Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) FAQ's

Nursing as a Career

  1. Why should I consider nursing as a career?
    Nursing is the largest health care profession in the world. The nurse of the twenty-first century utilizes advanced technology to provide nursing care to individuals, families, groups and communities. A career in nursing is rewarding and challenging. Nurses practice within a diverse range of positions and settings anywhere within Canada and around the globe. No other health care profession offers the spectrum of opportunities available to the Registered Nurse.

  2. What are the job opportunities within nursing? 
    The opportunities within nursing are endless. There are more job opportunities in nursing than in any other health care profession.
    • Clinical practice (hospitals: medical, surgical, pediatrics, obstetrics; community care: public health, schools, addictions, shelter agencies; long term care: secure environments, care homes, rehabilitation residences; forensics; international settings & health agencies;  non-profit sector;  air ambulance; occupational health; northern nursing; rural and remote nursing; etc.)
    • Military: Nursing officers
    • Administrator (Management) (requires experience and advanced education)
    • Counselor/ Therapist (requires experience and advanced education)
    • Educator (requires experience and advanced education)
    • Researcher (requires experience and advanced education)
    • Nurse Practitioner (requires experience and advanced education)
    • Private (independent) Practice (requires experience and advanced education) 

  3. What is the starting hourly wage for a Registered Nurse (RN) in Saskatchewan?
    Learn more about starting hourly wages for RNs here.

  4. What is the hourly wage for a nurse in Saskatchewan with 5 years of experience?
    Learn more about the hourly wage for nurses with 5 years of experience here.

  5. Do I need to decide now if I want to be a nurse? 
    When you apply for admission to the University of Saskatchewan, the Pre-Professional year will give you the first year of university to examine all health care professions, as well as other general arts and science options before you decide. You may apply for admission to the College of Nursing while you are completing these courses. The application for admission to nursing is available early October until March 31. 

  6. What are the professional associations available to Registered Nurses? 
  7. How is nursing different/unique from other health professions? (i.e., psychology, medicine, pharmacy, social work, etc.) 

    • Nursing has a clinical practice component; therefore, nurses are more likely to have direct interaction with patients in clinical settings. Some health professions do not have a clinical practice component.
    • Nurses are more likely to have responsibility for the 24 hour care of patients on a 24/7/365 daily basis compared to other health care professions.
    • Nurses have the role of medication management and administration. Nurse Practitioners (graduate level) also have prescribing authority.
    • Nurses are more likely to have a social sense or responsibility for the continuation of care from hospital to home, to community.
    • Nurses are more likely to care for patients across the lifespan, birth to death.

BSN Program

  1. How is admission average calculated?
    Learn about program admission here. 

  2. What is the deadline for admission? 
    Learn about admission deadlines here.

  3. What are the benefits of the BSN program at USask? 
    Learn about the benefits of the BSN program here. 

  4. How and when do I apply to get into the nursing program at the University of Saskatchewan?

    Step 1: Apply for Pre-Professional year in Arts & Science

    The pre-professional courses may be completed throughout Saskatchewan at a variety of institutions including the University of Saskatchewan College of Arts & Sciences, the University of Regina Faculty of Arts and/or Science, or through a number of regional colleges offering accredited courses (such as Northlands College). Learn more about admissions here.

    Step 2: Apply for second year in the College of Nursing

    All students interested in pursuing nursing for years 2, 3 and 4 at one of our sites, must apply for admission to the College of Nursing during the first year of study. Learn more about admission and deadlines here 

  5. Where can I take the BSN program? How many seats are available? 
    Learn more about BSN program locations and seat availability here.

  6. What is the cost of the BSN program? 
    Learn more about the cost of the program here.

    Costs associated with clinical experience (that may occur outside of Saskatoon) are the responsibility of the student (e.g., accommodation and transportation). 

  7. If a student is admitted, but doesn't come, do they have to reapply and pay the application fee again if they choose to come for the following year?
    Yes.

  8. If a student repeats a class, which mark will be used?
    The highest mark will be used. 

  9. How is the BSN program structured? 
    Course organization information can be found here. 

  10. If a student has more electives than required, which will be used? 
    The electives with the highest marks will be used. 

  11. What is the application fee? 
    The application fee is $90.00.

  12. What are the English Language Requirements?
    Learn more about English Language Requirements here.

Pre-Professional Year

  1. What are the benefits of doing a pre-professional year prior to entering the BSN program?
    Learn more about the benefits of the pre-professional year here.

  2. Who can I get advice from if I'm not sure which direction to take during/after my pre-professional year?
    Our academic advisors are available to answer any questions you may have. Other sources include information sessions and career fairs about the different health science programs and materials on our website.

  3. Which high school math(s) from the new curriculum are required?
    Learn more about the math requirements here.

  4. What are my options if my grades are not high enough for admission to the BSN program?
    If your average is not high enough, or if you are not admitted to the program, you can take other courses to raise your average or repeat a course, then reapply the following year. For example, if a student took Chemistry 112 and got a 60%, they could take Chemistry 250 to try and raise their average. 

  5. What if I want to stay in the College of Arts & Science after my pre-professional year? Can I continue to work towards a degree in the College of Arts & Science?
    Yes, students in their pre-professional year remain students in the College of Arts & Science and can continue to work towards any Arts and Science degree at the advice of academic advisors with the College of Arts & Science. You may also have the option of considering other health science streams or other programs through the University of Saskatchewan.

  6. What Indigenous/Native Studies courses meet the requirements for the pre-professional year?
    Learn more about Indigenous/Native Studies course requirements here. 

  7. Does the admission process to the College of Nursing include an interview component?
    At the present time, there is no interview component.

  8. Which courses can I take that can be used in year 2 of nursing if I have completed the pre-professional year, but I am not yet in the BSN program? 
      • You may choose from one of the following courses or combination of courses to meet the PHSI 208.6* requirement:
        University of Saskatchewan
        PHSI 208.6
        HSC 208.6
        PHPY 302.3 and PHPY 303.3 
        ACB 221.3 and KIN 225.3 and KIN 226.3  
        BIOL 317.3 and BIOL 318.3  
        BMSC 224.3 and PHPY 302.3 and ACB 221.3
        BMSC 224.3 and PHPY 303.3 and ACB 221.3
        BMSC 224.3 and PHPY 303.3 and ACB 310.3
        BMSC 224.3 and PHPY 302.3 and ACB 310.3

        Athabasca University 
        BIO 235.6 

        Saskatchewan Polytechnic
        APHY 162 and 262

        University of Regina 
        KHS 168 and KHS 267 (between 2001-2010) and KHS 269 or
        KIN 267 and KIN 268 (Effective 2010)
        BIOL 110 and 111

      • You may choose from one of the following courses to meet the MCIM 223* requirement:
        University of Saskatchewan
        MICM 214.3 or MCIM 223.3 or MCIM 224.3 or BMSC 210.3
        FABS 212 or FAMS 212

        Athabasca University
        BIOL 325.3

        University of Regina
        BIOL 220 or BIOL 222


    * Students who have taken other courses that meet the requirements for MCIM 223.3 and PHSI 208.6 must have a minimum weighted average of 60% and the course(s) must be less than ten years old from the time of admission. 

  9. Where can I take my pre-professional year? 
    Learn more about pre-professional program course locations here.

Other

  1. Are there fast tracking options through the BSN program available to students?
    No, as there will be extended clinical practicum courses at the end of second and third year. 

  2. What is the difference between the BSN Program and the Post-Degree BSN Option?
    The Post-Degree BSN option is a program for students who have already completed a degree in another area OR made significant progress towards a degree. 

  3. Will registration with the Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association of Saskatchewan be available to graduates of the BSN program? 
    Registered Nurses (RNs) are prepared to practice in all psychiatric/mental health nursing areas and are eligible for registration across Canada and around the world. Registered Nurses specializing in psychiatric mental health nursing may become certified in psychiatric mental health nursing and use the designation CPMHN(c) - (with the (c) referring to Canada). If you are interested in becoming a Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) and are eligible to register with the Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association of Saskatchewan (RPNAS), please refer to their website regarding eligible programs.

  4. What does the College of Nursing offer for Practical Nurses (PN) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)?
    PNs and LPNs will be given "recognition for prior learning" and a study plan will be developed, so credit will be granted for common bases of learning. Students are required to have 30 credit units of Arts & Science requirements. Our academic advisors are available to answer any questions. Learn more about PN and LPN options here.

  5. How long will it take to have a Visa Screen form completed?
    Graduates from the College of Nursing interested in seeking employment in another province or country should expect a turn-around time of 4-6 weeks to complete the necessary documentation required to verify their education. Several individuals and units on campus are involved in verifying students' education.

  6. Can I be admitted to the BSN program with a deficiency?
    Learn more about BSN program deficiencies here.

  7. How can I be admitted under special admission? 
    A student will not be admitted to the College of Nursing through special admission. However, a student can be admitted to a post-secondary institution by special admission (home-schooled, GED, transition program, etc.) and as long as the student completes the pre-professional course requirements, they will be considered for admission to nursing when they apply.

  8. Can a student with a disability be admitted to the BSN program? 
    Students should review the requisite skills and abilities documents created by the College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan (CRN) to determine whether or not they should apply to Nursing.

  9. Do you have equity seats for students of Indigenous ancestry? 
    Yes, 16.6% of the overall seats available in the program are reserved for Indigenous students.

  10. Can I apply to both the BSN program and Post-Degree BSN option? 
    Yes, as long as you meet requirements for both. Please note the BSN program and Post-Degree option have different application and document deadlines.

  11. I am an internationally educated Registered Nurse. Do I need to take my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program to become a Registered Nurse in Saskatchewan? 
    If you are a Registered Nurse from outside of Canada, you should contact the College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan (CRN) for more information on the requirements for registration and licensing.