Nursing

Program Description

The Master of Nursing course-based program will prepare students for advanced practice in focused areas, including clinical nursing practice, education with skills to improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes, and strengthened leadership capacity to expand and evaluate nursing practice. Academic content will focus on vulnerable or marginalized populations. Graduates of the MN program will be prepared to engage in opportunities, such as leadership roles in healthcare organizations (e.g., coordinator, manager and director), faculty/clinical education and research roles in university and college, and clinical/community education roles. The MN course-based program will provide a solid foundation for students who are interested in progressing to doctoral studies in future.

Admission Requirements

• Applicants must satisfy the admission requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and
  Research.
• Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses or Licensed Practical Nurses with any
  baccalaureate degree

Master of Nursing

Department Description

The Faculty of Nursing offers an innovative approach to Canadian primary care Nurse Practitioner education with the Collaborative Nurse Practitioner Program (CNPP) in partnership with the Saskatchewan Polytechnic. The CNPP program will prepare primary care nurse practitioners (NP's) at the graduate level enabling them to contribute and support improved access to quality primary health care in Saskatchewan. Graduates of the program will have both academic and clinical preparation in the knowledge, skills, judgements and essential competencies that are required for the Canadian NP examination.

What is a Nurse Practitioner?

A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse with graduate level educational preparation who possesses advanced clinical knowledge and can: autonomously assess; order, and interpret diagnostic tests; diagnose; prescribe pharmaceuticals; and perform specific medical procedures, within their legislated scope of practice (CNA 2009). The role of a NP is derived from blending clinical diagnostic and therapeutic knowledge, skills and abilities within a nursing framework that emphasizes holism, health promotion and partnership with individuals, families and communities.

The CNPP will be delivered entirely in an online asynchronous format with the exception of a week-long residency expectation in the first year.

Program Description

As clinicians, leaders and role models, nurse practitioners bring a holistic approach to care that directly impacts the lives of individuals, families and communities. The CNPP will offer Registered Nurses an opportunity to achieve advanced competencies required for nurse practitioner registration and licensure.

Building on baccalaureate RN practice, the program blends in-depth knowledge of nursing theory and practice with legal authority and autonomy. Students will develop enhanced skills in health assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention and evaluation within the framework of primary health care. Community development, health promotion and collaboration with interprofessional health care providers are essential components of the CNPP. Students will critically appraise and apply research, best practice guidelines and theory relevant to advanced nursing practice.

The degree awarded will be a Master of Nursing (MN) with a specialization in Nurse Practitioner (NP).

Because this program is delivered on-line, those admitted must have access to appropriate hardware, software and internet access in order to participate in courses.

Distinctive Features of the CNPP

1. The program brings together a college and a university for the development and delivery of a highly specialized graduate nursing program that is efficient in the utilization of human, physical and educational resources.
2. The development committee comprised of faculty and instructional designers has worked with consultants, external reviewers and considered official documents specific to nursing education standards in proposing this innovative program.
3. The entrance requirements and curriculum are designed to foster student success and the development of a CNPP student identity.
4. Evaluation strategies and academic content are designed to promote student success with the national NP licensure examination.
5. Internal and external program evaluation mechanisms are built into the program design.
6. Responsiveness to the need of students in rural and remote areas is addressed through distributive teaching and learning methodologies.

Admission

Applicants must satisfy the admission requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, be licensed to practice as an RN in a Canadian Province(s) or Territory and:

• Demonstrate completion of an approved baccalaureate nursing program;
• Indicate which Canadian Province(s) or Territory applicant has licensure as a registered nurse;
• Provide a CV/resume and cover letter. CV/resume should include your education (formal and continuing nursing education), nursing and work history, professional practice and/or community involvement. The cover letter (maximum 1 page) should include why you are interested in becoming a Nurse Practitioner and what supports you have that will ensure your success in the program.
• Sign the Authorization for Release of Personal Information (included in the online application).
• In addition to two references required for FGSR, we require a third reference. Minimally, two of the references should be familiar with the applicants nursing practice (i.e., manager, supervisor, clinical faculty, preceptor); applicants must refer to FGSR criteria for further details.

Risk Management Requirements
NOTE: details pertaining to these documents and the submission process will be provided after acceptance into the program.

Application Deadline here.

NOTE: Applications from out of province candidates are welcome but first consideration will be given to Saskatchewan residents. Quebec does not support practice experiences for students enrolled in out of province programs. Applicants from Quebec should contact the program prior to applying.

Clinical Placements

Students complete 702 preceptored clinical practice education hours during the program. Suitability of clinical placement practice sites are determined by the Associate Dean and Program Head. Students will be assigned qualified, experienced RN(NP) preceptors. Students who are from outside of Saskatchewan are responsible for finding their own clinical placements, with the guidance and approval of the Program Head. Other interprofessional, licensed health care provider preceptors may be considered depending on the educational learning objectives. These opportunities will be limited in time.

All preceptors must participate in an online preceptorship orientation program before they will be assigned a CNPP student. Preceptors will work with students on their mastery of the professional competencies needed to practice as a RN(NP) and provide continuous feedback to the CNPP faculty member regarding progress.

Collaborative Nurse Practitioner Program (CNPP)
Full-time Option

*A mandatory residency week is held at the end of the course in Regina.

Collaborative Nurse Practitioner Program (CNPP)
Part-time Option

*A mandatory residency week is held at the end of the course in Regina.

Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education

Program Description

The Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education (GCNE) will prepare nurses with specialized knowledge and skills for teaching in various academic and clinical settings, including clinical facilities, hospitals, community health centers and academic institutions, using multiple teaching modalities such as clinical instruction, simulation and classroom-based learning. The GCNE program will emphasize teaching strategies, development, implementation and evaluation of programs and courses. Moreover, it will underscore the importance of professionalism and effective education within diverse environments and with diverse populations, including vulnerable and marginalized populations. The GCNE program will offer a platform for further academic pursuits in the profession of nursing, including master's studies. Certificate courses will be transferable into the Master of Nursing course based.

Admission Requirements

• Applicants must satisfy the admission requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.
• Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses or Licensed Practical Nurses with any baccalaureate degree.

Graduate Certificate in Nursing Leadership

Program Description

The Graduate Certificate in Nursing Leadership (GCNL) will expand knowledge and competence in nursing leadership within a variety of healthcare contexts. Using an evidence-based approach, students will explore, define and develop traits that nurses need to improve healthcare quality and safety, manage the finances and operations of healthcare organizations, lead healthcare innovations and respond to industry challenges and trends. The curriculum will also enhance learners' leadership skills, focusing on ethical and cultural awareness when working with vulnerable or marginalized populations. The GCNL program will offer a platform for further academic pursuits in the field of nursing, including master's studies. Certificate courses will be transferable into the course-basedMaster of Nursing.

Admission Requirements

• Applicants must satisfy the admission requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.
• Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses or Licensed Practical Nurses with any baccalaureate degree.