Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
September 1, 2015
Critical Care Nursing Program Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why should I consider the Critical Care Nursing program?
The Critical Care Nursing (CCN) program:
Was developed in collaboration with clinical and academic critical care expertise from both rural
and urban critical care perspectives – it’s about leadership and working together to achieve
excellence, ultimately for best patient outcomes.
Follows the standards set out in the Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses (CACCN)
Standards for Critical Care Nursing Practice and the competencies listed in the Canadian Nurses
Association (CNA) Critical Care (Adult) Nursing Certification.
Provides positive challenges – registered nurses will obtain specialized knowledge, skill and
expertise in critical care.
Encourages learning in a supportive environment – experienced critical care nurses will act as
preceptors and support students to learn how to care for critically ill patients and families and to
work within a critical care team.
Combines multiple approaches to enhance adult learning – through textbook readings, video
integration, discussion posts, practice questions, labs, simulation, and clinical experiences.
Builds on concepts from basic to complex, recognizing how everything is inter-related.
2. What are the program highlights?
The Critical Care Nursing program offers:
A variety of modes of learning
Distance and self-directed learning that is combined with face-to-face labs, an ECG tutorial and
clinical experiences.
3. As a new grad, can I apply to take the program?
While it may be preferable to have RN experience in a high acuity clinical practice setting prior to
entering the program, it is not required.
September 1, 2015
4. How will I progress through the program?
Each course is divided into learning outcomes and steps. Learning steps will guide you through the use
of resources and will include learning activities to support learning regarding the subject material.
Each course has specific strategies for evaluating knowledge, such as exams, case studies, quizzes
and assignments.
The program builds on concepts from basic to complex.
5. What is the cost to take the program?
The annual cost varies according to the current tuition rate and the credit units for each course that you
are taking. Tuition for the entire program is due by the first day of orientation.
6. Where can I buy my books and other materials?
Information on purchasing textbooks and course manuals will be provided when you register. Material
is available for purchase online at http://saskpolytech.ca/student-services/academic/bookstores.aspx,
by phone at 1-866-569-8398 or in person at the Regina Campus.
7. What completion document do I receive after completing the program?
Upon completion, you will receive an Advanced Certificate in Critical Care Nursing.
8. What other recognition will I receive after completing the program?
Graduates are credited with 360 practice hours towards eligibility to maintain registration with the
Saskatchewan Registered Nurses’ Association (SRNA).
9. When can I start courses in the program?
Before you apply, please contact [email protected] or call Heidi Kirk, administrative support, at 306-775-7445 (toll-free at 1-866-467-4278) to determine the next available intake based on clinical capacity. You must first successfully meet the admission requirements for the program. Once you are admitted into the program, you will receive a welcome package with further orientation and program information. There are five intakes a year:
Fast Track – 11 weeks
Regular Track – 18 weeks In the Regular Track intakes, students complete the course-work on a part-time basis and the clinical portion on a full-time basis.
Health regions with critical care beds may sponsor students to take the Critical Care Nursing program
and have an agreement with the student for a return-in-service. Please contact the human resources
department in your health region for further information regarding sponsorship.
September 1, 2015
10. Do I need to come to Saskatchewan to complete the program?
Currently the labs and clinical components are completed in Saskatchewan. For more information
please email [email protected] or contact Heidi Kirk, administrative support, at 306-
775-7445.
11. How likely am I to get a job in the critical care setting after I complete the program?
Extremely likely. The majority of graduates who choose to apply to work in the critical care setting have
been successful in getting a job. This high success rate is facilitated by regions sponsoring students to
take the program and work in their critical care setting upon successful program completion.
12. Can I continue to work while enrolled in the program?
If you are enrolled in the 11-week Fast Track delivery option, you will find the workload very demanding
and it would not be ideal to work and take the program at the same time.
If you are enrolled in the 18 week Regular Track option you could continue to work. You will be required
to attend orientation, tutorials, labs and clinical.
13. I have always attended formal classroom education. Distance learning seems like it would be a
lonely experience. Is there any way I could have contact with my classmates?
You will have contact with your fellow students during course discussions, labs, the ECG tutorial, and
clinical experiences.
14. I already have considerable critical care nursing experience. What options are available to me?
Please contact [email protected] or call Heidi Kirk, administrative support, at 306-
775-7445 (toll-free at 1-866-467-4278) to ask for an assessment of your request.
15. How will I communicate with faculty?
Program faculty are available to support you via the telephone, email and in some situations, in person.
We encourage you to discuss any difficulties you encounter throughout the program with the faculty so
that you can work together on strategies for success.
16. Where will my clinical practice education take place?
Your clinical practice education will occur on critical care units, primarily in urban critical care centres.
You will receive your clinical schedule prior to program orientation. Your clinical practice education is
completed with experienced registered nurse preceptors.
September 1, 2015
17. When do I participate in the clinical practice education courses?
There are two clinical practice education courses within the program. The first clinical practice
education introduces you to the critical care setting and to build a strong foundation on intensive care
assessments, skills and abilities. The second clinical practice education course focuses on patients with
multi-system challenges and builds on your knowledge from your first clinical experience.
18. Where do I write my exams?
An approved test site will be assigned to you when you are registered in program courses. Exams are written online and test centre staff will orientate you to the test-writing software. You must schedule an extra 15 minutes before your first exam for your orientation. The exams are multiple choice and require the writer to know how to use a mouse and read onscreen instructions.
