Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)
Registered nurses play a critical role in our healthcare system and are in high demand for their expertise, knowledge, skills, care, and leadership.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program at Medicine Hat College (MHC), offered in partnership with the University of Calgary, allows students to complete the four-year program at the MHC campus while earning 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 the BScN program, you will engage in diverse learning opportunities through high-quality simulation experiences and clinical placements across various nursing specialties, including but not limited to:
- Community health
- Long term care
- Acute care
- Home care
- Pediatrics
- Critical care
- Perinatal
- Mental health and addiction
- Rural
Students apply to MHC and are MHC students during the first and second years of the program. After successfully completing the first two years, students apply to the University of Calgary as third-year students and are guaranteed acceptance if they meet all entrance requirements. They complete the third and fourth years as University of Calgary students at the MHC campus.
The BScN curriculum at MHC, in collaboration with University of Calgary, prepares students for entry to practice through a relational emancipatory approach that fosters clinical judgment, critical thinking, self-awareness, and social responsibility. Students in the program become skilled, compassionate practitioners and leaders who champion social justice, collaborative practice, and advocacy for change, all of which contribute to positive health outcomes.
Successful completion of the BScN program allows graduates to write the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and then apply for licensure to be able to work as a Registered Nurse.
You must apply to Medicine Hat College for admission to year one and must satisfy the admission criteria. You will be a Medicine Hat College student during the first two years and then a University of Calgary student for the remainder of the program. You will apply to the University of Calgary in the 2nd year (3rd term) of the program and will be offered automatic acceptance, provided you have maintained an adequate GPA. Further instructions will be given regarding application to the University of Calgary 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 30-level subject (if under 21) OR CTS courses totaling at least 5 cu from the approved list on the UCalgary website OR Work Experience 35.
Mature Student
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*
- *Mathematics 30-2 is preferred
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.
Post Admission Requirements
- Immunizations as directed by Alberta Health Services (AHS) guidelines
- Police Information Check (PIC) and Vulnerable Sector search
- Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation Certification- Basic Life
Support (BLS) - N-95 Mask Fit Testing
- Review the CRNA Entry Level Competencies
for the Practice of Registered Nurses (2019) document - Connect Care training
If you are a current Bachelor of Nursing student, please refer to the University of Calgary academic calendar when registering for courses with the University.
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 Chair of Health (or delegate).
First Year
Term 1
- NRSG 202 Indigenous Health Studies
- BIO 275 Basic Anatomy & Physiology I
Term 2
- NRSG 201 Introduction to Nursing
- BIO 277 Basic Anatomy and Physiology II
Year One – Required Options (taken in Term 1 or 2)
- English 2xx Any 200-level English
- STAT xxx Any 200- or 300-level Statistics
- SCIE 2xx Any 200-level Science
- PHIL 2xx Any 200-level Philosophy
- OPTN 2xx Any 200-level Open Option
- One of:
- PSYC 2xx Any 200-level Psychology
- SOCI 2xx Any 200-level Sociology
*Optional spring term: Students are encouraged to complete the 4th year required open option in the spring of year 1 or 2 instead of year 4.
Second Year
Year One - Term 3
- NRSG 305 Microbiology and Biochemistry
- NRSG 310 Foundations of Relationship
- NRSG 320 Care of the Aging Adult
- NRSG 321 Health Promotion
- NRSG 350 Care of the Aging Adult Practicum
- NRSG 351 Health Promotion Practicum
Year One - Term 4
- NRSG 330 Nursing Amid Complexity
- NRSG 331 Pathophysiology I
- NRSG 332 Pharmacology I
- NRSG 352 Acute Care Nursing I Practicum
Third Year
In years 3 and 4, students must register for courses with the University of Calgary.
Year Three - Term 5
- NRSG 401 Evidenced Informed Nursing
- NRSG 430 Pharmacology II
- NRSG 450 Consolidated Practicum
- NRSG 530 Pathophysiology II
Year Three - Term 6
- NRSG 410 Nursing as Ethical Practice
- NRSG 531 Pathophysiology III
Students will be registered in either Group A or Group B for winter year 3 term and fall year 4 term.
Group A:
- NRSG 420 Health Through Collaboration
- NRSG 421 Mental Health and Illness
- NRSG 550 Acute Care Nursing II Practicum
- NRSG 551 Mental Health Practicum
Group B:
- NRSG 520 Care in Perinatal
- NRSG 521 Care in Pediatrics
- NRSG 552 Care in Perinatal Practicum
- NRSG 553 Care in Pediatrics Practicum
Fourth Year
Year Four - Term 7
- OPTN 2xx Any 200-level Open Option*
- NRSG 501 Nursing Leadership
Group B:
- NRSG 420 Health Through Collaboration
- NRSG 421 Mental Health and Illness
- NRSG 550 Acute Care Nursing II Practicum
- NRSG 551 Mental Health Practicum
Group A:
- NRSG 520 Care in Perinatal
- NRSG 521 Care in Pediatrics
- NRSG 552 Care in Perinatal Practicum
- NRSG 553 Care in Pediatrics Practicum
Year Four - Term 8
- NRSG 510 Resilience in Practice
- NRSG 560 Final Preceptorship
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 student's 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.
Simulation is an integral part of the BScN program at MHC, providing students with realistic, hands-on learning experiences that enhance clinical skills, communication, teamwork, emotional resilience, ethical decision making, self-reflection, and clinical judgement.
The simulation area within the School of Health and Community Services features multiple rooms designed to replicate a variety of healthcare environments, offering students the opportunity to engage in realistic nursing experiences. Equipped with advanced technology, high-fidelity manikins, and expert faculty trained in simulation, the lab creates immersive, lifelike experiences that provide immediate, realistic feedback to learners. These simulations allow students to practice essential nursing skills in a safe controlled setting. The diverse environments within the lab, combined with the guidance of simulation trained faculty, foster a comprehensive learning experience that prepares students for the complexities of nursing practice.
Simulation is a mandatory component of the BScN program.
Additional Information
Completion of a BScN degree allows graduates to write the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) which is a prerequisite for licensure in any province/territory in Canada.
Nursing offers a wide range of career opportunities across diverse healthcare settings. Registered nurses can find employment in acute care (hospital) environments, extended care, home care, and community or rural settings.
Nursing specialties include medical-surgical, critical care, emergency, pediatric, geriatric, oncology, cardiovascular, orthopedic, neurology, perioperative, obstetric and gynecologic, neonatal, pulmonary, nephrology, public health, community health, occupational health, home health, hospice and palliative care, as well as advanced practice roles like clinical nurse specialists, nursing education, research, case management, informatics, health policy nursing, legal nurse consulting, forensic nursing, flight nursing, military nursing, and corrections nursing.
Upon completing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) degree, graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), which is required for licensure in any province or territory in Canada.
In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action (2015), the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) has identified this as a priority for nursing education across Canada. The MHC BScN program is committed to Call to Action 24 by requiring all first-year students to complete an Indigenous Health Studies course (NRSG 202). In addition, the program actively supports Indigenous ways of knowing, being, doing, and collaborating within the entirety of the curriculum to foster decolonization, Indigenization, and reconciliation in nursing education. Indigenization throughout the program is informed by elders, knowledge keepers, and the indigenous community.
Connect Care is an electronic health platform designed to improve patient care by using and sharing health information. Students require Connect Care access for clinical placements, and all Connect Care training is mandatory prior to the start of the clinical experience.
Preparation involves completing Connect Care e-learning modules before attending Instructor Led Training (ILT) sessions. Students must be available prior to the start of the term for ILT. For fall courses, students must be available 10 business days before the start of the fall term for ILT training. Depending on the student’s clinical placements for winter courses, additional ILT may be required in December or January. Students must be available during these months, excluding dates when Medicine Hat College is closed. AHS schedules all training, and rescheduling ILT dates is not permitted. Failure to complete any component of Connect Care training may result in a delay or deferral of the course. Attending any clinical site without mandatory training/access is prohibited.
- Information related to your academic conduct and clinical performance at MHC may be shared with faculty members at the University of Calgary.
- 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, 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 BScN 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 MHC institutional policies. In your 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year, you will follow the Faculty of Nursing guidelines and procedures. In addition, students in years 3 and 4 of the program will follow University of Calgary institutional and program policies.
Student Appeals
For student appeals in the 1st and 2nd year, follow the process outlined in the MHC calendar and for appeals in the 3rd and 4th year, follow the process outline in the University of Calgary calendar.
Dates and Deadlines
You will follow the MHC academic schedule for all year one of the program. For years 2, 3, and 4 of the program, students will follow the University of Calgary academic schedule. See the University of Calgary calendar for deadline information specific to the University. (e.g. convocation).
For information about undergraduate nursing guidelines and procedures, refer to the University of Calgary Faculty of Nursing Guidelines & Procedures.
NOTE: For Year 1 and 2 Students, Medicine Hat College's Chair of Health can be noted as equivalent to UCalgary's Associate Dean.
Meet the Faculty
Credential:
Bachelor Degree
Duration:
4 years
Intake:
Fall
Campus:
Medicine Hat
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