EXPERIENCE.UWINDSOR.CA

EXPERIENCE MAP

Nursing

Skills and Knowledge of Nursing GraduatesCU

RRIC

ULUM

CO-CURRICULAR

EXTRACURRICULAR

Activities falling outside of the scope of set curriculum (Part-time job, clubs, volunteering, athletics)

Courses of study specific to each program

Activities and experiences that complement coursework(Outstanding Scholars, peer mentoring, VIP)

Build your Skills and ExperienceYour UWindsor experience is more than attending classes. It is a combination of academics, co-curricular activities, and extracurricular involvement. By making the most of all three elements of your university experience, you will maximize your opportunities to build your skills, broaden your personal network, and clarify your long term academic and career goals.

Career Planning GuideIntentional career planning will help you prepare for your next step after graduation. It is a fluid, dynamic, and continuous process, meaning you can move on or return to an earlier stage at any time. You can even work through simultaneous cycles, like one for your long-term dream job and another for a summer job.

NURSING 85% minimum 65%. minimum 80% combined average; one Grade 12 mathematics required.

Degree Title / Program Minimum Average Admission Requirements

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS Collaborative Four-Year Nursing – Nursing is the science of applying knowledge, the technical aspects of practice and the art of establishing a caring relationship. Our collaborative, four-year honours BScN program will prepare you for a career in nursing with extensive clinical work, which begins in first year. You may also gain experience as a peer mentor or research assistant. Graduates are qualified to practice in both Canada and the United States, and pursue further studies.

The program is also offered in partnership with St. Clair College (Windsor and Thames/Chatham campuses) and Lambton College (Sarnia). Students may apply to the program directly to the University of Windsor, or may apply separately to either college site.

FUNCTIONAL KNOWLEDGE • Appreciating critical biological, social, cultural, ethical, and

psychological factors that influence health

• Exercising emotional intelligence to make useful observations, generate insights, and modify behaviour in a professional work setting

• Understanding the structure and organization of the public health-care system in Ontario and Canada

• Understanding and applying contemporary best practices in nursing care

• Critically appraising and evaluating evidence to support nursing interventions

• Critically analyzing health-care systems from an informed perspective; advocating for and implementing change when appropriate

• Understanding and valuing ethical practice

• Collaborating with patients/clients, families, interdisciplinary health professionals to achieve positive health outcomes

• Decision making; considering information from a variety of sources to solve problems and make decisions

• Take required courses including Health Assessment,

Anatomy & Physiology, and Introduction to Nursing

• Consider visiting the Nursing Student Support Centre for information about program advising, counselling, and clinical placements

• Meet with the Student Success Coordinator for program advising and information about individualized academic support services

• Visit the Clinical Learning Centre to meet peer mentors and spend time practicing health assessment skill

• Create a list of things that you enjoy, areas in which you excel, and your skills

• Meet with a career advisor in Career Development and Experiential Learning (CDEL) for help developing a plan for your future years

• Consider a career assessment workshop or appointment to help you identify possible career paths

• Get involved with a part-time job, volunteer opportunity, campus group, or research assistantship

• Attend CDEL workshops to learn how to find a summer or part-time job and write a resumé and cover letter

• Drop in to meet with one of CDEL’s peer advisors to get answers to your career and job search questions

• Complete required hours for Clinical Nursing Experiences; begin learning in the Nursing Simulation Lab

• Apply for a co-curricular experience such as VIP

• Become acquainted with the Nursing Student Handbook and Clinical Placement Policies

• Investigate research opportunities such as the Outstanding Scholars program

• Become active in Nursing Society by running for a position

• Attend extra-curricular nursing workshops such as the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Open School events

• Join an association such as the Registered Nursing Association of Ontario and the Canadian Nursing Students Association

• Participate in the Bystander Initiative workshop on campus

• Complete required hours for Clinical Nursing Experiences; learn in the Nursing Simulation Lab

• Compete in the annual provincial Nursing Games

• Participate in extra-curricular events such as the UWill Discover and Science Rendezvous

• Volunteer on a Faculty of Nursing Committee (Appointments or Curriculum Committees)

• Apply for student exchange opportunities in locations such as Sweden or Australia

• Seek leadership roles in Nursing Society or other campus clubs/programs

• Investigate opportunities to work as a peer mentor in the Clinical Learning Centre or peer tutor for nursing theory courses

• Consider an Ignite: Work Study position

• Complete all required courses to fulfill degree requirements including “Transition to Professional Practice” as a capstone theory course, which highlights the transition from student to professional

• Meet with the Student Success Coordinator for program advising, to review degree requirements, and information about individualized academic support services

• Work with a faculty member on a research project or publication

• Apply to graduate through MyUWindsor Portal

• Begin studying for National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX)

• Research career fields and occupations with the help of a CDEL career advisor

• Explore opportunities and meet employers through job fairs and employer networking events

• Explore further educational opportunities by attending the Graduate and Professional Schools Fair and researching admission requirements for programs you are interested in

• Attend CDEL’s Using Social Media to Leverage Your Career workshop

• Create a LinkedIn profile and have it critiqued

• Take part in informational interviews and use sources like LinkedIn and Ten Thousand Coffees to meet people in your targeted profession

• Search job postings to learn what skills, knowledge, and credentials you will need for potential careers

• If you are considering applying to graduate or professional school, be aware of early application deadlines

• Meet with CDEL to prepare application documents like a resumé, cover letter, CV, or personal statement for jobs and education programs you are applying to

• Attend an Interview Skills Workshop and Job Search Tips Workshop

• Use InterviewStream to practice your interview skills online

• Set up an in-person mock interview with a career advisor for professional school or job applications

• Meet employers at the annual job fair in January

• Compose a portfolio of relevant academic and work experience

• Take required and option courses as outlined on the BScN Collaborative Nursing Course Sequence Guide

• Meet with the Student Success Coordinator for program advising, to review degree requirements, and information about individualized academic support services

• Gain an abundance of field experience through clinical courses

• Begin thinking about your future nursing career including graduate school options

• Complete required hours for Clinical Nursing Experiences in hospital and community care settings; learn in the Nursing Simulation Lab

• Compete in the annual provincial Nursing Games

• Conduct field research with a faculty member

• Volunteer on a Faculty of Nursing Committee (Appointments or Curriculum Committees)

• Explore the employment portal for the New Graduate Guarantee Initiative (NGGI)

• Investigate opportunities to work as a peer mentor in the Clinical Learning Centre or peer tutor for nursing theory courses

• Become a tutor for Students Offering Support (SOS)

• Apply to the Tau Upsilon Chapter of Sigma International Honor Society of Nursing

Explore Opportunities Using This GuideExplore a selection of opportunities recommended for students in your program. This chart shows some of your many options – you don’t have to do everything on it or limit yourself to it. Engage in opportunities from each of the three categories to set yourself up for success:

A HIP is an enriching educational experience that can be life-changing and often includes learning outside of the classroom while encouraging meaningful interaction and collaboration, such as:

• Co-op, internship or field experiences

• Research with faculty

• Culminating senior experience

• Capstone courses

• Service-learning

• Learning communities

• Study abroad

First Year Middle Years Final Year

Academics

Experience

Career

++

Academics • Your coursework

High-Impact Practice (HIP)

Experience • Ways to get involved

Career • Plan ahead for what’s next

Life After Graduation

“The University of Windsor nursing program has provided me with more than an education; I’ve gained a life-long desire to learn, confidence in my skills, and strategies to transition into professional practice, striving towards excellence. As a Registered Nurse, I work in a fast-paced environment where patient safety and critical thinking are

always in the fore-front.”

Holly Trepanier - RN, BScN [2014]

MScN Student

• Nursing Service: Direct care• Academia: Teaching, research• Consulting• Entrepreneurship

• Government: Health policy• Health-care administration• Insurance companies• Sales: Pharmaceuticals, medical devices

Acute care nurseCase managerClinic nurseCommunity care nurse

Health-care administratorHealth and safety coordinatorHospice nurseMental health nurse

Nursing anesthetist Nurse educator/professorNurse practitionerNurse scientist/researcher

Occupational health nurseOncology nursePublic health nurseTravel nurse

COMMON INDUSTRIES FOR NURSING GRADUATES

CAREER TRACKS*

* Additional education and/or training required for some of the above careers.

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Using strategic and creative thinking to make decisions and evaluate solutions

Professionalism and Work EthicDemonstrating personal management practices and a high level of integrity and ethical behaviour

Teamwork and Collaboration Working as a productive member of a group and collaborating with others to achieve set goals

CommunicationAppropriate and effective articulation of ideas and information to a range of audiences

CAREER-READINESS COMPETENCIES

Nursing

Employment rate of graduates 2 years following degree completion (OUGS Nursing, 2014)

Number of Nursing Graduates (2017)

100%343

Graduates who have combined nursing degrees with other degrees and experience can become health-care lawyers, software designers, nurse executives, policy analysts, or health-care project managers. The possibilities are endless.

Campus Resources • Research scholarships and bursaries through the Student Awards

and Financial Aid Office• Visit Leddy Library and the Writing Support Desk for help with

academic assignments • Explore mentorship opportunities through the

Connecting4Success (C4S) and Bounce Back programs • Improve study skills through the Skills to Enhance Personal

Success (STEPS) program • Get advice and support about your academic status by making an

appointment with Academic Advising• Seek out assistance with academic accommodation from Student

Accessibility Services • Discover ways to get involved on campus through the Student

Success and Leadership Centre • Look into the Ignite: Work Study program for on-campus

employment opportunities

• Apply to VIP to get involved in a community service learning experience

• Get assistance developing your career plan and job search skills from Career Development and Experiential Learning

• Consult with the EPICentre if you are interested in starting your own business

• Broaden your cultural awareness through the International Student Centre and Student Exchange Office

• Find support for Indigenous learners and broaden your understanding of Indigenous culture by visiting Turtle Island

• Tend to your health and wellness with support from Student Health Services and Lancer Recreation

• Receive confidential mental health counselling delivered by trained professionals at the Student Counselling Centre

• Seek personal support or learn more about sexual violence education through the Sexual Misconduct Response and Prevention Office

Student RecruitmentPhone: 519-973-7014Toll-Free: 1-800-864-2860Email: info@uwindsor.ca

Faculty of NursingPhone: 519-253-3000, Ext. 2258Email: nurse@uwindsor.ca

Career Development and Experiential LearningPhone: 519-253-3000, Ext. 3895Email: careerservices@uwindsor.caexperience.uwindsor.ca