Nephrology Nursing

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).

All courses must be completed within 5 years of acceptance into the program.

• 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; 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.

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.

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