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overview
If you are a Registered Nurse who would like to provide proactive, preventive occupational health and safety programming in a business setting, Occupational Health Nursing may be for you!
The focus of Occupational Health Nursing is the relationship between the work, the work environment and worker health. Occupational Health Nursing aims ultimately to improve, protect, maintain, and restore the health of workers, thereby influencing the health of the organization.
How do Occupational Health Nurses influence "worker" health?
"Clients" in Occupational Health Nursing practice include the organization as a whole, groups of employees and individual employees. This specialty program is grounded in the notion of partnership: between nurses and management, labour, and workers; between nurses and other health and safety professionals; and between nurses and community resources. Using a multidisciplinary approach, Occupational Health Nurses (OHNs) contribute to the achievement of a healthy, productive and successful company by understanding and supporting organizational business goals.
Successful occupational health nurses demonstrate:
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Self direction, initiative and energy
- Ability to work independently and with a team
- Interest in bringing about change
- Excellent communication skills - both oral and written (including basic computer skills).
The program
This program provides the specialized body of knowledge, skills, and leadership abilities to practise at a beginning level in a wide variety of organizations. It offers experienced Registered Nurses either an Advanced Specialty Certificate in Occupational Health Nursing after completing 33 credits, or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Specialty Nursing (BSN) after completing 27 more credits (for a total of 60 credits).
Canadian Nurses Association Certification Program
Completion of the BCIT Occupational Health Nursing Advanced Specialty Certificate program provides the educational foundation and decreases the experience requirements for eligibility to apply to write the CNA Occupational Health Nursing certification examination. For further information contact the Certification Program.
Other resources
program entry
Below are a list of questions new applicants frequently ask. If you have a question that is not answered here, please contact us directly.
Frequently asked questions
Are there any prerequisites or academic requirements for enrolment?
Yes - you must be licensed as a Registered Nurse. [top]
Is the Advanced Certificate transferable to the BCIT post basic BSN program?
Yes all 33 credits are transferable. [top]
Do I need to fill out an application and be accepted into the certificate program in order to register for courses?
No - there is no application process. You can register directly online. [top]
Can I take individual courses or take the courses out of order?
Yes - while the courses have been designed to be taken sequentially, you may register in any course in the program (with the exception of
clinical courses) as continuing education or to fulfill elective requirements in an undergraduate nursing program. However, it is advisable to discuss your choices with the Program Head. [top]
How long is the Advanced Certificate program?
The program is 33 credits - 8 three credit courses (24 credits) and 3 clinical courses (9 credits). [top]
How fast can I work through the program?
That depends on how much time you have to devote to course work. Each 3 credit course is the equivalent of 75 hours of contact time spread over 12 weeks. [top]
I don't live in BC - can I still enrol in the program?
Yes as long as you are licensed as a Registered Nurse in your home location. [top]
Which course should I take first?
The first course in the program is NSOH 7100 - Introduction to Occupational Health Nursing. [top]
I have experience in occupational health nursing can I receive credit for prior learning?
You may be eligible to receive credit through the prior learning assessment (PLAR) process or by course challenge. Contact the Program Head for more information. [top]
I have a BSN. Am I eligible for any transfer credit?
You may be eligible to receive transfer credits for NSSC 7115 (Teaching and Learning) and BUSA 7250 (Management Skills). Contact the Program Head for further information. [top]
Entrance requirements
- English-language proficiency
- Basic computer skills
- You must be a Registered Nurse to enrol in any specialty nursing courses.
- You must provide proof of current active CRNBC registration to enrol in any of the clinical courses.
BC provincial exams
For programs beginning in August 2007 or later which require Grade 12 Math and Science courses, BCIT will not require the applicant to write the provincial exam. Provincial exam marks will still be required for English 12, Communications 12, and Technical and Professional Communications 12.
costs & supplies
Tuition fees
Please check the current availability of courses in the program matrix for individual course fees. You may find three different fees for the same course: one for Canadian citizens, one for international students, and one for re-registration.
Books and supplies
The Occupational Health Nursing program draws on knowledge from a broad range of disciplines and as such requires a variety of textbooks. We are careful to select textbooks that you will use through the remainder of the program and in your future practice in occupational health nursing.
Written course materials and textbooks will be purchased from the BCIT Bookstore. For further information see the bookstore website or telephone: 604-432-8379 (toll-free 1-877-333-8379). You may choose to purchase safety shoes/boots prior to Practice Experience 1.
Students must have the use of a computer with Internet and email access in order to submit assignments, communicate with tutors, and access online resource materials.
courses
Program matrix
| Required Courses: (33.0 credits) |
Credits |
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BUSA 7250 |
Management Skills and Applications
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.
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3.0 |
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NSOH 7100 |
Introduction to Occupational Health Nursing
Focuses on work and its relationship to health. Introduces the community focus of the occupational health nurse through the beginning use of frameworks, epidemiological principles and relevant legislation. Emphasizes building partnerships with management, labour, and other health and safety team members.
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3.0 |
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NSOH 7200 |
Work and Work Environments 1
Presents theory related to potential hazards found in various work settings. Focuses on the industrial hygiene principles and practices of anticipating, recognizing, and evaluating biological, chemical and physical hazards. Emphasizes a collaborative approach to eliminating or controlling these hazards, whether the occupational health nurse is a member of a team of occupational health and safety practitioners or is the only on-site practitioner with knowledge and skills in industrial hygiene. Prerequisites: NSOH 7100
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3.0 |
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NSOH 7250 |
Work and Work Environments 2
Further broadens knowledge of work environments and the work-health relationship. Uses a population health promotion model for the risk assessment of health challenges arising from psychosocial, safety and ergonomic issues in the workplace. Bridges to future learning in assessing worker health. Uses processes of systematic inquiry and critical thinking to analyze jobs for their environmental, psychosocial, safety and biomechanical demands on employees. Prerequisites: NSOH 7100, NSOH 7200
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3.0 |
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NSOH 7301 |
Occupational Health Nursing Practice Experience 1
This clinical course will focus on assessing work environments, analyzing jobs, and making recommendations to improve the health and safety of the workplace. The course provides the nurse with opportunities to build on communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and systematic inquiry skills related to the role of the occupational health nurse. This course uses a distance delivery format. Students will complete the readings, course assignments and schedule site visits in consultation with their tutor. Students have 12 weeks to complete all course requirements. Prerequisites: NSOH 7250
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4.0 |
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NSOH 7350 |
Occupational Health Nursing: Practice Consolidation
An opportunity to consolidate occupational health nursing skills in analyzing jobs through interview, observation, measurement and critical analysis. Emphasizes the development of a professional technical report. Prerequisites: NSOH 7301
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1.0 |
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NSOH 7400 |
Disability Case Management
Emphasizes decision making that promotes the fitness-to-work of individual employees experiencing health challenges. Focuses on the OHN's role as a Case Manager using an employee-centred approach and collaborating with the supervisor, management, union, the health safety team, insurance carriers, and health care providers. Aims to achieve the best possible individual and organizational outcomes as the goal of this collaboration. Prerequisites: NSOH 7300 or NSOH 7301
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3.0 |
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NSOH 7450 |
Occupational Health Surveillance
Introduces concepts, principles, and theory of occupational toxicology through the study of occupational diseases. Emphasizes a collaborative approach to anticipating, preventing, recognizing and addressing potential health risks related to biological and physical, as well as chemical hazards in the workplace. Explores the occupational health nursing role in providing leadership in this process. Prerequisites: NSOH 7400
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3.0 |
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NSOH 7500 |
OHN: Practice Experience 2
The purpose of this clinical course is to give students an opportunity to pursue a particular area of interest in Occupational Health Nursing. The learning intentions, activities, and evaluation strategies for the course will be determined by the student and the course tutor using a learning contract. The learning contract will draw on the content and process threads of the OHN curriculum framework. Prerequisites: NSOH 7450
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4.0 |
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NSOH 7600 |
Occupational Health Program Planning
Emphasizes an integrative approach to program planning, addressing the individual, job and organizational factors that influence a specific workplace health issue. The process of program development includes: defining the workgroup at risk, developing collaborative relationships with stakeholders, designing a comprehensive program plan, and advocating improved workplace health and safety through written and verbal presentations of the program plan. The program plan includes documentation of a needs assessment, relevant goals and objectives and strategies for implementation and evaluation. Prerequisites: NSOH 7500
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3.0 |
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NSSC 7115 |
Teaching and Learning in Specialty Nursing
Introduces diverse perspectives on teaching and learning related to specialty nursing, and explores the impact that connected teacher-learner relationships have on effective learning. Views teaching and learning as mutual and parallel processes, being influenced by beliefs, intentions and capacities of both teachers and learners. Further develops teaching and learning abilities according to mutually agreed upon learning outcomes and intentions.
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3.0 |
| Note: The first course taken in the program should be NSOH 7100. Courses do not necessarily need to be taken in the sequence shown above. Contact the Program Assistant for registration information at 1.800.663.6542 ext 7131 or 604.451.7131. You can take the two core courses of the Advanced Specialty Certificate program (BUSA 7250 and NSSC 7115) at any time prior to the sequence recommended. |
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| Total Credits: |
33.0 |
Check current availability of courses for this program.
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if
they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's
Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
program details
Program length
The length of the program varies, as it is offered in a variety of formats:
- BCIT offers theory and clinical courses by part-time, independent study. We deliver theory courses over a 12-week term using guided-learning modules and telephone tutor support. If you work full-time, you would generally register for one theory course per term, although this can vary depending on your additional commitments.
- Through independent study, learn in your own community and structure your learning schedule in a manner that is most convenient for you.
- Nurses with relevant experience and/or previous courses can request assessment for appropriate placement within the program through either transfer credit or Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR).
Maximum program length for either the Advanced Specialty Certificate or the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is seven years. All courses are offered each term: January, April and September.
graduating & jobs
Job Opportunities
Job opportunities are expanding, and are often related to disability management activities. Some opportunities may be part-time, in settings with other OHNs or through agencies, in addition experienced occupational health nurses are often self-employed. Salaries vary widely based on type of industry and the nature of the job description.
Graduate employment outcomes
The following link takes you to graduate outcome survey results containing mostly labour market results from the 2007-2009 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2006-2008 Graduates. Note: The survey results will be displayed in a separate browser window. To view these results, you need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
Credential
When all requirements have been completed, students may apply to Student Records to receive an "Advanced Specialty Certificate".
As BCIT strives to keep our programs current, programs and courses are subject to change without notice.
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