Nursing (BScN)
Compassionate care grounded in scientific excellence.
Why choose this program?
Whether caring directly for patients, conducting valuable research, or engaging in public policy advocacy, nurses make a difference in the quality of people's lives. Dal's Nursing program will prepare you to apply current evidence and respond with professionalism to the health and illness needs of people in a variety of healthcare settings, like hospitals, homes, schools, businesses, clinics, and communities.
We offer two admissions options for Nursing:
Semester 1: for students coming directly from high school or who do not have the required prerequisites for the Semester 3 option; made up of 8 semesters over a 3-year period.
Semester 3: for students who have all of the required non-nursing university-level courses (equivalent of semesters 1 and 2) completed with at least 30 credit hours, and will enter the program at Semester 3 in September and complete the program in 2 years.
Admission requirements
Minimum admission requirements
To be considered for admission to this program, you must meet minimum academic criteria:
- Completion of secondary school (Grade 12)
- Achievement of the minimum average for your program of choice.
- Completion of Grade 12 English (or equivalent course).
Admission to many Dalhousie programs is competitive. This means that meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Program-specific admission requirements
Owing to the limited enrollment and the large number of applicants, this program primarily serves permanent residents of Nova Scotia. However, each year a limited number of Semester 1 (directly from high school) and Semester 3 entry (for those with previous university experience) seats are also available for qualified residents of other Canadian provinces.
Financial information
A university education is a significant financial investment. Every student is unique, and so are their financial circumstances. We offer competitive tuition, a robust scholarship and bursary program, and resources and support to help you explore financial options and develop a plan that works for you.
Program options
As a Dal Nursing student, you’ll have the option to earn your degree at either our Halifax campus or our Yarmouth Campus. Wherever you study, practical experience is a huge part of your degree – each year, you’ll participate in clinical courses that include placements in a variety of healthcare settings.
You can also customize your degree and specialize in an area of nursing practice by earning a certificate alongside your degree in:
Perinatal and Pediatric Nursing
Public Health Nursing
Mental Health Nursing
Acute/Critical Care Nursing
The following Nursing program options are offered by Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Health. Connect with an academic advisor after you start your studies to explore options such as:
Bachelor of Nursing
Certificates in Perinatal and Pediatric Nursing, Public Health Nursing, Mental Health Nursing and Acute/Critical Care Nursing.
What you will learn
At Dal, you'll find flexible program options and hands-on learning opportunities alongside world-class faculty.
The program curriculum will be completed over three calendar years (eight semesters) for direct entry students and over two calendar years (six semesters) for advanced standing students (qualifying students who have previous university experience), offering graduates the opportunity to enter practice one year earlier.
Beyond studying human anatomy and physiology, you'll explore the broad spectrum of nursing—from proper hygiene practices and mobility protocols to legal issues and medical ethics.
Sample courses may include:
Outside of the classroom, there may be opportunities to boost your knowledge and skills by working with faculty as research assistants or volunteering in their research labs.
Careers
For nurses, no two days are alike — and for many nurses, that's one of the reasons they do what they do. The scope of nursing covers a broad range of healthcare settings. Nurses have a complex role in advocating for patients while striving to assist individuals in reaching an optimal level of wellness and capability.
A nursing career offers limitless opportunities in practice, education, research, and leadership. Graduates of Dalhousie's Nursing program are pursued by national and international recruiters offering competitive employment packages.
Many nurses who complete graduate degrees move into roles in advanced practice and nursing specialties. Your degree in nursing lays the groundwork for graduate programs in nursing, health administration, and interdisciplinary studies.