20 Best Nursing Schools In Canada 2024

Counted amongst some of the most respected professions, the role of a nurse is crucial in the healthcare sector. As a result, the quest for the best nursing education in Canada became a challenging task, as several institutions claim to provide top-tier programs. Notwithstanding, there are several nursing schools in Canada for international and domestic students.

So, if you have chosen to study nursing in Canada, you have made a wonderful decision, because there are several nursing schools in Canada. To save you the time you will spend searching the Internet for the best nursing schools in Canada, we have prepared a list of some of the top 20 nursing schools in Canada.

WHAT QUALIFICATIONS ARE NEEDED TO BE A NURSE IN CANADA?

To become a registered nurse in Canada, you need a bachelor’s degree in nursing (which costs between CAD 30,000 to CAD 50,000 per year). It normally takes about four years to acquire this degree. Or you can opt for an associate degree in nursing (which costs between C$9,000 to C$25,000 per year), this helps shorten the time it would take to obtain a full bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Also, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) exam. Once you pass the NCLEX-RN exam, you can apply for registration with the regulatory board in your province or territory.

20 BEST NURSING SCHOOLS IN CANADA

Here are some of the best nursing schools in Canada:

1. UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

The University of Toronto is one of the best nursing schools in Canada. It is a highly reputable public research university located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The school is the largest university in Canada in terms of enrollment, it has more than 64,218 students. Admissions are fairly competitive, as the school’s acceptance rate is 43%. Popular majors include Accounting, Nursing, Arts and Humanities, and Psychology.

The University of Toronto is the best place to study nursing in Canada. Its nursing programs are Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Nursing, Post-master nurse practitioner Diploma, Collaborative specializations for master’s and doctoral students, Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Nursing, and others.

Graduating 79.4% of students, U of T alumni go on to earn a starting salary of CAD 61,000 in nursing.

2. UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

nursing schools in Canada — Source: ubc.ca

The University of British Columbia is a Public research institution Located in the Canadian province of British Columbia. It is one of the leading nursing schools in Canada. Admissions are competitive, as the school’s acceptance rate is 52.4%

The University of British Columbia is highly recognized for its exceptional nursing program. It offers programs that are designed to prepare students to become skilled and confident healthcare professionals. Its nursing programs are:

Undergraduate programs include Midwifery (Bachelor of midwifery) 4 years length, Nursing (BSN) 4 years length, while the nursing program include Nursing (MSN), Nursing (PhD), and Nursing – Nurse practitioner (M.N)

Graduating 90% of students, The University of British Columbia alumni go on to earn a starting salary of CAD 46,600 in nursing.

3. MCMASTER UNIVERSITY

McMaster University is a public research university located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. It is a large institution with an enrollment of over 32,000 undergraduate and 5,000 post-graduate students. It is one of the best nursing schools in Canada.

The McMaster nursing program is highly competitive, as its acceptance rate is only 8%, and has become one of the most recognized and reputable nursing programs in all of Canada. Programs offered include a Bachelor of science in nursing.

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4. UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA

The University of Ottawa is a bilingual public research university located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It is the largest English-French university in the world, with an enrollment of 48,800 undergraduate students. It offers a wide variety of programs, administered by ten faculties.

The University of Ottawa’s School of Nursing is one of the leading nursing schools in Canada. it is dedicated to the provision of accessible education and development for the global and local nursing workforce, it delivers ambitious research to work for the improvement of health and wellbeing across diverse communities. Programs offered include Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Nursing (PhD), and MScN.

5. UNIVERSITÉ DE MONTREAL

Université de Montreal is a French-language public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The institution comprises thirteen faculties, over sixty departments, and two schools. It is one of the best nursing schools in Canada.

Université de Montreal’s faculty school is ranked among the best provider of nursing programs in the world. It is a major center for innovative education and research in the nursing field. The faculty offers ongoing educational opportunities for students seeking advanced degrees and also offers the following degree programs Master of Science in Nursing, Doctorate in Nursing, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

6. UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA

The faculty of Nursing at the University of Alberta is self-described as one of the largest providers of nurses in Canada. The faculty boasts of excellence across all its courses.

The faculty of nursing is recognized globally for its education and the research it conducts. It has a reputation of being one of the few schools in the country that consistently ranks among the top 5 in the world, offering degree programs across a wide range of nursing programs, including Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Collaborative), BScN bilingual degree, Bachelor of science in nursing (Honours), BScN (after degree program), Master of Nursing, PhD in nursing (Doctoral program), and more.

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7. DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY

Dalhousie University is a public research university in Nova Scotia, Canada. It is a large institution with an enrollment of 16,002 undergraduate students. The Dalhousie admission is easy, as its acceptance rate is 70%. it ranks as one of the best nursing schools in Canada

Dalhousie University is globally recognized for its exceptional nursing programs, preparing students to apply current evidence and respond with professionalism to the health and illness needs of people. The school offers the following nursing degree programs in Arctic nursing (BScN), Nursing (BScN), Nursing (MN), Nurse practitioner (MN), Nursing (PhD), and more.

8. UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY

The University of Calgary is a public research university in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The school is composed of 14 faculties, and over 85 research institutes and centers, it is one of the best nursing schools in Canada.

Admission to the faculty of nursing is competitive, The University has stringent admission requirements and only accepts qualified applicants. However, it is possible to get in. The school accepts students who have a 3.0 GPA, or an average grade score in the 85% and up range for undergraduate students.

9. UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA

The University of Manitoba is a Canadian public research university in the province of Manitoba. It is the largest university in Manitoba in terms of enrollment and the 17th largest in all of Canada. It is one of the best nursing schools in Canada. Admissions are fairly competitive, as the school’s acceptance rate is 52%, which means 52 out of 100 applicants are chosen annually.

The University is easily one of the best places in Canada, graduating 83% of students. The University of Manitoba alumni go on to earn a starting salary of 60,000 USD in Nursing.

10. QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY

The faculty of health sciences at Queen’s University is self-described as one of the largest providers of healthcare programs in Canada. The faculty boasts of excellence across all its departments and schools.

The School of Nursing, Allied, and Public Health under the faculty is globally recognized for its education and the research it conducts. It has a reputation of being one of the few schools in the country that consistently ranks among the top 20 nursing schools in the world, offering degree programs across a wide range of nursing programs, including Bachelor of Nursing Science (4-year degree), BNSc (2-year Accelerated degree), Ph.D. in nursing (online) and MNSc degree.

11. UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN

The University of Saskatchewan is a Canadian public research university located on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Canada. It is the largest university in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, and also one of the best nursing schools in Canada.

The University of Saskatchewan is easily one of the best places to study nursing, it has a strong emphasis on research, education, and practice. Its acceptance rate is moderately competitive, as the Saskatchewan School of Nursing has an acceptance rate of 80%.

Degrees offered include Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Post-degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing (PDBSN), Master of Nursing (MN), Master of Nursing primary health care nurse practitioner (MN-NP), Doctor of Philosophy in nursing, and more.

12. MCGILL UNIVERSITY

Source: mcgill.ca

McGill University is an English-language public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is one of the best nursing schools in Canada.

The McGill nursing program is highly competitive, as its acceptance rate is only 32%, and has become one of the most recognized nursing programs in all of Canada. The school boasts of excellence across all its areas of study. It has a reputation for both the education it provides and the research it conducts. Degrees offered include Nursing (BSc) and Bachelor of Nursing (integrated) (BNI).

13. UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR

The University of Windsor is a public research university in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada’s southernmost university. It is one of the best nursing schools in Canada.

The University of Windsor has nine faculties, which demonstrates its primary research focuses. The Windsor Faculty of Nursing offers undergraduate and graduate programs. Within these programs, students are equipped with hands-on learning and academic excellence.

Degrees offered include Bachelor of Science (BScN) in nursing, Honours, Master of Science in nursing – Thesis-based, MScN/PHC-NP, Doctor of Philosophy, and more.

14. UNIVERSITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK

The University of New Brunswick is one of the best nursing schools in Canada for international students. It is a public university with two campuses in Fredericton, and Saint John, New Brunswick. Its nursing program is designed to prepare students to become skilled and competent healthcare professionals.

The school emphasizes interpersonal and technical skills necessary for a rewarding nursing career. And also on the caring practice of nursing. The nursing programs offered at the University of Brunswick include a Bachelor of Nursing in three campuses – Fredericton, Saint John, and Moncton.

15. WESTERN UNIVERSITY

With over 100 years in Nursing education, the Western University School of Nursing emphasizes greatly the importance of helping students work through detailed patient-care scenarios. Working alongside clinical instructors, and practicing the art of nursing, with hands-on training in an immersive learning environment.

Western University’s School of Nursing offers three ways to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) degree – Western-Fanshawe Collaborative BScN (four-year degree program), Compressed time frame BScN 19-month course), and PRN to BScN pathway (19-month course).

16. YORK UNIVERSITY

York University is one of the best nursing schools in Canada. It is a top-ranked public research university located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada’s third-largest university and has a total of 55,000 students.

York’s School of Nursing offers three BScN options; a four-year direct entry program, a second entry program, and a Post-RN internationally educated nurses program.

All programs focus on developing reflective and socially responsive practitioners to ensure health for all through nursing excellence. Its acceptance is easy, as the school of nursing has an acceptance rate of 70% and a graduation rate of 86%.

17. UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE

The University of Lethbridge is one of the best nursing schools in Canada. It is another top-ranked public research university in Canada. It is a fairly large institution, with an enrollment of 8,500 students. The University is minimally selective with an acceptance rate of 93%. It is, without doubt, one of the best places to study nursing in Canada. Graduating 94.5% of students, The University of Lethbridge alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $78,000.

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18. TRENT UNIVERSITY

Trent University is one of the best nursing schools in Canada. The school offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees in nursing, per your preferences and career aspirations.

Trent prepares students with valuable education which helps them gain knowledge and develop a strong understanding of social justice and political advocacy in the healthcare environment. However, Trent’s School of Nursing has a highly competitive acceptance rate of 33%. Degree programs include BScN and MScN.

19. RYERSON UNIVERSITY

Ryerson University ranks as one of the best nursing schools in Canada. It is a public research university Located in Toronto Canada. It is a large institution with an enrollment of 44,400 undergraduate students.

Ryerson University is an ideal place to study nursing, the school has an acceptance rate of 80% and offers three ways to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) degree – BScN (four-year direct entry nursing), BScN (Post-RN for internationally educated nurses, 20-month course), and a full-time second entry BScN program.

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20. LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY

Laurentian University is a mid-sized bilingual public university located in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. The university takes the 20th spot for top Canadian nursing schools, according to QS Top Ranking Universities Rankings 2023.

Laurentian University’s School of Nursing provides students with specialized learning opportunities, hands-on learning, and professional growth. it also provides students with all the foundations of nursing including health, professional caring, healing relational practice, and determinants of health.

Laurentian University is one of the best places to study nursing, students can choose to take a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science in Nursing, or a nurse practitioner (M.Sc.N/G.DIP).

WHAT SCHOOL IS BEST FOR NURSING IN CANADA?

There are several schools in Canada that offer nursing and they include University of Calgary, University of Manitoba, Queen’s University, University of Saskatchewan, McGill University, University of Windsor, University of New Brunswick, Western University, York university, University of Lethbridge, Trent University, Ryerson University, Laurentian University, and more.

WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS NEED TO STUDY NURSING IN CANADA?

International students looking forward to studying nursing in Canada need to have mathematical, English, chemistry, physics, and other relevant subjects. However, requirements vary among nursing schools in Canada. However, having these is the first step to getting enrolled.

CAN I STUDY NURSING IN CANADA FOR 2 YEARS?

Yes! You can study nursing in Canada for two years. Most schools offer pre-nursing programs, and you can further this program and earn a bachelor’s in nursing (usually a four-year program).

CONCLUSION

Canada is home to several schools for nursing. This article has elaborated on some of the best nursing schools for aspiring students looking forward to becoming registered nurses, we hope this overview helps you in deciding the best for you.

REFERENCE

Afterschoolafrica.com
Wikipedia.org
Degreesandcareers.info
Mdccanada.ca

20 Best Nursing Schools In Canada

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