From operating rooms to mental health centres to long-term care facilities, Canada needs nurses like you.

Study Nursing at Western to become a Registered Nurse (RN) through our four-year collaborative program with Fanshawe College, or take advantage of our 19-month or 22-month fast-track programs for students with previous university and/or practical nursing experience.

In the classroom, you learn to think like a nurse – theory, research methodologies, ethical and legal aspects, public policy, health equity and more. In our state-of-the-art clinical labs and simulation suites, you practice the act of nursing, with hands-on training in an immersive learning environment.

Two learning paths. Two locations. Unlimited possibilities. If you have a heart for helping, get ready to make an impact in one of the most rewarding careers available.  

Western's Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing offers four ways to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) degree:

Western-Fanshawe Collaborative BScN: Four-year program that qualifies graduates to apply for registration as a professional nurse, in partnership with Fanshawe College.

Regular Stream: Compressed Time Frame BScN: 19-month course of study designed for students who already hold a university degree or have completed at least two years of university study.

RPN Stream A: Compressed Time Frame BScN program: 19-month course of study to prepare RPN graduates for careers as Registered Nurses (RN).

RPN Stream B: Compressed Time Frame BScN program: 22-month course of study to prepare experienced RPN graduates for careers as Registered Nurses (RN).

Western-Fanshawe Collaborative BScN

Apply to the School of Nursing:

• First-year class size = 150-165 
• OUAC Code = ENW (for Western site), ENF (for Fanshawe site) 
• Required Courses: 
  • Minimum 70% in each of: 
    • English, ENG4U 
    • Biology, SBI4U 
    • Chemistry, SCH4U 
  • And minimum 70% in one of: 
    • Functions and Applications, MCF3M 
    • Functions, MCR3U
    • NOTE: Grade 11 3U and/or 3M level courses may be required as prerequisites (however, they will not be used in the calculation of the admission average)
  • These grades are minimum requirements and do not guarantee admission
• Average Guideline: Mid to High 80s
  • Averages reflect Ontario high school students
  • Remember, these are guidelines only
  • Admission to Western is competitive – achieving an average in the suggested range does not guarantee admission
• You must take the Casper test
  • The last Casper test date is March 4, 2025
  • You don't need the 'Snapshot' portion (an extension of the Casper test)
• If you do not meet the Grade 11 Math requirement, you will need a minimum of 70% in one Grade 12 U level Math course

Study the details on School of Nursing admission.

Compressed Time Frame BScN

Apply to the School of Nursing:

• First-year class size = 265
• OUAC Code = ENS
• Three streams available:
  • Regular Stream
  • RPN Stream A
  • RPN Stream B

Regular Stream Compressed

• Required University-Level Courses: 
  • 60% in each of: 
    • 1.0 credit in human physiology or equivalent
    • 0.5 credit in anatomy
    • 0.5 credit in introductory statistics
• Average Requirements: A minimum 75% (3.0 GPA) in your most recently completed 10.0 university-level full-course equivalents
  • Admission to Western is competitive – achieving the minimum average does not guarantee admission
  • If courses are repeated within the last 10.0 credits you completed, we'll use both attempts in your admission average

Study the details on School of Nursing admission. 

RPN Stream A (Compressed Time Frame)

• You must have RPN registration and be in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario
• You must have completed a Practical Nursing program from an accredited College of Applied Arts and Technology in Ontario
  • Admission may be opened to graduates of other Practical Nursing programs in future years
• Average Requirements: A minimum 75% (3.5 GPA) in the Practical Nursing Diploma Program and 65% in 5.0 full degree courses at a recognized university
  • Admission to Western is competitive – achieving the minimum average does not guarantee admission 

Study the details on School of Nursing admission. 

RPN Stream B (Compressed Time Frame)

• You must have RPN registration and be in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario
• You must have completed the equivalent of two years of full-time RPN experience (3,640 hours) in Canada
• You must have completed an accredited two-year Practical Nursing Diploma program from a Canadian college
• Average Requirements: A minimum 75% (3.5 GPA) in the Practical Nursing Diploma Program
  • Admission to Western is competitive – achieving the minimum average does not guarantee admission 

Study the details on School of Nursing admission. 

High-Tech Learning

You’ll start your training in our Clinical Skills Lab and move on to hands-on practice in our Simulated Education Suite. 

Check It Out

Practice Placements

You'll have learning opportunities across a variety of urban, community and rural settings in southwestern Ontario.

Real-World Experience

Sample courses: 

• Nursing 1330 - Human Anatomy for Nursing Students  
• Nursing 2240 - Introduction to Health Informatics Within Nursing 
• Nursing 3310 - Health in Global Context 
• Nursing 4410 - Professional Practice: Clients with Complex Health Challenges 

Scholarships Available 💰