Nursing Courses in Canada for International Students

Home to many top-ranked universities and welcoming multicultural cosmopolitans, Canada is considered the most preferred study destination amongst international students. When it comes to studying nursing abroad, the medical schools in Canada offer high-quality programs and global exposure to equip students with the knowledge and skills to become a part of the backbone of the global medical industry. Whether you are looking for a diploma in Nursing or full-fledged degree programs, you can choose from a broad range of courses in nursing in Canada. This blog brings you a comprehensive guide on Nursing courses in Canada, top medical universities, eligibility criteria and more. 

Must Read: 2-year Nursing Programs in Canada

Why Study Nursing in Canada?

• With many of its universities featured at the top of QS University Rankings 2023 for Nursing, Canada is amongst the choicest countries to study Nursing.
• From providing world-class education and training to offering globally recognized degrees in Nursing, the country is home to the world’s top nursing colleges and universities.
• Nursing courses in Canada focus on equipping students with hands-on experience in illness treatment, preventive medicines, curing different diseases and more.
• The medical universities and nursing schools in Canada are also renowned for research and development and have international collaborations with health organisations from across the world to offer the best exposure to students.
• Nursing is also the most top-in-demand profession in the contemporary world and Canadian universities have plenty of scholarships on offer along with the country’s government thus welcoming students from all over the world.
• Nurses are employed by some of the best hopsitals and clinics in the country. The average salary for a nurse is CAD $81,152(INR 50 Lakhs) per year.

Top Specializations for Nursing Courses in Canada

There are more than 100 courses in nursing with different specialization and degree levels offered by top colleges in Canada. Students can choose from a certificate or diploma program to a doctorate degree in varied specialisations of this field. Here are some of the top specialisations available for Nursing courses in Canada:

• Practical Nursing
• General Nursing
• International Nursing
• Nursing Assisting
• Pre-health Sciences
• Critical Care Nursing
• Pediatric Nursing
• Nursing & Midwifery
• Nursing Specialists
• Cardiac Nursing
• Emergency Nursing
• Medical-Surgical
• Gastroenterology Nursing
• Public Health
• Psychiatric Nursing

Moreover, completing your chosen course and based on your specialization, you can establish your nursing careers in the fields such as: 

• Healthcare Centres 
• Medical Institutes
• Hospitals
• Community Services
• Long-term/Critical Care institutions

Cost of Studying Nursing in Canada

Following is the cost of studying nursing courses in Canada:

Item	Cost (in CAD)
Bachelors Courses	53,000 to 170,000 [INR 30 Lakhs to INR 98 Lakhs]
Masters Courses	80,000 to 180,000 [INR 46 Lakhs to INR 1.3 cr]
On-Campus	Varies from one university to another
Off-Campus	400 – 3,000 per month [INR 21K – 1.62 Lakhs ]
Travel Costs	80 – 110 per month[INR 4K – 5K ]

Top Nursing Courses in Canada List

Now that you are familiar with the top specialisations available, let’s take a look at the major types of Nursing Courses in Canada:

Course Level	Course Name
Bachelor level	Bachelor in Nursing (BN) or Bachelor in Nursing Science (BSN) degree
Master Level	Master in Nursing Science (MSN) or Master in Nursing (MN) or. Master in Applied Science in Nursing (MASc) offers graduate diploma degree and degree certificate
Doctorate Level	PhD degree in Nursing

Under these diploma and degree programs, here is a complete list of top Nursing Courses in Canada:

Top Nursing Courses	Course Duration
Diploma in Practical Nursing	2 years
Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing	2 years
Bachelor’s in Nursing [BN]	2 years
Bachelor of Science in Nursing [BSN]	3 to 4 years
Graduate Certificate in Enhanced Nursing Practice – Clinical and Critical Care	1 year
Ontario College Graduate Certificate in Acute Complex Care for Internationally Educated Nurses	1 year
Specialty Nursing – High Acuity, BSc	1 year
Master of Nursing (MN)	2 years
Master of Science in Nursing [MSN]	2 years
Master of Nursing Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner	2 years
Master of Science in Nursing Specialization in Feminist and Gender Studies	2 years
Master of Science in Experimental Surgery	2 years
Master of Public Health in Nursing	2 years
Combined Master of Nursing / Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate	2 years
PhD in Nursing	5 years

Nursing Courses in Canada after 12th

Following are list of nursing courses you can pursue after your 12th:

Diploma in Practical Nursing	2 years
Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing	2 years
Bachelor’s in Nursing [BN]	2 years
Bachelor of Science in Nursing [BSN]	3 to 4 years
Graduate Certificate in Enhanced Nursing Practice- Clinical and Critical Care	1 year
Ontario College Graduate Certificate in Acute Complex Care for Internationally Educated Nurses	1 year

Eligibility Requirements

In order to apply for a program in Nursing in Canada, you must fulfil the admission requirements specified by your chosen university. Though these course requirements might vary as per program and university, we have listed down the general eligibility criteria and document checklist you must keep in mind while applying for Nursing courses in Canada:

• For bachelor’s degree Nursing courses in Canada, the candidate must have completed their graduation in Secondary School or equivalent with Mathematics, English, Biology, and Chemistry as core subjects at 12th level.
• For master’s degree courses, the candidate must have a registered nurse license with a four-year bachelor’s degree in nursing in addition to other eligibility criteria. Further, many universities also ask for at least one year of clinical experience. 
• For doctoral-level programs, the applicant must have a master’s degree in Nursing or equivalent.
• Along with these, you will also have to provide Language proficiency scores of IELTS/TOEFL/PTE, etc. Moreover, for PhD programs, some nursing colleges or universities might require GRE scores and for bachelor’s degrees, you might have to undertake CASPer exam, i.e. Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics which is considered as compulsory by many academic institutions in Canada.

Application Process

1. Visit the official website of the university.
2. Check the course curriculum and the eligibility requirements.
3. Click on the application form of the respective university.
4. First, you need to create an account using your mobile number or email address.
5. You will receive an email or SMS on your registered contact number with login details and verification.
6. Use the login details provided and enter your personal details ( name, gender, date of birth).
7. Enter your academic qualification and upload the required documents.
8. Select the course and pay the application fee.
9. The application fee is different for every university and can be paid through a debit/credit card or internet banking.
10. Submit your application form, you can also track your application form through your account.
11. Students that have been selected will be required to attend a virtual interview by some universities.

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Documents Required

Here is a checklist of documents that you must keep ready before opting for Nursing courses in Canada:

• Scores of Language Proficiency Test (TOEFL, IELTS) 
• Official Transcripts
• Statement of Purpose (SOP) and Letters of Recommendation (LORs) 
• Document of CAS Per Exam for bachelor’s degree courses
• Registered Nursing license (a current RN) for master’s degree courses
• Research Paper ( in case, if you have accomplished any research) for PhD courses

Note: The aforementioned eligibility requirements and documents required are only for indicative purposes and correspond to general requirements. Students are advised to go through the official website of their chosen university to know about actual course requirements.

Top Universities Offering Nursing Courses in Canada

There are many popular medical schools and universities offering a wide range of Nursing courses in Canada. Check out the following list of top nursing colleges and universities in Canada:

• University of Toronto
• McGill University
• University of Alberta
• University of Ottawa
• McMaster University
• Queen’s University at Kingston
• University of British Columbia
• Humber Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
• Stenberg College
• Western University

Check Out: Top Nursing Colleges in the World

Relevant Reads:

BSc Nursing Syllabus 2024	BSc Nursing in Canada
Post Basic BSc Nursing Syllabus	Nursing Colleges
ANM Nursing Course 2024	Diploma in Nursing

FAQs

Hence, we hope that this blog has provided you with all the essential details related to Nursing Courses in Canada. Unsure about the admission process of these courses and universities? Reach out to our Leverage Edu counselors and we will assist you in sorting out the admission process of your chosen course and university, helping you craft admission essays, SOP, and LORs, and ensuring that you submit a winning application! Sign up for an e-meeting with us today!