Nursing Education Guide
Learning is fundamental in nursing. Of course this is true during student years, but also throughout a nursing career. As Canada’s health-care system evolves, so too are the demands placed on nurses. This is why nursing education in Canada includes not just general arts and sciences knowledge, but grounding in a depth and breadth of skills and attitudes that ultimately inspire an ever present desire to grow knowledge.
Nurses need a well-rounded education and to continually expand their competencies in order to adapt within a system where: patients are increasingly informed and knowledgeable; nurses are responsible for managing if not leading collaborative relationships with a team of health-care members; and nurses are relied upon to promote preventive health care in communities.
For all of these reasons, all provincial and territorial nurses’ associations have adopted the goal of having a baccalaureate requirement for entry into nursing. Evidence supports the fact that baccalaureate-prepared nurses are most able to provide safe, ethical, cost-effective and high quality nursing care for Canadians.
The trend toward a university education for Registered Nurses (RNs) is here: with the exception of students in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec, and the territories, students must choose to obtain a baccalaureate degree in nursing in order to prepare for a RN career.
Use our nursing career pathway tool to help you explore all the exciting nursing education options there are, no matter whether you are just starting out or mulling over taking a master’s degree in these areas.