FAQ
Who is well suited for the Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing program?
Those who:
• Enjoy the challenges of working with people of all ages, developmental stages and diverse backgrounds.
• Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Like working with others as a member of a team or in a leadership role.
• Have strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Are dedicated advocates for patients, families and health care providers.
• Are able to engage with physically, biologically, psychologically, and socially demanding situations.
• Are mature, flexible and accepting.
Will I study at the University of Ottawa (UOttawa) or Algonquin College, Ottawa Campus?
Students enrolling in the collaborative Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree will have some courses in year 1 and 2 at either the University of Ottawa (UOttawa) downtown location or the Algonquin College, Ottawa Campus in the west end of Ottawa. In Year 1 students are scheduled 4 days per week at UOttawa downtown location and 1 day a week at Algonquin College, Ottawa Campus. In year 2 students are 3 days per week at the Algonquin College, Ottawa Campus. In year 3 & 4 all courses for students are provided at Algonquin College, Ottawa Campus.
What are the admission requirements for this program?
The admissions requirements for an Ontario Secondary Student can be found here.
- You will need to scroll down to the Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and expand the requirements.
For applicants from other provinces, please visit this page and select the option that best describes you. Then select Health Sciences, and scroll to find the program information.
If you want to apply and don’t meet the admission requirements, the one year Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees is one way to obtain them. Graduates of the Pre-Health Sciences Pathway can then apply to the Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of Ottawa (including the Algonquin College campuses), as well as other nursing and health programs.
What is the application process for this program?
The application process is done through the Ontario University Application Centre (OUAC), and the admission criteria is set and managed by the University of Ottawa.
For more information on the program, including the application process, please visit the University of Ottawa’s Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing program page.
When applying to the program through the OUAC website, you will need to identify which Algonquin College campus you would like to study at: Algonquin College – Ottawa Campus, or Algonquin College – Pembroke Campus.
How do I specify that I want to attend Algonquin College, Ottawa Campus?
Go to the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre OUAC to apply. You will have an opportunity to specify Algonquin College, Ottawa Campus as one of three possible options in the collaborative program – the other options are University of Ottawa or Algonquin College – Pembroke Campus.
At which location should you apply for residence?
Students accepted into the Algonquin College, Ottawa Campus are eligible to apply to the UOttawa downtown location residence or the Algonquin College, Ottawa Campus residence.
Will I graduate from University of Ottawa or Algonquin College?
The University of Ottawa processes applications, offers of admission, and registers students into courses. All students, regardless of chosen location, graduate with a University of Ottawa Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
How many students are accepted into first year?
The number of accepted students varies from year to year at the Algonquin College – Ottawa Campus, but is usually approximately 140 students.
Are there special requirements for the program other than academic?
The program highly recommends all prospective students review the Fact Sheet “Requisite Skill and Abilities” for nursing practicing in Ontario. The document describes reasonable skill and ability requirements for entry level practice in Ontario and includes examples of “activities expected of a student once they become an RN and enter into typical entry level nursing practice” (CNO). The document is available on this page of the College of Nurses of Ontario website 41078-skillabilities-4pager-final
Upon admission to the program, students are required to submit documentation of an entry immunization record, police record check including vulnerable sector and level C CPR. In subsequent years, clinical requirements including N95 mask fit testing, TB test, seasonal influenza vaccine and repeat police record check and CPR re-certification must be submitted to the office of Risk Management at University of Ottawa. Please refer to this page on the University of Ottawa website:
http://www.uottawa.ca/services/ehss/CPRM.html
When and where do clinical placements take place?
Clinical partners receive large numbers of health science students for clinical placements. Clinical placements are scheduled throughout the week (including weekends) and during day, and evening periods. In some cases, clinical placements may occur during the University of Ottawa study break. During consolidation in 4th-year students follow their preceptors schedule which may include 8 or 12-hour shifts during day, evening, and night throughout the week (including weekends and holidays).
Clinical placements may occur in hospitals, health facilities, long-term care, public health departments, home care settings and community settings. Clinical placements may be within the city or the region and students may be required to travel accordingly.
What is the difference between RN (Registered Nurse) and RPN (Registered Practical Nurse)?
Graduates of Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing program can apply to write the registration exam to become a Registered Nurse (RN). The College of Nurses of Ontario has developed a practice guideline “RN and RPN practice: The Client, the Nurse and the Environment” that indicates the differences between Registered Nurses (RN) and Registered Practical Nurses (RPN).
“RNs and RPNs study from the same body of nursing knowledge. RNs study for a longer period of time, allowing for greater foundational knowledge in clinical practice, decision-making, critical thinking, leadership, research utilization and resource management. As a result of these differences, the level of autonomous practice of RNs differs from that of RPNs”
(CNO,2011,p.3) The document is available at: http://www.cno.org/Global/docs/prac/41062.pdf