Honours Bachelor of Science - Nursing

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.  A 2018 analysis predicted a shortage of 117,600 nurses in Canada by 2030 (Scheffler & Arnold, 2018). 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 Honours Bachelor of Science - Nursing program has received preliminary approval by the College of Nurses of Ontario (www.cno.org). 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 2025
• Sem 2: Winter 2026
• Sem 3: Fall 2026
• Sem 4: Winter 2027
• Sem 5: Fall 2027
• Sem 6: Winter 2028
• Sem 7: Fall 2028
• Sem 8: Winter 2029

Fall Intake -  Accelerated Stream*

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

* In semester 4 (winter 2027), students will be invited by program faculty to choose between the Accelerated Stream or regular progression options. Note: this decision does not occur at the time of admission for the fall 2025 intake. Please review the FAQ for more information.

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, mature student status 
• Six Grade 12 U or U/M courses
• 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. 

Completion of the HSBN (Honours Bachelor of Science - Nursing) Admissions Form, disclosing all previous and current enrolment at postsecondary institutions is required. (Note: withholding information can result in offers being rescinded or you being withdrawn from the program)

Language Proficiency Requirement

The Georgian College Nursing Program (Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing) has received preliminary approval by the College of Nurses of Ontario (www.cno.org). Graduates from this program are eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Nurse in Ontario..

The English proficiency requirement can be met through:

• Language proficiency test results that meet the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) Language Proficiency Requirements, further information can be found on their website at: https://www.cno.org/en/become-a-nurse/registration-requirements/language-proficiency/; or

• Graduation from high school in Canada with four consecutive, first language English courses or credits; or

•  An undergraduate degree from a university in Canada, whose instruction was provided in English

For further information, refer to Georgian’s English Language Proficiency policy at https://www.georgiancollege.ca/international/admissions/#english-language-proficiency.

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 required for all applicants.

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

Applicants must have met the science and math requirements within the last five years. 

College/University Transfer Applicants may not have any nursing degree courses with less that 60% in the last two years.

College/university transfer applicants are those who have completed postsecondary education at an accredited or recognized public or private institution and are able to demonstrate potential for success in degree studies through academic accomplishments.

HBSN 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.

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

27 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 1		Hours
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
	Hours	210
Semester 2
Core Courses
NURS 1020	Anatomy and Physiology 2	42
NURS 1021	Pathophysiology 2	42
NURS 1022	Microbiology and Infectious Diseases	42
NURS 1024	Knowing, Understanding and Responding to your Community	42
NURS 1544	Foundations for Clinical Practice 1	56
	Hours	224
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
	Hours	258
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
	Hours	296
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 Society and Culture	42
	Hours	244
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
	Hours	258
Semester 7
Core Courses
NURS 4000	Perspectives in Global Culture and Health	42
NURS 4001	Precision Health Care: Genomics Informed Nursing	28
NURS 4002	Capstone Project	56
Clinical Placement
NURS 4003	Clinical Integration	114
Non-Core Courses
Choose one at INTS 4000-level		42
	Hours	282
Semester 8
Core Courses
NURS 4004	Advanced Clinical Reasoning	42
NURS 4006	Registered Nurse Prescribing: Safe and Ethical Practice	65
Clinical Placement
NURS 4005	Clinical Synthesis	420
	Hours	527
	Total Hours	2299

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.