Course Overview
This course provides foundational theoretical knowledge to help nurses identify, assess, and initiate interventions for patients experiencing rapid clinical deterioration. It addresses three key areas: Primary Assessment, which enables nurses to identify the patient’s priority problem or problems; Oxygen Supply and Demand Theory, which provides a framework for interpreting assessment cues and selecting appropriate interventions; and the Situated Clinical Decision-Making Framework, which guides nurses through the care of a rapidly deteriorating patient by supporting cue gathering, judgment formulation, intervention implementation, and ongoing evaluation and re-evaluation. This knowledge is applicable across diverse patient care contexts, including acute and non-acute care, rural settings, and community environments.
Prerequisite(s)
- No prerequisites are required for this course.
Credits
2.0
Domestic fees
$650.74
International fees are typically 3.4 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
Learning Outcomes
As a healthcare practitioner, you are expected to follow professional standards of practice throughout all Specialty Nursing programs and courses. In this course, you will have opportunities to use the processes of critical thinking, systematic inquiry, communication, collaboration, leadership, professionalism, and clinical decision-making.
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
- Complete a Primary Assessment to determine appropriate management for a rapidly deteriorating patient.
- Formulate oxygen supply and demand determinant and end-organ perfusion conclusions using the oxygen supply and demand theory.
- Recognize cues from the Primary Assessment to formulate clinical judgments and identify the priority problems for a rapidly deteriorating patient.
- Prioritize interventions for rapidly deteriorating patients supported by the situated clinical decision-making framework.
- Advocate for appropriate interventions by integrating multiple sources of nursing knowledge.
Effective as of Spring/Summer 2026
Course Offerings
Fall 2026
Below is one offering of NSHA 6000 for the Fall 2026 term.
CRN 52737
Dates
Sep 08 - Nov 27 Loading
- CRN 52737
- $650.74 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 08 - Nov 27 | N/A | N/A | Online |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Teresa Gnoato
Course outline
Registration requirements
Departmental approval is required to register for this course offering. You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
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.
- This section is only open to registered nurses (RNs), registered psychiatric nurses (RPNs), and licensed practical nurses (LPNs). This course is delivered in an asynchronous online format. This course is eligible for students to receive funding through the StrongerBC future skills grant at www.bcit.ca/financial-aid/strongerbc-future-skills-grant/. Students will register for the course themselves and then apply for the StrongerBC future skills grant to cover payment (if eligible).
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.
Winter 2027
Below is one offering of NSHA 6000 for the Winter 2027 term.
CRN 93905
Dates
Jan 04 - Mar 25 Loading
- CRN 93905
- $650.74 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 04 - Mar 25 | N/A | N/A | Online |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Teresa Gnoato
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Registration requirements
Departmental approval is required to register for this course offering. You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
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.
- This section is only open to registered nurses (RNs), registered psychiatric nurses (RPNs), and licensed practical nurses (LPNs). This course is delivered in an asynchronous online format.
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.