Bachelor of Science in Nursing, BScN

Designed in 2000, the curriculum of the BScN program stresses health promotion and wellness, while continuing to focus on care for ill persons. The BScN program is based on an existential educational philosophy adopted from the University of Victoria’s Collaborative Curriculum, 1994. Responsively and proactively, the philosophy is continually evolving, articulated and actualized in each course of the program, as are the meta-concepts of caring and health promotion. The program’s philosophy reflects a commitment to humanistic, feminist, phenomenological, and socially critical perspectives which consider the changing healthcare needs of society. These perspectives are reflected in how faculty members conceptualize nursing, professional caring, persons, health and healing, and curriculum.

Graduates of the BScN program are prepared to practice nursing with a health promotion perspective and professional caring attitude within a variety of settings and contexts with a diverse client population. They are independent, self-directed and self-motivated, and value and utilize critical thinking approaches. Graduates are self-reflective, self-evaluative, responsible, accountable, and able to make clinical judgements based on different ways of knowing, including critical thinking and intuition. They create and influence the future of nursing practice at the political, social, and professional levels by responding to and anticipating the changing needs of society. Furthermore, they are prepared to meet the professional and educational practice requirements as identified by the College of Nurses of Ontario Standards of Nursing Practice for Registered Nurses, the Guidelines for Ethical Behaviour in Nursing, and the Canadian Association of University Schools of Nursing Statement on Baccalaureate Education.

To graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a student must meet all stated degree requirements:

1. complete all NURS courses including clinical requirements where appropriate;

2. complete all required science courses with a minimum grade of 60% in each;

3. achieve a minimum overall average of 60% on all passed courses (only courses approved by Laurentian University are included in the calculation of averages);

4. complete all NURS courses for the BScN degree within 8 years of the first nursing course.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (4-year)

Designed for students with no previous nursing education

124 credits required

Program of Study

Course Descriptions

[Course descriptions are updated to reflect the minutes of the regular meetings of the Senate of Laurentian University. Last update: per 2011 minutes.]

NURS 1004EL - Self and Family Health   [ program of study ]

Emphasizes the personal meaning of health, health-related assessments and health maintenance. Learners examine significant theoretical and conceptual frameworks of health in relation to self and family. A clinical experience takes place in healthcare settings with a focus on the well elderly. A community clinical experience takes place in the context of a resource family. By reflecting on and reconstructing personal and professional experiences, learners have an opportunity to identify resources and challenges that influence health and recognize the complexity of the change process as related to health promotion and caring. Total of 34 clinical hrs. (lec 3, lab 2, exp) cr 4

NURS 1007EL - Family Experience of a Chronic Health Challenge   [ program of study ]

This course focuses on concepts related health promotion, the determinants of health, and family experience of a chronic health challenge. Emphasis is placed on critical review of the literature. Learners will participate in health assessment of individuals and families following a recognized framework in order to explore the meanings of health for Individuals and their family members. A variety of activities relate to the nurse's role in promoting and maintaining health in lives complicated by chronic health challenges will be provided. Total of 10 clinical hrs. PREREQ: NURS 1006. (lec 3) cr 3

NURS 1056EL - Introduction to Professional Growth   [ program of study ]

An introduction to the profession of nursing. The philosophy and constructs of the nursing program are examined, and the role of nursing and its evolution in society are explored, as is the relationship between theory, practice and research. Learners are introduced to the processes of critical reflections and reflective learning, and opportunities are provided for them to experience professional practice (nursing work) in a variety of settings. (lec 3) cr 3

NURS 1094EL - Nursing Practice I   [ program of study ]

This nursing practice experience will provide the opportunity to develop professional caring practice with individuals and families at various stages of the lifecycle with an emphasis on health assessment. The experience takes place in healthcare settings and focuses on chronic health challenges. Learning experiences are designed to promote the integration and consolidation of new and prior learning. PREREQ: NURS 1004, NURS 1056 & NURS 1206. COREQ: BIOL 2105, NURS 1007 & NURS 1207. Total of 88 clinical hrs. (lec 3, sem 2, exp) cr 4

NURS 1206EL - Self and Others I: Personal Discovery   [ program of study ]

This course focuses on the learner’s personal discovery of self as nurse and self in relation to others.
Through interaction and structured reflection, emphasis is placed on understanding how select
concepts relate to and impact on our experiences with self and others. (lec 3) cr 3

NURS 1207EL - Self and Others II: Interpersonal Relationships and Awareness   [ program of study ]

Designed to enhance caring interpersonal communication, which essentially involves the learner's therapeutic use of self and the understanding and application of interpersonal skills. These abilities are considered from the perspectives of contextual awareness, decision making, confidence and performance. PREREQ: NURS 1206. (lec 3, sem 1) cr 3

NURS 2006EL - Healing I: Episodic Health Challenges   [ program of study ]

Focuses on people's experiences with healing, with particular reference to health restoration within episodic health challenges. Learners integrate concepts of healing as they relate to health restoration and develop a repertoire of skills that promote healing. PREREQ: NURS 1007. (lec 3) cr 3

NURS 2057EL - Professional Growth II: The Nursing Profession   [ program of study ]

Builds on the philosophy and concepts examined in NURS 1056, and examines and explores the professional practice of nursing. Particular emphasis is placed on standards for the practice, responsibility and accountability of professional nurses. PREREQ: NURS 1056. (lec 3) cr 3

NURS 2084EL - Nursing Practice II   [ program of study ]

This nursing practice experience will emphasize the use of the nursing process integrated with pharmacological knowledge and provide the opportunity to develop caring practice with people experiencing episodic health challenges. Experiences will include nursing individuals and families in a variety of care contexts. PREREQ: BIOL 2105, NURS 1007, NURS 1094 & NURS 1207. COREQ: BIOL 2111 & NURS 2006. Total of 108 clinical hrs. (lec 3, sem/lab 2), exp, cr 4

NURS 2107EL - Pathophysiology: A Nursing Perspective   [ program of study ]

The focus of this course is the study of functional changes in cells, tissues and organs altered by
disease and/or injury. Using a case study approach the learner will explore how pathophysiology
bridges basic sciences and clinical nursing practice. Emphasis will be placed on how understanding
pathophysiology processes can explain clinical manifestations, guide client care, and inform nursing
judgment. PREREQ: BIOL 2105, BIOL 2111, NURS 1094 & NURS 2084. COREQ: NURS 2144 (lec 3) cr 3

NURS 2144EL - Nursing Practice III: Complex Health Challenges   [ program of study ]

This course focuses on peoples' (individual and family) experience with healing, specifically related to a variety of complex health challenges. Using a concept approach and the nursing process, learners will continue to develop their repertoire of cognitive practice skills, interpersonal skills, and organizational skills to promote healing. Pattern recognition, critical decision making and increased self-directedness will be emphasized. Through clinical experience in both the community and a health care agency, students will refine their clinical judgement by exploring and utilizing the expertise of a variety of health team members. PREREQ: NURS 2006, NURS 2084 & BIOL 2111. COREQ: NURS 2057 & NURS 2107. Total of 130 clinical hrs. (lec 6, lab 2, exp) cr 7

BIOL 2105EL - Human Anatomy and Physiology   [ program of study ]

Describes human anatomy and physiology at the cellular, tissue, organ and system levels of organization. Aspects of this course will concentrate on the clinical applications of anatomy and physiology. (lec 3, lab 3) cr 6

BIOL 2111EL - Principles of Microbiology   [ program of study ]

This course is an introduction to microbiology and is offered to students in the nursing science program. The topics covered include morphology and structure, classification, microbiology techniques, microbial nutrition, growth, environmental effects on microbes, mutation and genetic recombination, sterilization and disinfection, and antimicrobial chemotherapeutic agents. (lec 3, lab 3) cr 3

CHMI 2220EL - Clinical Chemistry   [ program of study ]

A course designed to develop nursing students' understanding of the relationship between disease, the underlying biochemical causes and the methodology for diagnosis. PREREQ: OAC Chemistry, CHMI 1041, or 1031, or equivalent. (lec 3, lab/tut 3) cr 6

NURS 3005EL - Health III: Primary Health Care and Health Promotion   [ program of study ]

This course is grounded in a primary health care framework. Basic concepts, principles and theoretical frameworks informing community health nursing in the context of prevention, health protection and health promotion are explored. Health will be examined from the population health promotion perspective. Through class discussion, small group activities and course assignments, students will develop their understanding of community as client and partner and develop their repertoire of strategies for prevention, health promotion, and health protection in the community setting. PREREQ: NURS 2144. COREQ: NURS 3084 & NURS 3094. (lec 3) cr 6

NURS 3056EL - Professional Growth III: Teaching/Learning in Professional Nursing Practice   [ program of study ]

Learners examine assumptions underlying a variety of teaching and learning perspectives and methodologies. Through reflection, learners explore personal beliefs and values in relation to these assumptions. Through praxis and building on concepts in Professional Growth I and II, learners experience teaching/learning opportunities with a focus on health protection. PREREQ: NURS 2057. (lec 3) cr 3

NURS 3066EL - Professional Growth IV: Empowerment   [ program of study ]

Focuses on empowerment/enabling. Utilizing concepts from Professional Growth I, II, and III, learners explore ways of empowering self, clients, families and communities. PREREQ: NURS 2057 or NURS 2916 (NURS 3056 for generic students). (lec 3) cr 3

NURS 3084EL - Nursing Practice IV   [ program of study ]

The focus of this nursing practice course is health protection. Using a case study approach the
learner will explore the concept of health protection and its complexities in relation to health-care
delivery in hospitals and communities. Learners have opportunities to develop leadership and
acquire proficiency in client care. PREREQ: CHMI 2220, NURS 2057, NURS 2107 & NURS 2144. COREQ: NURS 3005, NURS 3056, NURS 3206 & NURS 3406. (lec 3, exp) cr 4

NURS 3094EL - Nursing Practice V   [ program of study ]

This course focuses on community health nursing practice from the perspective of health promotion and health protection. It includes a case.study approach, group work, class discussion, online discourse and presentations. The practice takes place in hospital and community settings. PREREQ: NURS 3056, NURS 3084, NURS 3206 s NURS 3406, and NURS 3074 (For Post RN students). COREQ: NURS 3005 (formerly NURS 3006 + NURS 3007), NURS 3066 & NURS 3416. (lec 3, exp) cr 4

NURS 3206EL - Self and Others III: Helping Relationships   [ program of study ]

This course provides an opportunity for learners to develop a conceptual and experiential understanding of effective interpersonal relationships. Opportunities are provided for learners to become aware of their interpersonal style as it affects their relationships with clients and colleagues. Through integration of the principles of effective communication, learners participate in initiating, maintaining and bringing to closure caring interpersonal relationships. PREREQ: NURS 2144; co-requisite NURS 3084 (lec 3) cr 3

NURS 3406EL - Nursing Inquiry   [ program of study ]

Various modes of nursing inquiry are addressed, including scientific, philosophical and historical models. Relationships between practice, theory and research are explored. Past and present contributions to nursing knowledge are discussed. COREQ (for generic students): NURS 3056 & NURS 3084. (lec 3) cr 3

NURS 3416EL - Nursing Research I   [ program of study ]

In this theory-based course, learners discover ways to transform personal inquisitiveness into a process of posing, exploring and answering researchable questions. Using both quantitative and qualitative analysis, learners experience ways of critically examining the research process. PREREQ: NURS 3056 & NURS 3406. (lec 3) cr 3

NURS 4056EL - Professional Growth V: Nurses Influencing Change   [ program of study ]

Explores the ways nurses can influence clients, the nursing profession, the healthcare system and society, generally, to facilitate the creation of a healthy environment. Emphasis is on strategies for enhancing nursing influence. PREREQ: NURS 3056, NURS 3066 & NURS 3406. (lec 3) cr 3

NURS 4057EL - Professional Growth VI   [ program of study ]

Provides a forum for learners to reflect on and analyze the conceptual understandings of Nursing Practice VII. Through sharing with peers, learning about self and others is enhanced. PREREQ: NURS 4056, plus NURS 4094 (may be taken concurrently). (lec 3) cr 3

NURS 4084EL - Nursing Practice VI   [ program of study ]

Focuses on the actualization of the nurse as a professional. Through critical reflection on clinical experiences, learners experience the significance of their roles as generators and disseminators of nursing knowledge in shaping and responding to the challenges of healthcare in our society. PREREQ: NURS 3094, plus NURS 4056 & NURS 4206 (may be taken concurrently). Total of 200 clinical hrs. (lec 3, exp) cr 4

NURS 4094EL - Nursing Practice VII   [ program of study ]

Learners choose an area of clinical focus. Learning experiences build upon and balance previous learning. PREREQ: NURS 4056, NURS 4084 & NURS 4206, plus NURS 4057 (may be taken concurrently). Total of 360 clinical hrs. cr 9

NURS 4206EL - Self and Others IV: Group Process   [ program of study ]

Focuses on the theories and concepts of group process from a multidisciplinary perspective. Learners have the opportunity to experience and critically reflect on group process. The examination of self in relation to group process is an essential component. PREREQ: NURS 3206. (lec 3) cr 3

NURS 4416EL - Nursing Research II   [ program of study ]

Building on skills acquired in NURS 3406, 3416 and 4057, this course strives to enhance nurses' ability to work as scholars. Through praxis, learners experience ways to critically examine relevant nursing knowledge and explore ways to generate new nursing knowledge. PREREQ: NURS 3066, NURS 3406 & NURS 3416. (lec 3) cr 3

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Baccalauréat ès sciences infirmières (B.S.I. - 4 ans)

Le baccalauréat ès sciences infirmières (B.S.I.) est un programme basé sur une approche humaniste et scientifique. Il permet de répondre aux besoins de santé des personnes, des familles et des collectivités, tant sur le plan local, provincial, fédéral qu’international. Ce programme est constitué par des composantes théoriques et pratiques ainsi que des cours facultatifs. Il permet ainsi à sa clientèle étudiante de mieux se préparer à l’évolution en cours dans le domaine de la santé.  Le programme se fonde sur l’énoncé des principes de l’Association canadienne des écoles de sciences infirmières (A.C.E.S.I.) et s’inscrit dans les normes et les critères de compétence régies par l’Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers de l’Ontario (O.I.I.O.). Les diplômées du B.S.I. sont admissibles aux examens d’autorisation infirmière administrés par l'A.I.I.C. et par l’O.I.I.O.

Le programme forme de futures infirmières susceptibles de contribuer au maintien et à l’amélioration de compétences personnelles et professionnelles. À l’issue de leur formation, les diplômées sont dotées des compétences nécessaires à l’exercice de la profession infirmière dans le secteur de santé communautaire, des établissements hospitaliers ainsi que dans le secteur privé : (les cliniques privées, les bureaux de médecins et les agences privées). Les diplômées peuvent également s’impliquer dans l’enseignement, dans la recherche ainsi que dans l’administration.
Dès la 1re année, les étudiantes sont familiarisées aux soins infirmiers. L’enseignement est axé sur les concepts de base en sciences infirmières: les soins, les partenaires, la santé, l’environnement et les principes d’apprentissage. Les étudiantes sont sensibilisées au fondement théorique et aux aspects pratiques du caring. Les expériences en soins infirmiers auprès de personnes, de familles et de la collectivité initient les étudiantes à l’application et à l’intégration des concepts fondamentaux de la profession.

En 4e année, les objectifs académiques sont axés sur deux grandes orientations, à savoir le leadership et la recherche, d’une part et la pratique autonome d’autre part.
- Au premier semestre, les futures diplômées sont initiées aux notions du leadership, de son influence et de sa nécessité dans la pratique des soins de santé. Sur le plan de la recherche, elles sont sensibilisées sur les récents développements scientifiques et pratiques reliés à la profession, au plan qualitatif et quantitatif. Elles sont par ailleurs, initiées aux questions d’ordre éthique liées aux aspects dynamiques dans lesquels évoluent les personnes, les familles et les collectivités.
- Au deuxième semestre, l’accent est mis sur l’acquisition et l’affermissement de l’autonomie, permettant aux futures professionnelles de dispenser des soins de qualité aux personnes, aux familles et aux collectivités, en fonction de la complexité des besoins.

Pour obtenir le baccalauréat ès sciences infirmières, il faut :

1. satisfaire à toutes les exigences académiques requises à cette formation;

2. terminer tous les cours du programme en conservant une moyenne d’au moins 60%, sans avoir suivi un cours à plus de deux reprises;

3. obtenir une note minimale de 60% pour tous les cours obligatoires;

4. terminer tous les cours d’expérience en soins infirmiers I à VIII, ainsi que les stages d’intégration I et II avec une note « satisfaisante »;

5. satisfaire aux exigences pratiques supplémentaires de laboratoire, après une absence d'un semestre ou plus du milieu clinique;

6. terminer tous les cours exigés pour le grade, dans un délai de huit années (à compter du premier cours en sciences infirmières);

7. satisfaire à toutes les exigences du grade dans un délai de deux années suivant le dernier cours en sciences infirmières.

Formation initiale

Voir l'annuaire pour les programmes d'études et les informations des cours.