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Please note:

Fall 2024 registration information

  • Applications open: Monday, March 4
  • Application deadline: Tuesday, July 9
  • Acceptances/waitlist information sent: Tuesday, July 16
  • Accepted students must attend a mandatory information session on Thursday, August 8, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Kitchener-Doon campus. These students will receive further details by email the week of July 22.

Consolidated practicum

To successfully complete this program, you are expected to complete your clinical practicum by November 2025.

About the program

Perioperative nursing is a highly technical, ever expanding, fast paced field of nursing, where patient safety and advocacy are essential. If you are looking to expand your nursing career and work in a multidisciplinary, highly skilled surgical team, promoting safe, quality, patient care, then this program is for you! This is an Ontario College Graduate Certificate program, where you will gain theoretical knowledge, clinical skills, and an understanding of the role of the Registered Nurse in the Perioperative setting. Through online and in class teaching, discussion, skills labs and clinical placement, there is ongoing opportunity to apply the skills required to become a surgical team member. This program has longstanding collaborative relationships with hospitals in the region and beyond, offering excellent clinical experiences for students. Skills labs are held in hospital OR settings and on college campus, providing the best teaching environment for learning required technical skills. This program provides the foundation in Perioperative nursing, and with gained clinical experience and continued learning, prepares the Registered Nurse for writing the Canadian Nurses Association certification exam. Graduates of this program are well prepared to join the surgical team in the Perioperative setting. Admission to this program occurs every September. The program takes 10 months to complete.

Program information

All courses must be completed within 1 year of acceptance into the program.
Note: Admission to the program is required prior to registration for courses.

Admission requirements

  • Current College of Nurses of Ontario Certificate of Registration as a Registered Nurse.

  • A current resume and letter of intent.

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

* The program only begins in September. Applications are accepted beginning in March each year.

  • Submit a completed Conestoga College Program Application Form.
  • Upload the following supporting documents to your online application:

    • 1. A copy of your up-to-date resume including the following details:
    • * Formal Education - Diploma, Degree, Masters
    • * Current employment position including the location and the duration of employment
    • * Past work experience including the location and duration of employment
    • * Continuing Education specialty certifications/programs, courses, professional development opportunities, and/ or workshops you have attended
    • 2. Letter of Intent: Please describe your commitment to quality patient care and patient safety, and how this relates to the field of perioperative nursing.
    • * Requirements: Maximum 300 words, 12 point, double-spaced, Arial font.

  • Final selection is made following an assessment of the admission requirements.

Program requirements

  • Mandatory practicum health and safety document requirements must be completed by students prior to student field/clinical placements. Clinical placements are only available to students registered in the program and must be arranged by the Placement Office. Successful placement completion is required for students to progress to program completion. To qualify for field/clinical placement learning experiences, students must present the following:
    • A complete immunization record including MMR, Tdap, varicella, COVID-19, and hepatitis B. Seasonal flu vaccination is required during flu season (October - March).
    • TB Testing: Evidence of current 2-step or previous 2-step + current 1-step if more than one year has passed since 2-step testing.
    • Standard First Aid and CPR - BLS (Basic Life Support)
    • An annual Police Check for Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS). Police Checks must be clear of any unpardoned criminal offences. An unclear criminal record may result in the inability to participate in field placement/clinical which will jeopardize progress in the program. Acceptance for placement is at the discretion of the agency; some agencies may request students to provide a VSS completed within six months of placement start date. Students with criminal records are advised to meet with the program chair for academic counselling to determine program suitability.
  • Applicants are advised that a latex-free environment in the college or clinical setting is NOT guaranteed.
  • Travel within the program: Students are responsible for arranging their own travel to and from assigned learning settings external to the college and for covering any costs incurred. The location of these learning sites could be anywhere within a one hour's drive of the Kitchener - Doon campus.
  • Applicants should display integrity, reliability, maturity, self-direction, self-discipline, determination, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, poise and leadership attributes.

Graduate opportunities

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

  • Identify and meet the individual needs of the surgical patient throughout the perioperative experience based on the role of a Registered Nurse
  • Develop a specialized body of knowledge and skills including anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, anesthesia, aseptic technique, instrument care and handling and sterilization principles.
  • Communicate effectively to establish a professional working relationship within the multidisciplinary health care team
  • Establish a respectful, trusting, therapeutic relationship with the surgical patient and their family.
  • Use evidence based practice to integrate theory, principles and standards into competent perioperative nursing.
  • Prioritize and organize nursing care to respond to the changing needs of the perioperative patient based on assessment and evaluation of care.
  • Develop a professional, responsible and accountable practice that recognizes the legal and ethical framework for the provision of safe patient care in the perioperative setting.
  • Promote patient health and safety throughout the perioperative experience by advocating for a patient's right to be informed and to make autonomous decisions.

Program related resources

Program contact

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