Course Overview
In this course, learners will develop an in-depth understanding of equity-oriented, person- and family-centred care, including trauma- and violence-informed care, cultural safety, and relational practice, within the context of caring for critically ill patients and their families. Learners will explore how pain, agitation, delirium, immobility, and sleep disturbances influence immediate patient outcomes and contribute to long-term complications such as post-intensive care syndrome, and examine strategies to manage these challenges. Interprofessional collaboration is emphasized as a cornerstone of effective critical care practice, together with strategies that promote personal resilience and professional growth in high-intensity environments. Building on core assessment and management skills from previous courses, learners will explore fluids, electrolytes, and renal physiology, developing the ability to anticipate, recognize, and manage imbalances and kidney dysfunction. The course also examines the gastrointestinal system focusing on the assessment and management of critical conditions affecting the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. Learners will explore strategies to meet the complex nutritional needs of critically ill patients while minimizing associated risks. The course concludes with a clinical learning experience where learners apply concept-focused knowledge in practice. Please note: Learners must be Registered Nurses and have successfully completed NSCC 7120 and NSCC 7150 to enroll in this course. A minimum grade of 75% is required to register for the next Critical Care Nursing course (NSCC 7320).
Registration requirements
Departmental approval is required to register for this course. You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Domestic fees
$311.80 - $982.79 See individual course offerings below for actual costs.
International fees are typically 3.4 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:
As licensed health care practitioners, all learners will practice in accordance with professional standards of practice throughout the course. In this course, learners will have opportunities to use the processes of critical thinking, systematic inquiry, communication, collaboration, creative leadership and professionalism to:
Theory
- Explain key components of caring for critically ill patients and families including an equity-oriented approach to person- and family- centred care, and the prevention and support of complications arising from pain, agitation, delirium, immobility and sleep (PADIS).
- Evaluate interprofessional collaborative practice in healthcare settings.
- Explain the relationship between comprehensive assessment findings and the pathophysiology of fluid and electrolyte imbalance, and renal, gastrointestinal and nutritional dysfunction.
- Integrate comprehensive assessment cues for patients experiencing pain, agitation, delirium, immobility and sleep (PADIS) concerns, fluid and electrolyte imbalance, and renal, gastrointestinal and nutritional dysfunction into the oxygen supply and demand framework to form judgements about balance.
- Apply the Situated Clinical Decision-Making Framework to implement strategies intended to optimize oxygen supply and demand for patients experiencing fluid and electrolyte imbalance, and renal, gastrointestinal and nutritional dysfunction.
Clinical
- Reflect on nurse-family interactions in the context of critical care nursing practice.
- Reflect on the nursing role within the interdisciplinary health care team in the context of critical care practice.
- Recognize the influence of the critical care environment on patients' and families' experience and critical care nursing practice.
Effective as of Spring/Summer 2025
Related Programs
Critical Care Nursing Theory 2 (NSCC 7220) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
School of Health Sciences
- Critical Care Nursing Specialty (Combined Critical Care/Emergency Option)
Advanced Certificate Part-time
- Critical Care Nursing Specialty
Advanced Certificate Part-time
- Specialty Nursing (Critical Care - Combined Critical Care/Emergency Option)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Part-time
- Specialty Nursing (Critical Care - Standard Option)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Part-time
Course Offerings
Fall 2026
Below are three offerings of NSCC 7220 for the Fall 2026 term.
CRN 42181
Dates
Sep 08 - Nov 27 Loading
- CRN 42181
- $503.50 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 08 - Nov 27 | N/A | N/A | Online |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
TBD
Course outline
Important information
- Available for exam challenge only.
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- This is a challenge section designed for learners who have previous ICU or Critical Care Nursing experience and wish to challenge the course by writing the challenge exam.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
No approval yet? Request approval You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
CRN 42183
Dates
Sep 08 - Nov 27 Loading
- CRN 42183
- $982.79 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 08 - Nov 27 | N/A | N/A | Online |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
TBD
Course outline
Important information
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- Students must purchase the required e-textbook through the BCIT Bookstore.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
No approval yet? Request approval You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
CRN 42185
Dates
Sep 08 - Nov 27 Loading
- CRN 42185
- $311.80 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 08 - Nov 27 | N/A | N/A | Online |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
TBD
Course outline
Important information
- Available for re-registration (course extension) only.
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- Re-registration is for students who require a course extension to complete their course from the previous term. Re-registration is a one-time option only.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
No approval yet? Request approval You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
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.