Are you willing to pursue a nursing career abroad? If so, one of the best destinations to complete your nursing education would be Canada. Over the years, Canada has maintained the highest standards of education and technical advancements. Here, a commitment to patient care and practical learning are highly valued in nursing schools. For this reason, a large number of students from around the globe are opting to continue their nursing studies in Canada. You can find out more about Canada’s top nursing schools in this article. Continue reading!

Which Nursing School in Canada Has Graduates with the Highest Passing Rate in the Nursing Board Exam?

Regarding education, employment prospects, and way of life, Canada is among the greatest and most well-known nations in the world. To provide the greatest medical education possible, Canada is home to the top nursing schools in the world. At 90.8%, students whose education was obtained in the Newfoundland and Labrador region had the greatest first-attempt pass percentage of any Canadian province or territory in 2020, according to the Canadian Council of Registered Nurse Regulators. British Columbia, at 90.7%, was the province or territory with the second-highest first-attempt pass rate. Several universities in those provinces mentioned are the top producers of nursing professionals.

Top Schools Offering Nursing Programs in Canada

Now, let’s talk about the top 10 nursing schools in Canada, which can be your best option if you want to pursue a career in medicine or nursing.

1. University of Calgary – Faculty of Nursing

Founded in 1944 as the University of Alberta’s branch in Calgary, the University of Calgary has expanded to become one of the country’s top universities. It is at the forefront of learning and research aimed at advancing nursing education, health outcomes, and systemic change. In Maclean’s yearly rankings, UCalgary Nursing is always included among the top universities. Being a part of this nursing department can be the perfect way to achieve your ideal educational goals. Therefore, do not think twice about applying for the nursing courses at the University of Calgary.

2. Dalhousie University – School of Nursing

Dalhousie University is a large public research institution in Halifax, Canada. The university offers several courses in nursing.

Students looking to study for a master’s degree can take the Master of Nursing in Mental Health and Addictions. This program is designed for registered nurses who want to advance their clinical assessment skills and knowledge and those with prior clinical experience in mental health and addictions. For new talent, there are also multiple undergraduate alternatives. Dalhousie can be your perfect choice to pursue your nursing career, as the university has a good reputation for producing talented graduates. The Dalhousie Nursing Alumni Association (DNA) plays a huge part in upholding the novel contributions of the alumni and inspiring the upcoming talents to follow the same path.

3. Western University

The Western University is a 145-year-old public research institution located in Ontario, Canada. The university is still one of the greatest in Canada and has more than 40,000 students. Becoming a nursing student at Western will offer the opportunity to work with the kindest, most empathetic healthcare experts who are committed to social justice, equity, and health promotion. Here, the prize-winning lecturers who wish to share their expertise with you will teach you the importance of excellent etiquette.

It would take about 4 years to finish nursing school at Western to become a registered nurse (RN). If you have prior college experience, you can also benefit from the 19-month fast-track program.

4. University of Ottawa – School of Nursing

The University of Ottawa is a multilingual public research university located in Ottawa, Canada. It is also referred to as uOttawa or U of O. In 1848, the College of Bytown was founded, which later became the University of Ottawa. It is renowned for both its lovely campus and its high caliber of instruction. The university is ranked in the top ten research universities in Canada. If nursing is your preferred major, here you can be part of the next wave of nurses, receive top-notch training, hold leadership positions in the medical community, and further nursing scientific research. Both undergraduate and graduate nursing courses are available at the university.

5. Queen’s University – School of Nursing

Located in Kingston, Canada, Queen’s University at Kingston, also referred to as Queen’s University, is a public research university. With eight faculties and schools, Queen’s has about 34,000 students enrolled. If you’ve just finished high school or want to further your education, the university is a great place to start your nursing career and receive the greatest training available for a successful outcome. It offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs to students worldwide. Thus, don’t hesitate to enroll in any of the courses based on your preferences.

6. University of British Columbia – School of Nursing

The University of British Columbia School of Nursing was established in 1919 and is the best nursing school in Canada. It was home to the first-degree program in nursing in the Commonwealth, as well as being one of the first programs originally set up from the inception of the University of British Columbia.

The BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) program is unique thanks to its renowned research facilities and curriculum based on science and its international partnerships with universities and research centers around the world. Also, its collaboration with other departments on campus (including not just medicine but also pharmacy, nutrition science, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and more), and its links with the aboriginal Musqueam Nation on whose territory the university resides make this Canadian nursing school unique.

The admissions process at UBC’s Nursing College is very competitive, but it welcomes students from all over the world as well as students who are transferring from a different program of study into nursing.

7. University of Toronto – Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing

The University of Toronto is frequently listed as one of the top nursing schools in Ontario and the whole of Canada, thanks to its research reputation and the highly regarded faculty members who teach there.

The Faculty of Nursing is named after Lawrence S. Bloomberg, a benefactor who made a visionary gift to the school in 2007, thus becoming the first-named faculty of nursing in Canada.

The BSc of Nursing is a 2-year program with the vision of preparing nurses who work safely, competently, and ethically. At the end of the second year, students complete an 11-week continuous integrative clinical practicum, helping them prepare for the demands of real-life healthcare environments.

Further programs of study at the University of Toronto include several collaborative specializations as well as Doctorates of Nursing and Ph.D.

8. University of Alberta – Faculty of Nursing

Study at the University of Alberta to experience various BSc pathways, including an Honors program and a bilingual one taught in English and French. There is also a BScN-Collaborative program, a four-year degree taught across Red Deer College, Keyano College (Fort McMurray), or Grande Prairie National College, in addition to the University of Alberta.

The Faculty of Nursing was founded in 1923 and was the first to open a Master of Nursing program in Western Canada in 1975, as well as the first fully-funded Nursing Ph.D. program in Canada in 1991.

This is one of the largest nursing schools in Canada, offering a range of programs to suit students from different backgrounds and with various interests. The university has an indigenous nursing initiative, engaging students and faculty in the community. It also offers a fast-track study option for those looking to graduate early, and many opportunities to participate in paid internships during your study.

9. McMaster University – School of Nursing

McMaster University’s School of Nursing is considered the second-best nursing school in Canada. Located in Hamilton, it is a public research university named after the Canadian senator and banker William McMaster who gave it a generous endowment.

The School of Nursing welcomes around 2,000 students every year. The BScN is delivered jointly with Mohawk College and Conestoga College, using the experience of local teaching hospitals and community health centers to further enhance classroom-taught knowledge and skills.

From a four-year full-time program to achieve the bachelor’s degree to an accelerated stream over five semesters, to a post-RPN stream for students who have the registered practical nurses diploma, McMaster caters to almost any scenario you may want to study nursing.

10. McGill University – Ingram School of Nursing

The world-renowned McGill University offers an excellent nursing program at Ingram School of Nursing, where teaching is based on a strengths-based approach. This top nursing school in Quebec has a value-driven approach that aims to guide students toward efficient and sustainable nursing careers.

There are five formal programs at the bachelor, master, and doctoral levels, but allowing for variations to accommodate a combination of interests and concentrations for each student.

Currently, the BScN is supplemented by an integrated version and a newly launched online program, too. Additionally, there are master’s programs in Nursing and Advanced Nursing, a Nurse Practitioner Program, and a Global Health Concentration.

The BScN program is run over 4 years, with a 5-week clinical placement undertaken at the end which can also be done internationally. Successful graduation entitles graduates to sit the Québec licensure exams, but also all around Canada and internationally.

McGill has a dedicated Global and Indigenous Health Nursing department, specifically focusing on the health of populations in the global context but also on the health of indigenous people, persons in situations of homelessness or poverty, immigrant and refugee communities, and other vulnerable populations. The ultimate aim of this body is to promote the critical understanding of nursing in the global context but also to advocate for social justice in relation to global health issues.

 

We hope that our information about Canada’s top nursing schools helped you make the best choice for your future. The nursing field offers new responsibilities and makes significant contributions to the country. Learn more about Canada by checking the Study in Canada page! Also, get the latest available programs in Canada at our Open Courses page!

About the Author: Hyun Lee

Hyun is the founder at Global Scholarships. He has received a full-tuition scholarship at Birmingham-Southern College as well as $1,000 Burger King Scholarship for his undergraduate degree and has been offered a fully funded scholarship consisting of tuition, living stipend, and health insurance for computer science Ph.D. program at North Carolina State University. Read more about his scholarship journey here.

Share this article via

Leave A Comment