- International Fees
International fees are typically 3.25 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
Course Overview
Learners will deepen their understanding of equity-oriented, person- and family-centered care, with a focus on trauma- and violence-informed care, cultural safety, and relational practice. These approaches will be explored in the context of meeting the diverse needs of critically ill patients and their families. The course also examines strategies for managing pain, agitation, delirium, immobility, and sleep disturbances, emphasizing their impact on both immediate patient outcomes and long-term complications such as post-intensive care syndrome. Interprofessional collaboration will be highlighted as a key factor in effective patient care, alongside strategies to foster personal resilience and professional growth in high-intensity environments. Expanding on core assessment and management skills, the course provides an in-depth exploration of fluid, electrolyte, and renal physiology, equipping learners to anticipate, recognize, and address imbalances and kidney dysfunction. The gastrointestinal system will also be examined, with a focus on the assessment and management of critical conditions affecting the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. Additionally, learners will explore strategies to meet the complex nutritional needs of critically ill patients while mitigating associated risks. At the end of the course learners will complete a short clinical experience. Concept-focused clinical learning experiences include beginning exploration of family centered care and interdisciplinary collaboration in critical care as well as clinical decision-making. Please note, learners must be Registered Nurses to take this course. Please note: You must achieve 75% or greater to register in the next Critical Care Nursing course, NSCC 7320.
Domestic fees
$305.40 - $963.23 See individual course offerings below for actual costs.
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 2025
Below are three offerings of NSCC 7220 for the Fall 2025 term.
CRN 42181
Dates
Sep 02 - Nov 21 Loading
- CRN 42181
- $493.34 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 02 - Nov 21 | N/A | N/A | Online |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
TBD
Course outline
Important information
- Available for exam challenge only.
- Departmental approval needed
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- International fees are typically 3.25 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
- 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. Contact Program Assistant at jenna_coroliuc@bcit.ca for approval to register.
Status
CRN 42183
Dates
Sep 02 - Nov 21 Loading
- CRN 42183
- $963.23 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 02 - Nov 21 | N/A | N/A | Online |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
TBD
Course outline
Important information
- Internet delivery format.
- Departmental approval needed
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- International fees are typically 3.25 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
- Contact Program Assistant at jenna_coroliuc@bcit.ca for approval to register. NOTE: Students must purchase the additional e-textbook through the BCIT Bookstore.
Status
CRN 42185
Dates
Sep 02 - Nov 21 Loading
- CRN 42185
- $305.40 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 02 - Nov 21 | N/A | N/A | Online |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
TBD
Course outline
Important information
- Available for re-registration (course extension) only.
- Departmental approval needed
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- International fees are typically 3.25 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
- 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. Contact Program Assistant at jenna_coroliuc@bcit.ca for approval to register.
Status
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice.