Education · 1 of 5

The path

There is one main road to becoming an RN (registered nurse) in Canada.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Grade 12 English, biology, chemistry and a math. Strong marks matter, admission is competitive.

2. 2

   Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)

   4 years

   Four-year university degree with clinical placements from year two. Some colleges offer it in partnership with a university.

3. 3

   Write the NCLEX-RN (the national nursing exam)

   After graduation

   The national licensing exam. Computer-adaptive, up to 5 hours. Most Canadian grads pass on the first try.

4. 4

   Register with your provincial college

   A few weeks

   Each province has its own nursing regulator. Registration lets you legally use the title RN.