Programs & Courses

Nursing

DEGREE

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Registered nurses continue to be in demand across the country. With solid career opportunities and generous compensation, nursing is a popular program choice. In just four years you can receive a University of Calgary Bachelor of Nursing degree at Medicine Hat College, and begin a rewarding career in a variety of settings.

Please Note: The Bachelor of Nursing degree is a competitive entry program. Meeting minimum published admission averages does not guarantee admission to the program.

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About this Program

Nurses play an important role in our health care system, and their services are in demand across the country. 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 experiences such as learning through practice settings, home visits, faculty guided seminars and practice, low and high fidelity simulation, and student directed practice learning. The curriculum emphasizes the full scope of Registered Nurse practice, critical practice, evidence-based practice and interprofessional 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 Medicine Hat College student for the 1st and 2nd years. Upon successful completion of your first two years of the program, you apply to the U of C as a 3rd 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. Nursing is a competitive program so the most academically qualified applicants are accepted first. We accept applications and will admit students until all seats are filled.

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.

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. Before beginning courses in Semester 3 (your second year), 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

Some courses related to this program are found here. Please see the academic calendar or this year's program planning guide for an up-to-date set of courses related to Nursing.

BNUR 485 - The Discipline and Profession of Nursing III
BNUR 487 - The Science of Health III
BNUR 488 - Supporting Health III
BNUR 489 - Integrating Nursing Roles and Practices III
BNUR 495 - The Discipline and Profession of Nursing IV
BNUR 497 - The Science of Health IV
BNUR 498 - Supporting Health IV
BNUR 499 - Integrating Nursing Roles and Practices IV
BNUR 503 - Selected Topics in Nursing
BNUR 585 - The Discipline & Profession of Nursing V
BNUR 589 - Integrating Nursing Roles and Practices V
BNUR 599 - Integrating Nursing Roles and Practices VI

Discover tuition and related program costs

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.

Fund your education

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.

Learn about transfer options

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.

Access student supports

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.

Explore international study opportunities

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.

Clinical Experiences

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.

Other Relevant 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.

Notes

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).


High Fidelity Simulation Get hands-on experience in our state-of-the-art high fidelity patient simulation centres.