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The Faculty of Nursing has two "accelerated" options for students who are looking to complete their BScN program early. Unfortunately these options are only open to students in the Collaborative Program. Fast Track and Early Completion are not available for students in the Bilingual, Honors, or After Degree programs. Completing the program early will allow you to graduate early, which in turn will allow you to start your career as a Registered Nurse sooner!
There is a limit on how many students can partake in either option. These programs are available subject to clinical availability, and they are evaluated every year to determine if we have the capacity to offer them.
Please note that both the Fast Track and Early Completion options have courses scheduled across the Spring and Summer terms in addition to the standard terms and students will NOT be able to take on summer employment while enrolled in these options.
Information is sent to students via email and the Nursing Undergraduate Journal (NUJ) usually every October to provide students with the application process and more, so keep an eye out in the Fall for those communications!
ATTENTION YEAR 1 STUDENTS: Please do NOT apply to either the Fast Track or Early Completion options in your first year. As we clearly state, students must be in Year 2 or Year 3 of the Collaborative Program to be eligible. This is not a flexible requirement, it is definitive. First year students are not permitted in these options. You may review the information while planning out your Year 1 and 2 courses, but do NOT submit an application until the Fall Term of your Year 2.
Fast Track Option -- 2025-2026 Academic Year
Fast Track Option -- 2025-2026 Academic Year
The Fast Track option is for students currently in Year 2 of the Collaborative Program and who are on track to complete all their Year 1 and Year 2 courses (including all electives and English) by the end of their Winter Term of Year 2 (April 2026).
To be eligible, students must:
be in Year 2 of the Collaborative Program
have completed all Year 1 and Year 2 courses, including all electives and English requirements by the end of April 2026.
not have any pressing financial constraints (courses in Fast Track are delivered year-round -- meaning over Spring/Summer terms too)
like to start their nursing career early.
be able to commit fully to the program.
What will the option look like?
In the Fast Track option, students would start their Year 3 courses in the Spring/Summer immediately following the completion of the Year 2 Winter Term. The program continues for approximately 16 months with an expected completion of August 2027 rather than April 2028.
Early Completion Option -- 2025-2026 Academic Year
Early Completion Option -- 2025-2026 Academic Year
The Early Completion option is for students currently in Year 3 of the Collaborative Program and who are on track to complete all their Year, Year 2, and Year 3 courses (including all electives and English) by the end of their Winter Term of Year 3 (April 2026).
To be eligible, students must:
be in Year 3 of the Collaborative Program
have completed all Year 1, 2, and 3 courses, including all electives and English requirements by the end of April 2026.
not have any pressing financial constraints (courses in Fast Track are delivered year-round -- meaning over Spring/Summer terms too)
like to start their nursing career early.
be able to commit fully to the program.
What will the option look like?
In the Early Completion option, students would start their Year 4 courses in the Spring/Summer term immediately following their Winter 2026 Term (May-August 2026), and will complete their program in December rather than June.
Students will still be able to submit preferences for their NURS 425 and NURS 485 clinical placements, however your Year 4 courses may follow a schedule as determined by the Faculty. This is an incredible opportunity for students who maybe missed out on the Fast Track stream, or who would just like to get started as an RN! Just like Fast Track, spots will be allocated to qualified students on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Why should I choose Early Completion? Does it really make that much of a difference?
Students in the Early Completion option meet the requirements for their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at the end of December, rather than through the standard program stream that is completed in April. While it might not feel like an advantage with the Convocation Ceremonies only one month apart, that's four months earlier that you can be studying for the NCLEX and applying for positions!
Information on both the Fast Track and Early Completion options, including application information, will be sent out to students via their UAlberta email and the Nursing Undergraduate Journal ahead of the applications opening -- so you will have ample time to prepare for your submission! We typically have this information sent out to students in October.
We ask that you do not reach out to book an appointment with us prior to the delivery of this information. September is a busy time for both students and the Undergraduate Office -- but we promise all information will be provided to you!
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