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2nd Entry Nursing

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)

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This page is for current BScN students in the 2nd Entry Nursing program, where you’ll find program information and resource links. If you are in the Direct Entry or Post-RN program, visit the Undergraduate Programs page for your program details. Prospective student can find admissions and application information on the Future Student – Nursing .   

Curriculum  

The 2-Year 2nd Entry Nursing program consists of six full-time academic terms (no part-time option available) at Keele campus and must be completed within four years of admission. Most students finish in two years and celebrate their achievement at Spring convocation. 

Through transformative learning, hands-on experience, and interprofessional collaboration, you'll develop the skills to become a reflective, socially responsive practitioner, championing nursing excellence and health equity. 

Below is the list of courses you’ll complete in the program. You’ll also have the option to pursue a stream specialization to tailor your learning, if that’s of interest. 

Courses

The 2nd Entry BScN program can be completed in 6 terms, 2 calendar years.

  • NURS 1512 3.00 Reflection and Theory-based Practice in Professional Nursing
  • NURS 3001 3.00 The Canadian Health Care System
  • NURS 1543 3.00 Health Assessment
  • NURS 3515 3.00 Evidence-informed Nursing Practice: Research and Inquiry
  • NURS 2543 3.00 Health of Families and Social Groups
  • NURS 2513 3.00 Ethics and Health Equity in Interprofessional Practice
  • NURS 2514 3.00 Introduction to Social Justice and Advocacy in Nursing Practice
  • NURS 2535 3.00 Pathophysiology, Pharmacology and Knowledge Integration I
  • NURS 3510 6.00 Partnering with Communities
    NURS 3510P 0.00 Practicum for HH/NURS 3510
  • NURS 3512 3.00 Nursing in the Context of Global and Environmental Health
  • NURS 3514 3.00 Leadership, Change and Innovation
  • NURS 2536 3.00 Pathophysiology, Pharmacology and Knowledge Integration II
  • NURS 2547 6.00 Mental Health Across the Lifespan
     NURS 2547P 0.00 Practicum for HH/NURS 2547
  • NURS 4516 3.00 Development as a Professional Nurse
  • Nursing Elective 3.00
    (3000 level +)
  • NURS 3537 3.00 Pathophysiology, Pharmacology and Knowledge Integration III
  • NURS 3511 6.00 Episodic and Common Health Challenges
  • NURS 3511P 0.00 Practicum for HH/NURS 3511 6.00
  • NURS 3517 3.00 Critical Reflection and Clinical Reasoning in Practice
  • Nursing Elective 3.00
    (3000 level +)
  • NURS 4524 3.00 Trends in Healthcare Delivery
  • NURS 4526 6.00 Acute and Complex Health Challenges
    NURS 4526P 0.00 Practicum for HH/NURS 4526
  • NURS 4528 3.00 Nursing Knowledge and Transition
  • NURS 4531 3.00 Professional Scholarship: Capstone Project
  • NURS 4527 9.00 Integrated
    Practicum

Stream Specialization 

At the end of Term 2, you can apply to join a specialized stream. This allows you to tailor your learning with focused electives, a capstone course, and an integrated practicum in your stream specialization area of interest.

  • Gain knowledge and skills in a specialized area to enhance your career opportunities 
  • Work in stream-focused practicum settings 
  • Participate in a capstone project designed for your specialty 
  • Streams are optional and not required for graduation.
  • Admission is competitive, based on GPA and a Statement of Interest.
  • must successfully complete all courses typically taken in Terms 1–3 before entering a stream.
  • If you are not selected, you can still indicate a preference for your final practicum area. However, only students enrolled in a stream and who complete its required electives will be eligible for that stream’s integrated practicum.
  • You can only apply, declare, or withdraw from a stream once every 12 months. Mid-term withdrawals may require retaking courses to meet program requirements.

Stream Options and Required Courses

Students in a stream must complete 18 credits in the specialized area, including two nursing electives focused on the stream, a stream-specific capstone course (replacing NURS 4531 3.00), and a stream-focused integrated practicum (replacing NURS 4527 9.00). Therefore, participation in the stream will not delay your graduation and can be completed within the existing program structure.

The following stream options are currently available:

  • NURS 4534 3.00 Nursing Care of Adults in High Acuity Settings I
  • NURS 4535 3.00 Nursing Care of Adults in High Acuity Settings II
  • NURS 4532 4.00 Professional Scholarship: Stream Capstone Project
  • NURS 4533 8.00 Integrated Practicum: Stream
  • HH/NURS 4536 3.00 Critical Perspectives in Mental Health Nursing
  • HH/NURS 4537 3.00 Therapeutic Modalities in Mental Health Nursing
  • HH/NURS 4532 4.00 Professional Scholarship: Stream Capstone Project
  • HH/NURS 4533 8.00 Integrated Practicum: Stream

Key Resources 

Review the Academic and Supplemental Calendar for information on academic advising and support, course descriptions, academic standing, policies and procedures, resources and student life, and other helpful information of interest to you. For class and exam schedules, reading weeks, and holidays dates, visit the Registrar’s Office important dates page. 

This Nursing Practicum Coordination Office (NPCO) website provides you with all the information and links you need to prepare for your clinical/practicum experience. 

You can find Student Policies on the school website with additional resources using your Passport York account to log into Resources for Students website. 

Expand Your Experience  

Beyond the classroom, you can take advantage of various opportunities to enhance your learning and career readiness: 

Registration Requirements 

To practice nursing in Canada, BScN graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN exam. In Ontario, the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) regulates the Registered Nurse (RN) designation. To write the exam, graduates must provide proof of Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada). For more details, please visit the CNO Website. 

York University’s nursing program is CNO-approved and designed to meet registration eligibility in Ontario. The CNO Entry-Level Competencies outline the skills required for practice, including cognitive, communicative, behavioural, psychomotor, sensory, and environmental abilities. They can be found on the College of Nurses website under Requisite Skills and Abilities for Nursing Practice in Ontario [PDF]. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Visit York's scholarship webpage at Future Students - Scholarships for more information, or contact the school of nursing at degree2@yorku.ca. 

We’re on the 3rd floor of the Health, Nursing & Environmental Studies (HNES) Building at Keele Campus (Building 31 on the Keele Campus Map).  

You will follow the same academic calendar as other York students. Check out the Registrar's Office - Important Dates page for important dates, reading weeks, and holidays. 

After graduating, you must pass the NCLEX-RN exam, administered by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), to become a Registered Nurse (RN). To qualify to write the registration exam you must provide proof of Canadian Citizenship, permanent resident status, or authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) to practice nursing. For more details, please visit the CNO website at: www.cno.org.

In the 2nd entry BScN program, your first practicum placement starts in week 6 of the first semester, with a focus on lifespan and wellness. 

ou can contact the program by sending us an email at: degree2@yorku.ca, or contact the program office at 416-736-2100 ex 30011. Visit us in person on the 3rd floor of Health, Nursing, & Environmental Studies (HNES) Building at Keele Campus (Building 31 on the Campus Map).