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Basic Stream

Basic (A) Stream (4 Years)

McMaster's Basic (A) Stream program is unique in that it emphasizes person-centered learning within a problem-based approach, uses tutorial classes, and facilitates self-directed learning. The curriculum is designed so that the study of nursing; the humanities; and the physiological, psychological and social sciences are interrelated and threaded throughout the program. Upon graduation, students wishing to engage in the professional practice of nursing and use the title Registered Nurse are subject to qualifying examinations and other requirements by the licensing body, the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO).

*Note: All students must review the CNO's Requisite Skills and Abilities and assess their ability to meet the criteria set forth in this document. 

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FIND OUT WHAT COURSES YOU ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE

  • The Academic Advisement Report on Mosaic lists all required courses for your program and shows you which ones you have completed and which are still outstanding. Be sure to expand all headings so you can see the full report.

  • Additionally, the 2022-2023 Undergraduate Calendar lists all course requirements.

YEAR 1 NURSING ​

In Year 1 of the Nursing program in the Basic Stream, students are provided with a strong foundation in the health and social sciences and are able to choose from a variety of electives.. They learn about themselves and their clients as individuals, while focusing on health, health assessment and the promotion of health.

Year 1 Basic stream students are required to spend four hours per week working in a laboratory setting with a tutor. During this time, they focus on ​fundamental nursing skills such as communication, hand-washing, vital signs and physical assessment.

YEAR 2 NURSING

In ​Year 2 of the Nursing program Basic Stream, students expand their definition of the client as an individual and now begin to consider the client as a family and the community.

Year 2 of the Basic Stream requires that students spend eight hours per week at a practice placement where they work together with a group of fellow students and a single faculty member. All students complete one medical placement and one surgical placement, learning to respond to ​chronic, acute, and complex health care situations.

YEAR 3 NURSING

In ​Year 3 of the Nursing program in the Basic Stream, students are required to spend 12 hours per week working in acute and varied clinical settings, such as pediatrics, mental health and maternal/child, among many others.

YEAR 4 NURSING​

In Year 4 Nursing, students are placed individually in a variety of settings where they are actively involved in enacting the nursing role for 24 hours per week first term; and 24 hours per week in the first six weeks and 36 hours per week in the last six weeks of the second term.

Students are directly supervised by a clinical preceptor and indirectly supervised by a ​faculty member.

ELECTIVE REQUIREMENTS:

​Review your Advisement Report for how many electives you are required to complete. Additional elective requirements include:

  • Minimum 6 units from Level 2 or above coursework

Elective course work must be completed prior to the start of the final term in Level ​4.

WHAT COURSES CAN I TAKE FOR ELECTIVES?

McMaster offers a variety of courses across all Faculties that students can complete to satisfy their elective requirements. Students in the Nursing program can also take non-mandatory NURSING or HTHSCI courses offered by the School of Nursing toward their elective requirements (to a maximum of 6 units), including independent study/research project courses HTHSCI 4AR3 and HTHSCI 4BR3.

WHAT IS LEVEL 2 OR ABOVE COURSEWORK?

Courses are designated Level 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. You can learn what level a course is designated by the first numeric digit in the course code (ex. PSYCH 1A03 is a Level 1 course while HISTORY 3A03 is a Level 3 course). Courses designated Level 2 or higher are called Upper Level courses.  

Find elective courses

Mohawk and Conestoga site students have the option to take COLLAB courses at their respective site.

LETTER OF PERMISSION - Click to find out how to take courses at other institutions towards credit at McMaster. 

ADMISSIONS

For information about the School of Nursing’s admission requirements and process, visit the Admissions page.

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