World First in RN Prescribing Comes from Partnership of Queensway Carleton Hospital and Carleton University

September 02, 2025

Carleton University School of Nursing, co-created with Queensway Carleton Hospital, has become the world’s first undergraduate nursing program to embed Registered Nurse (RN) Prescribing. 

 

Carleton University received approval from the College of Nurses Ontario to embed Registered Nurse (RN) Prescribing into its Bachelor of Science in Nursing curriculum.  When the first cohort of students graduate in 2028, they will have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with RN Prescribing.

 

This marks a significant advancement in health care education. By embedding RN Prescribing into the undergraduate curriculum, graduates will be prepared to provide timely care, including prescribing for birth control, smoking cessation, travel vaccinations and more. This initiative is expected to improve access to primary care, reduce wait times, and better support patients with complex needs.

 

“This program continues to re-invent nursing to the needs of our current healthcare system,” said Yvonne Wilson, Chief Nursing Executive and Vice President of Patient Care at QCH.  “RN prescribing empowers nurses to deliver more timely, holistic care – especially in underserved communities where access to physicians may be limited.  This is about expanding our ability as a system to meet the needs of our patients."

 

Learn more about Carleton University’s nursing program, in partnership with QCH: Queensway Carleton Hospital - School of Nursing

 

More Information

College of Nurses Ontario

Nursing (BScN) - Undergraduate Admissions - Carleton University