In the primary health care nurse practitioner (PHCNP) field, students will be prepared to provide collaborative and autonomous primary health care to individuals, groups or communities, with an emphasize on health promotion as well as illness/injury prevention. Students will develop advanced assessment, diagnostic and clinical reasoning skills in preparation for ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, communicating diagnoses, prescribing pharmaceuticals, and performing other specific controlled procedures.
The Primary Healthcare Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of Windsor is approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario (www.cno.org). Current graduates from this program are eligible to apply for Extended Class/NP registration as a PHCNP specialty Nurse Practitioner in Ontario. Please download flyer for more details.
Minimum eligibility requirements for the Ontario Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner Program
- Must have current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario with no practice restrictions
- Current Ontario Certificate of Competence (RN)
- Completed CNO-approved undergraduate nursing program (BScN) or equivalent nursing degree (e.g. BN, etc.) with a minimum B (70%) average
- Equivalent of two years of clinical nursing (RN) experience in the last five years (> 3,640 hours) completed by the February 1st application deadline
- Preference will be given to Ontario residents.
- For the Nurse Practitioner Graduate Diploma program only - must also have a completed master’s degree in nursing or health-related field (nursing preferred).
About the NP program & frequently asked questions
Ontario Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner Program information
Admission Requirements
- All general regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies are applicable.
- Applicants must have a CNO-approved Bachelor of Science in Nursing or equivalent which includes physical assessment, and courses in research and statistics. Consideration may be given to nurse applicants holding degrees in other cognate disciplines (e.g. BN, etc.).
- Applicants must have a minimum B (70%) average in the last two years of their undergraduate nursing program.
- Applicants must have current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario with no practice restrictions.
- Three Faculty of Nursing confidential reports must be completed by academic/professional referees, with at least one from an academic who has taught the applicant and one from a recent employment supervisor.
- Applicants must answer essay format questions related to Nurse Practioner (NP) role in Ontario.
- An "Applicant Profile" must be completed which includes a section addressing goals in seeking graduate education (study plan/research interest).
- Applicants whose native language is not English must submit certification of English proficiency as follows:
- IELTS - Minimum score: 7.0; or,
- Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN): Minimum scores: Writing - 7; Speaking - 8; Listening - 10; Reading - 8
- Applications for admission with required documents must be submitted by February 1.
- An interview may be required.
How to apply:
Please read/review the application instructions and download the appropriate forms prior to applying. Prospective students must apply via the University of Windsor’s Faculty of Graduate Studies website. All portions of the application package with required documents must be received by February 1.
Please read Tips for Strengthening Your Graduate Application for assistance with your application.
Tuition Information:
- Please refer to Master's candidate year base tuition as well as Compulsory Incidentals. Click https://www.uwindsor.ca/finance/student-accounts to go to the Cashier's website.
- Tuition Fee Estimator per Semester
Other Resources and Information:
Contact Information:
Suneeta Singh
Graduate Secretary
Faculty of Nursing
ssingh@uwindsor.ca
519.253.3000, x2260
Dr. Kathy Pfaff
Associate Dean, Graduate Programs in the Faculty of Nursing
kpfaff@uwindsor.ca
519.253.3000, x4977
Dr. Sherry Morrell
Assistant Professor and PHCNP Program Graduate Coordinator
Faculty of Nursing
morrells@uwindsor.ca
519.253.3000, x4389
Fax: 519.973.7084