Course Overview
In this 100-hour clinical course, learners advance their competencies to include caring for complex, critically ill patients and their families while applying theoretical knowledge acquired in the program to real-world clinical practice. Learners progress their independence and clinical judgement in providing nursing care in a critical care setting. Through direct patient care and collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, learners strengthen advanced skills in assessment, clinical reasoning and decision-making, therapeutic intervention, and professional communication. Patient care experiences focus on supporting patients with complex, multisystem conditions requiring advanced monitoring, respiratory support, and interventions to optimize oxygen supply and demand. Learners work closely with an assigned buddy RN to progressively build confidence and competence in clinical decision-making and patient care. Note that NSCC 7620 is primarily delivered as a clinical instructor-led course; however, in select circumstances it may be completed as a preceptorship. Working alongside your assigned buddy RN, you will actively engage in patient care by: Collecting clinical data through systematic, comprehensive assessments; Forming clinical judgments based on evolving patient status and contextual influences; Making informed decisions about priorities and appropriate interventions; Implementing care in collaboration with your buddy RN and the interdisciplinary team; Communicating effectively with other healthcare professionals to ensure safe, coordinated care; Evaluating outcomes and adjusting care plans as needed in response to your patient’s condition. Experiences throughout this clinical course are designed to reinforce critical thinking, professional judgment, and the safe management of complex, acute clinical situations. Please note: Learners must successfully complete this clinical course to complete the Critical Care Nursing Program.
Prerequisite(s)
- 75% in NSCC 7520
- Learners must be Registered Nurses, completed clinical application and practicing RN license
Credits
4.0
Registration requirements
Departmental approval is required to register for this course. Departmental approval is required for this course. You will not be able to register without it.
Domestic fees
$1,289.72
International fees are typically 3.25 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Independently complete systematic comprehensive assessment of unstable (defined as “experiencing obvious and active changes in condition, but not extremely rapid change”) and/or complex (defined as “experiencing multi-system critical illness”), critically ill patients including data collected from patients and family, monitoring, and diagnostic processes.
- Independently and consistently interpret assessment data, recognize variance, and determine patient care priorities for *stable, **complex critically ill patients.
- Independently and consistently articulate clinical reasoning and rationale for nursing interventions, judgment, and decision-making while caring for *stable, **complex critically ill patients.
- Integrate specialty-specific theory to form clinical conclusions and explain nursing interventions for *stable, **complex critically ill patients.
- Demonstrate effective collaboration within the interprofessional team in the care of ***unstable critically ill patient and their families, consistent with your scope of practice.
- Communicate and collaborate effectively with patients, families, and members of the interprofessional healthcare team.
- Articulate relevant patient findings through clear, concise, and timely verbal and written communication.
- Demonstrate professionalism by engaging in self-evaluation, acknowledging strengths and areas for development, seeking assistance as needed, utilizing available resources, and being accountable for learning and professional practice.
*Stable critically ill patient: an individual with predictable care needs and gradually evolving or resolving changes in condition.
**Complex critically ill patient: an individual experiencing multi-system critical illness.
***Unstable critically ill patient: an individual experiencing obvious and active changes in condition, though not extremely rapid change.
Effective as of Spring/Summer 2026
Related Programs
Critical Care Nursing Clinical 2 (NSCC 7620) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
School of Health Sciences
- Critical Care Nursing Specialty
Advanced Certificate Part-time
- Specialty Nursing (Critical Care - Standard Option)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Part-time
Course Offerings
Spring/Summer 2026
Below is one offering of NSCC 7620 for the Spring/Summer 2026 term.
CRN 66994
Dates
Apr 07 - Jun 26 Loading
- CRN 66994
- $1289.72 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 07 - Jun 26 | N/A | N/A | Other |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Kristine Hughes
Course outline
Important information
- Clinical lab format.
- This course requires a completed clinical application and supporting documents prior to registering. The clinical application can be found in the Learning Hub for NSCC 7520. Contact the Program Assistant at jenna_coroliuc@bcit.ca for a clinical application if you are not currently enrolled in NSCC 7520. Note: Clinical courses are non-refundable.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
No approval yet? Request approval Departmental approval is required for this course. You will not be able to register without it.
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.