Accelerated Standing Track (AST) BNSc — Queen’s University

SpaceCat Fit Notes

• CASPer: Not used. SpaceCat cannot leverage her very high CASPer score here.
• GPA window & upgrading strategy: Queen’s uses a cumulative GPA calculated on all graded university courses (minimum 2.7 / B-). Because the GPA is cumulative across all courses, taking 10-20 new courses has minimal impact on the overall average if SpaceCat already has a large transcript. For example, adding 15 new courses to an existing 40-course transcript would only shift the average modestly. New coursework alone cannot meaningfully reset this GPA.
• Experiential / written advantage: If the Supplementary Application is required for AST applicants, it includes a written response (335-word limit, Kira Talent) and a video response. SpaceCat’s shelter work experience could be showcased in both components, particularly through reflective examples of adaptability, initiative, and personal growth — all criteria on the published rubric. However, it remains unconfirmed whether AST applicants must complete the supplementary.

• Out-of-province: Ontario resident. - No explicit out-of-province restrictions or quotas found. The tuition page lists a separate (slightly higher) per-unit rate for out-of-province Canadian students, confirming they are accepted. [Source: AST admissions](https://nursing.queensu.ca/...

• Overall assessment: Reach — The cumulative GPA calculation is unfavorable for someone with a weaker GPA, and there is no CASPer to offset it. The supplementary application (Kira Talent written + video responses, if required for AST) could showcase her experiential background and communication skills, which is a partial positive. However, with only ~30 seats and described as “extremely competitive,” the GPA hurdle is significant.

Quick Facts

• Institution: Queen’s University, School of Nursing (Faculty of Health Sciences)
• Program name: Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) — Accelerated Standing Track (AST)
• Degree granted: BNSc (identical degree to the 4-year program)
• City, Province: Kingston, Ontario
• Program type: Accelerated / Second-Entry
• Duration: 2 years full-time, including summer terms
• Delivery format: In-person
• Full-time / Part-time: Full-time only
• Language of instruction: English
• Start date(s): September (Fall entry only)
• Intake frequency: Annual
• Application deadline(s): OUAC by February 1; Supplementary Application by February 15 (if required — see note below); Proof of prerequisite enrollment by February 15; Final prerequisite grades by June 15
• Application system: OUAC — applicants (both external and current Queen’s students) must select the “transfer” option. OUAC program code: QNA (Accelerated Standing Track).
• Program URL: https://nursing.queensu.ca/undergraduate/AST
• Accredited: Yes — 7-year accreditation from the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) as of June 2020. Also approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario. Source

Admission Requirements

GPA

• Minimum GPA: 2.7 (B-) calculated using all university courses taken. Source
• Competitive GPA: Not officially published. One third-party source (GrantMe) reports an 87% cut-off for academic qualifications for Queen’s Nursing generally. The program is described as “extremely competitive.” Competitive averages likely well above the 2.7 minimum. Could not find an official competitive GPA figure for the AST specifically.
• GPA calculated on: All graded university courses (not just best or most recent). The official requirement states: “Minimum 2.7 (B-) Grade Point Average (GPA) using all university courses.” Source
• GPA scale used: Queen’s GPA scale (4.3 scale)

Prerequisites

Minimum prior coursework: At least 10 full university courses (equivalent to 60.0 units of graded university credits, i.e., ~2 years of full-time study).

Prerequisite courses must be completed within the past 7 years with a minimum grade of 60% (C-) or higher in each. Proof of enrollment must be submitted by February 15; final grades by June 15.

High school prerequisites also required: Senior secondary school (Grade 12 or equivalent) Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and English (must be English Literature, not English Language). University-level courses in these subjects are acceptable substitutes. Source

Can prerequisites be taken online? Not explicitly addressed on the official page. However, one search result notes that “acceptable courses may be available through Queen’s Arts and Science Online,” suggesting online courses from Queen’s are likely accepted. It is not confirmed whether online courses from other institutions (e.g., Athabasca) are accepted. Applicants should confirm directly with the School of Nursing at bnsc.programs@queensu.ca.

Source: Academic Calendar, Source: Admission Requirements

Prior Degree Requirement

• Minimum credits / degree required: At least 60.0 units (10 full university courses, ~2 years full-time). A completed degree is not required.
• Degree field restrictions: Any field — no specific discipline required
• Specific undergraduate courses required beyond prereqs: The 4 prerequisite courses listed above, plus the high school subject requirements (or university equivalents)

Supplementary Requirements

• CASPer: NOT required. Official statement: “No, the CASPer test is not an application requirement for our nursing programs.” Source
• GRE: Not required

• Interview: No evidence of an interview requirement found for the AST program.

• Personal statement / written component (Supplementary Application):

IMPORTANT CONFLICTING INFORMATION: There is conflicting information about whether AST/transfer applicants must complete the Supplementary Application:

• The university transfer admission page states: “Mandatory Supplementary Application. This will appear as an item on the To Do List in SOLUS after you have applied.” Source
• However, one search result from the official AST page context states: “Applicants to the AST Nursing program are not required to submit the Supplementary Application.”
• The Supplementary Application page states the supplementary is required for “applicants to the Nursing Science program” generally and must be submitted by February 15.

Recommendation: Assume the supplementary application IS required and prepare for it. Confirm with bnsc.programs@queensu.ca.

If required, the Supplementary Application consists of: 1. Written Response: A reflective question with a 335-word limit (one source says 285 words — there may have been a recent change) and a 10-minute time limit. Exceeding the word limit “will negatively affect your application.” Questions are randomized and not shared in advance. 2. Video Response: A random question with 2 minutes to prepare and 2 minutes to deliver the answer.

Platform: Kira Talent. Written response is completed first, then the video. The application is timed and cannot be paused.

Source, Source

Rubric: Both components scored on a 1-5 scale: - 1 (Developing): Vague responses with little reflection - 2 (Basic): Limited detail with minimal growth connection - 3 (Competent): Clear examples with some responsibility awareness - 4 (Strong): “Specific, well-articulated example of a significant challenge” - 5 (Exceptional): “Compelling, authentic account” with meaningful reflection

Criteria evaluated: specificity of examples, demonstration of adaptability/initiative, responsibility/ownership, and meaningful reflection on personal growth. Source

• Resume / CV: Not required (no mention found)
• References: Not required (no mention found)
• Volunteer / work experience: No stated minimum or requirement found. No evidence that healthcare experience is formally evaluated.
• Language proficiency: Not specifically addressed for domestic applicants; international students will have English proficiency requirements.

How Applications Are Evaluated

No published weightings or detailed evaluation criteria found. The program is described as “academically competitive” with a 2.7 GPA minimum. Beyond that, if the Supplementary Application is required, it is scored on the rubric above. No information found about how GPA vs. supplementary scores are weighted against each other.

“Admission decisions will be made on an ongoing basis from early November to mid-May.” Source

The AST page notes that Indigenous applicants and first-generation students have dedicated pathways available. Source

Out-of-Province Considerations

• Residency restrictions or quotas: No explicit out-of-province restrictions or quotas found. The tuition page lists a separate (slightly higher) per-unit rate for out-of-province Canadian students, confirming they are accepted. Source: AST admissions | Source: Queen’s transfer admission
• Out-of-province tuition differential: Yes — out-of-province Canadian students pay a higher per-unit rate ($246.44 vs. $202.77 for Ontario students, ~$2,620 more over 2 years). Source

Cost

Tuition & Fees (2025-2026)

Tuition is assessed per unit, not as a flat program fee. The AST track requires 33 units per year.

Note: The out-of-province AST total shown on the registrar page was listed as $8,280.86 (same as Ontario), which may be an error or may indicate the differential applies differently. The standard nursing rate for out-of-province is clearly listed at $246.44/unit vs. $202.77. Verify current rates at the registrar’s office.

• Additional fees: First Aid/CPR HCP certification, criminal record check (CPIC + vulnerable sector screening), N95 mask fit testing, NVCI training, Concise Health Solutions clearance ($60 fee), immunizations, textbooks, scrubs, stethoscope.

Source

Competitiveness

• Cohort size: Approximately 30 students/year based on forum reports. Not officially published. Source: AllNurses forum, 2009
• Acceptance rate: Not officially published. Queen’s overall university acceptance rate is ~42%. The nursing program (including the 4-year BNSc) is described as one of “Canada’s most competitive nursing programmes” with an 87% academic cut-off for high school applicants. The AST, with only ~30 seats, is described as “extremely competitive.”
• Number of applicants: Not published
• First-time NCLEX-RN pass rate: 96.3% (compared to Ontario average of 88%). Source

Fieldwork / Clinical / Practicum

• Placements guaranteed? Yes (built into curriculum; same clinical hours as the 4-year program)
• Total required hours: Not published as a single number. The final practicum alone is 400 hours of clinical practice time.
• When placements begin: Clinical placements start in the winter term of first year in the AST.
• Placement settings / locations: Hospitals, public health, clinics, and community agencies (schools, flu clinics, Alzheimer agencies). Settings include: children’s health, maternity, mental health, medical/surgical (acute and chronic care adults), and community. “The majority of the practice environments are within walking distance or on the bus route” from campus in Kingston.
• Can placements be done out of province? For the final practicum, “students can apply to take their final clinical placement anywhere in Canada.”
• Key clinical areas covered: Maternity, children’s health, mental health, medical/surgical, community health promotion.

Source, Source

Clinical Placement Pre-Requirements (upon acceptance)

All must be completed before clinical placements begin: - COVID-19 vaccination (per NACI recommendations) - Standard First Aid + CPR BLS/HCP (in-person, dated after May 1; CPR renewed annually) - Criminal Record Check (CPIC) including Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) - NVCI (Non-Violent Crisis Intervention) training (valid 2 years, must maintain throughout program) - N95 mask fit testing (on campus) - Immunizations (as required) - Concise Health Solutions clearance ($60 fee) — deadline November 1 for incoming students - Online training modules via Undergraduate Student Nursing Portal (onQ) — due November 1

Source

Licensing & Career Path

• Licensing exam: NCLEX-RN
• Graduates eligible to practice in all provinces? Yes (NCLEX-RN is accepted across Canada)
• Any known issues with credential recognition? None found

Reputation & Student Reviews

• Queen’s BNSc graduates have a 96.3% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate (Ontario average: 88%)
• CASN-accredited with a full 7-year accreditation (June 2020)
• Identical degree and clinical hours to the 4-year BNSc — no distinction on the transcript
• Kingston is a smaller city; clinical placements are conveniently located near campus
• One student reported: staff “have been quick to respond with any questions and been super helpful with helping with any issues” and the school has been “nothing but nice and caring”
• Limited Reddit/forum discussion found specifically about the AST track; most discussion of Queen’s nursing is about the 4-year program
• The ~30-student cohort means a small, tight-knit learning environment but also very limited seats
• Dedicated academic advisors and a wellness coach available for students

Information NOT Found (Gaps)

The following could not be confirmed from available sources and should be verified directly with Queen’s School of Nursing (bnsc.programs@queensu.ca):

1. Whether the Supplementary Application (Kira Talent) is required for AST applicants — conflicting information found
2. Exact competitive GPA for AST admission — only the 2.7 minimum is published
3. Official cohort size — the ~30 figure is from an old forum post
4. Whether online prerequisite courses from non-Queen’s institutions are accepted
5. Exact application evaluation weighting (how GPA vs. supplementary vs. other factors are balanced)
6. Whether there are any out-of-province quotas
7. Full program course sequence/schedule by term

Information Not Found

No specific gaps identified for this program.

Sources

• AST Program Page — School of Nursing
• Prospective Students — School of Nursing
• BNSc Program Page
• Academic Calendar — Admission Requirements
• Academic Calendar — AST Track of Study
• University Transfer Admission Requirements
• Supplementary Application
• Supplementary Application FAQ
• Supplementary Application Rubric
• Application Dates & Deadlines
• Competitive Averages
• Undergraduate Tuition & Fees 2025-26
• Clinical Placement Requirements
• OUInfo — Queen’s Nursing (QN)
• GrantMe — Queen’s Nursing
• AllNurses — Queen’s AST Discussion
• AllNurses — Fall 2024 Accelerated Nursing Canada
• Myls — Queen’s Nursing Supplementary Application Guide
• BeMo — How to Get Into Queen’s