Bachelor of Science Nursing (BScN)
Nurses play an important role in our health care system, and their knowledge, skills and compassion are in demand across the country.
The Bachelor of Science Nursing program (BScN) is offered at Medicine Hat College in partnership with the University of Calgary, meaning you can study the entire program at the MHC campus and graduate with a University of Calgary degree.
BScN is a competitive entry program. Meeting minimum published admission averages does not guarantee admission to the program. The application deadline for this program is May 1, 2025.
As a student in this program, you will have a variety of learning experiences through:
- practice settings,
- home visits,
- faculty-guided seminars and practice,
- low and high fidelity simulation, and
- student directed practice.
The curriculum emphasizes the full scope of Registered Nurse practice, critical practice, evidence-based practice and inter-professional practice.
This collaborative program will prepare you to write the required licensure exam to work as a registered nurse. The program has been accredited by the nationally based Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (2007-2012) and has been approved by the provincially based Nursing Education Program Approval Board (2007-2012).
You apply to Medicine Hat College and are a MHC student for years one and two of the nursing program. Upon successful completion of your first two years, you then apply to the U of C as a third year student and are guaranteed acceptance if you have met all the requirements. You take the remainder of the program as a U of C student, but remain on the MHC campus.
You must apply to Medicine Hat College for admission to year one and must satisfy the admission criteria established by the University of Calgary. You will be a Medicine Hat College student during the first two years and then a U of C student for the remainder of the program. You will apply to the U of C in the third semester of the program and will be offered automatic acceptance, as long as you have maintained an adequate GPA. Further instructions will be given regarding application to the U of C at that time.
High School
Overall average of 65% and no grade lower than 50% in
- ELA 30-1
- Biology 30
- Chemistry 30 or Science 30
- Math 30-1 or Math 30-2
- One additional 5 credit 30-level subject
Mature Student
Overall average of 65% and no grade lower than 50% in
- ELA 30-1
- Math 30-1 or Math 30-2
- Biology 30
- Chemistry 30 or Science 30
If you have previous post-secondary education you should meet with the MHC Nursing Advisor for information on how your coursework will be considered in the admissions process.
International Student Admission
International applicants should be aware of the following “English
Language Proficiency” requirements. For entry to the BScN program,
they must present a minimum score of 237 on the computer-based
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and a score of 50
on the Test of Spoken English; or a minimum score of 580 on the
paper-based TOEFL examination and a score of 50 on the TSE.
Pre-Program Requirements
- Immunizations as directed by Alberta Health Services (AHS) guidelines
- Police Information Check (PIC)
- Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation Certification- Basic Life
Support (BLS) - N-95 Fit Testing
- Intervention Record Check (IRC)
- CRNA Entry Level Competencies
for the Practice of Registered Nurses (recommended) - Connect Care training
*Program curriculum has been updated to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) for Fall 2024. If you are a current Bachelor of Nursing student, please refer to the 2023-2024 planning guide for program information.
The BScN program is a full-time professional program. Students must complete all of the required courses in the term and sequence as they are prescribed.
Students are not allowed to take additional courses outside of their prescribed course sequence without the express permission of the Nursing Program Chair (or delegate).
First Year: Introduction to Registered Nursing Practice
Terms 1 and 2
- NRSG 201 - Introduction to Nursing
- NRSG 202 - Indigenous Health Studies
- BIOL 275 - Basic Anatomy & Physiology I
- BIOL 277 Basic Anatomy and Physiology II
- English (any 200 level)
- Statistics
- Junior Arts (Psychology or Sociology Option)
- Junior Open Option (Science)
- Junior Philosophy
- Junior Open Option
Second Year: Foundations that inform Registered Nursing Practice
Terms 3 and 4
- NRSG 305 - Microbiology and Biochemistry
- NRSG 310 - Foundations of Relationship
- NRSG 320 - Care of the Aging Adult
- NRSG 321 - Care in the Community
- NRSG 350 - Care of the Aging Adult Practicum
- NRSG 351 - Health Promotion Practicum
- NRSG 330 - Nursing Amid Complexity
- NRSG 331 - Pathophysiology 1
- NRSG 332 - Pharmacology 1
- NRSG 352 - Acute Care Nursing 1
Third Year (Register with U of C)
Nursing courses listed below are University of Calgary courses. Refer to the University of Calgary calendar course descriptions.
Terms 5, 6 and 7
- NRSG 401 - Evidenced Informed Nursing
- NRSG 430 - Pharmacology 2
- NRSG 450 - Consolidated Practicum
- NRSG 530 - Pathophysiology 2
- NRSG 410 - Nursing as Ethical Practice
- NRSG 531 - Pathophysiology 3
- NRSG 420 - Health Through Collaboration
- NRSG 421 - Mental Health and Illness
- NRSG 550 - Acute Care Nursing 2
- NRSG 551 - Mental Health Practicum
- NRSG 520 - Care in Perinatal
- NRSG 521 - Care in Pediatrics
- NRSG 552 - Care in Perinatal Practicum
- NRSG 553 - Care in Pediatrics Practicum
Fourth Year (Register with U of C)
Terms 7 and 8
- NRSG 501 - Nursing Leadership (Fall Semester)
- Open Science Option (Fall Semester)
- NRSG 420 - Health Through Collaboration
- NRSG 421 - Mental Health and Illness
- NRSG 510 - Resilience in Practice
- NRSG 550 - Acute Care Nursing 2
- NRSG 551 - Mental Health Practicum
- NRSG 560 - Final Preceptorship
- NRSG 520 Care in Perinatal
- NRSG 521 Care in Pediatrics
- NRSG 552 Care in Perinatal Practicum
- NRSG 553 Care in Pediatrics Practicum
Students clinical experiences may be at sites outside of Medicine Hat and may be scheduled at various hours, including evenings, nights, and weekends. Students are expected to make accommodation for commitments outside the program to fit this scheduling.
Participation in all activities related to clinical is mandatory. Failure to fully participate in clinical experiences may jeopardize their standing in the program. Evaluations by instructors are largely based on the students day-to-day performance. Should the performance compromise patient safety and/or fall below acceptable professional standards of the program, the student will be asked to leave the clinical site and will receive Fail (F) for that course immediately.
Additional Information
- Information related to your academic conduct and clinical performance at MHC may be shared with faculty members at the U of C.
- You may be required to produce a medical clearance to continue after an injury, illness, or surgery.
- When budgeting for your studies, remember that you will need to buy uniforms, appropriate shoes, lab supplies in both nursing and non-nursing courses, a watch with a sweep hand, a stethoscope, pay for CPR re-certifications, and pay travel and accommodation costs, during your clinical courses and your preceptorship.
- You may also need another recent criminal check for some experiences. Access to a personal vehicle is required for experiences in the community.
Duration of Program
Except with special permission of the Associate Dean (Undergraduate Programs) at the University of Calgary, the BN degree must be completed within seven calendar years from the date of initial registration in the program.
Faculty Regulations
In your 1st and 2nd year, you will follow the program regulations found in the MHC calendar. In your 3rd and 4th year, you will follow the faculty regulations found in the U of C calendar.
Student Appeals
For student appeals in the 1st and 2nd year, follow the process outline in the MHC calendar and for appeals in the 3rd and 4th year, follow the process outline in the U of C calendar.
Dates and Deadlines
You will follow the MHC academic schedule for all four years of the program. See the University of Calgary calendar for deadline information specific to U of C. (e.g. convocation).
For MHC/UCalgary nursing students onsite at Medicine Hat College:
- Arranging Replacement Practice Experience Due to Undergraduate Student Absence
- Attire for Students in Practice Setting Undergraduate Programs
- Consents and Contracts
- CPR Certification Policy for Undergraduate Students (Calgary campus and Medicine Hat College site)
- Deferred Final Examinations
- Documentation in Practice Areas
- Immunization Requirements for all Nursing Students
- Invigilating Classroom Mid-Term Final Examinations
- Management and Retention of Anecdotal Notes
- Medication Calculation Policy
- Medication Preparation and Administration for Undergraduate Nursing Students
- N95 Requirements for Students
- Nursing Practice Attendance
- Nursing Students Presenting Hepatitis B Results
- OSCAR for the Undergraduate Nursing Program
- Point of Care Blood Glucose Testing for Nursing Students
- Police Information Check
- Practicum Intervention
- Religious and Spiritual Observance for Undergraduate Students
- Student Learning Plan Undergraduate Nursing Practice Courses
- Supervision of Clinical Competencies for Undergraduate Students
- Use of Permission When Collecting Personal Information for Course Assignments
- Use of Social Media
Meet the Faculty
Credential:
Bachelor Degree
Duration:
4 years
Intake:
Fall
Campus:
Medicine Hat
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