A baccalaureate degree in Nursing with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the final two years (or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution). Registration with CARNA is required.

Three letters of reference (criteria described on the application form).

An undergraduate course in each of statistics and research methods, with a minimum grade of B (or equivalent), preferably completed within the past six years.

A minimum of one year of clinical nursing experience in the specialty area to which the student is applying is typically required. Students interested in a clinical focus or Nurse Practitioner (NP) licensure must provide evidence of 4500 hours of RN experience.

A TOEFL score of at least 550 (paper-based), or a total score of 88 with a score of at least 20 on each of the individual skill areas (internet-based), or equivalent where applicable (see §203.2.4 of this Calendar).

Registration with College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA)

Clinical placements: All students doing clinical placements must be registered in the Province in which they are doing placements. For most students this will mean Alberta (CARNA) but some may be placed in other Provinces and it is mandatory that MN students are registered in the Province in which their clinical placement occurs. Students are responsible for ensuring that they meet the registration requirements of any Province in which they are placed. Proof of registration must be submitted with application documents and on an annual basis.

An RN student in a nurse practitioner program may use the term “student” with the protected “NP” title. As students in the NP program must be registered with CARNA for their practica, they must identify themselves as an RN when providing health services, even in the student role. CARNA suggests the title “RN, Student NP”.

Research data collection: Any student research that involves contact with patients will require the student to be registered with CARNA. Students are responsible for being registered. This rule applies equally to MN and PhD students.

Teaching: Any graduate students involved in teaching students or working as a graduate teaching assistant (e.g., marking papers or exams) must be registered with CARNA. This rule applies equally to MN and PhD students.

Questions concerning registration should be directed to the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies Nursing. For questions about the health and safety requirements, contact Karen Peterson at karen.peterson@ualberta.ca or (780) 492-8645.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification (CPR)

CPR certification at the Healthcare Provider Level is required. This course is designed for healthcare providers who have a duty to respond to medical emergencies. A CPR-Healthcare Provider certificate is valid for one year from the date of the course. Evidence of annual recertification must be presented each year while in the program. Students who do not have current CPR-Healthcare Provider Level certification cannot participate in clinical courses. Level C CPR certification is not acceptable; students must obtain CPR at the Healthcare Provider Level. If students have EMT certification that they believe may be equivalent to Healthcare Provider Level CPR, contact the Faculty of Nursing.

Students in advanced clinical courses (N580; N581; N585) require Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Life Support course (PALS) or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).

Health Status Form

Health Status Declaration: All students admitted to nursing programs must complete a Health Status Declaration (HSD) available on the Faculty of Nursing website at www.nursing.ualberta.ca.

Immunization Requirements

Students must have their immunization records reviewed and updated by a healthcare professional. The Faculty of Nursing highly recommends that this be done at the University Health Centre. Students should bring all childhood and previous immunization records to the appointment. These can be obtained by contacting the student’s local public health centre, school, family physician, or wherever the student may have had childhood immunizations completed. Students who cannot obtain their records should consult with the University Health Centre for advice. Immunizations will be updated based on individual assessment. Refer to part B of the Medical Clearance Form for a complete list of required immunizations.

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all immunizations remain current while in the Nursing program. Clinical experiences may be delayed if requirements are not met. Students who will not be proceeding with immunization or serological testing to prove their immunity, must contact the Faculty of Nursing for completion of waiver documentation.

Criminal Record Check (Security Clearance Check)

Under the Protection for Persons in Care Act, a criminal record check (security clearance check) may be required by any site providing clinical practice. The clinical practice site will determine the criteria for acceptance/denial of a placement. The clinical instructors will notify students if a criminal record check is required for their specific clinical placement, and students are then responsible for having the check completed prior to commencement of clinical practice. Students who have concerns related to their ability to satisfy a criminal record check should consult with the Faculty of Nursing immediately upon being admitted to the program.

Criminal record checks can be obtained through the Edmonton Police Service (see the Police Information Check page for more details), a community police station, or any RCMP detachment. Students must familiarize themselves with the requirements and process before going in for their criminal record check (fees, identification to bring, processing times, etc.). Students from outside of the region are advised to obtain this requirement prior to relocating to Edmonton.

Students who obtain a criminal record check must not submit it to the Faculty of Nursing. Students need to keep their criminal record check and present it to clinical agencies upon their request. Criminal record checks are considered valid for 90 days, so additional checks will need to be acquired throughout the program.

Students enrolled in NURS 511, 567, 571, or 581 may also be required to obtain a Child Intervention Record Check (Child Welfare Check). These are obtained from Child and Family Services Authority offices, and specific information may be obtained at the Undergraduate Nursing Office located on the third floor of the Clinical Sciences Building.

Professional Ethics/Code of Student Behaviour: All students enrolled in the Faculty of Nursing are bound by, and shall comply with, the Professional Codes of Ethics governing the profession and practice of Nursing.

“Professional Codes of Ethics” means the current Canadian Nurses Association's Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses, and all other relevant professional codes and practice standards for registered nurses.

It is the responsibility of each Faculty of Nursing graduate student to obtain, and be familiar with, such Professional Codes of Ethics, and their amendments as may be made from time to time. (See §30.1 and 30.2 of the Code of Student Behaviour, Appendix A of the University of Alberta Calendar).