Overview
Critical care nurses are responsible for the most vulnerable patients. Those working in critical care are expected to monitor, assess, and treat critically ill patients and thus must have an in-depth knowledge base and skill level related to the conditions, treatments, and environments in which these patients are cared for. This program, through online theory courses, simulation and real world clinical experience, will provide the nurse with the necessary knowledge and skills to competently care for this patient population and work efficiently and effectively in the care environments.
This program is delivered online with on-campus simulation labs. Students will have access to local faculty both in person and virtually. Simulation labs are offered on SLC's campuses in Kingston and Brockville.
Program Details
Program Outline
2024-2025
This course is designed to provide a review of the fundamentals of the pathophysiology of illness. Students will review the concepts of homeostasis, acid base balance, principles of fluid and electrolytes, infection and healing. Each of these key concepts will be described in terms of their application in the critical care practice setting. Current trends and evidence will be utilized to support the learners in developing their assessment skills from an entry to practice level to one that is applicable in the critical care practice environment. The course will be offered using a hybrid course delivery model.
This course is designed to prepare the already practicing nurse with the skills required to care for the patient experiencing critical cardiovascular dysfunction. The use of case studies that incorporate pathophysiology, pharmacology, diagnostics, treatment plans and interventions, will support the learners’ understanding of various cardiac illnesses and emergencies. Students will have the opportunity to apply knowledge learned in this course in the simulation lab and their clinical practicum. The course will be offered using a hybrid course delivery model.
In this course the nurse will be provided with discussion on the legal and ethical aspects of critical care nursing and the characteristics of different types of environments where critical care nursingis provided (ER, ICU, Cardiac Sciences, Post Anesthetic Care etc). The standards of critical care will be discussed and evidence will be used to inform students’ practice. The emphasis will beplaced on current issues and complexities in critical care settings. The course will incorporate current evidence. The course will be offered using a hybrid course delivery model.
This course focuses on care provision to patients with complicated renal or endocrine dysfunction. The use of case studies that incorporate pathophysiology, pharmacology, diagnostics, treatment plans and interventions, will support the learners’ understanding of various renal and endocrine illnesses and emergencies. Students will have the opportunity to apply knowledge learned in this course in the simulation lab and their clinical practicum. The course will be offered using a hybrid course delivery model.
This course focuses on care provision to patients with complicated gastrointestinal dysfunction and the multiple modalities of shock. The use of case studies that incorporate pathophysiology, pharmacology, diagnostics, treatment plans and interventions, will support the learners’ understanding of various GI illnesses and emergencies and shock modalities. Students will have the opportunity to apply knowledge learned in this course in the simulation lab and their clinical practicum. The course will be offered using a hybrid course delivery model.
This course focuses on care provision to patients with critical respiratory illnesses. The use of case studies that incorporate pathophysiology, pharmacology, diagnostics, treatment plans and interventions, will support the learners’ understanding of various respiratory illnesses and emergencies. Students will have the opportunity to apply knowledge learned in this course in the simulation lab and their clinical practicum. The course will be offered using a hybrid course delivery model.
This course is designed to build upon the nurses’ existing knowledge of neuroscience nursing concepts. The use of case studies that incorporate pathophysiology, pharmacology, diagnostics, treatment plans and interventions, will support the learners’ understanding of various critical neurological illnesses and emergencies. Students will have the opportunity to apply knowledge learned in this course in the simulation lab and their clinical practicum. The course will be offered using a hybrid course delivery model.
This course will require the student to be preceptored in a critical care environment that is unfamiliar to them for 120 hours. The student will be expected to apply the essential skills required to care for a patient in the critical care setting. Clinical competencies will be assessed by the preceptor/mentor who must be approved by the Critical Care Nursing Program Coordinator.
Prerequisite(s): RNCC63 + RNCC60 + RNCC62 + RNCC76 + RNCC70 + RNCC65 + RNCC66
This course will emphasize key learning from the 8 foundational critical care courses. Consisting of 6 hours of skill-based labs and 18 hours of simulation labs, the learner will have the opportunity to work with high-fidelity simulators to provide care for patients who have mechanical ventilation, hemodynamic monitoring, and pharmacological and individual care needs. The standards of care, teamwork, legal and ethical standards of critical care nursing will be embedded into case study scenarios in which the students will participate. The skills lab component must be successfully completed prior to beginning the critical care practicum.
Prerequisite(s): RNCC63 + RNCC60 + RNCC62 + RNCC76 + RNCC70 + RNCC65 + RNCC66
Requirements
Admission Requirements
Proof of active unrestricted registration as a registered nurse (RN) in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) (or equivalent) is required for enrollment. Current experience in acute hospital care is recommended.
You must provide your CNO registered number at the time of registration.
- Are your transcripts from outside of Canada? Please visit Applying to SLC - With Your Transcripts for more information.
Health Requirements
*Subject to change based on individual placement agency’s policies
- CPR Level C-HCP
- Clear CPIC including vulnerable sector check
- Up-to-date immunizations.
Please contact immunizations@sl.on.ca for detailed requirements or any questions you may have.
Fees
2023-2024
Fees are estimates only. Tuition is based on two semesters.
- Tuition: $2,000 (includes resource materials).
- Total Cost: $2,294
There is an additional charge of approximately $50 for clinical placement clearing for those participating in clinical practice at an agency where they are not already employed.
All courses must be completed within a two-year period. Extensions to the program may be granted up to a maximum of five calendar years from the student’s initial enrolment into the program. Fees for each additional year of extension will apply.
A rescheduling fee will be charged to a student’s account for those who register for their lab experience and reschedules with less than 10 business days’ notice.
A “no-show” fee will be charged to a student’s account for those who fail to notify their program coordinator that they are rescheduling their lab experience.
Refund/Withdrawl, Transfer Fee Policy
Click the link to learn more
Career Opportunities
Critical care nursing is delivered in a range of highly technologically supported health care settings including hospital care units, post-anesthetic care units, emergency departments, catheterization labs, flight and transport care and outreach programs in hospitals as members of critical care response teams.
