BScN Program for Registered Nurses
(Post RN), On-Campus

The School of Nursing opened in 1967 and admitted students to a four-year program leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN). Registered nurse (Post RN) students were first admitted to the program in 1975. In January 1987, the Post RN program became available on a part-time basis through Distance Education. September 1999 saw the introduction of a revised curriculum that reflects the many changes in the practice setting and in health-care education. Post RN students may also study on a full-time basis on campus, taking four semesters to complete their degree. The courses are described in the following Program of Study.

Program of Study

Admission Requirement

Registered nurses are required to submit their current Certificate of Registration from the College of Nurses of Ontario or be eligible for registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario.

Prior Learning Assessment Policy

A goal of Laurentian University's School of Nursing, English Program, is to facilitate access to BScN education and to promote a life-long learning process. To this end, the School employs Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), an evaluative method for assessing a student's prior learning and ongoing professional development. The School invites students to participate in PLA at admission to the BScN program or prior to completing 15 credits. Prior learning is evaluated against established BScN course outcomes so that credit(s) can be awarded for equivalency. The percentage of credit granted toward the BScN degree is a function of the program applied to and the student's portfolio. In accordance with university policy, a student must complete a minimum of 30 credits in order to obtain a degree from Laurentian.

The PLA process necessitates the student to prepare and submit a portfolio. A portfolio is a comprehensive dossier encompassing a student's achievements, reflections, and critical thinking in view of previously acquired knowledge and skills. It can include challenge exams, courses taken, work experience, volunteer work, and other life experiences. The School of Nursing has specific guidelines for the portfolio content.

Course Descriptions

NURS 3005 E - Health III: Primary Health Care and Health Promotion   [ program of study ]

This course is grounded in a primary health care framework. Basic concepts, principles and theoretical frameworks informing community health nursing in the context of prevention, health protection and health promotion are explored. Health will be examined from the population health promotion perspective. Through class discussion, small group activities and course assignments, students will develop their understanding of community as client and partner and develop their repertoire of strategies for prevention, health promotion, and health protection in the community setting. Prerequisite (for generic students): NURS 2144. Corequisites: NURS 3074 and NURS 3094. (lec 3) cr 6

NURS 3056 E - Professional Growth III: Teaching/Learning in Professional Nursing Practice   [ program of study ]

In this course learners will examine assumptions underlying a variety of teaching and learning perspectives and methodologies. Through reflection, learners will explore personal beliefs and values in relation to these assumptions. Through praxis and building on concepts in Professional Growth I and II, learners will experience teaching/learning opportunities with a focus on health protection. PREREQ: NURS 2057. (lec 3) cr 3

NURS 3074 E - Concepts of Health in Nursing Practice   [ program of study ]

The Concepts of Health in Nursing Practice course is designed to provide the Registered Nurse with an understanding of Health and Health Promotion within the Caring-Health curriculum, as well as to provide opportunities to enhance their practice by building on existing knowledge and critically reflecting on these and related concepts. The clinical practice component is community based and approached from Health Protection and Promotion perspectives. Prerequisite: Registered Nurse entering the on campus Post RN Program. (lec 3; total clinical hours = 130) cr 4

NURS 3406 E - Nursing Inquiry   [ program of study ]

In this course, various modes of nursing inquiry will be addressed. Some of these include the scientific, philosophical and historical modes. Relationships between practice, theory and research will be explored. Past and present contributions to nursing knowledge will be discussed. COREQ (for generic students): NURS 3056 & NURS 3084. (lec 3) cr 3

BIOL 2111 E - Principles of Microbiology   [ program of study ]

This course is an introduction to microbiology and is offered to students in the nursing science program. The topics covered include morphology and structure, classification, microbiology techniques, microbial nutrition, growth, environmental effects on microbes, mutation and genetic recombination, sterilization and disinfection, and antimicrobial chemotherapeutic agents. (lec 3, lab 3) cr 3

NURS 3066 E - Professional Growth IV: Empowerment   [ program of study ]

This course will focus on empowerment/enabling. Utilizing concepts from Professional Growth I, II, and III, learners will explore ways of empowering self, clients, families and communities. PREREQ: NURS 2057 or NURS 2916 (NURS 3056 for generic students). (lec 3) cr 3

NURS 3094 E - Nursing Practice V   [ program of study ]

This nursing practice course focuses on the nature of community health nursing practice from the
perspective of health promotion and health protection. A case study approach, group work, class
discussions, online discourse and presentations support learner understanding and transfer of
knowledge to the practice setting. The practice settings learning experiences take place in are
hospital and community settings with an emphasis on the nurse as a leader and a proficient provider
of client care. Prerequisite: NURS 3074. (lec 3, exp) cr 4

NURS 3416 E - Nursing Research I   [ program of study ]

In this theory-based course, learners will discover ways to transform personal inquisitiveness into a process of posing, exploring, and answering researchable questions. Using both quantitative and qualitative analysis, learners will experience ways to critically examine the research process. (lec 3) cr 3

CHMI 2220 E - Clinical Chemistry   [ program of study ]

This is a course designed students in the nursing science program. It provides an understanding of the relationship between disease, the underlying biochemical causes, and the methodology for diagnosis. Prerequisite: OAC Chemistry, CHMI 1031, 1041, 1202, or equivalent. (lec 3, lab/tut 3) cr 6

NURS 4056 E - Professional Growth V: Nurses Influencing Change   [ program of study ]

This course will explore the ways nurses can influence clients, the nursing profession, the health-care system, and society generally in order to facilitate the creation of a healthy environment. Emphasis will be on strategies for enhancing nursing influence. PREREQ: NURS 3056, NURS 3066 & NURS 3406. (lec 3) cr 3

NURS 4084 E - Nursing Practice VI   [ program of study ]

This nursing practice experience focuses on the actualization of the nurse as a professional. By critically reflecting on clinical experiences, learners will experience the significance of their role as generators and disseminators of nursing knowledge in shaping and responding to the challenges of health care in our society. PREREQ: NURS 3094, plus NURS 4056 & NURS 4206 (may be taken concurrently). Total of 200 clinical hrs. (lec 3, exp) cr 4

NURS 4206 E - Self and Others IV: Group Process   [ program of study ]

This course focuses on the theories and concepts of group process from a multidisciplinary perspective. Learners will have the opportunity to experience and critically reflect on group process. The examination of self in relation to group process will be an essential component of this course. (lec 3) cr 3

NURS 4416 E - Nursing Research II   [ program of study ]

Building on skills acquired in Nursing Inquiry, Professional Growth I - V, and Nursing Research I, the emphasis of this course will be to enhance nurses' ability to work as scholars. Through praxis, learners will experience ways to critically examine relevant nursing knowledge and will explore ways to generate new nursing knowledge. PREREQ: NURS 3066, NURS 3406 & NURS 3416. (lec 3) cr 3

Further Information

Address general inquiries to:

Louise Perreault
Academic Supervisor
School of Nursing
Laurentian University
Ramsey Lake Road
Sudbury, Ontario
P3E 2C6

Telephone: (705) 675-1151, ext. 3802
Fax: (705) 675-4861
lperreault@laurentian.ca

All inquiries relating to admission requirements or procedures:

The Office of Admissions
Laurentian University
Ramsey Lake Road
Sudbury, Ontario
P3E 2C6

Telephone: (705) 675-1151, ext. 3916

All inquiries relating to registration:

The Office of the Registrar
Laurentian University
Ramsey Lake Road
Sudbury, Ontario
P3E 2C6

Telephone: (705) 673-6565
Fax: (705) 675-4891