Nursing Courses in Canada: Types, Specialization, Duration & Fee

International students can pursue nursing courses in Canada at some of the best medical schools. Students at Canadian medical schools are offered high-quality nursing programs and international exposure to prepare themselves for a successful career in the medical industry. Whether you are interested in pursuing a nursing diploma or a full-fledged degree program, you can find a wide variety of options in Canada.

Nursing, in general, is a very challenging profession. Nurses are expected to work under complex conditions and deal with a variety of patients and their problems. Nursing is a noble profession that expects a caring attitude and helpful nature. Several top universities in Canada offer BSC Nursing in Canada in different specializations such as practical nursing, midwifery, general nursing, and a lot more.

BSc nursing in Canada is being offered as a regular and accelerated degree in Canada and can be completed within four years. Masters in Nursing Canada is a full-time course and takes up to 2 years to complete. The different types and specializations in nursing programs in Canada along with the duration, fee, scholarships, and top colleges offering nursing studies in Canada are discussed.

List of Best Nursing Courses in Canada

Several types of nursing programs are offered in Canada, including bachelor's, master's, diploma, and doctoral programs. The table given below shows the top nursing programs in Canada for international students, along with other important details:

Read More: Post-Basic BSc Nursing

Nursing Courses in Canada: Top Specializations

Nursing courses in Canada are offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels. There are around 140 different nursing courses in Canada offered at different degree levels and various specializations. Nursing studies in Canada are provided at the UG level in the form of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSc Nursing in Canada) and Bachelor of Science (BSc) degrees. International students can pursue various postgraduate Nursing courses in Canada, including Master of Science in Nursing (M.Sc. Nursing in Canada), Master of Applied Science in Nursing (MASc), and other graduate certificate and graduate diploma degrees. At the doctoral level, a Ph.D. degree in Nursing is offered. Some of the specializations of nursing courses in Canada are listed below:

1. General Nursing
2. Nursing Administration
3. Mental Health Nursing Practitioner
4. Global Health
5. Midwifery
6. Family Nurse Practitioner
7. Practical Nursing
8. Critical Care Nursing
9. Community Mental Health
10. Perinatal Nursing

Top Colleges Offering Nursing Programs in Canada

Canada is home to around 67 nursing colleges offering nursing degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. These colleges offer bachelor’s, masters, and PhD programs in Canada in various nursing disciplines to both domestic and international students. Given below are some of the top colleges offering nursing studies in Canada along with their QS world rankings:

Why Pursue Nursing Courses in Canada?

Nursing is one profession that is a part of the healthcare system that focuses on the protection of health, prevention & treatment of illnesses, and caregiving to the society. International students can pursue BSc nursing in Canada or MSc nursing in Canada. Listed below are some of the advantages of pursuing nursing studies in Canada for international students:

• There is an expected rise of 3.4% in the number of nursing jobs in Canada by 2035.
• The number of international students pursuing nursing studies in Canada has grown by 7.8%, that makes almost 8.5% of the total Canadian registered nurses population.
• The average salary of a practising nurse in Canada ranges from $104,000 to $201,000 per annum.
• The nursing degree offered in Canada is globally recognized and can be used for employment in any part of the world.
• The nursing courses in Canada are offered with equal focus on theoretical and practical experience, and students are provided with in-depth knowledge about human anatomy and physiology.
• The admission and visa procedure is quite simple and straightforward for international students in Canada.
• Nursing is a profession with maximum job flexibility making it one of the most preferred study options for international students.

Read More: BSc Nursing Syllabus & Subjects

Eligibility Requirements

You must meet the admission requirements of your chosen university in order to be eligible to apply to a Nursing program in Canada. These course requirements may vary depending on your program and university, but here is a list of the general eligibility requirements:

• To apply for UG Nursing courses, candidates must have completed class 12th with core subjects like mathematics, biology, english, and chemistry.
• In order to apply for PG Nursing programs, candidates must possess a registered nurse license and a four-year bachelor's degree in nursing. Most universities also require applicants to have at least 1 year of clinical experience. 
• For getting admission into doctoral-level programs, candidates must hold a master’s degree in nursing or equivalent. 
• Apart from the above-mentioned requirements, applicants need to demonstrate english language proficiency by providing IELTS/TOEFL/PTE scores. Some universities require GRE scores for PHD programs in nursing.

Application Process

The application process for nursing courses in Canada has been explained below:

1. Go to the university's official website.
2. Make sure you check the course syllabus and eligibility requirements.
3. To apply to a university, click on its application form.
4. Now you must create an account using your email id or contact number.
5. Login details and verification instructions will be sent to your registered contact number via email or SMS.
6. Log into the account and fill out your personal details (name, gender, DOB, etc.)
7. Upload your academic credentials and required documents.
8. Now, you must choose a course and pay the required application fee. The application fee differs from one university to another.
9. Finally, submit your application. You will be able to track your application by logging into your account.
10. Wait for the response from the university. Certain universities also require selected students to attend virtual interviews.

Read More: ANM vs GNM vs BSc Nursing

Documents Required

To apply for Nursing courses in Canada, you will need the following documents:

• English language proficiency test scors (TOEFL/IELTS/PTE) 
• Official Transcripts
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Letters of Recommendation (LORs) 
• CAS Per Exam document for UG courses
• Registered Nursing license for PG courses
• Research Paper ( if any) for PhD courses

Cost of Nursing Programs in Canada

Nursing studies in Canada are offered at both undergraduate and graduate levels. The fees vary for the different nursing degree programs under various specializations. The cost of pursuing undergraduate and graduate nursing programs in Canada are given below:

UG Nursing Courses in Canada Fees

Nursing programs in Canada at the undergraduate level are offered in the form of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or a Bachelor of Nursing degree. BSN degree is offered as a regular degree or accelerated degree program. A regular BSN degree takes up to 4 years, and the accelerated BSN degree takes up to 2 years to complete. The average fees for international students pursuing a nursing degree in Canada at the undergraduate level are given below:

PG Nursing Courses in Canada Fees

Nursing courses in Canada at the postgraduate level are offered as a regular MSc course or a research-based MSc course. The duration of a master’s nursing degree in Canada is two years. Few Canadian universities offer graduate diploma and graduate certificate courses in nursing under different specializations that take up to 1 year.

The average fees for international students pursuing masters in nursing Canada are as given below:

Best Scholarships for Nursing Courses in Canada for International Students

Many Canadian universities providing nursing studies in Canada offer several scholarship options for international students. Below are some of the best scholarships in Canada for international students to pursue the nursing program in Canada:

1. Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships
2. National Overseas Scholarship
3. Aramark Leadership Awards
4. School of Nursing Scholarship
5. BN Nursing Scholarship
6. Susan Nelles Scholarship
7. General Entrance Award program for Prospective undergraduate students
8. A. Davis Nursing Undergraduate Scholarship
9. The Lori Scott Nursing Scholarship
10. The Class of 1966 Nursing Scholarship

Read more: other BSc Courses