About the program
The number of Canadians at risk for or living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is on the rise, due in part to the aging of the population and the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension. This fully online program prepares nurses to deliver kidney care to affected patients across all stages of the kidney care journey, from early detection through dialysis, palliative care and transplant. It provides nurses with the knowledge they require to promote and deliver competent, safe and ethical care to those at risk for developing or affected by real disease and/or insufficiency.
A person-centered paradigm of care underpins the students' approach to advance health promotion, disease prevention and management throughout the lifespan and across the continuum of care. Grounded in an evidence-based approach to care, emphasis is placed on developing clinical excellence in the provision of specialized nephrology nursing. Interventions that support patient empowerment and strengths-based approaches and strategies to improve self-management are explored.
Students learn how an optimized inter-professional collaborative practice model can best support an individualized and comprehensive approach to care. Curriculum has been designed and developed in accordance with the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) nephrology nursing competencies and standards of practice established by the Canadian Association of Nephrology Nurses and Technologists (CANNT).
A person-centered paradigm of care underpins the students' approach to advance health promotion, disease prevention and management throughout the lifespan and across the continuum of care. Grounded in an evidence-based approach to care, emphasis is placed on developing clinical excellence in the provision of specialized nephrology nursing. Interventions that support patient empowerment and strengths-based approaches and strategies to improve self-management are explored.
Students learn how an optimized inter-professional collaborative practice model can best support an individualized and comprehensive approach to care. Curriculum has been designed and developed in accordance with the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) nephrology nursing competencies and standards of practice established by the Canadian Association of Nephrology Nurses and Technologists (CANNT).
Program information
All courses must be completed within 5 years of acceptance into the program.
Admission requirements
- Current College of Nurses Certificate of Registration as a Registered Nurse or Registered Practical Nurse
- Applicants possessing degrees/diplomas from institutions where the language of instruction was not English will be required to provide test scores as evidence of their English language proficiency.
Note re: admission requirements
- Applicants possessing degrees/diplomas from institutions where the language of instruction was not English will be required to provide test scores as evidence of their English language proficiency. Test scores, if required, would be a minimum of TOEFL iBT 88; IELTS 6.5 with no bands less than 6.0; CAEL 70 with no sub-test band scores less than 60; PTE Academic 58; Conestoga English Language Test (CELT) Band 6; or equivalent scores in other recognized standard tests of English.
- We offer a language program for students whose English language skills are below the standard required for admission but all other admission criteria have been met. An applicant will be eligible for admission to the graduate certificate program after completion of level 4 of the General Arts and Science - English Language Studies (ELS) program with an overall grade average of 80% and no grade less than 75%. Placement in the ELS program is determined by scores on an in-house English language test or TOEFL or IELTS.
Admission procedures
- Submit a completed Conestoga College Program Application Form.
- Attach proof of Admission Requirements.
- Final selection is made following an assessment of the admission requirements.
Graduate opportunities
Graduates of this program encompass in-depth knowledge and critical inquiry skills needed for the preparation to take the Canadian Nursing Association Nursing certificate and/or to begin practicing a career in this specialty area. The advanced knowledge, skills, and judgements acquired through this certificate will allow you to provide holistic care to clients with renal disease.
For more details on related occupations, job market information and career opportunities, see the Government of Canada website: https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/home
For more details on related occupations, job market information and career opportunities, see the Government of Canada website: https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/home
Program outcomes
- Differentiate between normal and abnormal anatomy and function of the kidney and renal system and related pathophysiology to determine physiological needs and care priorities.
- Discuss the diagnosis, etiology, therapeutic management and care of individuals living with and families affected by kidney disease in relation to acute renal failure, peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis, end-stage renal disease, transplantation and palliative/end-of-life care to prioritize patient-centred priorities across the trajectory of chronic kidney disease.
- Discuss considerations and implications related to nursing care for specific populations at-risk for developing or affected by kidney disease (i.e. older adults, children, individuals living with diabetes and/or hypertension, etc.) to appropriately tailor an individualized plan of care.
- Examine current and emerging trends in relation to the diagnosis and care of individuals at risk for or living with kidney disease, including movement towards person-centred care in community-based settings and the functional integration of services in order to best achieve desired outcomes at the patent and system levels.
- Apply a comprehensive approach to assessment and an individualized approach to care planning as guided by the nursing process to best meet the unique needs of persons at-risk for developing or affected by kidney disease.
- Design care plans and practices to support individuals at risk for or living with kidney disease to maintain health and wellness and engage in supported self-management.
- Discuss adaptation and coping strategies that could assist individuals living with kidney disease to develop self-management capabilities that enable them to adopt personal heath practices and access system services and supports.
- Recommend evidence-based methods and tools to support the implementation of effective nephrology nursing care within the context of inter-professional collaborative delivery models.
- Examine the effectiveness of care for individuals living with kidney disease according to the appropriate nursing-sensitive outcomes and patient-/community-/population-level outcomes.
- Examine legal issues, ethical implications and patient advocacy strategies for nurses related to the care of individuals living with and families affected by kidney disease in the context of professional practice standards.
Program related resources
Program contact
- OntarioLearn Team Member
- OntarioLearn@conestogac.on.ca
Continuing Education
Upcoming registrations
Mark your calendar with our registration dates, so you can plan your future.
Fall registration: Opened July 22, 2024
Winter registration: Opens November 4, 2024
Winter registration: Opens November 4, 2024
Disclaimer
The College reserves the right to alter information including requirements and fees and to cancel at any time a program, course, or program major or option; to change the location and/or term in which a program or course is offered; to change the program curriculum as necessary to meet current competencies in the job market or for budgetary reasons; or to withdraw an offer of admission both prior to and after its acceptance by an applicant or student because of insufficient applications or registrations, over-acceptance of offers of admission, budgetary constraints, or for other such reasons. In the event the College exercises such a right, the College’s sole liability will be the return of monies paid by the applicant or student to the College.
Students actively registered in cohort delivered programs who take longer than the designed program length of time to complete their studies are accountable for completing any new or additional courses that may result due to changes in the program of study. Unless otherwise stated, students registered in non-cohort delivered programs must complete the program of study within seven years of being admitted to the program.