Overview
Emergency courses and clinical experiences give you the skills to support the diverse array of illnesses and injuries you could see on a given shift. Our critical care courses educate you in strategies, such as advanced hemodynamic monitoring and mechanical ventilation, to optimize care and comfort for acutely ill patients.
About the program
The Emergency nursing specialty (emergency/critical care option) is a boutique program specifically designed for registered nurses (RNs). These RNs are working in community and rural hospitals and work primarily in emergency care, with some shifts in the intensive care unit.
- Part-time, advanced certificate program that takes an average of 2.5 years to complete
- Distance and online learning gives you flexibility to learn at your own pace while working
- Clinical experiences in emergency and critical care settings
Who it’s for
This program is for individuals who:
- Are RNs or those are completing their specialty BSN in emergency
- Are undergraduate nursing students currently completing an accredited BSN program
- Have six or more months of relevant 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’ family
Does this sound like you? See Entrance Requirements to discover more about requirements and how to apply.
Are you looking for more critical care and intensive care unit (ICU) expertise with a foundation in emergency nursing? See BCIT’s Combined Critical Care and Emergency 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 intensive care, cardiac care, and cardiac surgical units. See Graduating and Jobs to learn more about career opportunities.
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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.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
If you are an experienced emergency nurse with more than three years of full-time nursing experience in the emergency department, then PLAR may be for you. PLAR is a process intended to provide students with an opportunity to receive credit for both credit-based and non-credit-based prior learning that has been acquired in a variety of ways, including work experience.
For additional information on PLAR and to order a PLAR manual ($15), which explains the options in detail and guides you through the process, contact the Program Head at 604.451.7078 or toll free 1.800.663.6542 local 7078.
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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
All listed costs are estimates and subject to change.
Course books:
- Core course books for the advanced certificate program: $449
- Core course books for the degree program: $735
Please check the BCIT Bookstore for most current prices.
Codes for the e-texts can be purchased from the BCIT Bookstore.
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Courses
Program matrix
Check current availability of courses for this program.
Required Courses: (34.0 credits) | Credits | ||
---|---|---|---|
NSCC 7150 | Dysrhythmia Interpretation and Management | 2.0 | |
and | |||
NSER 7110 | Emergency Nursing Theory 1 | 4.0 | |
NSER 7210 | Emergency Nursing Theory 2 | 4.0 | |
NSER 7300 | Emergency Nursing Clinical 1 | 5.0 | |
NSER 7410 | Emergency Nursing Theory 3 | 4.0 | |
NSER 7500 | Emergency Nursing Clinical 2 | 5.0 | |
and | |||
NSCC 7320 | Critical Care Nursing Theory 3 | 5.0 | |
NSCC 7420 | Critical Care Nursing Clinical 1 | 5.0 | |
Total Credits: | 34.0 |
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
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 using guided-learning modules and telephone tutor support. They often include teleconferences, which provide opportunities for students and tutors to discuss issues relevant to the course. 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 your 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 4 to 6 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 assistant for more information and program start dates.
Nurses with three or more years of experience can apply for PLAR, Prior Learning Assessment recognition credits towards their Advanced Specialty Certificate.
Program length for either the Advanced Certificate or the Bachelor of Science in Nursing can range from 2 to 7 years depending on your individual pace. Preparedness for employment can take from 10 weeks to 1 year.
Additional program options
Program delivery
Online: This program is delivered fully online.
Program location
Courses are delivered through online learning.
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Graduating & Jobs
Our grads are ready
At BCIT, we listen to what you need to do your job well. This combined program ensures you can provide the best patient care possible in the emergency department, while also supporting critically ill patients needing intensive care.
Career opportunities
Registered nurses with the combined emergency and critical care specialty work in emergency departments with some shifts in the ICU. Salaries start at approximately $32 per hour.
Canadian Nurses Association
Graduates of the BCIT program are eligible to write the Specialty Nursing exam for Emergency 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 options.
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].
Graduate employment outcomes
The BCIT student outcomes report presents summary findings from the annual survey of former students administered by BC Stats one to two years after graduation. These reports combine the last three years of available results for the 2021-2023 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2020-2022 graduates and for Degree 2019-2021 graduates. The reports are organized into three-page summaries containing information on graduates’ labour market experiences and opinions regarding their education. More detailed information can be accessed at the BC Student Outcomes website.
To view these results, you may need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
Apply for graduation
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, complete an Application for BCIT Credential [PDF] and submit it to Student Information and Enrolment Services.
Allow approximately six to eight weeks for processing.
All financial obligations to the Institute must be met prior to issuance of any credential.
Professional associations
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.
Emergency Nurses Association of BC (ENABC)
ENABC is the professional organization for emergency nursing in BC. ENABC's main goal is to provide standards for emergency nursing care, offer a forum in which emergency nurses can exchange ideas, promote the specialized education of emergency nurses, and support community relations. ENABC has an affiliation with the National Emergency Nurses Association (NENA).
National Emergency Nurses Association (NENA)
NENA represents emergency nurses across Canada. The association works closely with the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP) to improve quality of care in Canada's emergency settings. If you register with ENABC you are a member of NENA.
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Faculty, Advisors & Staff
Soraida Ramazzini, RN, BSN
Program Head
sramazzini@bcit.ca
604-451-6979
Toll-free: 800-663-6542 x 6979
Maya Heskia
Program Assistant
maya_heskia@bcit.ca
604-451-7094
Toll-free: 800-663-6542 x 7094
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Contact Us
Jackie Sousa
Program Assistant
Jackie_sousa@bcit.ca
604-451-7094
Toll-free: 800-663-6542 x 7094
Questions or comments?
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