BScN — Nipissing University (Standalone)
SpaceCat Fit Notes
- CASPer: Not required. No CASPer offset available. details
- GPA window: Appears to evaluate on best six 4U/M high school marks. UNCLEAR whether a BA holder would be re-evaluated on university GPA instead. details
- Experiential: No written/interview components found. Purely grades-based. details
- Out-of-province: Ontario resident — no issue. details
- Overall assessment: Moderate fit — If Nipissing evaluates SpaceCat on her strong high school marks (best six 4U/M), this is promising given the mid-80s competitive average. However, it is UNCLEAR whether holding a BA forces evaluation on university GPA. The collaborative with Canadore has ended; Nipissing now runs a standalone BScN. Small program (60-100 seats) makes it competitive. CRITICAL: Contact admissions to confirm evaluation basis for 105 applicants.
⚠️ Program status: Active — Note: The former collaborative program with Canadore College ended in 2021-22. Nipissing now offers a standalone BScN. Canadore launched its own separate BScN in September 2022.
Quick Facts
- Institution: Nipissing University (School of Nursing)
- Program name: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)
- Degree granted: BScN
- City, Province: North Bay, Ontario
- Program type: Standard 4-year
- Duration: 4 years
- Delivery format: In-person
- Full-time / Part-time: Full-time only
- Language of instruction: English
- Start date(s): September
- Intake frequency: Annual
- Application deadline(s): February 16, 2026 (equal consideration deadline)
- Application system: OUAC 101 or OUAC 105
- Application code: PSN (per OUInfo)
- Program URL: https://www.nipissingu.ca/academics/faculty-education-professional-studies/school-nursing/bachelor-science-nursing-bscn
- Accredited: Yes — CASN (historically; confirm current accreditation for standalone program)
Admission Requirements
GPA
- Minimum GPA: 70% (general Nipissing minimum); competitive averages for BScN are much higher.
- Competitive GPA (if known): Mid-80s admission average in 2024 (per OUInfo).
- GPA calculated on: For HS applicants: best six 4U/M marks (midterm or final), including prerequisite courses.
For university/105 applicants: NOT STATED. The publicly available materials focus exclusively on high school applicants. It is unclear whether a 105 applicant with a completed BA would be evaluated on university GPA, high school marks, or some combination.
- Number of credits in GPA window: Best 6 courses (HS). Unknown for university applicants.
- GPA scale used: Percentage
- Do post-degree upgrading courses count? Not stated.
- Are online/summer/part-time courses included in GPA? Not stated.
- “Entire record” caveat? Not stated.
- Can applicants explain/contextualize a low GPA? Not stated.
Prerequisites
| Course | Required / Recommended | Min Grade |
|---|---|---|
| ENG4U (English) | Required | Part of best 6 average |
| SBI4U (Biology) | Required | Part of best 6 average |
| SCH4U (Chemistry) | Required | Part of best 6 average |
| 4U Math | Recommended | Part of best 6 average |
Prereq source URL: https://www.ouinfo.ca/programs/nipissing/psn
Prior Degree Requirement
- Minimum credits / degree required: Not stated for 4-year BScN. The Scholar Practitioner Program (for degree holders) has been suspended.
- Completed degree required? Not for 4-year BScN (designed for HS applicants).
- Degree field restrictions: None stated.
CASPer
Not required. CASPer is not mentioned in any of the BScN admission materials reviewed.
Supplementary Requirements
- Interview: Not mentioned.
- Resume / CV: Not required.
- References: Not required.
Experience Requirement
- Required? Not stated.
Written / Personal Components
None found.
How Applications Are Evaluated
- Admission model: Appears purely academic average-ranked for HS applicants.
- Published formula: Not published.
- GPA cutoff before other components? N/A — no non-academic components found.
Mature Student Pathway
Not explicitly described for BScN. Nipissing has a general mature student category but the BScN is limited-enrollment and may not have a distinct mature pathway. Note: “Mature students without a post-secondary degree are ineligible for the English BScN program” was noted for Laurentian (not Nipissing), but Nipissing’s policy on this is not stated.
Out-of-Province Considerations
- Residency restrictions or quotas: None found.
- Out-of-province tuition differential: Not found. SpaceCat is Ontario resident — likely no issue.
Cost
- Tuition (total program, approximate): ~$7,000-$8,000/year Ontario domestic (estimate). Not confirmed.
- Additional fees: Clinical placement requirements.
Competitiveness
- Cohort size: 60-100 students (per OUInfo: “60 Limited enrollment, highly competitive program” and “Maximum 100 students”).
- Acceptance rate (if known): Not published. Described as “highly competitive, limited-enrollment.”
Reputation & Notes
- The Scholar Practitioner Program (an accelerated BScN for degree holders, offered in Toronto) has been suspended. This was the pathway specifically designed for university graduates.
- North Bay is a smaller city; clinical placements would be in Northern Ontario settings.
- The standalone program is relatively new (post-2022), so track record as independent program is limited.
Information Not Found
- CRITICAL: How 105 applicants with a completed BA are evaluated — no information found specific to university applicants for the 4-year BScN
- Whether the 4-year BScN even accepts 105 applicants with prior degrees (it may be HS-only in practice)
- Current accreditation status of the standalone program
- Mature student pathway for BScN
- Contact: Nipissing University, School of Nursing — nursing@nipissingu.ca / 705-474-3450 ext. 4521
- Contact: Registrar’s Office — registrar@nipissingu.ca
Sources
- Official program pages:
- https://www.nipissingu.ca/academics/faculty-education-professional-studies/school-nursing/bachelor-science-nursing-bscn (404 at time of research)
- https://www.ouinfo.ca/programs/nipissing/psn
- News sources:
- https://www.baytoday.ca/local-news/nipissing-university-cancelling-two-nursing-programs-6847462
- https://www.canadorecollege.ca/about/the-canadore-story/update-on-collaborative-bachelor-of-science-in-nursing-program-canadore-college-nipissing-university
- OUAC:
- https://www.ouac.on.ca/guide/undergrad-nipissing/