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Direct Entry Nursing

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)

Students in York University's Direct Entry Nursing program

The 4-Year Direct Entry program BScN at York University is designed for individuals with no prior nursing education, preparing them for rewarding careers in nursing. This full-time specialized honours BScN (120 credits) is approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), enabling graduates to write the registration exam to become a Registered Nurse (RN) in Ontario.

Located at the Keele campus, the program uses transformative teaching and learning strategies, combining theoretical knowledge with reflective, hands-on practice and inter-professional collaboration. This approach aims to develop reflective and socially responsive practitioners. The curriculum includes a capstone course and a final practicum, providing students with real-world experience and equipping them with critical thinking, leadership, and advocacy skills essential for nursing excellence.   

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Duration

4 Years

Degree

BScN

Intake

Fall (Sept)

Study Options

Full-time only

Delivery

In-person

Why Choose Nursing at York U?

Build the knowledge, skills, and confidence to excel in diverse healthcare settings through immersive, hands-on training and rigorous academic excellence.

  • Practice in a 5,000 sq. ft. Nursing Simulation Centre, featuring a Nursing Skills Lab equipped with high-fidelity mannequins and a 2,000 sq. ft. Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality lab for immersive, self-paced learning.
  • Access diverse clinical placements in hospitals, community health centers, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare settings across the Greater Toronto Area.
  • Learn from experienced nursing educators and practitioners.
  • Deepen your expertise with opportunities for specialized nursing practice.
  • Explore optional streams including High Acuity and Critical Care, and Mental Health, Illness and Addiction

Admission Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) [OUAC Code YHW]: 

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)  
  • ENG4U with at least a 70% 
  • 4U Math with at least a 70% 
  • SBI4U with at least a 70% 
  • SCH4U or SPH4U with at least a 70% 
  • Two additional 4U/4M courses 
  • Overall average of at least mid-to-high 80s 

For Fall 2025, this program is open to: 

  • Canadian citizens 
  • Permanent Residents 
  • Protected persons and international applicants only if they are currently Ontario high school students completing the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), six 4U/M courses, and are under the age of 21 

This is a highly competitive program, and meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission. Acceptance is based on the annual applicant pool, which varies each year.   

Admission requirements, including pre-requisites, must be completed by June 30. 

Requirements will vary depending on your curriculum and previous training, please visit Future Students Admission Requirements for more information. 

All applicants, including high school, college, university, and mature, must still have completed the prerequisite courses by June 30 with a minimum grade of 70% along with their overall GPA requirements as outlined on the Future Students website by their basis of admission. 

  • 4U Math with at least a 70% 
  • SBI4U with at least a 70% 
  • SCH4U or SPH4U with at least a 70% 

For Fall 2025, this program is open to: 

  • Canadian citizens 
  • Permanent Residents 
  • Protected persons and International applicants only if they are currently Ontario high school students completing the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), six 4U/M courses, and are under the age of 21 

This is a highly competitive program, and meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission. Acceptance is based on the annual applicant pool, which varies each year. 

Admission requirements, including pre-requisites, must be completed by June 30.  Please note that if you have prior university studies, we encourage you to consider the 2nd Entry Nursing program. 

Courses

Please note that no transfer credit will be granted for any Nursing major courses.  Students can expect the program to take 4 years to complete. 

  • NURS 1510 3.00 Reflection and Relational Practice in Professional Nursing 
  • KINE 1101 3.00 Applied Human Anatomy & Physiology for Health Practitioners I 
  • PSYC 1010 6.00 Introduction to Psychology 
  • Gen Ed Course 3.00 
  • NURS 1542 3.00 Health and Well-Being 
  • NURS 1511 3.00 Nursing Theory and Knowledge Development 
  • KINE 1102 3.00 Applied Human Anatomy & Physiology for Health Practitioners II 
  • PSYC 1010 6.00 Introduction to Psychology 
  • Gen Ed Course 3.00 
  • NURS 1543 3.00 Health Assessment 
  • NURS 2513 3.00 Ethics and Health Equity in Interprofessional Practice 
  • NURS 2535 3.00 Pathophysiology, Pharmacology and Knowledge Integration I 
  • SC/BIOL 2900 3.00 Clinical Microbiology for Nurses 
  • NURS 2546 6.00 Health of Families & Social Groups 
    NURS 2546P 0.00 Practicum for HH/NURS 2546 6.00 
  • NURS 2514 3.00 Introduction to Social Justice and Advocacy in Nursing Practice 3.0 
  • NURS 2536 3.00 Pathophysiology, Pharmacology and Knowledge Integration II 
  • PSYC 2021 3.00 Statistical Methods I 
  • NURS 2547 6.00 Mental Health Across the Lifespan 
    NURS 2547P 0.00 Practicum for HH/NURS 2547 6.00 
  • NURS 3514 3.00 Leadership, Change and Innovation
  • NURS 3537 3.00 Pathophysiology, Pharmacology and Knowledge Integration III
  • NURS 3515 3.00 Evidence-informed Nursing Practice: Research and Inquiry
  • NURS 3510 6.00 Partnering with Communities
    NURS 3510P 0.00 Practicum for HH/NURS 3510 6.00
  • NURS 3512 3.00 Nursing in the Context of Global and Environmental Health
  • NURS 3517 3.00 Critical Reflection and Clinical Reasoning in Practice
  • Nursing Elective 3.00 (3000 level +)
  • NURS 3511 6.00 Episodic and Common Health Challenges
    NURS 3511P 0.00 Practicum for HH/NURS 3511 6.00
  • NURS 4516 3.00 Development as a Professional Nurse
  • NURS 4524 3.00 Trends in Healthcare Delivery
  • Nursing Elective 3.00 (3000 level +)
  • NURS 4526 6.00 Acute & Complex Health Challenges
    NURS 4526P 0.00 Practicum for HH/NURS 4526 6.00
  • NURS 4528 3.00 Nursing Knowledge and Transition
  • NURS 4531 3.00 Professional Scholarship: Capstone Project
  • NURS 4527 9.00 Integrated Practicum

Pathway to RN Registration

York University’s Nursing programs are approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), allowing graduates to pursue registration as a nurse in Ontario.

To become a Registered Nurse (RN), BScN graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN examination and meet the CNO eligibility criteria, including residency status (Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or authorized under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act). CNO also outlines the required Entry-Level Competencies and requisite skills and abilities for nursing practice in Ontario, which includes cognitive, communicative, behavioural, psychomotor, sensory and environmental capacities. For details, visit the CNO Website.

Careers in Nursing

With rising demand for skilled nurses, graduates work in diverse settings, including:

  • Hospital and Acute Care: delivering critical patient care.
  • Long-term Care: providing care in nursing homes, hospices, and rehabilitation centers.
  • Primary Health Care: with postgraduate studies, becoming a Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner (PHCNP), providing primary and preventive care.
  • Public Health: promoting community health, education, and disease prevention.
Students in York's Direct Entry Nursing program in the simulation centre

FAQs 

Below are some of our most frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help you plan and prepare.

External Applicants must apply via the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) by February 3. When applying, use the program code: YHW. Current York University students can request a Change of Degree or Faculty Transfer by the same deadline for September admission.

Yes, applicants from other universities or colleges can apply. Current York University students can also request a Change of Degree or Faculty Transfer by the same deadline for September admission. However, admission is competitive and depends on the annual applicant pool, which varies each year. 

If you have prior university studies, we encourage you to consider the 2nd Entry Nursing program.

Yes, students with prior BScN studies can apply. However, applicants with previous nursing course failures are not eligible, and transfer credits for nursing courses are not granted. If admitted, please expect the program to take four years to complete.

Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) are better suited to an RPN to RN bridging program which is not currently offered at York U. 

Once admitted, the Office of Admissions will determine eligibility for transfer credits. Please note that transfer credits are not granted for previously completed nursing courses.  Please expect the program to take 4 years to complete.

If you have prior university studies and are looking for a shorter program, we encourage you to consider the 2nd Entry Nursing program.

Unfortunately, transcripts and prerequisites cannot be pre-assessed by the School of Nursing or the Admissions department prior to applying.

Missing or low high school prerequisites can be completed at any accredited in-person or online high school, such as the Independent Learning Centre (TVO-ILC), CALC Secondary School, Yorkdale Secondary School, Adult High School, or the Dr. Bette Stephenson Centre for Learning, among others. 

No, all prerequisite courses must be completed by June 30.

No, your file can only be considered for admission if you have satisfied the proof of English language proficiency requirement. More details on the proof of English language proficiency requirement are available on the Future Students website.

No, deferrals are not allowed. If you decline your offer and wish to join the program in a future year, you must reapply.

The nursing program is designed to prepare students for a career in nursing, not as a pathway to medical school.

BScN graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN registration exam, administered by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) in Ontario or elsewhere in Canada. The designation of the title Registered Nurse (RN) is regulated by CNO. To qualify, graduates must provide proof of Canadian citizenship, permanent resident status, or authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada). For more details, please visit the CNO website.


Learn More

Please contact us if you have any questions about applying for Faculty of Health programs, your application status, or your next steps after receiving an offer of admission.

Faculty of Health Recruitment Office
hlthrec@yorku.ca
416-736-2100 x 33164