Introduces critical care nursing practice and explores what it means to be a critically ill person. Examines concepts foundational to this understanding, including oxygen supply and demand, comprehensive assessment, technology as practice, and clinical and ethical decision making. An observational experience in a critical care unit provides insight into the patient's experience of illness, the role of the critical care nurse, and the context of critical care nursing practice. Prerequisite: CRNBC registration or eligibility for registration and FIT testing.

The course supports the development of fundamental knowledge required to systematically analyze and interpret basic cardiac dysrhythmias. Participants will explore myocardial electrophysiology in relation to cardiac monitoring and develop a systematic approach to dysrhythmia analysis and interpretation. Further, participants will consider the predisposing factors and associated interventions related to the conduction defect present and the consequences of the dysrhythmia to both systemic and myocardial oxygen supply and demand. Finally, the significance of dysrhythmia analysis, interpretation, and management to critical care nursing practice will be explored. Although this course is conducted within the specific context of critical care nursing practice, IT WOULD ALSO BE SUITABLE FOR THE OTHER NURSES OR QUALIFIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS REQUIRING THIS SKILL. If you are not a registered nurse or a student nurse in the final years of your BSN program you must consult the Critical Care Nursing Program Head prior to registration.

Critical Care Nursing Theory 1 is the third course in the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) Critical Care Nursing Specialty Certificate. In this course, learners will continue to build foundational knowledge based on concepts explored in NSCC 7100 and 7150 and further develop their understanding of patients’ experiences of critical illness. Specifically, learners have opportunities to further explore critical care nursing practice as they consider the contribution of research, the nature of evidence, and the application of best practices in the care of critically ill patients. Additionally, learners will explore additional comprehensive assessment strategies (e.g., hemodynamic monitoring, arterial blood gas analysis, renal assessment) and strategies employed to optimize oxygen supply and demand balance in critically ill patients (e.g., CPAP/BiPAP, vasoactive and inotropic medications, and fluid management). Finally learners will be challenged to make clinical decisions and plan care for selected critically ill individuals including those experiencing respiratory insufficiency, acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, and hemodynamic instability. Throughout this course learners will continue to reflect on the significance of relational nursing practice in critical care and their vision of self as a critical care nurse. Prerequisites: 75% in NSCC 7100 and 75% in NSCC 7150

In this clinical course, learners focus on applying and integrating nursing knowledge to provide nursing care for critically ill patients experiencing selected health problems such as coronary artery disease, acute coronary syndrome (e.g., angina and MI), cardiac failure, and hemodynamic instability. In this experience learners focus on applying theory related to oxygen supply and demand, comprehensive assessment, monitoring skills and clinical decision making. Working in partnership with patients, learners have an opportunity to develop an understanding of patients' experiences of critical illness. Learners work with patients buddy nurses and the clinical teacher to promote safe, competent, and ethical nursing care. Theory will be reviewed concerning the significance of the environmental context of critical care nursing to patient care, health promotion opportunities, and clinical decision making. Laboratory experiences to practice airway management, care of the patient with central and/or arterial lines, and cardiac arrest management are included. While NSCC 7310 is generally a clinical teacher led course, in unique situations it is possible to complete this course as a preceptorship. Prerequisites: 75% in NSCC 7100 and 75% in NSCC 7150 and 75% in NSCC 7200. As well as providing this information at the time of admission, BCIT requires students to provide proof of CRNBC membership for each clinical course they enrol in. Without CRNBC registration, you will not be permitted to continue in the course.

Critical Care Nursing Theory 2 is intended to expand your ways of knowing, being, and doing in critical care nursing. Specifically, this course will provide opportunity to explore foundational knowledge of relational family practice and ethical practice within the context of critical care nursing. You will have the opportunity to expand your knowledge related to strategies employed to optimize a patient’s oxygen supply using advanced hemodynamic monitoring and mechanical ventilation. Managing a patient’s metabolic and oxygen demand will be introduced as a key concept in the critical care context. You will apply concepts learned in this course to a patient experiencing acute respiratory failure including pneumonia with progression to acute respiratory distress syndrome. Prerequisites: NSCC 7310

In this clinical course, learners focus on applying and integrating nursing knowledge to provide nursing care for critically ill patients and their families. In this experience learners focus on providing care for patients' experiencing acute respiratory failure and hemodynamic challenges. Learners have opportunities to further develop their comprehensive assessment skills by providing safe, competent, and ethical nursing care for patients requiring mechanical ventilation and advanced hemodynamic monitoring in collaboration with buddy nurses and clinical teachers. Working in partnership with patients and families, learners will develop an understanding of unique patient and family situations. Learners will have opportunities to think critically, .selecting and evaluating therapeutic interventions as they focus on developing interventions, clinical decision making. Participating and reflecting on ethical issues and collaboratively providing family-centred care are concepts that nurses continue to develop. Laboratory experiences to practice skills related to intubation, mechanical ventilation, and advanced hemodynamic concepts are included. While NSCC 7425 is generally a clinical teacher led course, in unique situations it is possible to complete this course as a preceptorship. Prerequisites: 75% in NSCC 7410 and 75% in NSCC 7200 and 75% in NSCC 7150 and 75% in NSCC 7100 and NSCC 7310. As well as providing this information at the time of admission, BCIT requires students to provide proof of CRNBC membership for each clinical course they enrol in. Without CRNBC registration, you will not be permitted to continue in the course.

This theory course supports further development of critical care nursing practice and builds new knowledge related to providing care for increasingly complex, critically ill patients. Specifically, learners will have opportunities to develop clinical decision-making skills and processes while examining the care of a patient experiencing an alteration in cerebral oxygen supply and demand balance, and the care of a patient experiencing sepsis progressing toward septic shock. Learners will also have the opportunity to apply knowledge from previous courses related to family-centered care, ethics in practice, and best practices in specific patient situations and explore new knowledge related to contextual influences on selected aspects of critical care nursing practice. Finally, learners will focus a portion of their study on a patient experiencing one of the following critical illnesses; multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, cardiogenic shock, cardiac surgery, or surgery and post anesthesia. Prerequisites: 75% in NSCC 7100 and 75% in NSCC 7150 and 75% in NSCC 7200 and 75% in NSCC 7410 and NSCC 7310

In this final clinical course in the critical care certificate, learners focus on integrating all previous knowledge in clinical practice. Learners will provide care for increasingly complex critically ill patients who may include, but are not limited to, patients experiencing alterations in cerebral oxygen supply and demand (including traumatic brain injury, ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke), and patients experiencing sepsis, progressing toward septic shock. Learners will progressively increase their independence in decision making and critical care nursing practice. Learners will actively participate in the provision of family-centered care, ethics in practice, and best practices in specific patient situations. Learners will examine the influence of context and collaboration within the health care team on patient care and nursing practice. Laboratory experiences to practice cardiac arrest management are included. While NSCC 7550 is generally a clinical teacher led course, in selected situations it is possible to complete this course as a preceptorship.