Overview
Delivery Mode: BLENDED
- This program will be delivered during COVID-19 as a combination of online and on-campus learning.
- Faculty will notify students of when their attendance on campus will be required.
- We are putting measures in place for your safety and well-being, ensuring that all safety protocols are addressed. Please see BCIT COVID-19 Return to Operations for details on the mandatory procedures that have been implemented.
- Your education is our priority and we will continue to deliver the applied instruction, collaborative experience, and industry connections that you expect from BCIT.
The Emergency nursing specialty (emergency/critical care option) is a boutique program specifically designed for registered nurses (RNs). These RNs are working in community and rural hospitals and work primarily in emergency care, with some shifts in the intensive care unit.
Emergency courses and clinical experiences give you the skills to support the diverse array of illnesses and injuries you could see on a given shift. Our critical care courses educate you in strategies, such as advanced hemodynamic monitoring and mechanical ventilation, to optimize care and comfort for acutely ill patients.
About the program
- Part-time, advanced certificate program that takes an average of 2.5 years to complete
- Distance and online learning gives you flexibility to learn at your own pace while working
- Clinical experiences in emergency and critical care settings
Who it’s for
This program is for individuals who:
- Are RNs or those are completing their specialty BSN in emergency
- Are undergraduate nursing students currently completing an accredited BSN program
- Have six or more months of relevant work experience in an acute care setting
- Are able to make effective decisions while managing fast changing patient situations
- Are able to communicate well with their team, patients, and patients’ family
Does this sound like you? See Entrance Requirements to discover more about requirements and how to apply.
Are you looking for more critical care and intensive care unit (ICU) expertise with a foundation in emergency nursing? See BCIT’s Combined Critical Care and Emergency specialty option.
Your work experience matters
At BCIT, we value your work experience. If you’ve been working as a critical care or emergency nurse, take advantage of our Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR) process and fast track your advanced certification education.
What grads can do
We prepare you to work in intensive care, cardiac care, and cardiac surgical units. See Graduating and Jobs to learn more about career opportunities.
- Next up Entrance Requirements
Entrance Requirements
Entrance requirements
The following are requirements for entry into Specialty Nursing certificate and degree courses. Enforcement or waiving of any or all entry requirements is at the discretion of the program head.
If you have any questions about your experience or qualifications, please contact the program head.
- English: two years of education in English in an English-speaking country with one of the following:
- English Studies 12 (73%) or
- English First Peoples 12 (73%) or
- Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses or
- ENGL 1177 - Academic Writing (73%) or
- 3.0 credits of post-secondary English, humanities or social sciences (73%) from a recognized institution
What if I don’t meet these English requirements? - Post-secondary education: diploma in nursing
- Current practicing registration with one of the following:
- BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) or
- Canadian provincial equivalent or
- Registered Nurse (RN) license number (if practicing outside Canada)
- Work Experience: minimum six months work experience in an acute care setting
Submit a resume of work experience with your application.
Exceptions may be granted for undergraduate students taking entry-level theory courses or new graduates. A resume is required for placement in the program. If you have questions about whether your work experience qualifies, please contact the program head.
Interested nurses from international practice, residential, or other areas of care lacking recent (within two years) acute care experience may be required to complete a refresher course. BCIT recommends the following programs:
- Douglas College
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University
- Thompson Rivers University
Please contact one of the institutions above, as well as the program head, to determine an appropriate preparatory course of study.
Clinical requirements
Note: Effective immediately, all health care workers who come into contact with patients at publicly-funded health care facilities or in the community, including at long-term-care facilities, will have to get the influenza vaccine or wear a mask during flu season. This policy affects all students who will be entering a clinical setting.
As such, you will be required to provide proof of your immunization or agree to wear a mask at all times prior to being placed in your clinical studies.
Basic Cardiac Life Support Certification
All students participating in clinical courses must have current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Level C or Level Health Care Provider (HCP). The original certificate must be presented upon application to the clinical courses.
BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) registration
As well as providing this information at the time of admission, BCIT requires students to provide proof of BCCNM membership, Canadian provincial equivalent, or RN license number for each clinical course. Without proper registration, you will not be permitted to continue in the course.
Face Respirator Fit Testing
A face piece respiratory fit test is required before students are permitted to enter the clinical practicum. Upon successful completion of the fit test, the original certificate must be presented to the program and annual re-fitting is required. Students are expected to carry their certificate with them at all times during their practicum.
For the Respirator Fit Testing, fit testing with a N95 respirator (1860, 1860s or 1870) is required and must be performed, in accordance with CSA Standard CAN/CSA-Z94.4-02. Fit Testing must also include, inspection, cleaning, maintenance and storage of protective equipment. Students will be given specific instructions in preparation for their fit testing by the provider they choose.
International applicants
International students outside of Canada
International students must be currently working in their nursing specialty area and have a practicing registered nurse’s license in their country to be eligible for this program. All courses are delivered through an online format, so students do not need a study permit.
International students working in Canada
International students who currently hold a work permit and are working in their specialty nursing area with a practicing registered nurse's license are eligible for this program. Students are responsible to maintain a work permit that is valid throughout clinical training. All courses are delivered through an online format, so students do not need a study permit.
International students are required to have a study permit before they attend any in-class courses/exams as part of the program.
Program declaration
Please contact the program assistant to declare this program.
Scheduled Intakes
Ongoing Part-time Studies intakes: January, April, and September.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
If you are an experienced emergency nurse with more than three years of full-time nursing experience in the emergency department, then PLAR may be for you. PLAR is a process intended to provide students with an opportunity to receive credit for both credit-based and non-credit-based prior learning that has been acquired in a variety of ways, including work experience.
For additional information on PLAR and to order a PLAR manual ($15), which explains the options in detail and guides you through the process, contact the Program Head at 604.451.7078 or toll free 1.800.663.6542 local 7078.
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Costs & Supplies
Face respirator fit testing – approx $25 per year; annual re-fitting required.
Tuition fees
Please see the Part-time Studies Tuition & Fees page for information on part-time tuition fees.
Tuition is charged on a course-by-course basis. View the courses in the program matrix for individual course fees.
Books & supplies
All listed costs are estimates and subject to change.
Course books:
Core course books for the advanced certificate program: $449
Core course books for the degree program: $735
Please check the BCIT Bookstore for most current prices.
iPads:
The Critical Care Nursing courses are delivered on iPads and require that students have an iPad capable of downloading iOS 11 or newer.* Students that do not have an iPad can purchase one from the Apple Store or another computer retailer. The cost is approximately $550. You may be able to receive an educational discount by showing your BCIT ID.
Students must be registered in a course to access the course materials on iTunes U. Codes for the e-texts can be purchased from the BCIT Bookstore.
*In special circumstances, an iPad can be borrowed from the BCIT Library.
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Courses
Program matrix
Check current availability of courses for this program.
Required Courses: (34.0 credits) | Credits | ||
---|---|---|---|
NSCC 7150 | Dysrhythmia Interpretation and Management | 2.0 | |
and | |||
NSER 7110 | Emergency Nursing Theory 1 | 4.0 | |
NSER 7210 | Emergency Nursing Theory 2 | 4.0 | |
NSER 7300 | Emergency Nursing Clinical 1 | 5.0 | |
NSER 7410 | Emergency Nursing Theory 3 | 4.0 | |
NSER 7500 | Emergency Nursing Clinical 2 | 5.0 | |
and | |||
NSCC 7320 | Critical Care Nursing Theory 3 | 5.0 | |
NSCC 7420 | Critical Care Nursing Clinical 1 | 5.0 | |
Total Credits: | 34.0 |
Check current availability of courses for this program.
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
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Program Details
Program length
The length of the program varies, as it is offered in a variety of formats:
BCIT offers theory and some clinical courses by part-time, independent study. We deliver theory courses over a 12-week term using guided-learning modules and telephone tutor support. They often include teleconferences, which provide opportunities for students and tutors to discuss issues relevant to the course. If you work full-time, you would generally register for one theory course per term, although this can vary depending on your additional commitments.
Through independent study, learn in your own community and structure your learning schedule in a manner that is most convenient for you. Complete full-time clinical courses at clinical sites throughout BC, over 4 to 6 weeks. If you live outside BC, clinical placements may be negotiated.
Most Specialty Nursing programs arrange special offerings of courses as "Compressed time frame programs". Offered in full-time study formats, they enable you to take several courses over a specified period of time. If you are interested in this option of study, contact the program assistant for more information and program start dates.
Nurses with three or more years of experience can apply for PLAR, Prior Learning Assessment recognition credits towards their Advanced Specialty Certificate.
Program length for either the Advanced Certificate or the Bachelor of Science in Nursing can range from 2 to 7 years depending on your individual pace. Preparedness for employment can take from 10 weeks to 1 year.
Additional program options
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Graduating & Jobs
Our grads are ready
At BCIT, we listen to what you need to do your job well. This combined program ensures you can provide the best patient care possible in the emergency department, while also supporting critically ill patients needing intensive care.
Career opportunities
Registered nurses with the combined emergency and critical care specialty work in emergency departments with some shifts in the ICU. Salaries start at approximately $32 per hour. Grads can write the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) emergency nursing certification exam.
Keep learning
Looking to get your BSN? Use your advanced certificate toward completing our Specialty Bachelors of Nursing program.
Beginning in 2018, BCIT Specialty Nursing Advanced Certificate Graduates can apply to receive transfer credits towards the online, two-year UVIC Master of Nursing program. Applicants can chose from the Advanced Practice Leadership of Nurse Educator options.
Health Match BC
Health Match BC is a new service that helps recent specialty nursing graduates find work within BC. Funded by the provincial government, Health Match BC prioritizes the hiring of BC nursing graduates. For more information, download the Health Match BC [PDF].
Graduate employment outcomes
The BCIT student outcomes report presents summary findings from the annual survey of former students administered by BC Stats one to two years after graduation. These reports combine the last three years of available results for the 2018-2020 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2017-2019 graduates and for Degree 2015-2017 graduates. The reports are organized into three-page summaries containing information on graduates’ labour market experiences and opinions regarding their education. More detailed information can be accessed at the BC Student Outcomes website.
To view these results, you may need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
Apply for graduation
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, complete an Application for BCIT Credential [PDF] and submit it to Student Information and Enrolment Services.
Allow approximately six to eight weeks for processing.
All financial obligations to the Institute must be met prior to issuance of any credential.
Professional associations
Canadian Nurses Association (CNA)
Graduates of the BCIT program are eligible to write the Specialty Nursing exam for Emergency Nursing through the CNA Certificate program. CNA views certification as a method of validating nurses' competence in an area of specialization within the field of nursing.
Emergency Nurses Association of BC (ENABC)
ENABC is the professional organization for emergency nursing in BC. ENABC's main goal is to provide standards for emergency nursing care, offer a forum in which emergency nurses can exchange ideas, promote the specialized education of emergency nurses, and support community relations. ENABC has an affiliation with the National Emergency Nurses Association (NENA).
National Emergency Nurses Association (NENA)
NENA represents emergency nurses across Canada. The association works closely with the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP) to improve quality of care in Canada's emergency settings. If you register with ENGBC you are a member of NENA.
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Faculty, Advisors & Staff
Carrie Meagher
Program Head
cmeagher2@bcit.ca
604-451-7045
Toll-free: 800-663-6542 x 7045
Maya Heskia
Program Assistant
maya_heskia@bcit.ca
604-451-7094
Toll-free: 800-663-6542 x 7094
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Contact Us
Maya Heskia
Program Assistant
maya_heskia@bcit.ca
604-451-7094
Toll-free: 800-663-6542 x 7094
Questions or comments?
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