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. Two years relevant work experience.

Supports the development of fundamental knowledge required to systematically analyze and interpret basic cardiac dysrhythmias. Explores myocardial electrophysiology in relation to cardiac monitoring, and develops a systematic approach to dysrhythmia analysis and interpretation. Considers 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, explores the significance of dysrhythmia analysis, interpretation and management to critical care nursing practice. Prerequisites: 75% in NSCC 7100 or 75% in NSHA 7100 (75% in each evaluation component is required).

Builds on the understanding of critical care nursing practice, by examining the critical care nurse's role in the context of the patient's experience of selected critical illnesses. Specifically, provides opportunities to develop and apply nursing knowledge related to assessment, monitoring, intervention, health promotion, healing and comfort, for individuals who experience an imbalance in oxygen supply and demand (e.g. acute coronary syndrome, cardiac failure, hemodynamic instability). Enhances understanding of the individual's experience of a potentially life-threatening illness by considering concepts such as dyspnea, anxiety, vulnerability, and crisis. 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

This course is intended to expand your ways of knowing, being and doing in critical care nursing. Specifically, this course will provide opportunities to explore foundational knowledge of relational family practice, evidence based 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 explored in this course to a patient experiencing acute respiratory failure including pneumonia with progression to acute respiratory distress syndrome. Prerequisites: NSCC 7300 or 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

This theory course supports further development of critical care nursing practice and builds new knowledge related 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 hypovolemic shock related to gastrointestinal bleed complicated by an underlying chronic illness and the care of a patient experiencing sepsis progressing toward multisystem organ failure. Learners will also have the opportunity to expand knowledge from previous courses related to family centred care, ethics in practice and best practices in specific patient situations and explore new knowledge related to contextual influences critical care nursing practice. Finally, learners will focus a portion of their study on a patient experiencing one of the following critical illnesses; acute traumatic brain injury, cardiogenic shock, cardiac surgery or surgery and anaesthesia anaesthetic care. 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; patient experiencing hypovolemic shock related to gastrointestinal bleed complicated by an underlying chronic illness and the care of a patient experiencing sepsis progressing toward multisystem organ failure. 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 focus on cardiac arrest management and post arrest care. Finally, learners will have an opportunity to apply and expand knowledge through working with one of the following specific patient populations; acute traumatic brain injury, cardiogenic shock, cardiac surgery or surgery and anaesthesia on post anaesthetic care. While NSCC 7550 is generally a clinical teacher led course, in unique situations it is possible to complete this course as a preceptorship. Prerequisites: 75% in NSCC 7450