Honours Bachelor of Science - Nursing

Program: HBSN
Credential: Honours Bachelor Degree
Delivery: Full-time
Work Integrated Learning: 6 Clinical Placements
Length: 8 semesters
Duration: 4 years
Effective: Fall 2024
Location: Barrie, Owen Sound

Description

This program prepares graduates for a life-long career as a Registered Nurse. Grounded in a vibrant urban and rural community, faculty work collaboratively with practice partners to provide diverse experiences for students to learn about the complexity of nursing in a modern healthcare environment. The role of nurses as leaders in healthcare delivery is taught from a practice-based framework where real life experiences are a focus of teaching and learning. Faculty and preceptors actively work with students to create opportunities for scholarship and professional growth which support the development of nurses who can serve as leaders and advocates for person-centered care.  

Career Opportunities

Graduates can be employed across the healthcare sector as Registered Nurses. The Canadian Nurses Association suggests that by 2022 there will be a shortage of 60,000 full time RNs in Canada. In spite of increases in numbers of students entering nursing education and more graduates, the rate of growth is not keeping up with demand.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  1. synthesize, evaluate, interpret and apply current and emerging knowledge from nursing and other disciplines using critical thinking and inquiry to engage in scholarly nursing practice;
  2. critically analyze the safety and efficacy of healthcare practices that impact unique client responses to health interventions, the healthcare system, resource management and health policy;
  3. employ effective communication strategies to support collaboration with the healthcare team and client to facilitate the implementation of person-centered care supported by scholarly evidence;
  4. collaborate with clients and members of the interprofessional team, to support and advocate for client autonomy and coordinate health services by applying discipline specific theoretical knowledge and research;
  5. provide leadership in the planning and implementation of nursing strategies to improve health outcomes and support person-centered care for individuals, families, communities and populations;
  6. be accountable to the public and nursing profession by upholding professional, legal and ethical standards, to ensure the health and well-being of clients and to promote equity and social justice;
  7. employ self-reflection, professional standards, and life-long learning, to ensure application and analysis of nursing knowledge and abilities;  
  8. provide care within the nursing scope of practice and engage in critical inquiry to support person-centered care informed by emerging evidence.

External Recognition

This program received preliminary approval from the College of Nurses of Ontario (www.cno.org) on June 4, 2021. Graduates are eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Nurse in Ontario.  

Program Progression

The following reflects the planned progression for full-time offerings of the program.

Fall Intake - Barrie, Owen Sound

  • Sem 1: Fall 2024
  • Sem 2: Winter 2025
  • Sem 3: Fall 2025
  • Sem 4: Winter 2026
  • Sem 5: Fall 2026
  • Sem 6: Winter 2027
  • Sem 7: Fall 2027
  • Sem 8: Winter 2028

Admission Requirements

OSSD or equivalent with six Grade 12 U or U/M credits including:

  • Grade 12 (U) English
  • Grade 12 (U) Biology
  • Grade 12 (U) Chemistry OR Grade 12 (U) Physics
  • Grade 12 (U) Mathematics
  • 2 credits at the Grade 12 U or M level

Mature students, non-secondary school applicants (19 years or older) are considered for admission by meeting the four (4) course requirements listed above. For complete details refer to:  www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/academic-regulations/

Applicants from the Pre-health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees (PHPA) program (available from Georgian College) are considered for admission and are required to complete all courses in the program prior to the start of classes.

Selection Process

Applicants may be ranked based on academic grades. A minimum grade of 70% in each of the four (4) courses is required. An overall minimum GPA of 75% is recommended for all applicants.

Mature applicants must have no unfavourable academic performance (achievements less than 60%) in the last two years.

Additional Information 

Placement Requirements:

In order to provide quality practicum placements, students are placed in a variety of agencies in the region serviced by the campus. Students are required to provide their own transportation to practicum placements. Placements may be 6, 8, 10- or 12-hour days and may also include holidays, weekends, nights and evenings starting as early as 0600.

Many programs have immunization, criminal reference checks or other requirements that need to be met prior to placements starting and/or the first day of class. Please review your program outline for specific information. Placement forms may be posted at Georgian College Placement Office website.

You are responsible for meeting these requirements. To be eligible for all practicum placements, students must have a completed Clinical Preparedness Permit (see BScN Clinical Preparedness Permit forms) which includes: 

  • a current Cardiac Life Support Certificate for Health Care Providers renewed annually and Standard First Aid (only on admission). On-line courses are not acceptable. It is the student's responsibility to renew CPR certification every year throughout the Nursing Program;
  • a completed and current immunization form in compliance with the Public Hospitals Act;
  • a record of mask fit test, renewed every two years;
  • WHMIS Training.

Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check:

Students in the Honours Bachelor of Science – Nursing Program are required by host agencies to provide a current criminal record check and vulnerable sector check from a recognized police service before they are permitted to start their clinical/practicum or work placement. Individuals who have been charged or convicted criminally and not yet pardoned, will be prohibited from proceeding to a clinical/practicum or work placement. A student with an outstanding charge or who has been convicted of a criminal offence and has not obtained a full pardon will be counselled to withdraw from the program as a successful practicum placement is a requirement to progress through the program.

Obtaining the Vulnerable Sector Police Record Check usually requires a processing time of up to 12 weeks and can vary between Police jurisdictions. As some jurisdictions require longer lead-time for processing, ensure you allow for sufficient turn-around time. Checks conducted earlier than six months may not be considered current. Please ensure these requirements are fully met prior to the placement start date. It is the student’s responsibility to provide the completed documents prior to placement start at the designated check time and format as set by the college. Contact the Honours Bachelor of Science - Nursing program coordinator on your program’s webpage if you have further questions.

The costs associated with the provision of the Vulnerable Sector Police Record check and/or pardon are to be borne by the student. The college assumes no responsibility for these matters.

Additional Applicant Information:

Candidates for professional nursing registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario must be graduates of an approved Baccalaureate Nursing Program. Upon successful completion of the Honours Bachelor of Science – Nursing program, candidates must write the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX) to work as Registered Nurses.

This college has been granted consent by the Minister of Colleges and Universities to offer this applied degree for a seven-year term starting October 4, 2021. The college shall ensure that all students admitted to the program during the period of consent will have the opportunity to complete the program within a reasonable time frame.

Non-core courses are required in all degree programs to meet the Ministry of Colleges and Universities benchmark for depth and breadth in degree-level learning. These courses are designed to give students the tools to develop interdisciplinary perspectives that inform their approach to their own discipline, their continued education and their life outside work.

Students are required to take: at least one first year interdisciplinary course (INTS1xxx); two introductory courses in their choice of disciplines outside their main field of study, which may include psychology (PSYC 1000 or PSYC 1001), social science (SOCI 1000), humanities (HUMA 1012), or science (SCEN 1000); one advanced course in a discipline (ex. PSYC3xxx, SOSC3xxx, HUMA3xxx), and; one upper level interdisciplinary course (INTS4xxx). These courses and any remaining non-core course requirements to be selected from the program list.

Graduation Requirements

26 Mandatory Core Courses
6 Clinical Placements
4 Mandatory Non-Core Courses
1 Elective Non-Core Course 

Graduation Eligibility

To graduate from this program, a student must attain a minimum of 65 percent or a letter grade of P (Pass) or S (Satisfactory) in each core (Nursing) course, and a minimum of 60% in each non-core course.

Program Tracking

The following reflects the planned course sequence for full-time offerings of the Fall intake of the program. Where more  than one intake is offered  contact the program co-ordinator for the program tracking.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Hours
Core Courses  
NURS 1016 Anatomy and Physiology 1 42
NURS 1017 Pathophysiology 1 42
NURS 1018 Relational Practice 42
NURS 1019 Person-Centred Care and Nursing Professional Practice 42
Non-Core Courses  
INTS 1002 Introduction to Multidisciplinary Research 42
 Hours210
Semester 2
Core Courses  
NURS 1020 Anatomy and Physiology 2 42
NURS 1021 Pathophysiology 2 42
NURS 1022 Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 42
NURS 1023 Foundations for Clinical Practice 1 42
NURS 1024 Knowing, Understanding and Responding to your Community 42
 Hours210
Semester 3
Core Courses  
NURS 2010 Fundamentals of Pharmacology and Therapeutics 42
NURS 2011 Indigenous Health and Reconciliation 42
NURS 2012 Health Challenges 1 (Clients Living with Persistent Health Challenges) 42
NURS 2013 Foundations for Clinical Practice 2 42
Clinical Placement  
NURS 2014 Health Challenges 1 Clinical Practice (Clients Living with Persistent Health Challenges) 90
 Hours258
Semester 4
Core Courses  
NURS 2015 Ethical and Legal Issues for Health 42
NURS 2016 Health Challenges 2 (Clients Living with Acute and Complex Health Challenges) 42
NURS 2017 Foundations for Clinical Practice 3 42
NURS 3000 Research and Statistics for Health Professionals 42
Clinical Placement  
NURS 2018 Health Challenges 2 Clinical Practice (Clients Living with Acute and Complex Health Challenges) 128
 Hours296
Semester 5
Core Courses  
NURS 3001 Health Challenges 3: Family Across the Lifespan 42
NURS 3002 Health Challenges for Unique Populations: Gerontology and Mental Health 28
Clinical Placement  
NURS 3003 Health Challenges 3 Clinical Practice: Unique Populations 90
Non-Core Courses  
PSYC 1000 Introduction to Psychology 1 42
SOCI 1000 Introduction to Sociology 42
 Hours244
Semester 6
Core Courses  
NURS 3004 Leadership in Healthcare 42
NURS 3005 Nursing Professional Practice in a Digital Era 42
NURS 3006 Health Challenges 4 (Communities and Populations) 42
Clinical Placement  
NURS 3007 Health Challenges 4 Clinical Practice: Communities and Populations 90
Non-Core Courses  
PSYC 3011 Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence 42
 Hours258
Semester 7
Core Courses  
NURS 4000 Perspectives in Global Culture and Health 42
NURS 4001 Personalized Healthcare 28
NURS 4002 Capstone Project 56
Clinical Placement  
NURS 4003 Clinical Integration 114
Non-Core Courses  
Choose one at INTS 4000-level 42
 Hours282
Semester 8
Core Courses  
NURS 4004 Advanced Clinical Reasoning 42
Clinical Placement  
NURS 4005 Clinical Synthesis 420
 Hours462
 Total Hours2220

Graduation Window

Students unable to adhere to the program duration of four years (as stated above) may take a maximum of six years to complete their credential. After this time, students must be re-admitted into the program, and follow the curriculum in place at the time of re-admission.

Disclaimer: The information in this document is correct at the time of publication. Academic content of programs and courses is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational objectives and employment market needs. 

Program outlines may be subject to change in response to emerging situations, in order to facilitate student achievement of the learning outcomes required for graduation. Components such as courses, progression, coop work terms, placements, internships and other requirements may be delivered differently than published.

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