Registered Practical Nurse - Perioperative Nursing

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.

All courses must be completed within 1 year 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 with no individual skill less than 22; IELTS 6.5 with no bands less than 6.0; CAEL 70 with no sub-test band scores less than 60; PTE Academic 58; CELAP (Conestoga English Language Assessment and Placement) 82 or higher; Cambridge Exams 180 (no individual score less than 170); 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.

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

• Apply at Ontario Colleges - www.ontariocolleges.ca
• Final selection is made following an assessment of the admission requirements
• 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.
  
  

Mandatory work-integrated learning (WIL) document requirements must be completed by students prior to field/clinical WIL experiences. To qualify for field/clinical WIL experiences, students are required to present the following in accordance with the pre-admission information and deadline provided by the College:

• A complete immunization record including MMR, Tdap, varicella, and hepatitis B.
• 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 level (must be completed in Canada)
• Police record check - Vulnerable sector check (VSC) must be completed in Canada and be clear of any unpardoned criminal offences. An unclear criminal record may result in the inability to participate at the discretion of the clinical agency. Students with criminal records are advised to meet with the program chair to determine program suitability.
• Seasonal flu vaccination (October-May) and COVID-19 vaccine may be required at the direction of the placement organization. Placement organizations have the right to decline students for placement who do not have immunizations as required by their organizations. Successful completion of clinical placements is required for graduation. Students who do not obtain all of the vaccines are at risk of not being able to complete their clinical placement course requirements.
• Respiratory Fit Testing: The inability to obtain a respiratory fit test may result in the inability to participate in clinical experience and jeopardize success in the program. Students are responsible for any costs related to respirator fit testing including alternatives to mask fit testing.
• 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.
• Access to a car may be required. Placements are assigned based on the campus location where the student is enrolled. Every effort is made to provide placements within a one-hour car commute from that campus.
• Students are responsible to purchase lab kits and/or uniforms through the college campus store to participate in lab and clinical experiences.
• In preparation to pursuing a nursing career, we encourage all prospective nursing students to carefully consider the requisite skills and abilities for nursing practice in Ontario as outlined by the College of Nurses of Ontario.

For more details on related occupations, job market information and career opportunities, see the Government of Canada website: https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/home