AVֲ

 

Undergraduate Program

Questions and Answers of Prospective Students

What is the Bachelor of Science-Nursing (BScN)program? A BScN degree is athree-year professional program,which prepares students to become registered nurses (RNs). For applicants who haveprevious university experience,we offer a Semester 3 entry to complete the degree in two years.
Will I be required to submit a resume, letter of intent or any other documentation? Applicants to the BScN program will submit their application and transcripts to the Registrar's Office.
When is the application deadline? The application deadline is February 15.
What are the academic prerequisites for admission to the BScN?

Three-year, eight semester BScN program:

The BScN program is very competitive and all direct entry applicants must have completed or be in the process of completing the required grade 12 courses and have astrong admission averageto be considered for the program.

Required grade 12 courses:

  • Minimum overall average: 70%
  • Academic English 12*
  • Academic Math 12*
  • Academic Biology 12*
  • Academic Chemistry 12*
  • One additional university preparatory course

*Minimum 70% required in subject area for admission consideration.

Meeting the minimum entrance average does not guarantee admission.As a result of the competitive admission process, applicants typically require a higher entrance average than the minimums listed in the admission requirements.

Semester 3 Entry

This two calendar year (6 semester) period of study is designed for students who have previous university study and have completed the pre-requisite courses.

Subject Requirements:

  • Anatomy (ANAT) 1010 or equivalent: 3 credit hours.
  • Physiology (PHYL) 1001 and 1002 or 1011 and 1012 (or PHYL 1001 + Biological Science): 6 credit hours.
  • Statistics (STAT) 1060 or equivalent: 3 credit hours. 
  • Microbiology (MICI) 1100 or equivalent: 3 credit hours.
  • English (ENGL) 1100 or equivalent writing course: 3 credit hours. 
  • Science elective: 3 credit hours. 
  • Open electives*: 9 credit hours.
  • Minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.3 scale for admission consideration.

*Nursing courses cannot be used to fulfill the open electives pre-requisite requirement.

Meeting the minimum entrance GPA does not guarantee admission. As a result of the competitive admission process, applicants typically require a higher entrance GPA than the minimums listed in the admission requirements.

How do I know if I am a semester 1 applicant or an semester 3 applicant?

If you are applying to enter the Nursing program directly from High School, or if you have completed 12 credit hours or LESS of the semester 3 pre-requisite post-secondary courses, then you are a semester 1 applicant.

If you are applying to enter the Nursing program, and you have completed MORE than 12 credit hours of the Semester 3 pre-requisite post-secondary courses, then you are a semester 3 applicant.

Please note:though completing more than 12 credit hours of the pre-requisites means that you are an Semester 3 applicant, you must complete/have completed the full 30 credit hours of pre-requisites post-secondary courses in order to be eligible for admission consideration.

When I apply can I choose to be assessed for Semester 1 or Semester 3 entry, or both? No. When you fill out an application you are applying to the Nursing program. You will be placed into either Semester 1 or Semester 3 entry based on your academic history.
How is the admission average calculated? An Admissions Officer will calculate your admissions average.
How many seats will the program have for admission? The Nursing program has 96semester 1 seats and 106 Semester 3 seats at the Halifax site and an additional 16 Semester 3 seats will be offered for aMay 2025start. A total of 33 seats are available at the Yarmouth site, 25 Semester 1 seats and 8 Semester 3 seats.
How competitive is admission to the Nursing program?

The Bachelor of Science (Nursing) program is one of AVֲ’s most competitive programs for admission. There are a limited number of seats for each entry point, and each year a large number of applications are received for those seats. As a result of this, not all qualified applicants can be offered admission to the program.

AVֲ is also proud to offer our three-year (Semester 1 Entry) and our two-year (Semester 3 Entry) Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program at our campus in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.

I have been placed on the waitlist. How will I be informed if a place becomes available for me?

If you are offered admission to the program from the waitlist you will be informed of your acceptance by email and/or phone.

Please note: We are not able to provide applicants with information regarding their place order on the waitlist.

If I’m offered admission into the BScN program at Yarmouth Campus, can I later transfer to the Halifax campus? No. Seats in the Nursing program are campus-specific and cannot be transferred. When you accept an admission offer from a campus, you are committing to completing all of your degree requirements at that same campus.
Does the program allow Semester 1 admission for non-Nova Scotia residents? Yes, however the number of seats offered to residents of other Canadian provinces is very limited. Semester seats are primarily reserved for permanent residents of Nova Scotia. Due to residency restrictions and limited capacity, international students are not eligible for admission to this program.

Does the program allow Semester 3 admission for non-Nova Scotia residents?

Yes, however the number of seats offered to residents of other Canadian provinces is very limited. Due to residency restrictions and limited capacity, international students are not eligible for admission to this program

What is the definition of a Nova Scotia resident?

The definition for Nova Scotian resident, per the bilateral agreement 2025-27, is the following:

"Nova Scotia Student” means a student that satisfies at least one of the following eligibility criteria:

  1. the student has a student loan from the Government of Nova Scotia;
  2. the student entered university immediately after graduating from a high school located in Nova Scotia;
  3. the student resided in Nova Scotia for a minimum of twelve (12) consecutive months prior to the first day of the first month in which their first classes at the University begin; or
  4. the student is a dependent child of a parent or guardian that has resided in Nova Scotia for a minimum of twelve (12) consecutive months prior to the first day of the first month in which the student’s first classes at the University begin;

but does not include an International Student, a Domestic Out of Province Student, or a student in receipt of student loan assistance from another province or territory.

Who makes the admissions decisions for the Nursing program?

Admissions decisions for the Nursing program are made by the Registrar’s Office.

Please note: Due to time and resource limitations, the Registrar's Office cannot conduct formal reviews of academic qualifications, transfer credits, or pre-requisites until after an official application has been submitted.

I am a Semester 1 applicant. When will I know if I am accepted into the program?

Admission for Semester 1 applicants is rolling. Applicants who have submitted a complete application, including transcripts will be assessed for admission.

I am a Semester 3 applicant. When will I know if I am accepted into the program?

Admission for Semester 3 applicants is rolling. Applicants who have submitted a complete application, including transcripts from all previous attended post-secondary institutions, and have two or less of the 30 credit hours of pre-requisites left to complete, will be assessed for admission.

Does the School of Nursing have an Affirmative Action Policy for admissions?

Yes. The School of Nursing has an Affirmative Action Policy for residents of Nova Scotia who belong to the African Nova Scotian and Indigenous communities and who self-identify as such on the application for admission.

Can I complete the BScN via distance and/or part-time?

No. The BScN program isfull-time programwhich must be completedon campus.

I am an International Student, what information do I need to know?

For our international applicants there is specific information you will need to know before applying. Information forInternational Students

Does AVֲ School of Nursing offer an LPN to RN bridging program?

The AVֲ School of Nursingdoes not offeran LPN to RN bridging program.

I am an applicant with an international nursing qualification. Can I apply?

Applicants should contact the relevant Canadian regulating bodyin order to find out what steps are required to become a registered nurse in Canada.Due to residency restrictions and limited capacity, international students are not eligible for admission to this program.

Will you consider mature applicants?

The term “mature student” does not refer to an applicant’s age, rather a Canadian citizen or permanent resident over the age of 21 who has completed less than one year of post-secondary study, has not been enrolled in studies for at least two years and who does not currently meet general admission requirements. Students in this category are ineligible for admission to the Nursing program.

Is there an age limit for applicants to the BScN?

Applicants of any age who meet the program requirements are welcome to apply.

Does my health-related work experience give me an advantage compared to other applicants?

Previous work experience is not evaluated as part of the admission process for the Nursing program.

I have questions about fees, student loans, scholarships, bursaries, etc., who do I contact?

For tuition, fees, payments or receiptscontact Student Accounts.

For awards, bursaries, or scholarshipscontact Awards & Financial Aid.

I have questions about the application process, waitlist, application status, who do I contact?

Contact the Admissions Office atadmissions@dal.caor902-494-2450.

Who can I contact for academic advising?

Prospective Students: All applicants who have submitted an application to AVֲ are assigned an advisor through the application portal. To connect with your advisor, log in to your application status portal and scroll to the section labeled“Connect with your advisor.”From there, you can book an appointment directly. Alternatively, you may contact the Admissions Office by emailingadmissions@dal.ca to speak with an advisor.

Current Nursing Students: Contact information can be found on the Contact an Academic Advisor page or emailing nursing.inquiries@dal.ca.

Questions and Answers of Prospective Semester 3 Entry Students

My undergraduate classes were not taken from AVֲ. Will they still satisfy admission requirements?

Academic admissions requirements can be met by attending any recognized university or college. Please refer to our transfer credit equivalencies table for course equivalency information.

We have also provided below our course descriptions which can serve as a guide. The final decision on if a course meets academic admissions requirements is made by the Nursing Committee. We encourage you to apply early for a full academic assessment.

Anatomy (ANAT) 1010 – Basic Human Anatomy: An introduction to Human Anatomy. The student will be able to explain and describe, at a basic level, the gross anatomy and histology of the human body.

English (ASSC) 1700 – Communications for Nursing and Kinesiology: An introduction to academic writing in the context of health and social care. It focuses on professional and academic writing, critical thinking, and communication, particularly within nursing and kinesiology contexts.

Microbiology (MICI) 1100 – Health Science Microbiology: An introduction to microbiology and infectious diseases only for healthcare professionals. It includes a study of the structure and physiology of microorganisms, the ways microorganisms cause disease in man and the way they affect human's well being.

Physiology (PHYL) 1001 or 1011 – Human Physiology 1: This course is the first of two that explore the organization and function of the human body from the level of molecules to organ systems and the integration of systems within the whole organism. Specific topics in this course include Cellular Physiology with an emphasis on Transport, Metabolism and Communication, the Immune System, Neural, Muscle and Sensory Physiology and Control of Body Movement. Note that PHYL 1001, only, is via online distance course.

Physiology (PHYL) 1002 or 1012 – Human Physiology 2: This course is a continuation of PHYL 1001.03 or PHYL 1011 and explores the organization and function of the human body from the level of molecules to organ systems and the integration of systems within the whole organism. Specific topics in this course include Endocrine, Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Renal, Acid-Base, Whole Body Metabolism and Reproductive Physiology.

Statistics (STAT) 1060 – Intro Statistics for Science and Health Science: This course provides an introduction to the basic concepts of statistics through extensive use of examples. The topics include experimental design, descriptive statistics, simple linear regression and the basics of statistical inference. Students will learn to use the statistical package MINITAB.

What AVֲ courses satisfy the writing requirement?

One of any of the courses listed below will satisfy the writing requirement:

  • Creative Writing 1030
  • English 1030, 1005,1015,1025,1040,1050, 1060, 1100
  • German 1026,1027
  • History 1510
  • Performance Studies 1000, 1001, 1002
  • Philosophy 1810, 1820
  • Russian 1020, 1070
  • Oceanography 1001, 1002
  • Sustainability 1000
  • Political Science 1001, 1002
  • Journalism 1002, 1003
  • Science 1111
Is there an age limit for my Semester 3 pre-requisite courses to be valid for admission?

To be eligible for Semester 3 entry admission, the 5 core pre-requisite courses (Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, English, and Statistics) cannot be more than 10 years old from the forecasted date of graduation from AVֲ's Nursing program. Elective pre-requisite courses cannot be more than 15 years old. Any pre-requisite courses that exceed the age limit must be retaken to be eligible for Semester 3 entry admission.

These age limits are strictly adhered to with no exceptions.

When are final transcripts required for semester 3 applicants?

Applicants must have completed the 30 credit hours of required courses by April 30 and official final transcripts received by May 15 of the year of expected entry to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Please note: If applicants are retaking any courses to meet the C requirement, we will wait until the final grade for those courses to review for admission.

To which program should I apply to take the Semester 3 Nursing prerequisites subjects?

The prerequisites can be completed in a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, or as a Special Student, non-degree. You will need to submit an application and have an assessment completed based on the requirements for that program. Please visitto learn more about the requirements.

Can I use my graduate level work to satisfy admission requirements?

We generally review only undergraduate courses for admission to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Some exceptions may be made for courses in Health-related programs.

I am a Transfer Student, will my previous coursework be counted toward my degree?

Students in the semester 3 entry option may be able to apply transfer credits in semesters 1 and 2.

Questions and Answers of Enrolled Students

What is First Year Nursing Orientation? First Year Nursing Orientationis a mandatory event for newly enrolled students to the BScN program. Important information will be provided to you at Orientation and will not be repeated. For more information about this event, please contactnursing.inquiries@dal.ca.
Does the School of Nursing provide lockers? There are alimited numberof lockers available for thecost of $10. Availability is on a first come, first serve basis after July 1st. Please bring thecorrect cash amountto Reception, Room #109, Forrest Building.
As a Nursing student are there any certification and/or documents that I need to submit?

All students should be prepared tosubmit copiesof the following documents:

  • Standard First Aid certification (completed after June 1)
  • Level HCP CPR (completed after June 1)
  • Childhood Immunization Record and checklist
  • Serology report (blood test for immunity check}
  • Mantoux test results
  • Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search (completed after June 1)

Please contactstudent.inquiries@dal.cafor more information.

I need my childhood immunization records, where do I go? Contact yourhealth care providerand/or the Public Health Office (in the province of birth).
How do I contact Public Health? Please contact:
Where can I have my Criminal Record Check/Vulnerable Sector Search (CRC/VSS) completed? Contact yourlocal police orRCMPoffice to obtain this report.
I have Emergency First Aid, do I need to re-certify? All Nursing students are required to haveStandard First Aidcertification. Emergency First Aid will not be sufficient.
I have a CPR level other than HCP (Health Care Provider) is this okay? All Nursing students are required to haveLevel HCP (Health Care Provider) CPR.
What is the deadline date to submit my document package of required pre-clinical documents?

Halifax: For deadline dates and submission of pre-clinical documents, please contact the Clinical Placement office,pamela.broome@dal.ca

Yarmouth: For deadline dates and submission of pre-clinical documents, please contact the Clinical Placement Coordinator,rose.clements@dal.ca

What are the consequences of not submitting all required documents before the deadline date specified? Students that have not submitted their required pre- clinical documentswill not be permittedto participate in themandatory clinical experiencesto fulfill the requirements of their program.
Are there national and international opportunities for students? Students have had the opportunity to travel across Canada and to the north. They have also visited Gambia and Tanzania.Information on International Opportunties
What is DUNS? The AVֲ Nursing Society (DUNS) is a student-run association that organizes activities, events and charitable initiatives. There are currently chapters at the Halifax and Yarmouth locations of the AVֲ School of Nursing.Contact DUNS.
Who can I contact for academic advising?

Prospective Students:All applicants who have submitted an application to AVֲ are assigned an advisor through the application portal. To connect with your advisor, log in to your application status portal and scroll to the section labeled“Connect with your advisor.”From there, you can book an appointment directly. Alternatively, you may contact the Admissions Office by emailingadmissions@dal.cato speak with an advisor.

Current Nursing Students: Contact information can be found on theContact an Academic Advisorpage or emailingnursing.inquiries@dal.ca.

Research opportunities for Students? Many of ourfaculty membersare alsoresearch scientistsand there may be opportunities for students to assist.