Nursing - Collaborative Program

O.S.S.D. with six Grade 12 U/M courses including Grade 12 U English, Biology (SBI4U), Chemistry (SCH4U), and Grade 11 U or M or Grade 12 U Mathematics (one of Functions and Applications (MCF3M), Functions and Relations (MCR3U), Advanced Functions (MHF4U), Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U), Mathematics of Data Management (MDM4U).

Notes:

1. ENG4U/EAE4U is the preferred English.
   
2. The grade(s) required in the subject prerequisites (normally in the 70-75 percent range) will be determined subject to competition.
   
3. Applicants applying as 'Mature Students' must have Grade 12 U courses (or equivalent) in English, Biology and Chemistry, and Grade 11 U or M or higher Mathematics. The grade(s) required in the subject prerequisites (normally in the 70-75 percent range or higher) will be determined subject to competition.
   
4. Applicants who have been absent from full-time formal education for a period of ten years or longer may be required to repeat prerequisite subjects to ensure currency of knowledge and preparedness for the program.
   
5. Applicants with prior university or college study must present a minimum CGPA of 2.33 (C+) and be considered 'In Good Standing' with no failures in core prerequisite subjects in order to be considered. Higher CGPAs/averages may be required subject to competition.
   
6. Only applications to the first year of the Nursing program will be considered, and consideration is limited to applicants without prior post-secondary studies in Nursing. Advanced standing for students with prior Nursing studies cannot be considered.  In addition, RPN diploma holders ineligible for Bridging-to-University programs and applicants who have completed a nursing degree will not be considered for admission.
   
7. Subject to competition, candidates may be required to present averages/grades above the minimum.

Additional Nursing Program Requirements

In accordance with the policy of the program, the Public Hospitals Act, other legislation and the requirements of the practice placement settings, the Practice Requirements Record must be completed in its entirety by a student's health care provider and all supporting documents must be attached. Practice Requirements Record form with full instructions can be obtained from the Central Placement Office (CPO) website (opens in new window) .

• Communicable diseases immunization details as specified in the Practice Requirements Record.
  
• Vulnerable Sector Screening – Police Reference Checks are done to protect clientele who are considered 'vulnerable persons'. A 'clear' police check means that there is currently no police record found for that individual in the jurisdiction surveyed. A 'not clear' police check means that there is a police record found for the individual for an undisclosed reason. Students are required to keep the original vulnerable sector screening – police reference check. It is the placement agency that will make the decision whether or not to accept the student for placement. This agency decision may require the student to self-disclose the particulars of the 'not clear' police check. Students have the right to not disclose the particulars of the 'not clear' police check.
  
  STUDENTS DENIED PLACEMENT BY THE AGENCY ON THE GROUNDS OF A 'NOT CLEAR' POLICE CHECK WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THEIR PRACTICE PLACEMENT AND WILL JEOPARDIZE THEIR PROGRESS IN THE PROGRAM.
  
  International students will need to retain the police clearance document that was used to obtain their study permit.
  
  Students who live in the City of Toronto must obtain an application form from the program site of admission. Students who live in other municipalities or provinces must obtain the application from their local police agency.
  
  
• Students are required to be tested and fitted for a respiratory mask. Students will then carry a card with them that indicates the type and model of mask they have been tested for. At time of testing, students must remove facial hair and any clothing covering their face to ensure a proper seal. Likewise, in the event that students are required to wear a mask during their placement, students must remove facial hair and any clothing that covers their face.
• Students are required to obtain Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification. Only Healthcare Professional (HCP) level certification will be accepted.

Students who fail to meet the above requirements will not be permitted to begin their nursing practice courses and will be subject to academic penalties.

In addition, all nursing students, in order to practice nursing, must be active participants, working with, and providing care to, diverse populations inclusive of male, female, and transgender individuals. Students who are unable to meet this requirement will jeopardize their progress in the program.

Before undertaking this program, students should be aware that, under the provisions of the Regulated Health Profession and Nursing Acts, to qualify to write the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) registration exams they must:

1. Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada or be authorized under the Immigration Act (Canada).
   
2. Not have any criminal convictions including those under the Narcotic Control and Food and Drugs Acts.
   
3. Not have been the subject of proceedings with respect to professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity in another health profession in Ontario, or in nursing in another jurisdiction.
   
4. Not be suffering from a mental or physical disorder which makes it desirable in the public interest that you not practice. (Refer to  (PDF file) Requisite Skills and Abilities for Nursing Practice in Ontario fact sheet on the CNO website.)

The four-year collaborative degree program is offered in partnership by Ryerson University, Centennial College and George Brown College. Students admitted at each campus complete the same program. Students admitted to the Ryerson campus of the program complete their four years at Ryerson. Students admitted to a college campus complete the first two years of their studies at the college and the final two years of their studies at the Ryerson campus with the teaching shared by university and college faculty in all years. The program is committed to preparing nursing leaders who are highly competent, knowledgeable and committed to playing an integral role in shaping our health care future. The program educates nurses to work with persons and communities of diverse backgrounds, ages, degrees of health and illness and in a variety of contexts.

The curriculum, based on a philosophical foundation of phenomenology and critical social theory, has five themes that serve to organize content and are reflected in all years of the program in varying degrees of depth. These themes are primary health care/health promotion, reflective practice/ critical thinking, meaningful relationships/ caring/ communication, political/ social justice and personal/ professional development. The curriculum is composed of professional nursing courses and series of required and elective courses selected from other disciplines to enhance and support the broad knowledge base required of professional nurses. Students complete required professionally related courses in areas such as anatomy and physiology, nutrition, ethics, psychology and sociology. Students are also required to select courses from a variety of liberal studies and professionally related electives.

Learning is characterized as an interactive, lifelong process that involves the development of the learner as a person. Nursing students are recognized as adult learners responsible for their own learning. This learning is fostered by a caring collaborative student-teacher relationship based on mutual trust and respect, where both students and teachers are learners.

Year I of the program focuses on knowledge of self in the context of health. The student develops a theoretical perspective from which to view practice and an appreciation of the cultural diversity within the social and political context of society. There is an emphasis on the development of effective communication abilities and health assessment skills.

In Year II, the focus of the program shifts to knowledge of others in the context of illness, including physical and mental health problems. Students further develop their professional role in building therapeutic relationships with families. They also acquire knowledge of research methods and the ability to critically evaluate research findings for their utility in nursing practice.

In Year III students further develop the theme of health with an emphasis on knowledge of community, in the context of primary health care. There is an emphasis on leadership, advocacy and social activism.

Year IV focuses on the integration of the professional self into the health care system. Students explore in depth issues related to professional practice and demonstrate leadership skills.

Nursing practice experiences begin in the first year of the program and expose the student to a broad range of nursing practice settings and the multiplicity of nursing roles. Nursing experiences occur primarily in community settings and hospitals within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Travel to various agencies throughout Metro Toronto is an expectation.

Graduates of the Ryerson, Centennial, George Brown Collaborative Nursing Degree Program are eligible to write the College of Nurses of Ontario registration examination and accept entry-level positions in a variety of settings where nursing is practiced.

Students must take three lower level liberal studies courses and three upper level liberal studies courses to graduate. Students must not choose courses that are restricted for their program or major.

Please refer to the liberal studies chapter of this calendar for more information on the Liberal Studies Policy. Further information on liberal studies can also be found at the Faculty of Arts' Liberal Studies website (opens in new window) .

Table A - Lower Level Restrictions

Table B - Upper Level Restrictions

Students may pursue any Minor offered by Ryerson (with some exceptions). Please refer to the Minors chapter of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and exclusions.

Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible program exclusions. Please refer to the Certificate Registration section of the Curriculum Advising website (opens in new window)  for complete details.

The graduate:

1. Demonstrates caring as it relates to self and others.
   
2. Determines meaning and significance in patient encounters.
   
3. Establishes meaningful connections with clients to facilitate therapeutic interactions.
   
4. Collaborates with clients and colleagues to ensure consistent, safe, effective care.
   
5. Uses personal knowledge and theory from nursing and related disciplines to determine an appropriate course of nursing actions.
   
6. Demonstrates reflective, critical, and analytical thinking to inform a creative and flexible nursing practice.
   
7. Appraises research studies and critically uses the findings as a basis for nursing practice.
   
8. Evaluates gaps in nursing knowledge and appropriate solutions to address them. Considers research possibilities, and participates in research activities where appropriate.
   
9. Analyses health and practice issues within the social/economic, political/global environment.
   
10. Practices nursing in a skillful, therapeutic, socially inclusive, and culturally sensitive manner.
    
11. Provides leadership within his/her own practice to facilitate clients’ and colleagues’ desired outcomes.
    
12. Interprets population health principles to plan, implement, and evaluate health promotion and disease prevention programs.
    
13. Works within the context of a multidisciplinary health care team to apply primary health care principles.
    
14. Participates in developing and implementing strategies for the improvement of the health environment through the use of the political process and the principles of social justice and equity, within an individual/community/global context.
    
15. Practices nursing within legal, ethical and professional guidelines; behavior is consistent with academic integrity and social responsibility.
    
16. Is an active participant in his/her personal and professional development.
    
17. Demonstrates the ability to communicate information, arguments, and analyses accurately and reliably, orally and in writing to a range of audiences.
    

* Nursing Theory courses: Courses with NSE, NUR ant PAT prefixes.
† Nursing Practice courses: NSE 12A/B, NSE 22A/B, NSE 32A/B, NSE 417, NSE 418.
¶ Corequisite courses: All Nursing courses in a given year have designated corequisites. All clinical practice courses have Nursing Theory courses as corequisites. Please refer to the Course Descriptions chapter of this calendar.

In addition to fulfilling Ryerson University's Graduation Requirements, students in all Nursing programs are required to have obtained a minimum grade of 'C' in all nursing theory and practice courses (NCL, NUC, NUR, NSE, PAT).

A Program Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of volunteers that provides expert advice to a school or department on program related matters such as curriculum, program review, technology and trends in the industry, discipline or profession. For more information, see  (PDF file) Senate Policy #158 (Program Advisory Councils).

Marilyn Ballantyne
Chief Nurse Executive
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

Michelle Nelson
Research Scientist
Bridgepoint Collaboratory for Research and Innovation

Kathy Ryan
Advanced Practice Nurse
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Pam Hubley
Chief, Professional Practice & Nursing
Hospital for Sick Children

Murray Krock
Corporate Nursing Education Leader
St. Michael’s Hospital

Nancy Lefebre
Chief Clinical Executive
Saint Elizabeth Health Centre

Brenda Perkins-Meingast
Practice Based Education/Collaborative Academic Practice
University Health Network