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

Degree Requirements

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:

• Have an overall grade point average of 75% in the last 60 credit hours of most recent post-secondary studies;

• 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.

Degree Requirements

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.

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.

Degree Requirements

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.

Degree Requirements

Program Desciption 

The Clinical Nurse Specialist program (CNS) will educate nurses (registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses) for an advanced role in the health care system in Saskatchewan. The report “Commitment to Care: Nursing Recruitment and Retention in Saskatchewan” (2009) calls for a provincial strategy that addresses the role and utilization of clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners, as these two roles have proven to positively impact health care delivery and patient outcomes (Ministry of Health, Government of Saskatchewan (2009), p.180). The clinical nurse specialist works with other registered nurses, physicians and other health professionals to promote excellence in nursing practice by leading quality improvement initiatives, designing and implementing evidence-based policies and practices, and supporting nurses and other health-care professionals in using best practice guidelines.

The CNS program consists of 11 courses including 8 nursing courses, 2 courses from the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy and 1 approved elective. The entire program can be taken online, including an elective.

Two advanced nursing practice roles are recognized in Canada: the clinical nurse specialist and the nurse practitioner.  Clinical nurse specialists provide expert nursing care and play a leading role in the development of clinical guidelines and protocols. They promote the use of evidence, provide expert support and consultation, and facilitate the system change. Nurse practitioners provide direct care, focusing on health promotion and the treatment and management of health conditions. They have an expanded scope of practice and can diagnose, order and interpret diagnostic tests.  They can also prescribe medications and perform certain procedures. (Canadian Nurses Association, 2008)

Listed below are several examples of areas of specialty within our program that a student could choose:
- Mental Health
- Geriatrics
- Indigenous Studies
- Palliative Care
- Maternity
- Med/Surg
- Pediatrics

Admission

• Provide CV and personal statements indicating clinical interest or expertise and goals for graduate study;
• Be licensed with the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses' Association or the Registered Psychiatric Nurses' of Saskatchewan or in the regulatory jurisdiction in which they will engage their practice education (clinical practice);
• Have completed an undergraduate degree, normally in Nursing;
• Have an overall grade point average of 75% in the last 60 credit hours of most recent post-secondary studies;
• Have a minimum of two years experience in a focused clinical area to be demonstrated on CV.

Additional Requirements:

• A Vulnerable Sector Search (VSS). Please note that a Criminal Record Check is done within this document.  **IMPORTANT** Please indicate to your local Police Department of RCMP detachment that you require a Vulnerable Sector Search for educational and clinical placement purposes, as you will be working with the elderly, the infirm, children, youth and other vulnerable populations. This document must be dated within three months from acceptance into the program.
• A record of immunizations specific requirements are outlined:
  • Tuberculin Skin Test: within the last year or documentation of a previous positive test with a copy of the X-ray report;
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella): documentation of 2 doses of MMR containing vaccine and a blood test for Measles IgG, Mumps IgG and Rubella IgG that confirms immunity;
  • TdaP: documentation of a primary series and 1 adult dose of TdaP after the age of 18 years and within 5 years of program start date;
  • Hepatitis B: documentation of a 2 or 3 dose Hepatitis B series and a blood test for Hepatitis B antibodies (anti-HBs or HBsAb);
  • Varicella (chickenpox): documentation of 1 or 2 doses of Varicella-containing vaccine or a blood test for Varicella-Zoster IgG that confirms immunity;
  • Polio: documentation of a primary series;
  • Influenza: annual immunization is required as per provincial Mask or Immunize policy;
  • Current Basic Life Support (BLS) for Health Care Providers (C);
  • Respiratory Mask FIT Testing;
  • Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Training;
  • HSPnet Consent Form;
  • Confidentiality Agreement Form;
  • Workers Compensation Form.

Clinical Placements

All students registering in the clinical courses must be registered within 30 days of the first day of registration.  Although clinical practice education course practicum experiences could be completed in your community, provided the site can be approved by the program, most students should expect to travel to appropriate clinical sites. All clinical placements in Saskatchewan will be arranged by the program and will not be in your employment setting. Students external to Saskatchewan must arrange their own clinical placements with the guidance and approval of the Associate Dean (Graduate), Faculty of Nursing. 

Degree Requirements

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

*PSYC 75.657 Advanced Clinical Practice in Psychiatric Nursing I through Brandon University is also an acceptable course to fulfill this requirement.