At Durham College, everything we do is to prepare our students to be career-ready graduates. We’re a leader in innovative teaching and learning and we’re committed to providing you with the best education and student experience to help you lead the way. Be ready for today’s competitive workforce with one of our 145 programs, designed based on industry demand to give you valuable skills and experience. Learn from our expert faculty – industry professionals with current experience and connections.

Nursing – Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)

The collaborative nursing programs are a fully integrated partnership between the Durham College Faculty of Health Sciences and the Ontario Tech University Faculty of Health Sciences, Nursing. This program will prepare students to meet the health-care needs of individuals, families, groups, communities and populations. Students are prepared to create and disseminate knowledge about nursing practice and the human experience of health, illness and healing. The Degree is awarded by Ontario Tech U.

Students are provided with clinical placement experiences from the beginning of their respective programs that will prepare them to work with different populations across the life span in diverse settings in both acute care and community. In addition to field placements, you will utilize state-of-the-art nursing labs and simulated learning opportunities to gain practical, hands-on experience with the latest technology.

Practical Nursing

The Practical Nursing program is designed to prepare graduates who are able to meet the challenges of the expanding role of nursing in today’s society. As a practical nurse, you will combine your knowledge, skills and judgement to provide safe, competent, ethical nursing care to meet the unique needs of all patients throughout the continuum.

Approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), the Practical Nursing program teaches the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to practise as a safe, competent and professional practical nurse. Using the concept of caring as the basis of nursing, you will develop knowledge, skills and judgment in assessing,… The “Students in DC’s emergency services and health programs get to participate in a variety of experiential learning opportunities” and their CASN accredited programs are a collaborative BN or BScN program in partnership with Ontario Tech U, Georgian, or, both. 

Nursing Programs Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation

The Faculty of Health Sciences – Nursing program makes no explicit commitment to Truth and Reconciliation.

Durham College

Indigenization statement

Developed by Durham College’s (DC) Indigenization Council, under the guidance of team members from the First Peoples Indigenous Centre (FPIC), and in consultation with our Indigenous Advisory Circle, the DC Indigenization statement is a declaration of our commitment and intentions in connection with Indigenization on campus.

Durham College (DC) recognizes that Indigenization is a continuous process requiring each member of our campus community to actively commit to reconciliation, with the goal of building respectful, reciprocal relationships that will contribute to better educational outcomes for all students. Inherent among this commitment is our pledge to uphold the seven principles of the Indigenous Education Protocol for Colleges and Institutes, of which DC is a proud signatory.

On October 16, 2015 Durham College and members of our Indigenous community signed the Indigenous Education Protocol. This protocol highlights the importance of structures and approaches required to address Indigenous Peoples’ learning needs and support self-determination and socio-economic development of Indigenous communities as well as complement the recommendations outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s call to action. Colleges and Institutes of Canada worked with Indigenous communities to develop this protocol that focuses on seven principles to guide the signed institutions.

The Seven Principles are:

1. Commit to making Indigenous education a priority.
2. Ensure governance structures recognize and respect Indigenous peoples.
3. Implement intellectual and cultural traditions of Indigenous peoples through curriculum and learning approaches relevant to learners and communities.
4. Support students and employees to increase understanding and reciprocity among Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
5. Commit to increasing the number of Indigenous employees with ongoing appointments throughout the institution, including Indigenous senior administrators.
6. Establish Indigenous-centred holistic services and learning environments for learner success.
7. Build relationships and be accountable to Indigenous communities in support of self-determination through education, training and applied research.

We encourage the campus community to take advantage of the many resources and learning opportunities available to assist in increasing understanding of the past, while recognizing our role and responsibility in reconciliation. In October 2011, the Aboriginal Student Centre opened its doors in the Simcoe building, and was gifted with the Anishinaabemowin name Suswaaning Endaajig, “a nest away from home,” by Elder and Traditional Knowledge Keeper Gerard Sagassige. On October 2, 2018, the Aboriginal Student Centre moved into its new home, the First Peoples Indigenous Centre in the newly built Centre for Collaborative Education. Visit the First Peoples Indigenous Centre for more information.

Call to Action # 24

We call upon medical and nursing schools in Canada to require all students to take a course dealing with Aboriginal health issues, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, and Indigenous teachings and practices. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.

Mandatory Course: Yes. Collaborative BSc in Nursing

NURS 1100U – Introduction to Health and Healing

This course introduces students to the Canadian Health Care System and concepts of health, wellness and healing. Students will explore these themes in the context of social and cultural diversity, with an emphasis on Indigenous cultures, values, beliefs, lifestyle choices, environment and self-care. The focus will be on maintenance and promotion of personal, individual, family and community health and healing.

Credit hours: 3. Lecture hours: 3. Corequisite(s): HLSC 1701U 

HLSC 3823U – Health and Indigenous People in Canada 

Public health is a holistic and evidence-informed discipline that focuses on health promotion, disease and injury prevention, and other population health needs such as disease surveillance, treatment, and health care accessibility. This course introduces students to current public health theory, practice mandates, important public health initiatives, and current public health challenges. Additionally, the course examines the role of public health professionals in helping individuals, families, communities, and populations to achieve well-being and sustainable health.
Credit hours: 3; Lecture hours: 3

Course Description: are available here

School of Nursing Commitment to Call to Action # 24: 3 out of 5 = 60%

1. Aboriginal health issues
Yes. See mandatory course descriptions above
2. The history and legacy of residential schools
Yes. Assumed in Health and Indigenous People in Canada
3. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
No. Not explicitly addressed
4. Treaties and Aboriginal rights	Treaties and Aboriginal rights
No. Not explicitly addressed
5. Indigenous teachings and practice
Yes. See mandatory course descriptions above

Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing’s “Statement” of apology for colonial harms resulting from nursing education

The Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) is the national voice for nursing education, research, and scholarship and represents baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs across Canada. CASN’s mission is to lead nursing education and nursing scholarship in the interest of healthier Canadians.

Dec.11, 2023: We, the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN), wish to express our deepest regret, apologizing to the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples of Canada for harms, historical or contemporary, related to nursing education…Furthermore, we acknowledge that many graduates of Canadian schools of nursing provide care to Indigenous patients that is racist and culturally unsafe…We recognize that these harms have been perpetuated through systemic racism and a failure to incorporate Indigenous perspectives or the impacts of colonialism into nursing curricula. We understand as well, the importance of nursing education in shaping the future of health care, and we deeply regret any instance where CASN’s actions contributed to disparities or reinforced colonial structures.

CASN is committed to a process of self-reflection, learning, and transformation. We will take the following steps to address the harms:

1. Anti-Racism, Cultural Safety, and Humility: Promote education, resources, and practices that address anti-Indigenous racism, supporting decolonization, cultural humility, and cultural safety for nursing faculty, staff, and students. Promote institutional policies and processes that address systemic racism to foster an inclusive and equitable learning environment.
2. Curriculum Revision: Promote a review of nursing education curricula to ensure a strengths-based focus and trauma-informed approach, the inclusion of content on the continued impact of colonialism and racism on Indigenous health, as well as Indigenous perspectives on health and well-being.
3. Community Engagement: Establish meaningful partnerships with Indigenous organizations and communities to ensure their voices are heard in shaping nursing education policies and practices.
4. Recruitment and Retention: Promote strategies that create culturally safe and supportive learning environments including pre-admission supports, in-program supports, and services that are developed in partnership with Indigenous communities.
5. Ongoing Accountability: In collaboration with Indigenous partners, establish mechanisms to monitor progress and address concerns raised by partners, Indigenous nursing students, and faculty.

Land Acknowledgement: 

Located on the Nursing Programs Home Pages the Durham College Home Page:

Durham College is situated on the traditional lands of the First Peoples of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. These lands are covered under the Williams Treaties and rest within the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg. We offer our gratitude to the Indigenous Peoples who care for and, through the treaty process, share the lands on which we live, learn, teach and prosper today.”

Also, see the college’s fully detailed Land Acknowledgement.

Durham College acknowledges the lands and Peoples of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.

We recognize the lands on which we gather are covered under the Williams Treaties and rest within the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the Anishinaabeg Nation, which also includes Algonquin, Chippewa, Odawa, Ojibway and Pottawatomi. It is through the treaty process that we are able to live, learn, teach and prosper in this region.

We acknowledge with gratitude this land and the Indigenous Peoples who have cared for and continue to protect Turtle Island (North America) and its resources. We commit to the responsibility of reconciliation and the work of increasing awareness and understanding of our shared history. We do so by recognizing the past and working towards a shared future as friends and allies.

It is important to note that the acknowledgement statement was created in consultation with Durham College’s First Peoples Indigenous Centre.

To learn more about why we Acknowledge the Land and how to create your own Land Acknowledgement, visit the First Peoples Indigenous Centre.

NOTE: All content has been submitted to the respective faculty for validation to ensure accuracy and currency as of the time of posting. The Durham College – Nursing Programs reviewed and approved the document. Managing Editor: Douglas Sinclair: Publisher, Indigenous Watchdog Research Assistant:  Timothy Maton