Overview
Critical care courses and clinical experiences prepare you to care for patients who are seriously ill, such as acute coronary syndrome, cardiac failure, advanced hemodynamic monitoring, and acute respiratory failure. Emergency courses provide skills to assess and support the different illnesses and injuries found in an emergency care setting.
About the program
A highly unique program, the BCIT Combined Critical Care and Emergency advanced certificate is specifically designed for registered nurses (RNs) working in a community hospital in the intensive care unit with some shifts in the emergency department.
- Part-time, advanced certificate program that takes an average of 2.5 years to complete
- Distance and online learning gives you flexibility to learn while meeting your work and life needs
- Three clinical experiences in an ICU/CCU and ER setting
Who it’s for
This program is for individuals who:
- Are RNs or are completing their specialty BSN in combined critical care and emergency nursing
- Are undergraduate nursing students currently completing an accredited BSN program
- Have six or more months of work experience in an acute care setting
- Are able to make effective decisions while managing fast changing patient situations
- Are able to communicate well with their team, patients, and patients’ families
Interested in enrolling in our program? See Program Entry to learn more about entry requirements and how to apply.
Are you looking for more emergency expertise with a foundation in critical care nursing? See BCIT’s Combined Emergency and Critical Care specialty option.
Your work experience matters
At BCIT, we value your work experience. If you’ve been working as a critical care or emergency nurse, take advantage of our Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR) process and fast track your advanced certification education.
What grads can do
We prepare you to work in two dynamic nursing environments. Visit Graduating and Jobs to learn more.
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Entrance Requirements
Note: In alignment with public health orders, this program requires that students be vaccinated for a number of communicable diseases – including COVID-19.
Entrance requirements
The following are requirements for entry into Specialty Nursing certificate and degree courses. Enforcement or waiving of any or all entry requirements is at the discretion of the program head.
If you have any questions about your experience or qualifications, please contact the program head.
- English language proficiency: Category 1 – English Studies 12 (73%) or equivalent
- Post-secondary education: diploma in nursing
- Current practicing registration with one of the following:
- BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) or
- Canadian provincial equivalent or
- Registered Nurse (RN) license number (if practicing outside Canada)
- Work Experience: minimum six months work experience in an acute care setting
Submit a resume of work experience with your application.
Exceptions may be granted for undergraduate students taking entry-level theory courses or new graduates. A resume is required for placement in the program. If you have questions about whether your work experience qualifies, please contact the program head.
Interested nurses from international practice, residential, or other areas of care lacking recent (within two years) acute care experience may be required to complete a refresher course. BCIT recommends the following programs:
- Douglas College
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University
- Thompson Rivers University
Please contact one of the institutions above, as well as the program head, to determine an appropriate preparatory course of study.
Clinical requirements
Note: Effective immediately, all health care workers who come into contact with patients at publicly-funded health care facilities or in the community, including at long-term-care facilities, will have to get the influenza vaccine or wear a mask during flu season. This policy affects all students who will be entering a clinical setting.
As such, you will be required to provide proof of your immunization or agree to wear a mask at all times prior to being placed in your clinical studies.
Basic Cardiac Life Support Certification
All students participating in clinical courses must have current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Level C or Level Health Care Provider (HCP). The original certificate must be presented upon application to the clinical courses.
BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) registration
As well as providing this information at the time of admission, BCIT requires students to provide proof of BCCNM membership, Canadian provincial equivalent, or RN license number for each clinical course. Without proper registration, you will not be permitted to continue in the course.
Face Respirator Fit Testing
A face piece respiratory fit test is required before students are permitted to enter the clinical practicum. Upon successful completion of the fit test, the original certificate must be presented to the program and annual re-fitting is required. Students are expected to carry their certificate with them at all times during their practicum.
For the Respirator Fit Testing, fit testing with a N95 respirator (1860, 1860s or 1870) is required and must be performed, in accordance with CSA Standard CAN/CSA-Z94.4-02. Fit Testing must also include, inspection, cleaning, maintenance and storage of protective equipment. Students will be given specific instructions in preparation for their fit testing by the provider they choose.
International applicants
This program is available to international applicants who will complete the program from outside Canada or who currently have a valid work permit in Canada that will be valid for the duration of clinical training.
International applicants accepted into this program are not eligible for a study permit.
Program declaration
Please contact the program assistant to declare this program.
Scheduled Intakes
Ongoing Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) intakes: January, April, and September.
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Costs & Supplies
Face respirator fit testing – approx $25 per year; annual re-fitting required.
Tuition fees
Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) tuition is charged on a course-by-course basis. Please see the Flexible Learning Tuition & Fees page for more information on domestic and international tuitions.
Books & supplies
Codes for the e-texts can be purchased from the BCIT Bookstore.
Sponsored students will recieve their course materials at orientation.
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Courses
Program matrix
Check current availability of courses for this program.
Required Courses: (28.0 credits) | Credits | ||
---|---|---|---|
NSCC 7120 | Critical Care Nursing Theory 1 | 4.0 | |
NSCC 7150 | Dysrhythmia Interpretation and Management | 2.0 | |
NSCC 7220 | Critical Care Nursing Theory 2 | 3.0 | |
NSCC 7320 | Critical Care Nursing Theory 3 | 5.0 | |
NSCC 7420 | Critical Care Nursing Clinical 1 | 5.0 | |
NSER 7410 | Emergency Nursing Theory 3 | 4.0 | |
NSER 7500 | Emergency Nursing Clinical 2 | 5.0 | |
Total Credits: | 28.0 |
Check current availability of courses for this program.
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
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Program Details
The combined Critical Care and Emergency nursing certificate is designed for nurses who work in a community hospital and spend the majority of their time working in the intensive care unit with some responsibilities in the emergency department. The program melds a curriculum that focuses on providing the knowledge, skills and judgement to assess and care for patients experiencing an imbalance in oxygen supply and demand for acute coronary syndrome, cardiac failure, hemodynamic instability, respiratory insufficiency to acute respiratory failure. The emergency courses focus on assessment frameworks, pathophysiology to enable nurses to serve clients with a diverse range of illness and injury from a wide age spectrum.
The program is composed of five theory and three clinical courses. The courses focus on pathophysiology and comprehensive assessment of patients’ with a diverse range of illness and injury. The critical care nursing courses focuses on common health issues in community Intensive Care units (i.e., ACS, heart failure, hemodynamic instability, respiratory insufficiency and acute respiratory failure). The courses also include; dysrhythmia monitoring, arterial and central line monitoring, arterial blood gas analysis and interventions such as antidysrhythmic and vasoactive medications, as well as mechanical ventilation. Alongside the complex aspects of physiologic care, nurses are challenged to humanize the illness experience for patients and families.
Learning within the program explores various aspects of critical care and emergency nursing practice including; understanding and supporting patients and families through their experience, evidence informed practice, ethical challenges and collaborative practice.
Clinical courses are typically offered as instructor led experiences in 3-5 week full time blocks. Applicants for clinical are required to provide proof of current nursing registration in a Canadian Province or Territory and current basic cardiac life support (BCLS) within the previous 2 years. In selected situations precepted clinical experience may be arranged.
Graduates of the program are prepared to begin practice in a community intensive and cardiac care with beginning responsibilities in a community emergency department.
Program length
The length of the program varies, as it is offered in a variety of formats:
BCIT offers theory and some clinical courses by part-time, independent study. We deliver theory courses over a 12-week term for the Critical Care Nursing courses and guided learning modules for the Emergency nursing courses and online tutor support. If you work full-time, you would generally register for one theory course per term, although this can vary depending on your additional commitments.
Through independent study, learn in you own community and structure your learning schedule in a manner that is most convenient for you. Complete full-time clinical courses at clinical sites throughout BC, over 3 to 4 weeks. If you live outside BC, clinical placements may be negotiated.
Most Specialty Nursing programs arrange special offerings of courses as "Compressed time frame programs". Offered in full-time study formats, they enable you to take several courses over a specified period of time. If you are interested in this option of study, contact the Program Head for more information and program start dates.
Nurses with relevant experience and/or previous courses can request assessment for appropriate placement within the program.
Maximum program length for either the Advanced Certificate or the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is seven years.
Additional program options
Program delivery
Online: This program is delivered fully online.
Program location
Courses are delivered through online learning.
Continue your education
BCIT School of Health Sciences offers two levels of credential in Specialty Nursing:
- Advanced Certificate for Critical Care Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Specialty Nursing (Critical Care)
This is the only degree program in BC that prepares registered nurses for employment in Critical Care units/areas. The degree program is a total of 60 - 62 credits comprising:- 19 - 32 credits granted for the Critical Care Nursing Advanced Certificate (varies depending on program stream selected)
- 18 specialty and core nursing credits
- 12 liberal studies credits
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Graduating & Jobs
Our grads are ready
Our combined program equips you to enhance your skill set in your current workplace or transition to working in community intensive and cardiac care units with some responsibilities in a community emergency department.
If you are interested in a tertiary combined certificate, contact us for more information.
Career opportunities
Registered nurses with this combined specialty work in hospital critical care and intensive care units with some shifts in the emergency department. Salaries start at approximately $32 per hour.
Canadian Nurses Association
Graduates of the BCIT program are eligible to write the Specialty Nursing exam for Critical Care Nursing through the CNA Certification Program. CNA views certification as a method of validating nurses’ competence in an area of specialization within the field of nursing. BCIT Specialty Nursing graduates can receive a credit of up to 1,000 hours towards their initial certification examination.
Keep learning
Looking to get your BSN? Use your advanced certificate toward completing our Specialty Bachelors of Nursing program.
Beginning in 2018, BCIT Specialty Nursing Advanced Certificate Graduates can apply to receive transfer credits towards the online, two-year UVIC Master of Nursing program. Applicants can chose from the Advanced Practice Leadership of Nurse Educator option
Join the Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses (CACCN). This non-profit organization works to maintain and enhance the quality of care provided to critically ill patients and their families.
Health Match BC
Health Match BC is a new service that helps recent specialty nursing graduates find work within BC. Funded by the provincial government, Health Match BC prioritizes the hiring of BC nursing graduates. For more information, download the Health Match BC [PDF].
Professional associations
The Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses (CACCN) is the professional organization for Critical Care nurses in BC. CACCN is a non-profit, specialty organization dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the quality of care provided to critically ill patients and their families.
Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) has the mission of advancing the practice and profession of nursing to improve health outcomes and strengthen Canada’s publicly funded, not-for-profit health system. Toward this end, it promotes high standards of practice, education, research, and administration. The CNA is the national and global professional voice of Canadian nursing, representing registered nurses, nurse practitioners, licensed and registered practical nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, and retired nurses across all provinces and territories.
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Faculty, Advisors & Staff
Luda Krapchan, RN, MN, CNCC(C)
Program Head
604-451-7193
lkrapchan@bcit.ca
Jenna Coroliuc
Program Assistant
604-451-7103
jenna_coroliuc@bcit.ca
Toll-free: 800-663-6542 x 7103
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Contact Us
Jenna Coroliuc
Program Assistant
jenna_coroliuc@bcit.ca
604-451-7103
Toll-free: 800-663-6542 x 7103
Questions or comments?
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