RN Education
Post-Basic RN BN Program
What is a post-basic RN baccalaureate program?
Post-basic RN baccalaureate programs are programs that are taken by nurses who have
obtained a diploma in nursing and who wish to obtain a degree in nursing. These programs
vary in length between two and three years. Many can be taken on a part-time basis.
Please
click on the link to access a list of Canadian universities offering post-basic RN
baccalaureate programs.
Can I take a program or course from a distance?
Distance education is growing in popularity as a mode of course delivery. A number of nursing schools deliver at least part of their post-RN programs using distance methods to persons not resident in their community. Some nursing schools offer courses by a combination of teleconference, correspondence and classes held at off-campus sites. Please click on the link to obtain a list of universities known for offering nursing education by distance. Some programs restrict access for nurses from outside the province and you should inquire about this when contacting these institutions. For further information about distance education, please click on the link.
Why should I get my baccalaureate in nursing?
A baccalaureate degree provides more flexibility and leads to more opportunities in nursing. The Canadian Nurses Association has developed an information sheet on the change to baccalaureate preparation. Please click on the link to view Why is Nursing Education Changing? The chart, which follows the written information, indicates that employment opportunities increase as the level of education increases. A baccalaureate degree (and master's and doctoral) provides many more options in the areas of public health, community clinic work, supervisory work, program planning, and health teaching.
At this time, when our health care system is under scrutiny, the traditional nursing setting is changing dramatically. In the shift from acute care to community-based services, a broader education and experience will be needed to fill the opportunities created in the community. As well, the current situation has created a surge of interest in entrepreneurial opportunities for nursing. Nurses in independent practice require a very strong knowledge base as well as experience.
Employment opportunities have been shrinking in the hospital sector where the majority of diploma-prepared nurses work. At the same time, employment opportunities in the community settings where degree-prepared nurses work is expected to grow. The attainment of a degree may increase the chances of finding employment.
Is a diploma in nursing still an option?
Once registered as a diploma nurse, will I be able to continue working as a nurse when the minimum entry to practice requirement changes to baccalaureate?
In all provinces, the change to a degree as a minimum requirement for entry to practice applies only to new entrants and has no effect on the eligibility of currently registered diploma nurses for continuing registration.
What is the position of the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) on baccalaureate in nursing as a minimum requirement for entry to practice?
The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) believes that competencies required by new registered nurses to meet client health needs are most effectively and economically met through baccalaureate nursing preparation. Some nurses who have a baccalaureate degree will choose to go on to pursue master's and doctoral degrees. There is a strong need within the profession and within the health care system for nurses with advanced preparation in nursing to act as leaders, clinical specialists, and researchers. This is a very important time for nursing to articulate to the public and to other health care disciplines the role of nursing in society, a nursing vision of health care, nursing ethics, and research-based practice.
Where do I find specific information on post-basic RN baccalaureate programs in nursing?
Click on the link below to access a list of Canadian universities offering post-diploma RN baccalaureate programs. Another source of information is the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN). CASN maintains a database of information about educational programs offered by its member institutions. They can be reached at inquire@casn.ca or by visiting their web site at www.casn.ca.
Related Links
Policy Statement on Educational Support of Competent Nursing Practice (1998)
Policy Statement on Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Preparation in Nursing (1997)
June 1999
