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Basic Critical Care Nursing


Location(s):  Distance Learning Option

As a critical care nurse, you treat patients and deal with families as they face life-and-death situations due either to illness or to injury. It is a challenging yet rewarding field of practice.

SIAST’s Basic Critical Care Nursing program is designed to prepare registered nurses (RNs) to work in a critical care area. This advanced certificate program focuses on developing your knowledge, judgment, skills and attitudes in critical care nursing assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention and evaluation.

The program offers both regular-track (non-sponsored) and fast-track (sponsored) delivery, as well as Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (PLAR) options. The regular-track delivery is designed to enable completion on a part-time basis, which lets you build your professional credentials while maintaining job and/or family responsibilities.

You will take the theory component through home study with tutorials and labs integrated throughout to enhance your learning. Your clinical practice education will take place in a cardiac or critical care unit in either Regina or Saskatoon, with an experienced preceptor who will guide your practice.

Who qualifies?

The Basic Critical Care Nursing program is open to experienced or novice RNs who are licensed with the registered nurses’ licensing body in the province where you will participate in the clinical practice education.

As a graduate, you can:
  • apply for practice hours to maintain your registration with the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses’ Association (SRNA) if registered in Saskatchewan while taking the program, and

  • receive transfer credits towards post-RN degree programs at the University of Saskatchewan and Athabasca University

Is this program for you?

Critical care patients have complex, multi-system problems. Critical care nurses must be able to put knowledge and skills into practice quickly. Most importantly, you need to be a team player capable of working with a variety of health professionals while also providing patients and families with care at times of stress and crisis.

Sponsored Applicants - 2012/2013

Sponsored applicants are selected through an application process, by either the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region or Saskatoon Health Region, and enrol in one of the following 11-week fast-track delivery options.
  • September 10 to November 23 (registration deadline August 17)

  • January 28 to April 12 (registration deadline December 14)

  • March 25 to June 7 (registration deadline February 15)

Non-Sponsored Applicants - 2012/2013

The program accepts up to six non-sponsored students per year (28-week regular track delivery option):

  • September 10 to March 22 (registration deadline August 17)

Refer to Frequently Asked Questions for additional information.

Length: 11 weeks (sponsored); 28 weeks (non-sponsored)

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Why my job is so rewarding...

Career Opportunities

Graduates of SIAST’s Basic Critical Care Nursing program are leaders and team players in intensive care and cardiac care units. You will also find employment opportunities in other critical care settings including regional hospitals, tertiary care centres and step-down units.

For more information about career opportunities related to this program, contact Student Employment Services at the SIAST campus nearest you.

Program Details

Start Date(s): Sponsored: September, January, March; Non-sponsored: September

  • For more information, contact Jocelyn Schwartz at (306) 775-7575.

Apply Now

Admission Requirements


  • Licensed with the registered nurses' licensing body in the province where you will participate in a clinical experience

  • English Language Requirement


The following are not required on admission but are required prior to participating in the clinical component:

  • Current immunization

  • Current CPR Health Care Provider "C" AED or equivalent


Admission Method

First Qualified/First Admitted

The First Qualified/First Admitted (FQFA) process is used for the majority of SIAST programs. When we determine that you meet the program's admission requirements, you will be offered admission based on the date you fully qualify for the program. The earlier you provide the appropriate documents and information that qualify you for admission to the next intake, the earlier you might begin your studies. Your application, once qualified, is always considered for the next intake.

Applicants to programs with multiple intakes in an academic year remain in the application pool until the last intake for that academic year has begun. Programs using the FQFA process receive applications year round and maintain an application pool for each academic year. Qualified applicants who are not offered a seat must reapply for the next academic year.

Sponsored programs or programs targeted to specific groups do not accept applications year round or maintain an application pool.

Tuition and Fees

  • For complete details on tuition and fees for this program, click here to access the SIAST campus Tuition and Fee Schedules.

Learning Method(s)

SIAST offers a variety of learning methods for course delivery. The following learning methods are available for some of the courses in this program.
      Clinical/Practicum
    • Your clinical experience (12 12-hour shifts - CLIN 210, CLIN 211, and CLIN 212) will occur in Regina or Saskatoon in a specialized cardiac unit or critical care unit. An experienced preceptor will guide your practice and critical care nursing skill development.
    • Travel and accommodation costs to attend the tutorials, labs and clinical experiences are your responsibility.
      Home Study
    • The theory component (NRSG 227, NRSG 228, NRSG 229, NRSG 230, NRSG 231 and NRSG 232) is offered through home study. Tutorials are offered to enhance your learning. There are up to six tutorials and four labs that are integrated throughout the theory component. The labs are delivered on the same days as the tutorials. Attendance is mandatory.

Please refer to the course descriptions for course specific learning methods.

Kern Sidloski
One of the best things about a career in nursing is the doors that it opens for you. Canadian trained nurses can work anywhere in the world and in so many different capacities here at home. The Basic Critical Care Nursing (BCCN) program opened more doors for me by deepening my knowledge of acute care and getting me started in a highly specialized area.

Working in the ICU is great because it allows me to focus all my attention on one patient in an acute care situation with rapidly changing needs. The BCCN program brought me to a higher level of expertise where I better understand the complexities of caring for these patients. The coursework was challenging, the clinicals gave me great opportunities to become familiar with my new role in the ICU, and the instructors and support staff were easily accessible. I really enjoy being part of the team in the ICU.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) Availability

SIAST recognizes that adults learn in many different ways and through many different means. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training.

Frequently asked questions regarding PLAR for this program are answered in the Fact Sheet. A detailed Candidate Guide, which includes a self-audit for all PLAR-ready courses, has been developed for this program. This information guides a candidate through all steps in the PLAR process.



Transfer Credit

Many SIAST students benefit from transferring credit. You may be eligible to transfer credit from or to another college or university. To learn more, visit our transfer credit web page.

Transfer credit options vary over time; this information is subject to change. Some transfer credit options for this program include:

  • course transfers, post-RN degree programs, University of Saskatchewan and Athabasca University


Courses
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  • CLIN 210  Clinical Practice 1

    • You will participate in a clinical experience (36 hours in total) focusing on the cardiovascular system and related diseases. You will integrate aspects of the theory into the delivery of patient care. A preceptor in the critical care area will guide your practice and the development of critical care nursing skills.

    2.0 Credit Units
    36.0 Other hours

    Learning Method(s): Clinical/Practicum

    Prerequisites:
    NRSG 228 Minimum Grade of 60 (concurrent) and NRSG 229 Minimum Grade of 60 (concurrent)

  • CLIN 211  Clinical Practice 2

    • You will participate in a clinical experience (48 hours in total) integrating the cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological theory with nursing practice in the critical care area. A preceptor in the critical care area will guide your practice and the development of critical care nursing skills.

    3.0 Credit Units
    48.0 Other hours

    Learning Method(s): Clinical/Practicum

    Prerequisites:
    NRSG 230 Minimum Grade of 60 (concurrent) and NRSG 231 Minimum Grade of 60 (concurrent)

  • CLIN 212  Clinical Practice 3

    • You will participate in a clinical experience (60 hours in total) integrating all aspects of the program into your nursing practice in the critical care area. A critical care preceptor will guide your practice and the development of critical care nursing skills and patient / family centered care.

    4.0 Credit Units
    60.0 Other hours

    Learning Method(s): Clinical/Practicum

    Prerequisites:
    NRSG 232 Minimum Grade of 60

  • NRSG 227  Cardiovascular System and Associated Diseases

    • You will build on the foundations of cardiovascular nursing by reviewing the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system. You will examine and plan for management of common cardiovascular diseases.

    1.0 Credit Units
    15.0 Other hours

    Learning Method(s): Correspondence-Structured Time

  • NRSG 228  ECG Interpretation

    • You will focus on a systematic approach to cardiac rhythm interpretation. The course content includes identifying, analyzing, and treating cardiac rhythms. You will also receive a brief introduction to 12 Lead Electrocardiography interpretation.

    2.0 Credit Units
    35.0 Other hours

    Learning Method(s): Correspondence-Structured Time

    Corequisites:   NRSG 229   

    Prerequisites:
    NRSG 227 Minimum Grade of 60

  • NRSG 229  Cardiovascular Hemodynamics and Pharmacology

    • You will receive an introduction to the principles of hemodynamic monitoring and cardiovascular pharmacological therapy. Using these principles and therapies, you will plan for care of the critically ill patient.

    2.0 Credit Units
    35.0 Other hours

    Learning Method(s): Correspondence-Structured Time

    Corequisites:   NRSG 228   

    Prerequisites:
    NRSG 227 Minimum Grade of 60

  • NRSG 230  Critical Care Challenges 1

    • You will review the respiratory system focusing on anatomy and physiology, assessment, care, and nursing management of complex respiratory diseases. You will plan for the management of patients with respiratory complications.

    3.0 Credit Units
    40.0 Other hours

    Learning Method(s): Correspondence-Structured Time

    Corequisites:   NRSG 231   

    Prerequisites:
    CLIN 210 Minimum Grade of P

  • NRSG 231  Critical Care Challenges 2

    • You will review the neurological system focusing on anatomy and physiology, assessment, care and nursing management of complex neurological disorders. You will plan for the management of patients with neurological complications.

    3.0 Credit Units
    40.0 Other hours

    Learning Method(s): Correspondence-Structured Time

    Corequisites:   NRSG 230   

    Prerequisites:
    CLIN 210 Minimum Grade of P

  • NRSG 232  Critical Care Challenges 3

    • You will review the renal, gastrointestinal, hematological, immunological, musculoskeletal and integumentary systems. Your studies will focus on anatomy, pathophysiology and nursing management. With a family-centered focus, you will plan for the management of the psychological, emotional and physical care of a critically ill patient.

    3.0 Credit Units
    45.0 Other hours

    Learning Method(s): Correspondence-Structured Time

    Prerequisites:
    CLIN 211 Minimum Grade of P

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