To become a Registered Nurse (RN), the following are required:

• a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree (the outcome of our PDBSN option)
• clinical practice (included in our program)
• successful completion of the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN)
• registration with a provincial regulatory body (College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan (CRNS)) in Saskatchewan

Learn more about hourly wages for RNs in Saskatchewan.

Nurses practice within a diverse range of positions and settings anywhere within Canada and around the globe and can choose from a variety of rewarding careers, including:

• Government - development of health-care policy
• International health agencies - clinical and non-clinical opportunities with agencies, such as UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO)
• Military Service - nursing officers
• Clinical practice
  • Hospitals – medical, surgical, pediatrics, obstetrics, etc.
  • Community – public health, schools, addictions, shelter agencies, etc.
  • Long-term care – secure environments, care homes, rehabilitation residences, etc.
  • Nurse educator
  • Administration
  • Non-profit sector
  • Forensics
  • Air ambulance
  • Occupational health
  • Northern nursing
  • Rural and remote communities
  • International settings - graduates 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.

More careers are available with experience and advanced education:

• Administrator (Management)
• Counselor/therapist
• Educator
• Researcher
• Nurse Practitioner
• Private practice

Professional associations available to RNs:

• College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan (CRNS)
• Canadian Nurses Association (CNA)
• International Council of Nurses (ICN)
• Numerous nursing specialty associations
  • Canadian Indigenous Nurses Association, Emergency Nurses Association, International Association of Forensic Nurses, etc. 

You may be considered for admission into the College of Nursing with ONE deficiency in the following prerequisite courses:

• Nutrition, or
• Social Science, or
• Indigenous Studies

If you are admitted with a deficiency, we recommend you clear the deficiency prior to the start of the PDBSN program of study, as the course load in the Post-Degree BSN is very heavy, leaving no time for additional courses.

This deficiency must be completed by the end of April of the year you are admitted. Proof of completion must be received by May 31. A deficiency in the application to the PDBSN is defined by the College of Nursing as a prerequisite course not completed by April 30 of the admission year.

If you do not qualify for regular admission because your calculated admission average is less than 70%, you may be considered for special case admission into the Post-Degree BSN option. Special case admission is available to applicants who:

• have a minimum average of 65% calculated in the same way as the regular Post-Degree BSN admission averages;
• meet all other admission requirements, including prerequisite courses and situational judgement test; and
• are not currently enrolled in a BSN/PDBSN program.

Applicants are considered on a case-by-case basis and the seat may not be filled each year. Students must apply to the Post-Degree BSN option by the posted deadlines and send documents required for admission by the posted document deadline.

If you are eligible for consideration for special case admission, we will request the following:

• A resume
• A letter to the Associate Dean outlining why you should be considered as a special case for admission. The letter should include:
  • Relevant information on your academic record
  • Work/life experience that highlights you as a special case for admission
  • Any additional education
  • Strategies for your success in the Post-Degree BSN option
  • Motivations for nursing
  • Please include the names and contact information of three people who can provide a reference, for example: academic (one only), work place (direct report), volunteer/community
• An interview (We will contact short-listed candidates only.)

View a complete list of required documentation for admission in the Ready to Apply section below.

If you have been asked to provide proof of your English proficiency, you can do so in the following ways:

1. Completion of high school and post-secondary studies in English
   At least 3 years of full-time study in an approved English-medium secondary program including Grades 10, 11 and 12,¹

   AND

   at least 24 CU of the prerequisite nursing courses must be from a recognized post-secondary institution where English* is the official language of instruction and examination.¹

   * The post-secondary institution must declare English to be the only language of instruction and examination throughout the institution, not just in select departments.

   ¹ If secondary or post-secondary study occurred more than five years ago, additional proof of English proficiency may be required.

   The following English Language Curriculums would be considered acceptable at the high school level:

   • Canadian English-medium schools
   • Overseas schools offering a Canadian education system curriculum in English
   • US regionally-accredited English medium schools
   • International Baccalaureate Programme
   • India - IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) and CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) only
   • GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) O (Ordinary) Level & GCE (General Certificate of Education) A (Advanced) Levels
   • NZQA (New Zealand Qualifications Authority)
   • Australian State Curriculums
   • CAPE (Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations)
   • SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority)
   • NQAI (National Qualifications Authority of Ireland)
   • WBQ (Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification)

   Students who have not followed one of these secondary level curriculums, will be required to provide another form of proof of English proficiency. This list will be updated annually as required.

2. Completion of an accepted standardized test

   English proficiency test	Minimum score required for College of Nursing
   TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language)	90
   Reading	20
   Listening	22
   Speaking	26
   Writing	20
   IELTS (International English Language Testing System)	7
   Reading	6
   Listening	6
   Speaking	7
   Writing	6
   CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Assessment)	70
   Reading	60
   Listening	60
   Speaking	70
   Writing	60

Applicants are admitted on the basis of the required post-secondary course work and the results of their Casper exam. Applications are accepted from residents of all Canadian provinces and territories and international countries. Canadian or international residency status is not considered in the application process.

The University of Saskatchewan (USask) is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, and proud to support academic opportunities for Indigenous students. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous students provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous membership/citizenship at USask is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapewin: Indigenous Truth policy and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy.

16.6% of seats in this program are designated for Indigenous candidates who verified Indigenous membership/citizenship and verification of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation is required if you wish to be considered for one of these seats.

Candidates under consideration for these seats will be evaluated according to either:

• the standard selection criteria: academic record (60% weighting) and situational judgement test score (40% weighting)
  or
• academic record (100% weighting).

Please visit the Indigenous Membership/Citizenship Verification channel in PAWS and proceed through the verification system.

You can learn more about learn more about deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin at indigenous.usask.ca. If you have any questions or require additional information about deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin please contact: indigenoustruthpolicy@usask.ca.

The University of Saskatchewan provides services and/or accommodations for students with disabilities. All students with disabilities are encouraged to register with Access and Equity Services (AES). Access to most services and programs provided by AES is restricted to students who have registered with the office. If you have a disability you must contact AES. Learn more about requisite skills and abilities necessary to pursue nursing as outlined by the College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan.

International students are welcomed. Applicants who self-identify on the application form as being ESL (English as a Second Language) or EAL (English as an Additional Language) are required to provide proof of English proficiency to determine admission to the program.

If you are a Registered Nurse from outside of Canada, you should contact a College of Nursing academic advisor for more information on requirements, prior to submitting an application.

Students who have previously received a faculty action (required to discontinue or RTD, required to withdraw, advised to discontinue, or academic probation) are required to submit a letter to the Admissions Office by the document deadline, August 1. The letter should explain the reason(s) for the faculty action and outline any strategies and supports implemented to promote future success in the Nursing program, if admitted to the College of Nursing. This letter will be reviewed by the Associate or Assistant Dean.  

Note: Students are not considered for application if they are currently in their RTD period.

Like standard applicants, transfer applicants are admitted on the basis of post-secondary work and a test of situational judgement and must meet the same admission criteria.

Any transfer credit given for prior nursing courses will be determined by the College of Nursing.

• Send official transcripts by August 1 for all course work completed up to the end of June of the year prior to your expected admission and from each post-secondary institution (other than USask) you have attended.
• Submit an unofficial transcript or proof of registration for courses being taken between July 1 and December prior to January 1 of the year of your desired entrance date. A final transcript must be sent when all courses are complete.

After you apply for admission, you will be provided with a program monitor form that you must complete to confirm courses completed to meet your degree(s) program requirements.

If you are required to provide proof of English proficiency, it is your responsibility to have completed a relevant test with the appropriate score before the application deadline. View specific requirements above.

The University of Saskatchewan (USask) is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, and proud to support academic opportunities for Indigenous students. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous students provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous membership/citizenship at USask is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapewin: Indigenous Truth policy and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy.

16.6% of seats in this program are designated for Indigenous candidates who verified Indigenous membership/citizenship and verification of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation is required if you wish to be considered for one of these seats.

Candidates under consideration for these seats will be evaluated according to either:

• the standard selection criteria: academic record (60% weighting) and situational judgement test score (40% weighting)
  or
• academic record (100% weighting).

Please visit the Indigenous Membership/Citizenship Verification channel in PAWS and proceed through the verification system.

You can learn more about learn more about deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin at indigenous.usask.ca. If you have any questions or require additional information about deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin please contact: indigenoustruthpolicy@usask.ca.

The University of Saskatchewan provides services and/or accommodations for students with disabilities. All students with disabilities are encouraged to register with Access and Equity Services (AES). Access to most services and programs provided by AES is restricted to students who have registered with the office. If you have a disability you must contact AES. Learn more about requisite skills and abilities necessary to pursue nursing as outlined by the College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan. Learn more about the College of Nursing Access and Equity Services policy here.

Applicants who attended a nursing program in Canada and who have completed a minimum of six credit units or equivalent of nursing classes in Canada are required to submit the completed program reference form. The program reference form will be used to access the applicant's suitability for admission, based on the applicant's academic standing and previous performance in a nursing program.

Learn more about additional program requirements including health and safety, uniforms and supplies.