Programs & Courses
University Studies: Nursing (University of Calgary)
DEGREE
About the Program
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 Nursing degree is a competitive entry program. Meeting minimum published admission averages does not guarantee admission to the program.
The Bachelor of Nursing program 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.
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.
Admission Requirements
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
- Math 30-1 or Math 30-2
- Biology 30
- Chemistry 30
- 30-level 5 credit 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
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
You should be aware of the following “English Language Proficiency” requirements. For entry to the Bachelor of Nursing program, you 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. For the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) students must have an overall band score of 7.0 with no band score less than 7.0.
Pre-Program Requirements
1. You will receive a health questionnaire and immunizations checklist that you must complete. In some cases, you may also require a chest x-ray.
2. You must present a current Police Information Check. Having a positive police check may not necessarily preclude you from being in the program, but you need to discuss this with the Dean of Health Studies. Students are obligated to inform the Dean and Program Coordinator immediately of any change in the status of their criminal record.
3. Prior to starting the nursing program, you must have one of the following CPR certificates, all of which are at a Health Care Provider level:
- Heart & Stroke Basic Life Support (BLS) for Health Care Providers
- Canadian Red Cross Level HCP
- St. John Ambulance CPR for Health Care Providers
Course List
FIRST YEAR
Semesters 1 & 2
| BIOL 275 | Basic Human Anatomy and Physiology I |
| BIOL 277 |
Basic Human Anatomy and Physiology II |
| ENGL | ENGL 2XX Any 200 level English |
| STAT |
Statistics (STAT 333 recommended) |
| |
Junior Arts Option (PSYC 205 or SOCI 201 recommended) |
| Junior Philosophy Option | |
| Junior Open Option (CMMB 250 or Science option recommended) | |
| Junior Open Option (IDST 100 recommended) | |
| Junior Open Option | |
| Junior Open Option |
Note: Junior options may be any course that transfers to the University of Calgary. For more information or confirmation of appropriate courses, consult the Alberta Transfer Guide or contact your Academic Advisor.
SECOND YEAR
Semester 3 - Issues and Experiences of Population Health Challenges
| NURS 285 | The Discipline and Profession of Nursing I: Foundational Professional Concepts |
| NURS 287 | The Science of Health I: Communities and Populations |
| NURS 288 | Supporting Health I: Communities and Populations |
| NURS 289 | Integrating Nursing Roles and Practices I: Learning, Praxis and Scholarship in the Practicum Setting |
| Semester 4 - Issues and Experiences of Family Health Transitions and Challenges | |
| NURS 385 | The Discipline and Profession of Nursing II: Inter-Professional Practice and Professional Accountability |
| NURS 387 |
The Science of Health II: Families in Transition |
| NURS 388 | Supporting Health II: Families in Transition |
| NURS 389 | Integrating Nursing Roles and Practices II: Learning, Praxis and Scholarship in the Practicum Setting |
THIRD YEAR - Register with the University of Calgary
Refer to the University of Calgary calendar for course descriptions: www.ucalgary.ca/pubs/calendar/current/nursing.
Semester 5 - Issues and Experiences of Life Threatening Health Challenges
| NURS 485 | The Discipline and Profession of Nursing III: Further Inquiry and Scholarship in Nursing |
| NURS 487 | The Science of Health III: People Experience Life Threatening Health Challenges |
| NURS 488 |
Supporting Health III: People with Life Threatening Health Challenges |
| NURS 489 | Integrating Nursing Roles and Practices III: Learning, Praxis and Scholarship in the Practicum Setting |
| Semester 6 - Issues and Experiences of Chronic Health Challenges | |
| NURS 495 | The Discipline and Profession of Nursing IV: Understanding the Challenges of Leadership and Systems of Care |
| NURS 497 | The Science of Health IV: People Experiencing Chronic Health Challenges |
| NURS 498 |
Supporting Health IV: People With Chronic Health Challenges |
| NURS 499 |
Integrating Nursing Roles and Practices III: Learning, Praxis and Scholarship in the Practicum Setting |
FOURTH YEAR - Register with the University of Calgary
Refer to the University of Calgary calendar for course descriptions: www.ucalgary.ca/pubs/calendar/current/nursing.
Semester 7 - Focused Exploration of Complex Health Challenges
| NURS 585 | The Discipline and Profession of Nursing V: Challenges of Leadership and Systems of Care: Nursing and Health Care Systems, Policy, Ethics and Politics |
| NURS 487 | NURS 589 Integrating Nursing Roles and Practices V: Learning, Praxis and Scholarship in the Practicum Setting |
| |
Senior Nursing Option I |
| Senior Nursing Option II |
|
| Semester 8 - Transition to Practice: Senior Clinical Practicum | |
| NURS 599 | Integrating Nursing Roles and Practices VI: Transition to Nursing Practice |
Career Opportunities
Employment opportunities for registered nurses are steady and are expected to increase when the aging nursing workforce retires. Baccalaureate prepared nurses can also pursue graduate studies so they can have more advanced roles in practice and in nursing research. If you are seeking a career with dependable job opportunities, nursing is an excellent choice.
Graduates of the program will find employment opportunities with:
- Regional Health Authorities
- Clinics (medical, dental and community)
- Nursing Homes
- Home Care Agencies
- Large Corporations and Insurance Companies
- Government Services (e.g. penitentiaries)
What is your education going to cost?
Our TUITION and FEES page provides a total cost estimate for your program including books and supplies and related expenses.
Looking for ways to help fund your education?
There are lots of options like student loans, scholarships, bursaries and emergency funding available.
Check out our FINANCIAL AID page for more information.
Many programs offered at Medicine Hat College qualify for transfer credits to other institutions. In some cases, you must transfer to another institution to complete your program and gain your credential.
The ACADEMIC CALENDAR has official information on transfer options for each program.
Please consult the calendar or meet with an academic advisor for more information.
At MHC, we care about students and want to help you succeed.
As a student, there may be times when you require support. Our SERVICES page provides you with links to a number of campus supports including academic success, counselling and care, health and wellness, and many other resources.
Have you always wanted to study abroad?
Enhance your education, share in cultural diversity and embrace new experiences. Visit the INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY PROGRAM section to find out more.
Procedures, guidelines and resources for MHC/UC nursing students at MHC.
- Arranging Replacement Practice Experience Due to Undergraduate Student Absence
- Attire for Faculty in the Practice Setting
- Attire for Students in Practice Setting Undergraduate Programs for the 2nd year
- Consents and Contracts
- CPR Certification Policy for Undergraduate Students (Calgary campus and Medicine Hat College site)
- Deferred Final Examinations
- Documentation in Practice Areas
- How Instructors Can Support Undergraduate Students who Report Abuse in the Learning Environment
- 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 at MHC
- Point of Care Blood Glucose Testing for Nursing Instructors
- Police Information Check
- Practice Coverage for Unforeseen Instructor Absence
- Practicum Intervention
- Principles and Procedures for Student Academic Appeals
- Religious and Spiritual Observance for Undergraduate Students
- Signage of Documentation in Practice Areas Undergraduate and Graduate Programs
- Specialized Clinical Competencies 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
- 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.
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).