Nursing Courses in Canada For Indian Students: Top Colleges, Courses, Fees and Eligiblity
Darshan Shah
31 Aug 2024
Studying nursing in Canada can potentially lead you towards a successful career. Canada offers high living standards and excellent education quality, making it an ideal choice for studying nursing in Canada.
As Canada has one of the world’s leading and most advanced healthcare systems, Canada is in consistent need of skilled nurses and experienced healthcare staff to support its infrastructure currently. Students who pursue nursing receive excellent education and they can look forward to having promising career opportunities in nursing upon graduation.
Nursing courses in Canada offer practical experience in treating illnesses, preventive medicine, and curing to the students.
Canadian nursing schools and medical universities are renowned for their research and international collaborations all over the world with healthcare organizations like the World Health Organization.
Nursing is one of the top-in-demand professions globally especially after the COVID, with the Canadian government offering a lot of support and Canadian universities offering scholarships to attract more students from all around the world.
Nurses in Canada earn quite well once they are hired by top clinics and hospitals, thus earning an average salary of CAD 80,000 (approximately INR 50 Lakhs) per year.
In Canada, pursuing a nursing degree leads to increased employment prospects, highly profitable incomes, and an improved standard of living. Global recognition of a Canadian degree guarantees both a safe and prosperous nursing profession as well as the fulfillment that comes from contributing significantly to society.
Selecting the Right Nursing Course in Canada
There are different types of nursing courses available in Canada, and it is very important to choose the right course that fits you based on your previous qualifications. The Nursing course duration depends on the type of course and the level of study you choose to go for. There are also a few nursing courses in Canada that you can pursue after your 12th for example Clinical Care Nursing, Pediatric Nursing, Public Health, Health Science, Bachelor of Science, etc.
There are usually 4 types of programs:
Certificate Courses (1-2 years)
Diploma Courses (1-2 years)
Full-time Bachelor’s Degree (3-4 years)
Full-time Master’s Degree (2 years)
Average Cost of Studying Nursing in Canada
Type Of Course
Cost (in CAD)
Masters Courses
80,000 to 180,000 (INR 45 Lakhs to INR 1.3 cr)
Bachelors Courses
50,000 to 150,000 (INR 30 Lakhs to INR 90 Lakhs)
On-Campus(1-2 year Diploma/Certificate)
Varies depending on the University
Off-Campus(1-2 year Diploma/Certificate)
500 - 3,000 per month (INR 30 K – 1.8 Lakhs)
1-Year Nursing Course in Canada for International Students
This type of course provides a quick and effective way to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). You will receive hands-on practical training along with classroom learning to grasp the skills in primary patient care under the supervision of more experienced registered nurses and doctors.
Their syllabus covers aspects like anatomy, physiology, medication administration, and healthcare ethics, which are crucial for getting the students prepared for the healthcare field. Clinical placements offer exposure to the industry and practical experience to the students. Once you have completed the course you can take the licensing exam to start working as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in various medical and clinical settings.
2-Year Nursing Course in Canada for International Students
In Canada, two-year nursing programs are both demanding and fulfilling. In addition to gaining more application experience for their theoretical knowledge of medical science and clinical skills, students can anticipate receiving hands-on clinical experience in a variety of clinical settings, such as hospitals and nursing homes.
The practical experience that students acquire allows them to apply their theoretical knowledge through simulations, clinical rotations, and research.
The students generally receive amazing professional guidance and constructive feedback from the clinical instructors to ensure the professional readiness of the students. After completion of the program, graduates can finally register with their particular provincial board as registered nurses to work or continue their studies at a higher level.
Study BSc Nursing in Canada
The first question that comes to mind would be, “Why study BSc Nursing in Canada?”.To begin with, there are a number of benefits of studying a BSc Nursing course in Canada after 12th Science in India.
Global Recognition
Excellent Academic Education
Advanced Research Facilities
Professional Opportunities
Here’s a breakdown of studying BSc Nursing in Canada
BSc Nursing in Canada
Duration
Course Type
Full-time (Bachelors)
Program Duration
4 years
Academic Requirements
Requires completing 12th standard with Biology, Mathematics, and Chemistry
GPA
3.0 to 4.0 out of 4.0 (85-100%)
English Proficiency Requirements
IELTS: 6.5-7.5 | TOEFL: 90-100
Tuition Fee Range
Average annual tuition fee: 38,000 CAD (INR 24 Lakhs)
Total tuition fee: 54,000 to 170,000 CAD (INR 30 Lakhs to 1.5 crore)
Average Annual Salary
50,000 to 145,000 CAD (INR 30 to 90 lakhs)
Top Employers
Fraser Healthcare, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Private homes and clinics.
Nursing Courses in Canada after 12th
List of a few nursing courses that one can choose to study in Canada after completing 12th.
Program
Duration
Diploma in Practical Nursing
2 Years
Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing
2 Years
Bachelor’s in Nursing (BN)
2 Years
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
3 to 4 Years
Graduate Certificate in Enhanced Nursing Practice - Clinical and Critical Care
1 Year
Ontario College Graduate Certificate in Acute Complex Care for Internationally Educated Nurses
1 Year
Requirements to study nursing in Canada for International Students
Canada offers nursing programs as both diplomas and undergraduate degrees. But first, you need to ensure that you meet all the eligibility requirements for getting admission to a college or a university.
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSc)
Educational Requirements: Completion of secondary school or equivalent (high school graduation). Core subjects typically include Mathematics, English, Biology, and Chemistry at the 12th-grade level. With a minimum score of 70-75%.
Additional Requirements: Some universities might require you to submit a proof of completion of the CASPer exam (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics).
Some programs may require GRE scores (especially for PhD programs).These prerequisites and qualifying standards may vary throughout colleges and programs, so it's wise to confirm the individual requirements of each one on the website of the college you're interested in applying to. Additional documentation requirements, such as a statement of intent or recommendation letter, may also apply to some of the programs.
Various medical institutions in Canada offer scholarship opportunities to students who excel in their academics. There are various criteria that you need to match in order to be eligible for different kinds of scholarships.
Check out the list of a few of the popular scholarships in Canada for international students and their respective details.
Scholarships
Universities
Eligibility Criteria
Amount Granted
Lester B.Pearson International Scholarship program
University of Toronto
International students with an excellent score in high school (Above 85%)
Students pursuing undergraduate courses opting for doctoral and master’s in community health
Variable
Susan Nelles Scholarship
Queen’s University
Pediatric Nursing students
Variable
F.A. Davis Nursing Undergraduate Scholarship
McGill University
Minimum GPA of 3.0. International applicants must have a Canadian student visa
3 awards
CAD $1000 each
Canadian Nurses Foundation Awards
University of British Columbia
Memberships of the Canadian Nurses Association
CAD $1500
Conclusion
Canada’s healthcare system is renowned for its innovative technologies, advanced facilities, modern infrastructure, and high standards of living and public healthcare. The country offers outstanding opportunities for professional and personal growth to aspiring nurses through mesmerizing nursing programs, excellent academic teaching, and advanced learning opportunities. International Students can get access to a number of different scholarship programs and financial support from preeminent medical institutions, universities, and colleges in Canada. Thus further exponentially enhancing a student's career prospects in the nursing field.
Students require a minimum average GPA of 65%-85% for the admission program. Obtained an overall band score of 6 to 6.5 in IELTS, i.e. English language proficiency test.
Is it worth pursuing a BSc degree in nursing in Canada?
After completing BSc nursing in Canada, you can earn an average salary between 52,000 and 145,000 CAD (30.75 to 92.26 lakhs INR) per annum.
What is the duration of B.Sc nursing in Canada?
BSc Nursing in Canada is one such course that is available as a regular degree with a duration of 4 years at most universities.
Is it hard to get a job in Canada as a nurse?
Nurses are always in high demand in Canada and it continues to grow, nurses can immigrate to Canada permanently or temporarily.