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Post-RN Nursing

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)

York University’s Post-RN BScN is a full-time, 20-month program designed for internationally educated nurses (IEN) seeking to transition into or advance in the Canadian healthcare system.  

Building on prior education, students complete the program in five consecutive terms, including a summer term in Year 1, with graduation at the Spring convocation the following year. This is a full-time program with no part-time option. The program is approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), qualifying graduates to write the nursing registration exam to become a Registered Nurse (RN). 

Located at York’s Keele Campus, the program blends theory and hands-on practice with interprofessional collaboration. Through transformative teaching and learning strategies, students develop critical thinking, leadership, and advocacy skills essential for nursing excellence.  

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August 2026
September 2026
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Duration

20 months (5 terms)

Degree

BScN

Intake

Fall (Sept)

Study Options

Full-time only

Delivery

In-person

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Why Choose Nursing at York U?

Advance your nursing career in Canada’s healthcare system with a program designed to support your transition, build confidence, and refine your expertise through immersive, hands-on training. 

  • Learn from experienced nursing educators and practitioners who bring insights from the Canadian healthcare system to help you succeed. 
  • Complete the program in just 20 months (5 terms) through an intensive, structured curriculum tailored for internationally educated nurses. 
  • Practice in a 5,000 sq. ft. Nursing Simulation Centre, featuring a Nursing Skills Lab equipped with high-fidelity mannequins and a 2,000 sq. ft. Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality lab for immersive, self-paced learning. 
  • Gain experience and build professional connections through diverse clinical placements in hospitals, community health centers, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare settings in the Greater Toronto Area, starting in Semester 2. 
  • Deepen your expertise with an optional additional term by completing a stream in High Acuity and Critical Care (Adult); Mental Health, Illness & Addictions Care; or Nursing Leadership and Care of the Older Adult. 

Minimum Admission & Eligibility Requirements

The Post-RN for Internationally Educated Nurses program is designed for internationally educated nurses who meet the following eligibility requirements: 

  • Are a licensed Registered Nurse in their home jurisdiction AND 
  • Meet one of the following criteria: 
    • Are Registered Nurses with CNO and have a valid current registration number OR 
    • Are not registered with CNO, but have completed a CNO evaluation 

For Fall 2027, this program is open to:  

  • Canadian citizens  
  • Permanent Residents  
  • Refugee Claimants/Protected Persons 
  • International applicants 

Required Documentation 

  • Documentation from CNO (Such as a screenshot from the message centre of the CNO portal) verifying that you have completed a CNO evaluation to be a Registered Nurse (diploma education equivalency) OR a copy of your valid current Registration Certificate with registration number as a Registered Nurse with CNO 
  • Transcripts from all past post-secondary educational institution(s) 
  • Curriculum Vitae/Resume 
  • Proof of English language proficiency (For example, acceptable language test score).  More details on the proof of English language proficiency requirement for Nursing programs at York are available on the  Future Students website. 

Questions about the minimum admission requirements? Many of our most commonly asked questions are answered in the FAQs section. 

Not sure how to submit a competitive application? Check out our Tips for a Competitive Application section. 

This program is only open to applicants who: 

  • Are a licensed Registered Nurse in their home jurisdiction AND 
  • Meet one of the following criteria: 
    • Are Registered Nurses with CNO and have a valid current registration number OR 
    • Are not registered with CNO, but have completed a CNO evaluation 

If you do not meet the above eligibility criteria, you may want to browse York’s our other Nursing program options. 

Courses

The Post-RN BScN program can be completed in 5 consecutive terms.

  • NURS 3513 3.00 Development as a Nurse through Reflection and Theory-based Practice
  • NURS 1543 3.00 Health Assessment
  • NURS 3001 3.00 The Canadian Health Care System
  • NURS 2543 3.00 Health of Families and Social Groups
  • NURS 2513 3.00 Ethics and Health Equity in Interprofessional Practice 
  • NURS 3901 3.00 Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Practices 
  • NURS 2300 3.00 Statistical Methods in Healthcare Research (or equivalent) 
  • NURS 3510 6.00 
    Partnering with Communities 
  • NURS 3510P 0.00 Practicum for HH/NURS 3510 6.00 
  • NURS 3512 3.00 Nursing in the Context of Global and Environmental Health 
  • NURS 3515 3.00 Evidence-informed Nursing Practice: Research and Inquiry   
  • NURS 2547 6.00 Mental Health Across the Lifespan 
  • NURS 2547P 0.00 Practicum for HH/NURS 2547 6.00 
  • NURS 4517 3.00 Evolving as a Professional Nurse   
  • NURS 3514 3.00 Leadership, Change and Innovation 
  • NURS 4526 6.00 Acute and Complex Health Challenges 
  • NURS 4526P 0.00 Practicum for HH/NURS 4526 6.00 
  • NURS 4528 3.00 Nursing Knowledge and Transition 
  • NURS 4529 6.00 Integrated 
    Practicum 

Pathway to RN Licensure 

York University’s Nursing programs are approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), allowing graduates to pursue registration as a nurse in Ontario. 

To become a Registered Nurse (RN), BScN graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN examination and meet the CNO eligibility criteria, including residency status (Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or authorized under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act). CNO also outlines the required Entry-Level Competencies and requisite skills and abilities for nursing practice in Ontario, which includes cognitive, communicative, behavioural, psychomotor, sensory and environmental capacities. For details, visit the CNO Website. 

Careers in Nursing

With rising demand for skilled nurses, graduates work in diverse settings, including: 

  • Hospital and Acute Care: delivering critical patient care in a variety of specialties (i.e. medical-surgical, paediatrics, maternity & obstetrics, mental health, critical care, emergency, etc.) 
  • Long-term Care: providing care in nursing homes, hospices, and rehabilitation centers. 
  • Primary Health Care: with postgraduate studies, becoming a Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner (PHCNP), providing primary and preventive care. 
  • Public Health: promoting community health, education, and disease prevention. 
Students in the simulation centre for the Post-RN Nursing program for internationally educated nurses

Tips for a Competitive Application

Ensure you apply to the correct program via the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC).  

Applications to the Post-RN BScN for Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) must be submitted through OUAC using program code YHO.

Prepare all required documents well before the application deadline. 

Apply to the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) before applying to the Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) program so that the required CNO documentation is available when you submit your application to York University.

If you are required to demonstrate English-language proficiency, consider taking your language proficiency test early to allow enough time to achieve the required score before the application deadline.

Apply early and order your transcripts early for studies outside of Canada. 

Ordering transcripts from outside of Canada takes longer than ordering transcripts within Canada. Ordering these documents as soon as possible will leave time in case any unexpected delays occur. Please do not send any transcripts to York University until you have an active application. 

FAQs 

Below are some of our most frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help you plan and prepare. 

Yes, you can apply on a study permit if you meet the other eligibility and minimum admission requirements. 

Yes, this program is open to applicants who have worked as a Registered Nurse abroad (even if their studies were at the diploma level) and are currently registered as an RN with CNO. 

Please note you would need to submit a valid current registration certificate with registration number showing that you are a RN with CNO as part of your application. 

Yes, you can apply if you are an RPN if you have previously worked as a Registered Nurse in another country. Please keep in mind that the program will still be 20 months long. 

For this program you need to be a licensed Registered Nurse in your home jurisdiction. Medical doctor will not count. 

You must submit your application through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC). When applying, use the program code: YHO. Be sure to check and adhere to all application deadlines to ensure your application is considered. 

Unfortunately, transcripts cannot be pre-assessed by the School of Nursing, Faculty of Health nor Office of Admission prior to applying. This work is considered assessment and can only be done by the Office of Admission after an applicant has submitted an application to the IEN program, paid the application fee, and submitted all required supporting documents. 

Documents can only be submitted once a student has an active application to York University. 

Documents can only be submitted to the Office of Admission. The School of Nursing and the Faculty of Health will not receive documents for applications. 

Further details on document submission are available on the Applied website.

No, only complete files can be considered for admission.  

Your documentation confirming education equivalency evaluation from CNO or RN registration certificate from CNO, transcripts, resume, and proof of English language proficiency (if applicable) are all needed before your file can be reviewed for admission. 

No, your file can only be considered for admission if you have satisfied the proof of English language proficiency requirement for Nursing programs at York. More details on the proof of English language proficiency requirement are available on the Future Students website.  

No, the CASPer test is not required. 

This program fulfills both the CNO practice gap and the education gap. 

No, deferrals are not allowed. If you decline your offer and wish to join the program in a future year, you must reapply. 

Tuition fee costs depend on a student’s tuition fee category (domestic or international) and if they are a resident of Ontario.  Tuition fees also change between years and do not include the cost of textbooks, supplies, transportation, living expenses, etc. 

As a general estimate based on Fall 2026 tuition rates, the total tuition costs for the entire IEN program (60 credits, 5 terms) for a domestic student, Ontario resident would be roughly $15,200. 

As a general estimate based on Fall 2026 tuition rates, the total tuition costs for the entire IEN program (60 credits, 5 terms) for a domestic student, out of province resident would be roughly $16,900. 

As a general estimate based on Fall 2026 tuition rates, the total tuition costs for the entire IEN program (60 credits, 5 terms) for an international student would be roughly $83,800. 

BScN graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN registration exam, administered by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) in Ontario or elsewhere in Canada. The designation of the title Registered Nurse (RN) is regulated by CNO. To qualify, graduates must provide proof of Canadian citizenship, permanent resident status, or authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada). For more details, please visit the CNO website.    


Learn More

Please contact us if you have any questions about applying for Faculty of Health programs, your application status, or your next steps after receiving an offer of admission.

Faculty of Health Recruitment Office
hlthrec@yorku.ca