Nursing Degree Programs and Nurse Practitioner Pathways in Saskatchewan and Ontario

A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is an integral part of the healthcare system providing care in community settings such as primary care clinics, nursing stations, long term care facilities and in health care teams. An NP has the authority to perform advanced health assessments, diagnose health problems, order diagnostic tests, and prescribe medications. The NP manages all aspects of patient care from the point of entry to the health-care system, through to the community in which they reside, participating in health community policy development, health promotion, and illness prevention.

Undergraduate Nursing Programs in Saskatchewan

The Saskatchewan Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing (SCBScN) is a collaborative program between Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the University of Regina where knowledge & practice meet. This undergraduate program offers several pathways for admission to accommodate different applicant types:

• Current High School Student: Applicants who are current High School students should follow the application process for Current High School Students.
• Post Secondary Student: Applicants who have attempted 15 or more credit hours of approved post-secondary education should follow the application process for Post Secondary Students.
• Bilingual Option: Applicants who are fluent in french can consider the SCBScN Bilingual Option designed for french immersion high school students.
• RPN to BScN Pathway: Applicants who have completed a psychiatric nursing diploma from a recognized Canadian institution and are currently licensed in Saskatchewan should apply to the SCBScN program through this pathway.
• LPN to BScN Pathway: Applicants who have completed a practical nursing diploma from a recognized Canadian institution and are currently licensed in Saskatchewan should apply through the LPN to BScN admission pathway.
• After Degree Nursing Program (ADNP): Applicants who have completed a degree may apply to the After Degree Nursing Program.

Graduate and Nurse Practitioner Programs

Collaborative Nurse Practitioner Program (CNPP)

The Collaborative Nurse Practitioner Program (CNPP) is a two-year, online graduate-level program offered through a joint partnership between Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the University of Regina. Aside from a one-week residency in Regina during the second year, the program is delivered entirely online, which makes it an attractive option for registered nurses across the country who are looking to balance their studies with their full-time jobs and other responsibilities while staying in their community.

USask Master of Nursing - Nurse Practitioner (MN-NP)

The two-year, accelerated, course-based Master of Nursing - Nurse Practitioner (MN-NP) program at the University of Saskatchewan equips nurses with the knowledge, clinical expertise, and leadership skills to deliver advanced, independent care across the lifespan. A student completing the Nurse Practitioner program will be able to meet the professional practice, ethical standards, and entry level competencies for nurse practitioners with respect to the safe and effective delivery of health care to individuals, families, and communities. Courses are offered through live web-conference seminars (synchronous), though there are in-person residency requirements on-site in Saskatoon during the program.

University of Windsor: Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner

In the graduate diploma primary health care nurse practitioner (PHCNP), students will be prepared to provide collaborative and autonomous primary health care to individuals, groups or communities, with an emphasize on health promotion as well as illness/injury prevention. This program features an Accelerated Timeline, allowing students to complete the post-master’s diploma in just 12 months full-time. It is designed exclusively for nurses already holding a Master's in Nursing (or related), offering a direct path to NP licensure.

Program Requirements and Comparisons

The following table outlines the eligibility and structure for the graduate-level Nurse Practitioner pathways:

Professional Outcomes

Graduates are prepared to diagnose, treat, prescribe, order diagnostic tests, and manage comprehensive patient care, while contributing to innovation and leadership in healthcare. USask NP graduates writing the 2023 American Academy of Nurse Practitioners exam score above the national average, demonstrating the effectiveness of these advanced clinical mastery programs.