Arctic Nursing Dalhousie University

Overview

Nursing in Canada’s North is rewarding work that is about more than patient care. Arctic nurses provide holistic care that is patient, family, and community focused. In some communities, nurses may be the only health professionals, allowing them to use a wide range of skills and practice in a variety of areas.

Dalhousie partners with Nunavut Arctic College to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing ( Arctic Nursing ) in Iqaluit, Nunavut.

Dalhousie University 's Bachelor of Nursing in Arctic Nursing programme emphasizes primary health care, awareness, and respect for the Inuit culture. The skills you gain will prepare you to be a leader in the Northern health care system, and across Canada. 

Programme options

The Arctic Nursing programme is offered through the Nunavut Arctic College, but many courses are offered remotely online. The exception are the hands-on clinical experiences that will make up a big part of your programme and prepare you for practice.

Your clinical experiences will take place in various locations and health care settings. In your third-year, you will have the opportunity to travel to Halifax and be partnered to complete clinical placements at a hospital and a mental health facility. Your fourth-year placement will be in a smaller community in Nunavut. This placement will allow you to become more independent and exercise critical thinking skills in a remote community where resources may be limited. 

What you will learn

The curriculum for the Arctic Nursing programme follows the curriculum standards for Dalhousie’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing, with a special emphasis on Inuit culture and community.

Beyond studying human anatomy and physiology, you'll explore the broad spectrum of nursing—from proper hygiene practices and mobility protocols to legal issues and medical ethics.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Arctic Nursing) programme will have the necessary knowledge, judgement and skills to write the National Council Licensure Examination- Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN). Upon successful completion of the NCLEX-RN graduates are eligible for registration in any province or territory.

Careers

For nurses, no two days are alike — and that is especially true for Arctic nurses. The scope of nursing covers a broad range of health-care settings. Arctic nurses have a role in advocating for patients and their communities, while improving health and well-being. 

Nurses are in demand across the world, but this is especially true in Canada’s North. As an Arctic nurse, you might find yourself practicing in the following areas:

• Hospitals

• Community Health

• Home Health Care

• Long-Term Care Facilities