Nursing Schools and Programs in Canada

Nursing Studies in Canada

Nursing in Canada is a regulated profession, and the route into it runs through a university degree. A registered nurse (RN) normally completes a four-year bachelor's degree in nursing, passes a national licensing exam and registers with the regulatory body of the province where they will work. For an international student the main points to check are whether a programme admits students from abroad, since places are limited, and what the province requires for registration afterwards.

SpainExchange lists 15 schools in Canada with nursing or related health programmes, in Toronto, Kitchener, Lethbridge, Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Kingston and other cities. They include universities such as York University, Toronto Metropolitan University, Queen's University, the University of British Columbia (UBC), the University of Calgary, the University of Manitoba and Athabasca University, and colleges such as Conestoga College and Camosun College.

How nursing education is organised

The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) describes four regulated designations of nurses: registered nurses, nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses (called registered practical nurses in Ontario) and registered psychiatric nurses. The bachelor's degree leads to the registered nurse designation. It has different names depending on the university: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN or BSN) or Bachelor of Nursing (BN).

The schools' own pages show the usual structure:

• The University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) describes its BScN as a four-year programme with about 70 seats each year
• Vancouver Island University (VIU) awards its BSN after 8 academic semesters and 2 consolidated practice experiences
• The University of Lethbridge offers its Bachelor of Nursing in collaboration with Lethbridge Polytechnic, full time and in person, and also an After Degree programme for applicants who already hold an approved undergraduate degree
• York University lists a 4-year direct entry BScN, a second entry BScN and a BScN for internationally educated nurses

Clinical practice in hospitals and community services is part of every programme. Programmes are approved by the provincial regulator, as VIU states for the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM), and the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) is the national accrediting body for nursing education.

Admission and language

Admission is competitive and based on science subjects. UPEI asks high school applicants for a mark of at least 65% in English, Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology, and gives priority to residents of the province. The University of Lethbridge requires biology, chemistry, mathematics and English, plus a Spoken English Language Proficiency requirement.

Not every programme is open to students from abroad. VIU states that its BSN is not currently available to international students. Applicants should confirm this point with each school before preparing documents. Teaching is in English at the schools listed here.

Registration and recognition

Nursing is regulated by province. In British Columbia, Ontario and Nova Scotia a single college regulates all categories of nurses; in the other provinces and territories each category has its own body. In Ontario, for example, a nurse must register with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) to practise.

Graduates of the bachelor's degree write the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses). VIU gives a cost of about CAN$360 for the exam. Nurses who qualified in another country start with the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS), which describes itself as an internationally educated nurse's first step towards becoming a nurse in Canada.

Study permit and costs

Most foreign nationals need a study permit, which requires enrolment at a designated learning institution (DLI) and proof of funds. The application fee is CAN$150 (Government of Canada, checked October 2026).

Fees vary by university. As an example, UPEI publishes nursing tuition of CAN$8,130 per year, and international students pay CAN$9,718 per year in addition. EduCanada, the Government of Canada's study portal, advises budgeting a minimum of CAN$23,000 per year for living costs (2026).

Careers

According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), 238,162 registered nurses were employed in direct patient care in Canada in 2025, and internationally educated RNs accounted for 16.8% of the RN supply. The Government of Canada's Job Bank expects a strong risk of labour shortage for registered nurses at the national level over the 2024-2033 period. Nurses work in hospitals, long-term care, community health and public health, and can go on to master's programmes or nurse practitioner training.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a nursing degree take in Canada?

The bachelor's degree for registered nurses usually takes four years. Some universities, such as the University of Lethbridge, offer a separate After Degree programme for applicants who already hold a degree.

Can international students study nursing in Canada?

It depends on the school. Places are limited and some programmes, such as the BSN at Vancouver Island University, are not currently available to international students.

Which exam do nurses take to register in Canada?

Graduates of a bachelor's degree in nursing write the NCLEX-RN and then apply for registration with the regulatory body of their province.

Can a nurse trained abroad work in Canada?

Yes, after an assessment. The first step is an application to the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS); the provincial regulator then decides on registration.