This program is a hybrid program, consisting of:

1. An online learning component
2. In person (virtual) classroom component
3. A clinical placement component

Upon successful completion of the course, the Learner will be able to:

• Practice within the scope of professional, legal and ethical standards, organization policies and best practices in acute care nursing.
• Establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with patients, families and/or substitute decision makers to optimize patient and family-centred critical care.
• Assess, analyze and monitor data for patients with complex, multi-system problems in order to anticipate early deterioration in patient’s condition, establish priorities and plan interventions.
• Plan, implement, evaluate and document specialized nursing interventions to achieve optimal patient outcomes in potential or actual life threatening illness and end-of-life situations.
• Advocate for and deliver patient and family-centred care to patients/families experiencing potential or actual life threatening illness and end-of-life situations.
• Collaborate with members of the inter-professional health care team in providing care for patients experiencing potential or actual life threatening illness and end-of-life situations to achieve continuity of care and optimal patient outcomes.
• Use evidence-based research and best practice guidelines to inform and adapt critical care nursing practice.
• Use strategies and available resources to respond to environmental, physical and psychosocial stressors affecting themselves and others in the critical care setting.
• Engage in reflective practice and ongoing professional development to enhance competence in critical care nursing.

Students are evaluated in this course based on their performance in clinical as well as their successful completion of each assessment.
Learners must pass both the clinical component and the classroom component assessments in order to successfully pass the course.

Hybrid Model:

Online (virtual) classes
Online self study modules
Clinical shifts (sponsoring hospital unit to provide Clinical Facilitator)

Individual Prerequisites:

1. Valid Certificate of Competence to practice nursing in Ontario
2. 1 year acute care nursing experience recommended – or completion of Critical Care Nursing Boot Camp Course
3. A strong foundation in basic nursing anatomy and physiology
4. Legal ability to work in Canada
5. Sponsorship by unit manager through partner hospital with level 2 ICU.

The following textbook is recommended to support your learning in this course. It is the responsibility of the student to purchase the book.

Critical Care Nursing: Diagnosis and Management, 9th Ed. Urden, Linda D., 2021

Program Coordinators:

Klara Malkova, RN, MEd, CNCC(C)

Stefanie Lamoureux, BScN, MN, RN