The need for leadership and innovation in nursing and health care continues to grow. York’s School of Nursing believes that every patient has a personal story. That’s why our unique client-centered teaching and learning approach respects patients’ values and choices about health and quality of life. At York, teachers and students are partners in a dynamic, collaborative process of discovery. Through dialogue, modeling, practice, reflective thinking and an experiential group process, we create a diverse community of learners that encourages each student to find his or her own voice. We encourage you to question conventional assumptions and practices as you gain the insights and skills to contribute to the future development of Canada’s health care system.
York-Seneca-Georgian Collaborative BScN Program
York’s Collaborative BScN degree program is a four year Honours degree. Students progress through the integrated four-year curriculum: the first two years are at one of our College partner sites (at Seneca College or at Georgian College), and the third and fourth years are at the York University Campus. The program will prepare students for and ensure that students gain extensive theoretical/practicum experience in addition to acquiring skills in critical thinking and research. Similarly, the combination of in-class discussions, laboratory and classroom simulations, and clinical placement is designed to help you develop a high degree of theoretical, practical and philosophical knowledge around human science and caring. Graduates receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) degree and qualify to write the national nursing registration examination.
2nd Entry BScN Program
The 2nd Entry BScN degree is available for students who have already completed a university degree (in any discipline), or have 60 credits (10 full course equivalents in another field of study). The program reflects the growing demand for nursing programs that build on prior university learning. The curriculum is based on the core themes of Health & Healing and Development of Self, as well as a human science approach to teaching, learning and caring for clients and families. The concentrated (and continuous) six semester program runs through the fall, winter and summer, enabling students to complete their BScN in two calendar years. Graduates receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) degree and qualify to write the national nursing registration examination.
RN to MScN Alternate Admission Option
This is an exciting and innovative option offered for the first time in Ontario. Now a registered nurse who is a graduate of a diploma or hospital program may fast-track to an MScN program. Potential applicants will be nurses with a diploma and strong academic potential, currently working in leadership positions. These registered nurses would be admitted as visiting students under the Faculty of Health until they completed the alternate admission requirements of upper level courses in nursing at the undergraduate level in preparation for graduate study. Students completing this 30-credit baccalaureate equivalency are not awarded a baccalaureate degree, but are eligible for graduate studies
Post-RN IEN BScN Program
York helps registered nurses educated outside Canada to re-enter the nursing profession sooner and with greater confidence. York’s program allows students to build on the strengths they already have so they can more quickly obtain the Canadian credentials they need for employment in Ontario. We provide a program specifically designed to enhance the practice of internationally educated nurses to practice safely and competently within the Canadian context. In addition, the program provides professional mentoring opportunities which include support, clinical guidance, and the exploration of career choices. Graduates receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) degree in 20 months and qualify to write the national nursing registration examination. Applicants must be residents of Ontario (Landed Immigrant, Canadian Citizen or Convention Refugee).
For more information about our degree programs, contact York’s School of Nursing at nursing@yorku.ca or at (416) 736-5271.
Opportunities for Students
Students have the opportunity to apply their classroom learning through hands on experiential education in our Nursing Simulation Centre, Nursing Skills Lab and Computer Simulation Lab.
Nursing Simulation Centre
Students in York University's nursing programs utilize the Nursing Resource Centre (NSC) to support them in meeting their clinical skill and professional development learning needs. The NSC is located on the third floor of the Health, Nursing and Environmental Studies Building (HNES) and serves up to 1200 nursing students. Opened in February 2006, the 5000-square-foot Nursing Simulation Centre is divided into two unique spaces; the Nursing Skills Lab and the Computer Skills Lab.
Clinical simulation available in the NSC allows students to engage in learning through the use of low, medium and high fidelity mannequins as well as case studies / scenarios and software programs. Clinical simulation involves the use of artificially created events that nurses are likely to encounter in practice - events which demand a high level of clinical decision-making and/or implementation of psychomotor skills. Simulation technologies place emphasis on integration and application of knowledge, skills, and critical thinking. Additionally, simulation affords nurses the opportunity to experience error-inducing situations without jeopardy to themselves or patients. Clinical simulation and lab activities are integrated into the clinical and theoretical components of nursing education by the six programs by the School of Nursing at York University (Collaborative, 2nd Entry, Internationally Educated Nurse BScN programs, and the Nurse Practitioner MScN program). In all of these programs, simulated case scenarios enhance students’ confidence, competence, and synthesis of learning.
The Nursing Skills Lab
Nursing Skills Lab (HNES 304) is a simulated hospital environment that has been created to support nursing students with their clinical skill development. The overall space houses adult medical surgical beds, a pediatric area which includes bassinets, cribs and isolettes, as well as two isolation rooms. The bed spaces are divided by curtains to provide privacy, and IV poles and appropriate lighting are available. Seven of the adult beds also have been equipped with a head wall system that supports simulating oxygen and suction capability. The NRC is equipped with four SimMan mannequins. These bed spaces are equipped with cameras to record student learning activities for simulation debriefing. In addition, the NRC has a complete Vital Sim Family, SimBaby mannequin, Virtual IV simulator, a variety of neonate mannequins, and an extensive collection of anatomical training models, and the necessary medical equipment and supplies to provide students with an adjunct to their clinical placement learning. Nursing students can practice everything from inserting a catheter to changing dressings. Additionally, the two divided spaces are equipped with podiums, computers with internet access and projectors/screens for use in lecturing.
The Computer Simulation Lab
The Computer Skills Lab (HNES 303) has 24 workstations and access to all of the computer services normally available through York. It provides the opportunity for students to develop clinical decision-making and critical thinking skills through interactive computer simulation exercises and review of audiovisuals.
Careers in Nursing
You are in an exciting field at an exciting time. The demand for caring, qualified professionals with an education in Nursing is increasing due to an aging and growing population and workforce, new technologies, a focus on primary care and restructured health care systems.
York’s nursing graduates are working as Registered Nurses in hospitals, as public health nurses for municipal public health agencies, and as clinical nurse managers in hospices, to name just a few of many examples. Other career options for nurses include:
Home health care
Nurses provide a variety of care to people in their own homes. Good communication skills, an ability to teach family members and the ability to work independently are important for careers in home health care. Most home care nurses work for home care agencies, but some are self-employed.
Primary health care
Following post graduate studies, nurses as primary health nurse practitioners, have responsibilities in caring for patients as part of a health care team in neighbourhood health centres, nursing homes, and/or other locations. They provide services such as health promotion, disease and injury prevention, acute and chronic disease management, rehabilitation and support
Public health
Nurses with an interest in health promotion, health education and illness prevention in populations often choose careers in public health.
Hospital tertiary care
These nurses are integral members of health care teams who work in acute care settings.
Long-term care
With today’s aging population, demand is growing for nurses in leadership roles in seniors homes, nursing homes, rehabilitation hospitals, respite care facilities and palliative care hospices.
Global Health care
With globalization, nurses are becoming leaders in creating changes globally in such areas as health and well being, health systems, nonprofit /profit sectors, research and education.
For more information: So, what’s next? A guide to careers in Nursing
