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Programs

Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing

NURSSchool of Nursing

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A healthcare student in blue scrubs uses a stethoscope on a medical training mannequin lying in a hospital bed, surrounded by medical equipment.

Key Details

Program Start Dates

September 2025

Please visit Ontario College Application Service to learn more about start dates.

Program Delivery

Campus / Full-time

Credential

Degree

Program Duration

8 Semesters / 4 Years

Program Contacts

Dr. Shannon Dowdall-Smith

Program Coordinator (Year 1 & 2)

Send email
705-566-8101 ext.6291
Frances Carvalho

Program Coordinator (Year 3 & 4)

Send email
705-566-8101 ext.6849
International Admissions
Send email

Program Overview

A hospital room with nurses attending to mannequin patients in beds. Medical equipment is visible in the foreground.

Earn your BScN degree from Cambrian and become a health care leader

Make a difference in your community with a rewarding, well-paid career that is always in demand. Our immersive nursing degree program prepares you to be an innovative and compassionate professional who is a front-runner in addressing evolving health care needs. Cambrian’s high-tech nursing simulation lab equips you to excel in the rapidly changing, diverse, and complex health care environment.

More than 1,000 hours of clinical experience in long-term care, hospital, and community health care agencies provide ample opportunities to practice the knowledge and skills learned in class. You’ll work with physicians, dietitians, physiotherapists, and other allied health providers to become a critical thinker who understands the value of teamwork and collaboration. As a graduate with a BScN degree, you can apply to become a Registered Nurse and further your education by pursuing Master’s and Doctoral studies.

Please note

When you accept a seat in the program, you also accept to go to any of the program’s affiliated clinical sites and you should expect that you may have to relocate. Your placement location may be different from your preference and should expect that you may have to relocate for your preceptorship placement. Clinical placements can take place on weekdays or weekends and may be an 8 or 12 hour day and/or afternoon shifts.

All related clinical placement expenses, such as travel, parking, and accommodation, are the responsibility of the student.

Program Highlights

Program highlights

  • Limited enrolment
  • Experience-based learning approach where you’ll apply concepts to real patients and situations through case studies, training in high-tech nursing simulation lab, and clinical placements
  • Opportunity to work with members of other health care disciplines through on- and off-site experiences
  • Focus on diversity and inclusion to provide culturally-sensitive care to Indigenous communities and special populations
  • Preliminary approval from College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO)
  • Free tuition and funding supplies for eligible Ontario residents through the Learn and Stay Grant

"Graduating from the Registered Nursing Program in 1995, Cambrian College equipped me with the skills, knowledge and confidence to work successfully as a Registered Nurse. Directly out of school, I started my home care company and later my Occupational Testing clinic called Total Nursing Care Inc. Over the last 28 years we have hired hundreds of Cambrian graduates and have built a reputation for excellence in the delivery of healthcare services. Thank you Cambrian College, I couldn’t have done this without YOU."

Kathy Wells-McNeil

Registered Nurse, Total Nursing Care Inc.

Admissions

Admission requirements

To be eligible to enter the Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, graduates of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD; 30 credits)(or equivalent) must complete at least six grade 12 U/M courses (or equivalent) with a minimum overall average of 75%. Alternatively, applicants must meet mature student status. The following are the program-specific prerequisite requirements:

  • Any grade 12 English (U)
  • Any grade 12 mathematics (U)
  • Any grade 12 biology (U)
  • Any grade 12 chemistry (U)

International Student Admissions

Are you an international student? Learn more about additional requirements.

Learn more

Additional admission requirements

  • Standard First Aid
  • CPR Level HCP (Health Care Providers) – Canadian Heart and Stroke Guidelines
  • WHMIS certificate
  • Ministry of Labour Worker Health and Safety Awareness in Four Steps Training (Bill 18)
  • AODA certificate
  • Respiratory Mask Fit Testing (N95-3M models)
  • Criminal Record Check, including Vulnerable Sector Check (contact your program coordinator if you have a positive CPIC)
  • Immunization requirements:
    • Varicella
    • Measles, Mumps, Rubella
    • Tuberculosis Screening
    • Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis
    • Hepatitis B
    • Influenza
    • COVID-19

Program delivery

Program delivery

2025-2026

Fall term start

  • Semester 1: Fall 2025
  • Semester 2: Winter 2026
  • Semester 3: Fall 2026
  • Semester 4: Winter 2027
  • Semester 5: Fall 2027
  • Semester 6: Winter 2028
  • Semester 7: Fall 2028
  • Semester 8: Winter 2029

Program of Study

Program of study for 2025-26 Academic Year

Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Credits
NUR 1101Nursing Foundations3
NUR 1102Nursing Foundations Lab3
BIO 1108Microbiology and Immunology3
BIO 1109Anatomy and Physiology I3
ENG 1107Introduction to Scholarly Writing3
One Degree Breadth Elective Course. 13
Credits18
Semester 2
NUR 1200Health Assessment3
NUR 1201Relational Practice3
NUR 1202Health Assessment Lab3
NUR 1206Health Assessment Clinical3
BIO 1110Anatomy and Physiology II3
MTH 1207Numeracy and Statistics3
One Degree Breadth Elective Course. 13
Credits21
Semester 3
CHM 2311Clinical Biochemistry3
NUR 2300Chronic Illness3
NUR 2302Chronic Illness Lab3
NUR 2303Pharmacology & Therapeutics I3
NUR 2306Chronic Illness Clinical3
PTH 2303Pathophysiology I3
Credits18
Semester 4
NUR 2400Acute Illness3
NUR 2402Acute Illness Lab3
NUR 2405Critical Thinking and Inquiry3
NUR 2406Acute Illness Clinical I3
PTH 2403Pathophysiology II3
NUR 2403Pharmacology & Therapeutics II3
One Degree Breadth Elective Course. 13
Credits21
Semester 5
NUR 3501Maternal, Child and Pediatrics3
NUR 3505Family-Centred Nursing3
NUR 3506Acute Illness Clinical II3
NUR 3507Mental Health Concepts I3
NUR 3508Ethics Professional Practice3
NUR 3510Nursing Research3
Credits18
Semester 6
NUR 3604Public Health and Community3
NUR 3605Nursing and Informatics3
NUR 3608Mental Health Concepts II3
NUR 3610Community-MH Intregrated Exp5
One Degree Breadth Elective Course. 13
Credits17
Semester 7
NUR 4701Nursing Leadership3
NUR 4706Acute Illness Clinical III6
NUR 4708Inter-Professionalism3
NUR 4709Health Policy Global Health3
One Degree Breadth Elective Course. 13
Credits18
Semester 8
NUR 4801Integrated Nursing Theory3
NUR 4806Integrated Nursing Practicum12
Credits15
Total Credits146
1

Students must take a total of five (5) degree breadth electives from at least two (2) different categories as part of the Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.  Two (2) breadth electives must be an advanced/upper-level course (represented by course codes beginning in 39xx).  These upper-level are only available in Year 3 or 4 of the program.  For more information regarding degree breadth electives, click here.

Fees

Tuition Cost

Canadian Students

$7,657.57Estimated first year costView fee breakdown

International Students

$27,282.45Estimated first year costView fee breakdown

Important Notice

Fees presented are estimates based on projections for future academic year(s) of study. Actual fees charged may differ from what is published here. A full detailed listing of all fees is available in myCambrian and updated annually no later than May 1 for the following academic year. Students in Academic Upgrading are responsible for any fees listed on their invoice each term.

Tuition and ancillary fees

Please see our fees page for the breakdown of tuition and mandatory ancillary fees by program and semester for both domestic and international students.

Books and supplies

Books and supplies may be required at the course level over and above what is estimated above. Please consult your professor/instructor for further information.

College may be more affordable than you think!

Have you said, “school can wait another year”? Don’t sacrifice your future any longer – you can do it!

Whether it’s fear, financial reasons, or something else that is impacting your decision to start school, we’re here to listen to you and help in any way we can!

Work-integrated learning (WIL)

Take your education beyond the classroom!

Cambrian programs blend academic learning, hands-on training, and community involvement opportunities to help you achieve your ultimate goal – your dream career. You’ll have the opportunity to apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios within and outside of the classroom through work-integrated learning. Whether it be a capstone project, co-op, practicum, preceptorship component, or placement, you’ll benefit from a practical, job-related experience before you graduate.

Field of Study

School of Nursing

Do you have the compassionate nature and critical thinking skills needed to excel in the field of nursing? Cambrian offers a wide range of programs that provide you with the bedrock to succeed as a nursing professional, from basic training as a personal support worker to mastering the talents of an exceptionally qualified registered nurse with a BScN degree.

Learn more

Specific program pathway

Students who have graduated from a Practical Nursing (PN) diploma, are registered with the CNO, and are currently practicing as RPNs may receive advanced standing in the Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. To be eligible, students must meet the admission requirements and complete the Practical Nursing to Registered Nursing Bridge semester PNRN by applying to PNUR at OCAS.

Applicants who successfully complete the Bridge semester may then apply and compete for advanced standing in year three.

Please note that admission into Cambrian’s BScN program is limited and highly competitive, and that completion of the bridging courses does not guarantee admission.

A healthcare student in scrubs practices a procedure on a medical mannequin in a hospital setting.

Nursing Program Transformation Initiative (NPTI) Bridge Programs

Cambrian College is participating in several Nursing Transformation Initiatives, providing flexible and independent study options to support growth in the healthcare field.

Career Outcomes

Employment opportunities

An Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing allows graduates to work with individuals of all ages, families, and communities in a variety of settings:

  • Hospital
  • Community
  • Long-Term Care
  • Outpost Agencies
  • Occupational / Industry Settings
  • Schools
  • Homes

Nurses with a BScN degree can pursue Masters and Doctoral studies to prepare for work as educators, nurse practitioners, clinical specialists, and researchers.

A bearded individual wearing a cap and safety goggles skillfully works on electrical connections, holding red wires with precision.Person with safety glasses using a wrench on machinery in a workshop.A radiology student Julia working with equipment.

Need a career coach?

Explore how this program can lead to a great career! Cambrian’s Career Coach platform is a user-friendly, online tool that provides up-to-date and comprehensive labour market data to help you explore career options, salary expectations for the Greater Sudbury region, and more!

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See where you'll be learning!

Minimum technology requirements

Success in this program requires that you come equipped with some program-specific technology requirements.

Bring your own device (BYOD)

Cambrian College has implemented a BYOD principle to both enrich the student learning experience in and out of the classroom and to ensure flexibility!

Faculty Members

Dr. Shannon Dowdall-Smith

Program Coordinator / Professor

Send email
705-566-8101 ext.6291
Frances Carvalho

Program Coordinator (Year 3 & 4)

Send email
705-566-8101 ext.6849
Dr. June Raymond, RN, PhD

Dean

Dr. Gerusa Senhorinho

Professor

Jennifer Hudder

Chair

Johanna Love

Professor

Katherine Timmermans

Professor

Kim McNab

Professor

Laura Killam

Professor

Dr. Remar Mangaoil

Professor

Ryan Carbone

Professor

Francoise Gravelle

Professor

Natalie Chevalier

Professor

A student in a white shirt smiles while holding a children's book titled "What's My Superpower?" in a room with books and an orange chair.

Ready to take the first step?

Start gaining the highest level of skills at Cambrian now – and you’ll be ready to take advantage of the many career opportunities waiting for you just around the corner. The future is yours!

Have Questions?
We are here to help.

If you have any questions about programs, funding, OSAP, deadlines, student services, or anything else, reach out to our support team and we are happy to help!

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