Specialty Nursing (Neonatal)

Healthy Childbearing Experiences and the Newborn is the combined introductory theory course of the Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing Specialty Programs. This course explores a number of concepts that are foundational to the practice of perinatal and neonatal nursing and healthy childbearing experiences. Within the context of building partnerships, learners are exposed to holistic caring for childbearing women, their fetuses and newborns, and their families.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This course builds on the concepts presented in NSNE 7100. Specifically, the relationship among infant vulnerability, pathophysiology, and assessment will be explored. A case study format will be used to address common health challenges that increase infant vulnerability in preterm, late preterm, term and post-term infants. Concepts of family-centered care, infant transition, hypoxia, and multi-system organ effects will be examined throughout the course.
Prerequisite(s):

• 75% in NSNE 7100

​This clinical course introduces learners to the care of infants experiencing common health challenges. This three-week clinical course takes place in a NICU and focuses on the following key areas of practice: Comprehensive Assessment, Clinical Judgement and Decision-Making, Integration of Theory to Practice, Reflective Practice, Collaboration, Professionalism, and Communication.
Prerequisite(s):

• 75% in NSNE 7200 and S in NSPN 7450
• RN practicing licensure in a provincial/territorial college of Registered Nurses

​ This two-week clinical course provides the opportunity to engage in clinical learning that is tailored to the student’s individual needs. Using a preceptorship model in an NICU, students will have an opportunity to build upon prior clinical experiences of caring for infants with common health challenges. The following key areas of practice will be used to guide clinical learning: Comprehensive Assessment, Clinical Judgement and Decision- Making, Integration of Theory to Practice, Reflective Practice, Collaboration, Professionalism, and Communication .
Prerequisite(s):

• S in NSNE 7300
• RN practicing licensure in a provincial/territorial college of Registered Nurses

This course builds upon the concepts presented in NSNE 7100, NSNE 7200, NSNE 7300, and NSNE 7900. This combination theory and clinical course delivers twelve weeks of guided independent study, a one-day workshop, and 40 hours of clinical practice. A case-study format is used to address high-risk respiratory health challenges of infants. Concepts of respiratory distress syndrome and bronchopulmonary dysplasia will be examined throughout the course. Non-invasive and invasive ventilation modalities will be explored using a developmentally supportive and family-centered care approach.
Prerequisite(s):

• S in NSNE 7900
• RN practicing licensure in a provincial/territorial college of Registered Nurses

The Breastfeeding Experience course explores foundational concepts for healthcare providers who support mothers, newborns and their families through the breastfeeding continuum. This is a theory-only course that will enable students to acquire the knowledge required by health care providers to support mother/infant dyads in a successful breastfeeding experience. This 3 credit course may be used for those seeking International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) certification or recertification: 1) For certification through pathways 1 and 3 ONLY; this course is equivalent to 45 education hours that may be used as part of the total 90 education hours required. 2) For recertification; this course has been recognized by IBCLC for 45 L-CERPs. Please note that those challenging this course will not receive IBCLC L-CERPs. The IBCLC L-CERPs will be reserved for those who complete the whole course.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

The Newborn Resuscitation Program (NRP) is an eight hour interactive skills testing day that builds on the knowledge gained by reading the Neonatal Resuscitation text book. The text must be read in its entirety prior to attending the one-day workshop. Each participant must complete the online NRP exam prior to coming to the on-campus workshop. The exam can be accessed on the Canadian Pediatric Society website. Proof of successful completion of the online exam must be brought to the one day workshop. Participants will be turned away without proof of exam completion. The workshop includes practicing and testing the hands-on skills of newborn resuscitation. To ensure adequate time for course preparation and pre-readings, enrolment in the course will be closed three weeks prior to the course start date. Perinatal Specialty students must complete NSPN 7100 and 7200 prior to enrolling in NRP. NSPN 7450 is a prerequisite for NSPN 7300, Perinatal Clinical 1 and NSPN 7500, Perinatal Clinical 2.
Prerequisite(s):

• This course is prioritized for learners in the Perinatal/Neonatal SN programs.

This course builds on the concepts presented in NSNE 7100, 7200, 7300, 7900 and 7911. This combination theory and clinical course delivers twelve weeks of guided independent study, a workshop, and 40 hours of clinical practice. A case-study format will be used to address the care of infants experiencing life-threatening health challenges, including aspiration, persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, sepsis, multiorgan dysfunction, abdominal wall defects, hydrops, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, and extremely low birth weight. Treatment modalities such as venous and arterial access, various modes of invasive respiratory support, pharmacological support, and blood products are examined using a developmentally supportive and family-centered care approach.
Prerequisite(s):

• 75% in NSNE 7911
• RN practicing licensure in a provincial/territorial college of Registered Nurses. A combination of education and experience may be sufficient to waive the prerequisite with the approval of the Program Head.

This course builds upon the concepts presented in NSNE 7100, 7200, 7300, 7900, and 7911. This course is offered over twelve weeks of guided independent study. A case-study format will be used to address the care of infants experiencing life-threatening health challenges, including aspiration, persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, sepsis, multiorgan dysfunction, abdominal wall defects, hydrops, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and extremely low birth weight. Treatment modalities such as venous and arterial access, various modes of invasive respiratory support, pharmacological support, and blood products are examined using a developmentally supportive and family-centered care approach.
Prerequisite(s):

• 75% in NSNE 7911
• RN practicing licensure in a provincial/territorial college of Registered Nurses

Palliative Approach in Nursing Practice will prepare nurses to support and comfort patients and families who are facing end-of-life issues related to their disease progression or condition. Throughout this course you will examine your own attitudes towards living with a life-threatening illness, death, dying, and your assumptions about how care should be provided. The course will also support relational practice—inviting a way of being, knowing, and practicing that focuses on the patient and family’s lived experience as they approach the end of their lives.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

The course provides an overview of the basic skills of a manager and applies these skills through a series of projects and case studies. It examines the evolution of management and the organizational culture and environment. It also teaches the decision-making skills and the skills involved in planning, organizing, leading and controlling, including planning and facilitating change, teamwork, applying motivational techniques and effective communication.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

Introduces diverse perspectives on teaching and learning related to specialty nursing and explores the impact that connected teacher-learner relationships have on effective learning. Teaching and learning are viewed as mutual and parallel processes, being influenced by beliefs, intentions, and capacities of both teachers and learners. Teaching and learning abilities are further developed according to mutually agreed upon learning outcomes and intentions.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

In this online course, learners explore how research informs evidence-based nursing practice. Foundational research concepts and processes in quantitative and qualitative paradigms are examined. Learners critique primary research reports of interest, both individually and in groups, and address research utilization in practice.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

Provides the opportunity to pursue a particular area of interest in specialty nursing. You and course tutor determine the learning intentions, activities and evaluation strategies for the course. For further details, contact the program head in your chosen specialty. Requires program head approval to register.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This on-line course offers students the opportunity to develop their leadership knowledge and skills within the context of specialty nursing. Leadership is explored from multiple perspectives with an emphasis on contemporary theories and frameworks. Topics that are examined include followership, contextual influences, power, navigating change and transitions, and teambuilding. Students engage in a work related leadership project to apply leadership knowledge and skills to their practice.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

Professional growth is explored from personal, professional, and historical perspectives. Students choose a focus for growth which is fostered by ongoing critical reflection and journaling. Relational practice is explored through the lenses of mentoring and harmful workplace relationships. Contemporary trends in ethical practice are examined, including the contextual influences on practice; the development of moral identity; and the enhancement of moral integrity. An anticipated trajectory for professional development is envisioned and described.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This course explores contemporary community health nursing, examining multiple perspectives on community, health, and relational practice. Community health nursing is examined through the lenses of primary health care, health promotion, and ethics. Clinical practice is focused on facilitating participatory dialogue with a selected group to explore perspectives on relational practice in health care.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

Based on the Canadian Community Health Nursing Standards of Practice, this course provides opportunities for exploring contemporary perspectives on health promotion, protection of health, a community health nursing process, and participatory decision making. Clinical experience occurs through engaging in participatory dialogue with a selected group; exploring salient health issues; and facilitating collective health action.
Prerequisite(s):

• 75% in NSSC 8600

This course is an introduction to the dynamic forces which enhance effective communication between persons from various cultural backgrounds, primarily in a professional setting. By helping students to develop a truly international perspective, COMM 7100 encourages intercultural communication competency, otherwise known as ICC. Due to rapid globalization, ICC is not an option, but a necessity.
Prerequisite(s):

• 6 credits of COMM 1100 level or above, or 3 credits of university/college writing course.

This course introduces students to contemporary issues in health ethics by examining and applying ethical theories to moral dilemmas at the clinical, professional, and organizational levels. To this end, developing competence in moral reasoning is an important goal, one that will be emphasized through the analysis of case studies that test personal, professional, and societal values.
Prerequisite(s):

• BCIT ENGL 1177, or 6 credits BCIT Communication at 1100-level or above, or 3 credits of a university/college first-year social science or humanities course.