

In years 2, 3 and 4 of the BScN program, students are also required to submit annual mandatory clinical requirements. CPR re-certification, Canadian criminal reference/vulnerable sector check, WHMIS recertification, mask fit, and immunization updates are required annually and are to be completed by August 1st of each year.

Any costs for these tests/certifications will be the responsibility of the applicant. Students who do not comply with the immunization requirements will not be allowed into the clinical practice settings, and as such will not be able to complete the required practicum to graduate from the program.

Please note:

COVID-19 vaccinations are required for all students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Practical Nursing and Personal Support Worker programs, in order to be permitted to attend clinical hours with the Timmins & District Hospital. Please review the BScN Nursing Clinical Requirements [PDF, 441 KB] or BScN Nursing Clinical Requirements (International) [PDF, 1.3 MB] document to ensure you are up-to-date on vaccinations for your clinical requirements.

Clinical partner agencies may choose to create their own policies regarding mandatory student immunization against COVID-19 as a protective measure for residents and patients. Northern College is required to adhere to these policies as a requirement for staff and students attending clinical.

Students are required to submit documentation of receiving COVID-19 vaccination prior to attendance at our partner health care agencies. The health care agencies have confirmed their policies stating that all students are required to be immunized for COVID-19 in order to care for residents and patients. Students who do not meet this requirement will not be permitted to attend clinical hours and will not meet the expectations for the practical component of the program course, which will result in course failure. There will be no exceptions for this requirement. Students must submit a copy of the official documentation for having received these vaccinations. For more information please review the BScN Nursing Clinical Requirements [PDF, 441 KB] or BScN Nursing Clinical Requirements (International) [PDF, 1.3 MB] document.

To be eligible for participation in clinical training, the student must not have been convicted of any criminal offence for which they have not been pardoned. An unpardoned criminal record will result in inability to participate in clinical practice courses and could prevent the student from graduating. A criminal record may also impede the student’s ability to write the National Registration Exams required for nursing employment in Canada. As of January 1, 2005, the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) requires all applicants for registration or reinstatement from within Canada to provide a recent Canadian Police Information Centre Criminal Record Synopsis (CPIC or OESC check) as part of the registration process. The criminal record check registration requirement enhances public protection by allowing CNO to identify those who have criminal records that could affect their suitability to practice nursing.

Students are responsible for the cost of appropriate uniforms and equipment (e.g. stethoscope, watch, etc.) required for the clinical area as well as transportation to/from practicum placements. Although we make every effort to accommodate the student’s preference of clinical placement location, students should be aware that they may be placed in a community outside of Timmins, which may entail travel. Students are responsible for arranging transportation to and from clinical agencies, and they are responsible for all associated costs, including any overnight accommodation. Clinical days may include weekends and start/end times will reflect agency hours.

Mask Fit Testing

This program requires that students wear a full-face self-contained breathing air (SCBA) mask and an approved N95 particulate respirator during certain learning situations reflective of safe workplace practice and standards. To successfully complete Mask Fit Testing to wear an SCBA mask and N95 mask, students shall present themselves for fit testing free from interference of hair where the respirator seals to the skin or neck. Students are required to be clean-shaven or have no hair where the mask seals to the skin.

Essential Requirements for Study in Baccalaureate Nursing Programs in Ontario

Do you have the Requisite Skills and Abilities to Practice Nursing in Ontario? The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) regulates nurses in Ontario. It issues the license that each nurse must obtain in order to practice. The CNO “is accountable for public protection by ensuring that nurses in Ontario are safe, competent and ethical practitioners” (CNO, 2014). The CNO fulfills its mandate to protect the public interest in several ways. This includes establishing the competencies required for safe, competent, ethical nursing practice, developing and enforcing nursing standards within which all nurses and nursing students must practice, determining whether applicants for registration have the requisite skills and abilities (RSAs) to provide safe, competent, ethical nursing care, and issuing a license to those who meet the CNO’s criteria for registration (CNO, 2014).

Legislation in Ontario allows student nurses to practice nursing as part of their educational program. Prior to applying your skills and knowledge in the clinical setting, you will be provided multiple opportunities to practice in the nursing praxis lab. In both lab and placement settings, you must successfully demonstrate that you meet the entry to practice competencies you have been taught, and possess the RSAs necessary to provide safe, competent, ethical nursing care.

Students considering the BScN program should review the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) document “Requisite Skills and Abilities for Nursing Practice in Ontario [PDF, 180 KB]”, The skills and abilities outlined in this document must be demonstrated in order to become a nurse in Ontario. Applicants who wonder whether or not they have the requisite skills and abilities to be registered as an RN or RPN should contact the CNO to explore the kinds of supports they might require.

The Council of Ontario University Programs in Nursing further outlines the requirements for study [PDF, 1.20 MB].

Tuition

Domestic: $6,000.30

International: $26,738.80

Program Specific Fees