Course Overview
High Acuity Nursing Theory 2 is the third theory course in the High Acuity Specialty Nursing Certificate. In this course, learners will build on the theoretical concepts explored in NSHA 7100, High Acuity Nursing Theory 1 and NSCC 7150, Dysrhythmia Interpretation and Management. High Acuity Nursing Theory 2 focuses on caring for patients who are experiencing various complex acute illnesses. NSHA 7201 provides opportunities for the learner to develop an advanced understanding of patients’ experiences of various acute illnesses. The concept of this acute illness also impacting the chronic illness patients may also be suffering from is also introduced in this section. The presence of co-morbidities can create an unpredictable course for the acute illness. This course provides opportunities for the learner to use the high acuity nursing theory to identify the patient’s priority problems and to provide care for complex and acutely ill patient. The skill of being able to interpret the subtle changes in the patient’s condition is what makes the role of the high acuity nurse caring for the acutely ill patient is very important. The theory covered in this course offers the learner the chance to recognize that the identification of priority patient problems and timely interventions can restore imbalances in oxygen supply and demand in order to provide optimum end-organ perfusion.
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
$1,902.98
International fees are typically 3.25 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 SN 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:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the pathophysiology of acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, hemodynamic instability, acute diabetic complications, acute kidney injury, traumatic brain injury, cerebral vascular accident and sepsis.
- Formulate the interrelationships between all determinants of oxygen supply and demand within increasing complex patient situations.
- Explain how comprehensive assessment findings and pathophysiology of previously mentioned acute illness states inform the oxygen supply and demand balance for high acuity patients.
- Analyze patient data, form conclusions and prioritize nursing care to optimize oxygen supply and demand for high acuity patients.
- Apply invasive monitoring and hemodynamic assessment theory to form conclusions about the determinants of cardiac output.
- Integrate relevant nursing literature to inform personal nursing practice.
- Support a spirit of inquiry by reflecting on personal knowledge, theory and evidenced-based research related to high acuity nursing practice.
Effective as of Spring/Summer 2023
Related Programs
High Acuity Specialty Nursing Theory 2 (NSHA 7201) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
School of Health Sciences
- High Acuity Nursing Specialty
Advanced Certificate Part-time
- Specialty Nursing (High Acuity)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Part-time
Course Offerings
Spring/Summer 2026
Below is one offering of NSHA 7201 for the Spring/Summer 2026 term.
CRN 56357
Dates
Apr 07 - Nov 20 Loading
- CRN 56357
- $1902.98 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 07 - Nov 20 | N/A | N/A | Online |
Duration
24 weeks
Instructor
Anita Wills
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 have completed NSCC 7150 in order to take this course. Please contact the Program Head at 604-432-8911 for approval to register. This course runs for two terms. The course is delivered in an online format. On the first day of class, log in to www.bcit.ca/learn/ to access your course.
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.