Nursing Programs in Canada: A Province-by-Province Guide
The short answer
Nursing is regulated by province, so the correct question is not "which program is best in Canada?" but "which regulator will license me, and which programs does that regulator approve?" This page maps the regulators we checked, links to their program or registration pages and gives you a method to compare programs in any province.
Regulators and entry points we checked
| Province | Regulator (as checked) | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta | College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA) | Approved programs list; NCLEX-RN |
| British Columbia | BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) | Master list of recognized programs |
| Saskatchewan | College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan (CRNS) | Student graduate steps; NCLEX-RN |
| Manitoba | College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba (CRNM) | Approved programs list; NCLEX-RN page |
| Ontario | College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) | Approved programs lists; NCLEX-RN (RN), REx-PN (RPN) |
| Quebec | Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec (OIIQ) | College (DEC) or university route; OIIQ exam |
| New Brunswick | College of Nursing of New Brunswick (CNNB) | Approved programs list with status; NCLEX-RN or OIIQ exam |
| Nova Scotia | Nova Scotia Nursing and Midwifery Regulator (NSNMR) | Education program approval page; NCLEX-RN |
| Prince Edward Island | PEI College of Nursing & Midwifery (PEICNM) | Examinations page; NCLEX-RN |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | NL College of Nurses | Regulator site; Memorial University BN |
We did not research the territories; use the relevant territorial regulator. Regulators are merging and renaming, so the names above may change.
Registered nurse, practical nurse and psychiatric nurse
Terminology differs. Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) is the Ontario title for practical nurses, while Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is used in most other provinces; Registered Psychiatric Nurse (also abbreviated RPN) is a distinct regulated designation in several provinces. Quebec uses infirmière auxiliaire for practical nursing. When you read a program page, check which designation it leads to.
A method for comparing any program
- Name the designation you want and the regulator that licenses it.
- Confirm the program appears on that regulator's approved or recognized list, and note the date checked.
- Check national accreditation if it matters to you: the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) publishes a directory of accredited programs, separate from regulator approval.
- Compare prerequisites, selection method, placement structure, language and total costs on the school's own pages.
- Read the regulator's registration steps for new graduates, including the exam and timelines.
- Record every answer in one sheet with a source and a date.
Common mistakes
- Treating a general ranking as a substitute for regulator approval.
- Assuming an exam name is the same everywhere. For example, Ontario describes the REx-PN for RPN applicants, and other provinces name their own practical nurse exam on their regulators' sites.
- Using a guide, including this one, as the final authority.
Provincial guides
For more detail on individual provinces, see the Fiabita guides for Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador in the Healthcare Hub.
FAQ
Q: Is there one national nursing licence in Canada?
No. Nurses are licensed by provincial and territorial regulators. Each regulator publishes its own registration requirements, so confirm them before you plan a move.
Q: Which exam do I write?
It depends on the designation and province. We found the NCLEX-RN named for RNs in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, and an OIIQ exam in Quebec. Check your regulator for the current exam.
Q: Is this a registration or admissions service?
No. It is an educational overview. Fiabita is a documentation and study tool.
Sources and further reading
- CRNA approved programs
- BCCNM study page
- CRNS register and license
- CRNM nursing education programs
- CNO approved nursing programs
- Le Cégep: DEC in Nursing
- CNNB approved programs
- NSNMR education program approval
- PEICNM examinations
- NL College of Nurses
- CASN accreditation and accredited-programs directory — national accreditation is separate from regulator approval