About the School

The Dalhousie University School of Nursing

Overview of The Dalhousie University School of Nursing

The Dalhousie University School of Nursing, established in 1949, offers a BScN (Basic and Post RN programs), a BScN (Arctic Nursing) program, primary health care nurse practitioner program, a master of nursing (MN) program, a joint master of nursing and health services administration (MN/MHSA) and a PhD (Nursing) program. The School of Nursing is one of nine units within the Faculty of Health Professions (FHP) at Dalhousie University.

The School of Nursing advances health and social justice by educating nurses, generating and applying nursing knowledge, and informing health-related public policy.

Bachelor of Science (Nursing)

The four-year basic undergraduate degree program is a 129-credit program that prepares nurses for safe and competent practice, consistent with the CRNNS entry-level competencies. The overall purpose of the program is to prepare exemplary practitioners to work in partnerships with individuals, families, groups and communities to promote, maintain and strengthen health. Graduates are prepared to meet national entry-level competencies, to be eligible for registration in provinces and territories within Canada, and to pursue specialty and/or graduate level nursing studies. The School aims to graduate nurses who are intelligent, independent thinkers who have the capacity to utilize their acquired general and professional education to work with health professional, policy makers, and members of the community in the delivery of health care. The basic and Post RN programs are delivered on-site in Halifax and at the Yarmouth Site.

For graduate from the 4-year BScN program there are three accelerated delivery options which enable students to graduate in a shorter period of time than the usual four years.

Three Academic Year Advanced Standing option was developed in 1996 for students who had completed most or all of the non-nursing course requirements. Students study through the fall, winter and spring semesters but not during the summer semester.
Two Calendar Year Advanced Standing option was developed in 2001 for students who had completed all the non-nursing course requirements of the program. Students study for 25 consecutive months.
Three Calendar Year Fast Track option was developed in 2001 for students who had completed at least one year of university study including at least 6 credit hours of first year non-nursing courses. Students study year round similar to the two calendar year option.

The Bachelor of Science (Nursing) for Registered Nurses (Post RN Stream)

The Post-RN Stream is a 60-credit-hour degree option for diploma-educated nurses. Post RN students are able to study on a full-time or part-time basis either on-site or through distance education using audio teleconference and Web-CT (a computer-mediated distance education method).

The Bachelor of Science (Nursing) (Arctic Nursing)

The School of Nursing in collaboration with Nunavut Arctic College in Iqaluit provides a four-year program leading to a Dalhousie University Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (Arctic Nursing). The program modeled on our BScN program was designed to increase the accessibility of culturally relevant nursing education to Inuit living in Nunavut. All courses are developed by School of Nursing Faculty and approved by the School of Nursing, the Faculty of Health Professions and Nunavut Arctic College. In 2002, the program received a five-year approval rating for the Northwest Territories Registered Nurses Association.

Master of Nursing Program and Joint MN/MHSA

The 36 credit Master of Nursing Program, which is available onsite and via distance, offers three program streams including thesis, advanced practice, and policy practicum options. The program is comprised of two phases; during the first phase all students complete required courses in practice-related theories and concepts, research, and communication skills. Practice foci include community/public health nursing, mental health nursing, maternal child nursing, nursing of adults, and care of children. In the second phase, students further develop knowledge and skills through one of the three program streams. A three year (full-time) MN/MHSA program is offered jointly by the School of Nursing and the School of Health Services Administration.

PhD (Nursing) Program

The PhD (Nursing) program at Dalhousie University prepares nurse scientists to develop nursing practices that improve health outcomes generally or women’s health outcomes specifically. These nurse scholars will provide leadership in the advancement of nursing knowledge, nursing theory and practice, and health policy through scholarly research and the dissemination of research findings.