Female nurse smiling

Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)

Why choose the University of Ottawa's nursing program?

Excellence and innovation

Ranked among the top 100 globally and third in Ontario, our school of nursing is recognized for its excellence. Thanks to over 90 years’ experience of blending rich tradition with modern practices, our program is based on innovative research from esteemed professors. Our new, ultramodern building features the latest technology for simulations, fostering innovation and cutting-edge research. Offered in both English and French, our bilingual program ensures accessibility and inclusivity for all students.

Career preparation and support

Our nursing graduates enjoy a 96% employment rate, stepping into a profession with abundant job opportunities. The program prepares nurses for leadership roles with a solid theoretical foundation and hands-on training. Flexible study paths, including programs at uOttawa’s Lees campus and a collaborative program with Algonquin College, cater to diverse educational needs. Financial grants from the Ontario government make education more affordable, ensuring that nursing students can focus on making a difference in health care.

Karyn Kertesz

“The exposure to various nursing fields through clinical placements not only helped me find my true calling but also allowed me to develop a well-rounded skill set I use every day in my nursing career.”

Karyn K.

— RN, BScN (2024)

What to expect

  • Hands-on training: Engage in practical training early in the program through clinical placements and simulations that mirror real hospital environments.
  • Cutting-edge facilities: Learn in state-of-the-art labs and classrooms equipped with the latest technology, providing a realistic and innovative learning experience.
  • Bilingual education: Study in either English or French while being immersed in a bilingual environment, where both languages are actively used in classes, clinical placements, and campus life.
  • Comprehensive curriculum: Gain a solid theoretical foundation in nursing, including advanced health sciences, professional development, and evidence-based practice.
  • Interprofessional collaboration: Work alongside students from other health-care disciplines, fostering teamwork and communication skills essential for effective patient care.
  • Career preparation: With a 96% employment rate for graduates, expect abundant job opportunities in various health-care settings once you complete your degree.
  • Supportive environment: Join a community dedicated to excellence, with professors actively engaged in research and committed to enhancing health-care outcomes.
  • Flexible study paths: Choose from multiple pathways, including the program at uOttawa’s Lees campus or the collaborative program with Algonquin College, tailored to meet your educational needs.
Nurses in a simulated hospital setting
Excellence in nursing
Why choose to study nursing at uOttawa?

Choose from three locations

No matter where you choose to study, you graduate with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Ottawa.

200 Lees view from the river

University of Ottawa

Situated in the heart of Canada’s capital, the University of Ottawa offers nursing students with unparalleled access to a variety of clinical settings, including major hospitals and community health centres, providing a well-rounded clinical education. The program is housed in a brand-new, state-of-the-art building at Lees Campus, featuring advanced simulation labs that provide students with cutting-edge learning experiences in a modern health-care environment.

All courses in the nursing program are offered at the University of Ottawa.

Language of instruction: French or English or French immersion

Algonquin College - Ottawa - Building B

Algonquin College (Ottawa campus)

Located in the west end of Ottawa, Algonquin College’s Ottawa campus offers nursing students hands-on learning experiences in modern simulation labs and proximity to health-care institutions in a bustling metropolitan area. This campus provides a strong focus on practical skills, making it an excellent choice for students looking to dive into clinical practice early in their education.

While first-year courses and some second-year courses are taken at the University of Ottawa, the third and fourth years are completed exclusively at Algonquin College, allowing students to fully benefit from the campus’s practical, career-focused approach to nursing education.

Language of instruction: English

Algonquin College campus (pembroke)

Algonquin College (Pembroke campus)

Nestled in a scenic rural setting along the Ottawa River, Algonquin College’s Pembroke campus gives nursing students the opportunity to train in a close-knit community environment. The smaller class sizes and rural clinical placements offer personalized attention and unique experiences in community health, long-term care, and rural health-care delivery.

All courses in the nursing program are offered at the Pembroke campus (Pembroke, Ontario).

Language of Instruction: English

The future of nursing

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The University of Ottawa’s new Louise McEntyre West Nursing Simulation and Peer Mentorship Centre offers a groundbreaking approach to nursing education, designed to closely mimic a real hospital setting. Here’s how the centre prepares students for their future careers in health care:

  • State-of-the-art facilities
  • Hands-on learning opportunities
  • Interprofessional collaboration
Learn more about the Centre

Our growing network

cnfs logo

The Consortium national de formation en santé (CNFS) is a national association of post-secondary institutions that offer educational programs in French for various health-care professions.

The CNFS aims to improve access to health-care services in French in minority language communities by training Francophone health-care professionals and by supporting research related to this training and to the needs of these communities.

Visit the CNFS website
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Bridging Pathway for Registered Practical Nurses

This compressed timeframe program allows for direct entry into Year 3 of the Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Ottawa after successful completion of 6 predetermined university courses. Students can upgrade their education from diploma-prepared practical nurse to degree-prepared Registered Nurse in 6 terms (2.5 years).
Learn more about the Bridging Pathway
96%

Employment rate for nursing graduates.

#3

For nursing in Ontario and top 100 in the world.

91

Years of excellence in nursing education

Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) accreditation

Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) logo

This Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) accredited program confirms the quality of our curriculum, enabling graduates to meet national competencies and access opportunities in healthcare across Canada.

Having fulfilled the necessary requirements for the CASN Accreditation Program, which sets the national standard for nursing education, and successfully completed a site examination, the University of Ottawa and Algonquin College (Ottawa campus) Nursing program has been granted accreditation status.

Having partially fulfilled the necessary requirements for the CASN Accreditation Program and successfully completed a site examination, the Algonquin College Pembroke Nursing program has been granted a probationary accreditation status.

View the CASN website

The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) accreditation

College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) accreditation logo

The University of Ottawa Baccalaureate Nursing Programs are approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario. Current graduates from these programs are eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Nurse in Ontario.

With CNO’s accreditation, our program equips students with the qualifications needed to confidently enter the nursing profession.

View the CNO's website
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Essential requirements for study

The essential requirements for Ontario baccalaureate nursing programs provide guidance for applicants, students, faculty, and health professionals on necessary qualifications and accommodations. These requirements ensure informed decisions, safety, and successful completion of the nursing program.
View essential requirements