High School Student

As a high school student, you can start thinking ahead to enrolling in a college, combined college-university, or university program to become a nurse.

Getting Your Ontario Secondary School Diploma

The first step to enrolling in a nursing program is working towards your Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), which is necessary for admission to college and university. Learn about the difference between a college and university. Many college and university nursing programs require applicants to take grade 11 and/or grade 12 biological and physical sciences as part of their high school diploma. As each college and university program has its own requirements, refer to the program calendars and speak with your high school academic counsellor to make sure you meet the criteria.

It’s worth noting the Ministry of Education provides high school students with the opportunity to customize their education through the Specialist High Skills Major. Students in this program can focus their learning on a career path (such as health and wellness) and still meet the requirements for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

Applying to Colleges and Universities

During your final year of high school, you can apply to colleges and universities. You would take a 2-year college nursing program to become a registered practical nurse (RPN), or you would enrol in a 4-year university or combined college-university program to become a registered nurse (RN). You can take a nurse practitioner program after completing your undergraduate degree. Apply online to colleges through Ontario Colleges.ca or apply to universities through Ontario Universities’ Application Centre.

International Students

If you are an international student, read about international admission criteria to a college or university in Ontario.

Resources

Read about nurse education resources.