Program Overview
About the Program
There has never been a more exciting time to consider a Bachelor of Nursing Science degree! Nurses are among the most in-demand professionals in the health care environment. Along with enjoying a high degree of respect and trust from the public, students who graduate with a BNSc degree from Queen’s enjoy a high employment rate both internationally and across Canada.
This professional degree program qualifies graduates to apply to the regulatory body of the province in which they plan to work, to secure registration to practice with the title “Registered Nurse”.
Our philosophy is that exemplary nursing practice is built upon the foundational blocks of both the sciences and arts. You will get to know faculty and your peers well, as our smaller class sizes and group settings allow for community building, mentorship, and collaboration.
Students learn how to care for patients and their families in various settings, such as hospitals, long-term care, clinics, and the community. You will also engage in collaborative and team building opportunities with students from other Faculty of Health Sciences programs. Furthermore, Queen’s BNSc degree options not only prepare you to become a capable practitioner in health care, but they also build a foundation for future graduate studies.
- All Queen’s Nursing students receive instruction and practicums in the following areas: Community health promotion, Pediatrics, Maternity, Acute and/or chronic care, Mental Health.
- Setting students up to succeed; we have dedicated program Academic Advisors and a Student Mental Health Coach 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 but not limited to: 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 Certificate, or by completing a dual degree in Arts and Sciences.
- 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).
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. Students begin preparing for the clinical practice environment in first year by learning about professional relationships and practice applying therapeutic communication skills at the GSK Clinical Education Centre (CEC). Students also learn health and physical assessment skills withing the CEC and in the simulation lab.
First year courses are:
- NURS 100 - Nutrition and Health
- NURS 101 - Professional Relationships
- NURS 103 - Philosophy and Healthcare
- NURS 202 - Health Assessment
- NURS 323 - Introduction to Statistics
- ANAT 101 - Introductory Human Anatomy
- BCHM 102 - Introduction to Biochemistry
- MICR 121 - Microbiology for Nursing Students
- PSYC 100 - Principles of Psychology
Course sequencing and descriptions can be found in the current Academic Calendar. Course offerings and program requirements are subject to change each year.
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.
- NURS 205- Medical-Surgical Nursing I
- NURS 206 - Nursing Practicum: Care of Chronic and/or Acutely Ill Adults
- NURS 207 - Nursing Practicum: Care of Chronic and/or Acutely Ill Adults II
- NURS 209 - Gerontological Nursing
- NURS 324 - Nursing Research
- PHAR 230 - Pharmacology for Health Sciences
- PHGY 215 - Principles of Mammalian Physiology l
- PHGY 216 - Principles of Mammalian Physiology ll
- PSYC 251 - Developmental Psychology
- One Elective
Course sequencing and descriptions can be found in the current Academic Calendar. Course offerings and program requirements are subject to change each year.
In third year, every student will have a rotation in pediatrics, maternity, mental health and medical/surgical areas. There is room for 3 electives (3.0 credit units each) in this year. Students are automatically registered into core courses.
- NURS 305 - Medical-Surgical Nursing II
- NURS 325 - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
- NURS 345 - Nursing Practicum: Medical-Surgical and Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
- NURS 371 - Nursing Practicum: Maternal and Child, Family-Centred Nursing Care
- NURS 372 - Family-Centred Maternal and Newborn Nursing Care
- NURS 373 - Family-Centred Pediatric Nursing Care
- 3 Electives
Course sequencing and descriptions can be found in the current Academic Calendar. Course offerings and program requirements are subject to change each year.
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. Students are automatically registered into core courses.
- NURS 401 - Current Issues in Nursing and Health Care
- NURS 403 - Concepts of Acute and Critical Illness
- NURS 404 - Community Health Promotion Theory
- NURS 405 - Practicum in Community Health Promotion
- NURS 414 - Management and Leadership in Health Care
- NURS 492 - Integrated Practicum
- 1 Elective
Course sequencing and descriptions can be found in the current Academic Calendar. Course offerings and program requirements are subject to change each year.
Questions about our programs?
Contact the Undergraduate Office.
Email: bnsc.programs@queensu.ca
Questions about your admission requirements, transcripts and/or application?
Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office.
Email: admission@queensu.ca
Admission Requirements
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, please click on the Admission Requirements Box below for further information.
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.
Please contact Undergraduate Admissions for all admission related inquiries.
Please review the admission requirements for Canadian and international high school students .
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions? Our team is here to help. Contact us to learn more about the program, admissions, or student experience.
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.
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.
The program is full-time (four years) and not available as an online degree. All courses are in-person unless specifically stated in advance.
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).
No, the CASPer test is not required for admission to this program.