Cape Breton University is committed to championing the Island’s prosperity by bolstering the overall health and development of Cape Breton Island. The School of Nursing is at the heart of this commitment, helping to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare system in Cape Breton and across the Province of Nova Scotia through innovative research and teaching.
CBU’s connection with the Eastern Zone of Nova Scotia Health creates diverse practice-learning opportunities for students specifically in rural, urban and Indigenous health specialties.
The CBU School of Nursing, in solidarity with the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing, expresses its deepest regret and apologizes to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples for historical and contemporary harms related to nursing education, acknowledging inequitable access, culturally unsafe experiences, and the impacts of systemic racism and colonialism. CBU’s School of Nursing commits to self-reflection, learning, and measurable actions toward Truth and Reconciliation, including curriculum strengthening guided by Two-Eyed Seeing, anti-racism efforts, co-led engagement with Mi’kmaw partners, and the creation of safe learning and reporting environments. Read the full commitment here.
Mental health support regarding this material is available. For individuals of Mi’Kmaq descent support is available through Union of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Mental Wellness Team or the Mi’kmaq Crisis Line (24-hour support at 902-379-2099 or toll-free at 1-855-379-2099). Support is also available for CBU Faculty & Staff and CBU Students.
Cape Breton University and the School of Nursing understand African Nova Scotian and L’nu Indigenous students have unique needs that often go unmet and are not candidly discussed. In an effort to close these gaps and relieve any barriers these students may face, 10 nursing seats for African Nova Scotian students (ANS) and 10 seats for L’nu Indigenous students have been designated to help enhance the diversity of our healthcare workforce.
Note: Students must meet all program requirements to gain admission into the nursing program.
Approval of ongoing funding to support CBU to improve the recruitment and retention of African Nova Scotian and L’nu Indigenous students into the BScN program, and more broadly into the sciences is a targeted action to help address the historic underrepresentation of African Nova Scotian and L’nu Indigenous students in nursing programs and enhance diversity in the nursing workforce.
For more information about the admissions process for African Nova Scotian and L’nu Indigenous students including supports and resources available, please contact:
Cape Breton University’s Bachelor of Science, Nursing (BScN) received its seven year accreditation from the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing, as well as accreditation from Nova Scotia College of Nurses.
Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing Accreditation involves the objective assessment of professional education programs against national standards of excellence, and Cape Breton University BScN program has met these rigorous national standards, a testimony to the public of the quality of CBU’s BScN program.