Leslie and Irene Dubé School of Nursing
Registered Nursing Bridging Program for Internationally Educated Nurses
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If you're an internationally-educated nurse who wants to practice nursing in Saskatchewan, you will need to update your credentials to meet the competencies set out by the College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan (CRNS), or for the regulatory body in the province in which you reside. We are unable to accept internationally educated nurses from Ontario. Saskatchewan Polytechnic is here to help you gain the knowledge and skills to work as a registered nurse (RN) in Canada.

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Start date

September, January and May

Length

36 weeks

Locations(s)

ReginaOnline/Distance options available

Length and location notes

Some programs offered online or otherwise by distance (i.e., correspondence) include on-site labs, clinicals, practicums or work experiences. They may be offered course-by-course or full-time, or both, and deliveries may change over time.

You will have two years to complete the program.

View list of currently available courses.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Registered Nursing Bridging Program for Internationally Educated Nurses is an online certificate program. It is designed to provide the knowledge and skills you need to work as a nurse in Canada. You will:

  • Learn about the Canadian health care system.
  • Study health assessment, health challenges, communications and care of the elderly.
  • Study medical technology, terminology and drug therapy theory in Canada.
  • Study regulations, ethics, safety and cultural competency.
  • Explore issues generated by language barriers and cultural differences.
  • Have your clinical skills assessed in comparison to techniques and equipment used in Canada.
  • Take part in simulation labs and supervised clinical practice education.
  • Prepare to write the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
Why Sask Polytech?
Sask Polytech's Registered Nursing Bridging Program for Internationally Educated Nurses is highly regarded across Canada. Because it is offered online (with access to tutor support via telephone, fax and/or email), you can work from your own home, on your own time and at your own pace. You have two years to complete all courses.
Practical learning
The program is designed to give you hands-on practice with nursing skills, documentation and equipment. You'll take part in simulation labs and supervised clinical practice education, and you'll have your clinical skills assessed in comparison to techniques and equipment used in Canada.
Graduation/completion requirements
  • Successful completion of all theory courses (except the communications courses) with a grade of 50% or better
  • Successful completion of the communications courses, skills lab and clinical experience is a pass-fail designation based on identified criteria
  • PLAR and transfer credit

Refer to our frequently asked questions for additional information.

Career and salary information

Your career

Whether you already live in Saskatchewan or are planning to move here, our program will help you qualify to practice in the province. Once your credentials are recognized by the CRNS, you'll discover career opportunities in hospitals, northern health facilities, community clinics, long-term care facilities and more.

For more information, contact the Student Employment Services at the Saskatchewan Polytechnic campus nearest you or visit healthcareersinsask.ca.

Part-time delivery

To graduate and receive a credential for this program, part-time students must apply to the program and be admitted before taking any courses. To register for individual courses, please view the part-time offerings available in the Courses section below.

Admissions

Admission requirements

  • A letter from the CRNS (or from the regulatory body in the province where the student resides) recommending the candidate for the program 

English Language Requirements

The language of instruction and assessment for this program is in English. In addition to the general admission requirements, if your first or primary language is not English and/or your country is not exempt, you must demonstrate an appropriate level of proficiency in English. English language proficiency will be based on submission of one of the following: 

Completion of International English Language Testing Scores (IELTS)

  • Overall minimum score of Band 6.5 with a minimum score of 6.5 in each component is required

OR

Completion of Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN) with the following acceptable scores:

Speaking 8

Writing 7

Listening 9

Reading 8

 

Note:

  • Valid Transferring, Lifting and Repositioning (TLR) certification is required prior to entry into the clinical practice education experience. The cost of TLR certification is your responsibility.
  • Valid CPR Health Care Provider "C" AED or equivalent is required prior to participating in the clinical practice education experience. The cost of CPR certification is your responsibility.
  • Valid immunization is required prior to participating in the clinical practice education experience.
  • A Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search is required prior to participating in the clinical practice education experience. A student may be declined access to a clinical placement based on the contents of the Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search. A student must complete the clinical practice education experience to graduate from the program. The cost of the Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search is your responsibility.
  • Accepted applicants are required to provide evidence of current N95 respirator mask testing prior to entry into the clinical practice education experience. The cost of N95 respirator mask testing is your responsibility.
  • Accepted applicants are required to provide evidence of 2015 WHMIS Globally Harmonized System (GHS) certification upon admission into the program. Recertification will be required every three years to remain valid. The cost of WHMIS certification is your responsibility.

Admission method

First Qualified/First Admitted

The First Qualified/First Admitted (FQFA) process is used for the majority of Saskatchewan Polytechnic programs. When we determine that you meet the program's admission requirements, you will be offered admission based on the date you fully qualify for the program. The earlier you provide the appropriate documents and information that qualify you for admission to the next intake, the earlier you might begin your studies. Your application, once qualified, is always considered for the next intake. 

Applicants to programs with multiple intakes in an academic year remain in the application pool until the last intake for that academic year has begun. Programs using the FQFA process receive applications year round and maintain an application pool for each academic year. Qualified applicants who are not offered a seat must reapply for the next academic year. 

Sponsored programs or programs targeted to specific groups do not accept applications year round or maintain an application pool.

See Admission Processes for more information about this method of admission.

Tuition and fees

2024-25 academic year

$21,140

Tuition amounts will vary depending on the number of courses assigned by your regulatory body. Contact rnbpien@saskpolytech.ca for specific tuition information based on your assessment and completion timeline. 

This program is not eligible for the Canada-Saskatchewan student loan program. 

International students

View tuition rates for international students.

Courses

Semester information only pertains to full-time/on-campus students, and part-time/online students should view course prerequisites when scheduling courses.

Accreditation

College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan (CRNS)

Distance to online education; students write their online exams from home.

Perioperative Nursing RN

Registered Nursing Bridging Program for Re-entry to Practice

Additional information