40.2 Qualifications for Admission

1. Applicants to the Master of Science in Nursing program in any of the two options listed above must have a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited program in Canada or an equivalent from a non-Canadian institution recognized by the University, and a knowledge of nursing satisfactory to the Faculty of Nursing.

2. Admission to the program is limited and competitive. To be considered for admission, the applicant must have maintained at least a grade 'B' standing in the baccalaureate program.

3. Applicants are also required to have a minimum of one year of experience (1950 hours) in nursing practice for the Practicum Option or two years of experience (3900 hours) in nursing practice for the nurse practitioner options prior to submitting their application. In addition, applicants must have completed an undergraduate nursing research course (minimum ‘B’ standing) and an undergraduate statistics course (minimum ‘B’ standing).

4. For the Practicum option applicants must hold a practising licence and be in good standing from the College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador or must be currently registered and be in good standing as a practising nurse in another Canadian jurisdiction. Applicants from other countries who do not meet the above criteria will be assessed on an individual basis. However, they must submit proof of registration and standing as a practising nurse (or an equivalency) from their country or jurisdiction. Students in the program are expected to maintain their practicing licence and remain in good standing with the appropriate regulatory body throughout their graduate program. Exceptions will be made for students who are taking a short leave of absence from their work for reasons such as medical issues, parental leave, etc.

5. Since all clinical placements are completed at a clinical setting in Canada, applicants to the Nurse Practitioner and Graduate Diploma option must hold a practicing licence and be in good standing from the College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador or must be currently registered as a practicing nurse in good standing in another Canadian jurisdiction where they will complete their clinical placements. Students must maintain their practicing licensure and be in good standing for the full duration of the program.

6. In addition to requirements 1. and 4., applicants seeking admission to the Graduate Diploma in Nursing (Post Master’s Nurse Practitioner) program must have completed a Master's degree (minimum ‘B’ standing) in Nursing or an equivalent degree with a nursing focus, a graduate level statistics course (minimum ‘B’ standing), a graduate level research course (minimum ‘B’ standing), a graduate level nursing theories course (minimum “B” standing), a Bachelor’s degree (minimum ‘B’ standing) in Nursing, and have two years of clinical nursing experience preferably in their chosen specialty area.

7. In addition to requirements 1., 4., and 5. applicants seeking admission to the Master of Science in Nursing, Nurse Practitioner Option and the Graduate Diploma in Nursing (Post Master’s Nurse Practitioner) program will note that preference will be given to applicants who are living and working as Registered Nurses in Newfoundland and Labrador. On average, a very limited number of applicants from outside the province are accepted each year.

8. Only in exceptional circumstances and only on the recommendation of the Faculty of Nursing shall the Dean of Graduate Studies consider applicants who do not meet admission requirements listed above.