Desiré Hoare on Studying Nursing in Prince Albert

“Becoming a nurse was something I knew I always wanted to do, but as a single mother, moving away from Prince Albert to complete my nursing degree was not realistic,” says fourth year University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Nursing student Desiré Hoare.

“I was working as a massage therapist, but I knew I wanted to do something more. I didn’t know USask offered the full Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in Prince Albert until I heard an ad on the radio and the rest is history.”

Hoare is near the end of her nursing program and plans to work in either med-surg or the emergency room when she completes her degree and passes her national licensing exam. 

“I look forward to working in my home community as soon as I become a registered nurse,” said Hoare. 

Hoare says the experience at the Prince Albert Campus has been very positive and encourages anyone who is even thinking about taking their nursing degree with USask, to apply right away.

“The smaller class sizes create a more personal experience, my instructors know me by name, and I’ve had the chance to get to know the instructors on a different level than I would have on a bigger campus. Our classes at the Prince Albert Campus are more intimate and we know most of our peers, which gives us as students the opportunity to share our individual strengths with each other.”

Once Hoare gains some experience practicing as a registered nurse, she has an interest in furthering her education to become a nurse practitioner (NP).

“My big goals include taking the NP program and eventually opening a private practice and/or teaching alongside the amazing instructors who taught me!” said Hoare.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to study nursing in Prince Albert.”

Since 2012, USask College of Nursing has been offering the BSN program throughout Saskatchewan in both urban and rural communities.

The USask BSN is a 1+3 program. Students take their pre-professional year at USask campuses in Saskatoon and Prince Albert, at the University of Regina, or at a number of regional colleges throughout the province. The remaining three years are completed through the College of Nursing in Saskatoon (USask Campus), Prince Albert (USask Prince Albert Campus), La Ronge or Île-à-la-Crosse (Northlands College), Yorkton (Suncrest College), Lloydminster (Lakeland College), North Battleford (North West College), Muenster (St. Peter’s College), Swift Current (Great Plains College), and Weyburn (Southeast College).

Applications are now open until March 31, 2025 for the Fall 2025 intake of the USask BSN program.

NEW this year, early admission to the BSN program is available. Early admission seats will be competitive and students must apply by December 15, 2024.

For more information on the University of Saskatchewan Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in Prince Albert, please visit USask Admissions or the USask Prince Albert Campus website.