Study Health Sciences Neonatal Nursing Specialty

Neonatal Nursing Specialty

Advanced Certificate Part-time/Distance & Online Learning School of Health Sciences

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Overview

We equip nurses to care for infants who are in the first month of their lives and need hospitalization in neonatal nurseries and neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Our program trains you in the technical and emotional skills to effectively support infants and their families during this challenging time.

Program delivery mode: blended

About the program

The only neonatal certification program in Canada, BCIT’s Neonatal specialty nursing program is known in the industry for delivering quality training. Our comprehensive programming ensures you are fully ready for a career in neonatal nursing.

Part-time, advanced certificate program that takes an average of two years to complete
Distance and online learning gives flexibility to meet your work and life needs
Two full-time clinical experiences and two part-time clinical experiences taken concurrently with theory courses

Our program gives you training in every aspect of neonatal nursing. Visit Program Details for more information.

Who it’s for

This program is for individuals who:

Are practicing registered nurses (RNs) wanting an advanced neonatal nursing certification, or to complete their specialty Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in neonatal nursing
Are undergraduate nursing students currently completing an accredited BSN program
Have six or more months of relevant work experience in an acute care setting
Can apply sensitivity and compassion in a high-stress work environment
Enjoy working directly with infants and their families

See Entrance Requirements to learn more about entry requirements and details on applying.

Your work experience matters

At BCIT, we value your work experience. If you’ve been working as a neonatal nurse, take advantage of our Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR) process and fast track your advanced certification education.

What grads can do

Our grads are ready to start their careers as soon as they graduate. See Graduating and Jobs to learn about careers in neonatal nursing.

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
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.

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

Please check the BCIT Bookstore for most current prices.

Courses

The core, required courses in the program address content and skills that are basic to Neonatal Nursing regardless of the setting. The elective credits and courses enable you to pursue relevant areas of interest, based on your educational and career goals.

The first course in the program, NSNE 7100 (Neonatal Theory 1), focuses on infants and families as clients. It explores partnership with infants and families; and introduces developmentally supportive care and family care as frameworks for neonatal nursing practice. The course begins by looking at healthy newborns and ends with a group of modules that introduce the concept of vulnerability. It explores three sources of vulnerability: fetal growth and development/gestational age, transition to extrauterine life, and the environment.

The second course, NSNE 7200 (Neonatal Theory 2), further explores neonatal vulnerability by examining the pathophysiology underlying common neonatal health challenges. Specifically, it examines asphyxia, dehydration, jaundice, apnea, bradycardia, patent ductus arteriosus, opiate dependency, hypothermia, and respiratory distress. Throughout the course, issues are examined in development, family, feeding and assessment.

The third required course in the program, NSNE 7300 (Neonatal Clinical 1), focuses on the knowledge and skills required to begin practicing Neonatal Nursing. The course is organized around seven key areas of Neonatal Nursing practice. They are: assessment, nutritional support, thermal management, medication administration, infection control, respiratory support and developmentally supportive care. The emphasis in this course is synthesis of knowledge, skills and attitudes that enable nurses to provide competent care to vulnerable infants.

The fourth course in the program, NSNE 7900 (Clinical Preceptorship in Neonatal Nursing), provides 75 hours of clinical practice and is used to provide novice neonatal nurses with additional time to focus on the basics, or may be used to provide clinical practice in an area not address in the required clinical courses.

The fifth course in the program, NSNE 7911 (Neonatal Respiratory Care), is a combination theory and clinical course. It delivers twelve weeks of guided independent study, a one-day workshop, and 40 hours of clinical practice. A case-study format is used to address high-risk respiratory health challenges of infants. Concepts or respiratory distress syndrome and bronchopulmonary dysplasia will be examined throughout the course. Non-invasive and invasive ventilation modalities will be explored using a developmentally supportive and family-centered care approach.

The final course that is required prior to taking any Neonatal clinical course is NSPN 7450 (Neonatal Resuscitation [NRP]). This course prepares health care professionals to provide skilled neonatal resuscitation during the first moments of an infant’s life.

Together, the first five courses in the program prepare you to begin working with stable, non-invasive and invasive ventilated, vulnerable infants.

The remaining credits and courses in the program are electives. Choose electives from NSNE 7920 (Neonatal Acute Care), NSNE 7940 (Advanced Concepts in Neonatal Nursing). NSPN 7150 (The Breastfeeding Experience), or Acute Care Of at Risk Newborns (ACORN). Electives can be chosen from other related BCIT Specialty Nursing Programs, such as Perinatal Nursing and Pediatric Nursing.

Program matrix

Check current availability of courses for this program.

Required Courses: (18.0 credits)			Credits
	NSNE 7100	Neonatal Theory 1 Healthy Childbearing Experiences and the Newborn is the combined introductory theory course of the Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing Specialty Programs. This course explores a number of concepts that are foundational to the practice of perinatal and neonatal nursing and healthy childbearing experiences. Within the context of building partnerships, learners are exposed to holistic caring for childbearing women, their fetuses and newborns, and their families. course outline	3.0
	NSNE 7200	Neonatal Theory 2 This course builds on the concepts presented in NSNE 7100. Specifically, the relationship among infant vulnerability, pathophysiology, and assessment will be explored. A case study format will be used to address common health challenges that increase infant vulnerability in preterm, late preterm, term and post-term infants. Concepts of family-centered care, infant transition, hypoxia, and multi-system organ effects will be examined throughout the course. Prerequisite(s): NSNE 7100 course outline	3.0
	NSNE 7300	Neonatal Clinical 1* This clinical course introduces learners to the care of infants experiencing common health challenges. This three-week clinical course takes place in a NICU and focuses on the following key areas of practice: Comprehensive Assessment, Clinical Judgement and Decision-Making, Integration of Theory to Practice, Reflective Practice, Collaboration, Professionalism, and Communication. Prerequisite(s): NSNE 7100 and NSNE 7200 and NSPN 7450 and RN practicing licensure in a provincial/territorial college of Registered Nurses. course outline	4.0
	NSNE 7900	Clinical Preceptorship in Neonatal Nursing This two-week clinical course provides the opportunity to engage in clinical learning that is tailored to the student’s individual needs. Using a preceptorship model in an NICU, students will have an opportunity to build upon prior clinical experiences of caring for infants with common health challenges. The following key areas of practice will be used to guide clinical learning: Comprehensive Assessment, Clinical Judgement and Decision- Making, Integration of Theory to Practice, Reflective Practice, Collaboration, Professionalism, and Communication . Prerequisite(s): NSNE 7100 and NSNE 7200 and and NSNE 7300 and NSPN 7450 and RN practicing licensure in a provincial/territorial college of Registered Nurses. course outline	3.0
	NSNE 7911	Neonatal Respiratory Care This course builds upon the concepts presented in NSNE 7100, 7200, 7300, and 7900. This combination theory and clinical course delivers twelve weeks of guided independent study, a one-day workshop, and 40 hours of clinical practice. A case-study format is used to address high-risk respiratory health challenges of infants. Concepts of respiratory distress syndrome and bronchopulmonary dysplasia will be examined throughout the course. Non-invasive and invasive ventilation modalities will be explored using a developmentally supportive and family-centered care approach. Prerequisite(s): NSNE 7100 and NSNE 7200 and NSNE 7300 and NSNE 7900 and NSPN 7450 and RN practicing licensure in a provincial/territorial college of Registered Nurses. course outline	4.0
	NSPN 7450	Neonatal Resuscitation The Newborn Resuscitation Program (NRP) is an eight hour interactive skills testing day that builds on the knowledge gained by reading the Neonatal Resuscitation text book. The text must be read in its entirety prior to attending the one-day workshop. Each participant must complete the online NRP exam prior to coming to the on-campus workshop. The exam can be accessed on the Canadian Pediatric Society website. Proof of successful completion of the online exam must be brought to the one day workshop. Participants will be turned away without proof of exam completion. The workshop includes practicing and testing the hands-on skills of newborn resuscitation. To ensure adequate time for course preparation and pre-readings, enrolment in the course will be closed three weeks prior to the course start date. Perinatal Specialty students must complete NSPN 7100 and 7200 prior to enrolling in NRP. NSPN 7450 is a prerequisite for NSPN 7300, Perinatal Clinical 1 and NSPN 7500, Perinatal Clinical 2. course outline	1.0
*Contact Program Head for more information.

Complete an additional 6.0 credits of electives from the following:			Credits
	NSNE 7920	Neonatal Acute Care This course builds on the concepts presented in NSNE 7100, 7200, 7300, 7900 and 7911. This combination theory and clinical course delivers twelve weeks of guided independent study, a workshop, and 40 hours of clinical practice. A case-study format will be used to address the care of infants experiencing life-threatening health challenges, including aspiration, persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, sepsis, multiorgan dysfunction, abdominal wall defects, hydrops, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, and extremely low birth weight. Treatment modalities such as venous and arterial access, various modes of invasive respiratory support, pharmacological support, and blood products are examined using a developmentally supportive and family-centered care approach. Prerequisite(s): NSNE 7100 and NSNE 7200 and NSNE 7300 and NSNE 7900 and NSNE 7911 and NSPN 7450 and RN practicing licensure in a provincial/territorial college of Registered Nurses. *Note: NSNE 7911 or equivalent education and/or experience. Contact Program Head for approval. course outline	4.0
	NSNE 7940	Advanced Concepts in Neonatal Nursing This course builds upon the concepts presented in NSNE 7100, 7200, 7300, 7900, and 7911. This course is offered over twelve weeks of guided independent study. A case-study format will be used to address the care of infants experiencing life-threatening health challenges, including aspiration, persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, sepsis, multiorgan dysfunction, abdominal wall defects, hydrops, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and extremely low birth weight. Treatment modalities such as venous and arterial access, various modes of invasive respiratory support, pharmacological support, and blood products are examined using a developmentally supportive and family-centered care approach. Prerequisite(s): NSNE 7100 and NSNE 7200 and NSNE 7300 and NSNE 7900 and NSNE 7911* and RN practicing licensure in a provincial/territorial college of Registered Nurses. *Note: NSNE 7911 or equivalent education and/or experience. Contact Program Head for approval. course outline	3.0
	NSPN 7150	The Breastfeeding Experience The Breastfeeding Experience course explores foundational concepts for healthcare providers who support mothers, newborns and their families through the breastfeeding continuum. This is a theory-only course that will enable students to acquire the knowledge required by health care providers to support mother/infant dyads in a successful breastfeeding experience. This 3 credit course may be used for those seeking International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) certification or recertification: 1) For certification through pathways 1 and 3 ONLY; this course is equivalent to 45 education hours that may be used as part of the total 90 education hours required. 2) For recertification; this course has been recognized by IBCLC for 45 L-CERPs. course outline	3.0
Electives must be approved by the Program Head. Acute Care of at-Risk Newborns (ACORN) offered through Perinatal Services BC Selected electives from the Pedriatric Nursing Specialty Program Selected electives from the Perinatal Nursing Specialty Program

Total Credits:			24.0

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.

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 you 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 3 to 4 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 relevant experience and/or previous courses can request assessment for credit for prior learning.

Maximum program length for either the Advanced Certificate or the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is seven years. Preparedness for employment can take from 10 weeks to 1 year.

We offer a Compressed Time Frame (CTF) that consists of two required courses (NSNE 7200 and NSNE 7300) plus a clinical elective and course elective (NSNE 7900 and NSNE 7911) via a full-time, 11-week program in greater Vancouver. The first theory course (NSNE 7100) is a prerequisite for this program.

Continue your education

You are eligible to apply for an Advanced Certificate in Neonatal Nursing after completing 24 credits of approved courses. After receipt of an Advanced Certificate, you can choose to continue in the degree completion portion of the program, which requires completion of another 36 credits. Upon completion of all 60 credits of approved courses (including the Advanced Certificate courses), you are eligible to receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Specialty Nursing.

Graduating & Jobs

Our grads are ready

Neonatal nurses work hard to give the best possible care to a special group of patients. Our grads have everything they need to start their career off right or enhance their current neonatal nurse position. Trained neonatal nurses are in demand. BCIT grads are ready.

Career opportunities

Our grads can seek employment anywhere in the world. Neonatal RNs work primarily in hospitals, providing specialized care to infants with health problems due to illness or premature birth. Careers start at approximately $32 per hour. Opportunities are available in many areas, including:

Hospital nurseries
Hospital perinatal units
NICUs
Community health programs

Canadian Nurses Association

Graduates of the BCIT program are eligible to write the Specialty Nursing exam for Neonatal Nursing through the CNA Certification Program. CNA views certification as a method of validating nurses’ competence in an area of specialization within the field of nursing. BCIT Specialty Nursing graduates can receive a credit of up to 1,000 hours towards their initial certification examination.

Keep learning

Looking to get your BSN? Use your advanced certificate toward completing our Bachelor of Science, Specialty Nursing degree.

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.

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 2016-2018 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.

Neonatal Nursing Specialty

Professional associations

Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) has the mission of advancing the practice and profession of nursing to improve health outcomes and strengthen Canada’s publicly funded, not-for-profit health system. Toward this end, it promotes high standards of practice, education, research, and administration. The CNA is the national and global professional voice of Canadian nursing, representing registered nurses, nurse practitioners, licensed and registered practical nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, and retired nurses across all provinces and territories.

Faculty, Advisors & Staff

Annie Silveira, RN, BSN
Program Head
asilveira3@bcit.ca
604-451-6837
Toll-free: 800-663-6542 x 6837

Sandra McIvor
Program Assistant
Sandra_McIvor@bcit.ca
604-432-8982
Toll-free: 800-663-6542 x 8982

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