Nurse Practitioner (NP) Program
The Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program is delivered by a consortium of nine universities under COUPN (Council of Ontario University Programs in Nursing). Two courses, NURS 5306 and NURS 5316, are delivered by COUPN, online. The other courses are delivered by Laurentian University, using a hybrid format of online and onsite seminars.
The NP program prepares registered nurses to practice as NPs in primary health care. NPs receive the advanced knowledge, skills and practice experiences needed to provide the public with services in all five components of comprehensive health services: health promotion, prevention of diseases, and injuries, cure, rehabilitation and support services. They are prepared to practice in a variety of areas such as community health centres, ambulatory care settings, public health agencies, outpost nursing centres and in offices with other health professionals. Their services differ from but complement those provided by family physicians and other primary health professionals.
The Nurse practitioner educational program has seven core courses. The curriculum is consistent with the College of Nurses of Ontario's (CNO) Standards of Practice for Nurse Practitioners, which are based on the conceptual framework and philosophical tenets of the Nurse Practitioner Association of Ontario (NPAO) Standards of Practice and espouses NPAO's holistic approach to primary health care. Students who successfully complete the program requirements become eligible to apply to write the Canadian Nurse Practitioner Exam which is a requirement by CNO for registration in the Extended Class NP-Primary Health Care.
The NP program has been funded by the Ministry of Health since September 1999, and is being offered by a consortium of nine Ontario University Schools of Nursing. The seven core NP courses offered by Laurentian University are delivered much as possible via distance education across Ontario. Students are able to study full time or part time, however must complete the program in a maximum of three years..
Overall NP Program Outcomes
The successful Nurse Practitioner is able to
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apply critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning skills using a theoretical framework to assess, diagnose and treat clients across the life span;
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use diverse and creative strategies to advocate for clients and assist individuals, families and communities to maintain or improve health and recover from illness;
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use therapeutic communication skills to elicit pertinent client data from, and provide information and counselling to, a broad client population;
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collect, synthesize and interpret biological, psychosocial, socioeconomic, spiritual, developmental and lifestyle data using a broad range of assessment techniques;
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communicate a comprehensive diagnosis and establish priorities for prescriptive and complementary therapies while respecting and supporting client decisions;
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practice autonomously within a collaborative, multi-disciplinary model to promote client health and foster client responsibility;
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recognize the influence of family structure and relationships on health outcomes;
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offer primary health care services utilizing the full scope of nurse practitioner practice, including extended controlled acts, within a primary health care setting;
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demonstrate knowledge and skill about the responsibilities of the role, including the collaborative nature of the role, and communicate an understanding of the ethical, political and legal issues surrounding the implementation of the role;
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use knowledge and skill in requesting consultations and referrals as required;
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apply knowledge of trans-cultural and aboriginal issues in the provision of primary health care;
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incorporate critically-appraised, research-based evidence in primary health care practice;
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foster an environment that promotes health, facilitates learning and motivates clients to actively participate in meeting their own health care needs;
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promote health and offer preventive nursing services to individuals, families and communities.
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Admission Requirements
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Current certificate of registration as a registered nurse with the College of Nurses of Ontario.
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BScN from an Ontario baccalaureate nursing program or the equivalent with an overall average of 70%.
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The equivalent of two years full-time nursing practice within the past five years.
Preference will be given to Ontario residents and to those candidates whose work experience in nursing has been continuous and who have practical experience in one or more of the following areas: primary health care, ambulatory care settings, public health agencies, community health centres, emergency care, long-term care, or outpost nursing.
This is a limited enrolment program. Possession of minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
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Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program of Study
Nurse Practitioner Certificate Courses:
- NURS 5306 - Pathophysiology for the Nurse Practitioner
- NURS 5316 - Nurse Practitioner Roles and Responsibilities
- NURS 5356 - Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnosis I
- NURS 5357 - Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnosis II
- NURS 5326 - Therapeutics in Primary Health Care I
- NURS 5327 - Therapeutics in Primary Health Care II
- NURS 5395 - Integrative Practicum
It is anticipated that full-time students can complete the five core NP courses in three semesters or a twelve month period. |
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Course Descriptions
NURS 5306 E - Pathophysiology for the Nurse Practitioner [ program of study ]
Seminar - 3 hours every other week
Examine theoretical and practice related concepts in pathophysiology as a basis for advanced nursing practice. Explore alterations in physiological function with an emphasis on age-related, acute, episodic, and chronic conditions found in primary health care practice.
This course runs from September to April, alternating weeks with NURS 5316.
NURS 5316 E - Nurse Practitioner Roles and Responsibilities [ program of study ]
Seminar - 3 hours every other week
Compare and contrast advanced practice nursing and related frameworks to develop, integrate, sustain, and evaluate the role of the nurse practitioner within primary health care. Critically analyze and develop strategies to implement advanced practice nursing competencies (research, leadership, collaboration, and health and social policy).
This course runs from September to April, alternating weeks with NURS 5306.
NURS 5356 E - Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnosis I [ program of study ]
Pre/Co-Requisite: NURS 5306
Seminar - 3 hours per week
Clinical - 6 hours per week (78 hours total)
Differentiate concepts and frameworks essential to advanced health assessment, clinical reasoning, and diagnosis in advanced nursing practice. Apply clinical, theoretical, and scientific knowledge in comprehensive and focused health assessment, including history taking, physical examination, diagnostic reasoning, and interpretation for the individual client's diagnostic plan of care.
In addition to weekly seminars and clinical requirements, this course also has mandatory on-site intensive seminars that are booked at the beginning of each term in collaboration with the Laurentian University course instructor.
NURS 5357 E - Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnosis II [ program of study ]
Pre/Co-Requisite: NURS 5306
Pre-Requisite: NURS 5356
Seminar - 3 hours per week
Clinical - 6 hours per week (78 hours total)
Integrate conceptual frameworks integral to advanced health assessment, clinical reasoning, and diagnosis in advanced nursing practice. Demonstrate substantive initiative, responsibility, and accountability in complex decision making for individual clients, groups, and/or communities within the nurse practitioner scope of practice.
In addition to weekly seminars and clinical requirements, this course also has mandatory on-site intensive seminars that are booked at the beginning of each term in collaboration with the Laurentian University course instructor.
NURS 5326 E - Therapeutics in Primary Health Care I [ program of study ]
Pre/Co-Requisite: NURS 5356
Seminar - 3 hours per week
Clinical - 6 hours per week (78 hours total)
Critically appraise and interpret concepts and frameworks integral to pharmacotherapy, advanced counseling, and complementary therapies for common conditions across the lifespan. Develop, initiate, manage, and evaluate therapeutic plans of care that incorporate client values and acceptability, goals of therapy, analysis of different approaches, pharmacotherapeutic principles.
NURS 5327 E - Therapeutics in Primary Health Care II [ program of study ]
Pre/Co-Requisite: NURS 5357
Pre-Requisite: NURS 5326
Seminar - 3 hours per week
Clinical - 6 hours per week (78 hours total)
Integrate conceptual frameworks and evidence underlying the study of pharmacotherapy, advanced counseling, and complementary therapies for complex client situations. Demonstrate substantive initiative, responsibility, and accountability in complex decision making.
NURS 5395 E - Integrative Practicum [ program of study ]
Pre-Requisites: NURS 5306, NURS 5316, NURS 5326, NURS 5327, NURS 5356, NURS 5357
Seminar - 3 hours per week
Clinical - 7 hours per day for 13 weeks
Synthesize the competencies essential to advanced nursing practice to provide primary health care for clients across the life span. Demonstrate autonomy, decision-making, and critical analysis of organizational and system issues that influence scope of practice, professional accountability, and outcomes.
In addition to weekly seminars and clinical requirements, this course also has mandatory on-site intensive seminars that are booked at the beginning of each term in collaboration with the Laurentian University course instructor.
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Academic Regulations
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All NP courses must be completed successfully before enrolling in the NURS 5395 Integrative Practicum.
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A minimum 70% is required to pass each NP nursing course.
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Students who fail an NP course will have only one opportunity to repeat the failed course successfully.
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Students who fail a repeated NP course or fail a second NP course will be withdrawn from the NP program.
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Successful completion of field experiences and practicums is necessary in order to pass NP courses.
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Unless otherwise specified for the NP courses and program, academic regulations specific to Nursing apply. (See the University Calendar.)
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Unless otherwise specified for the NP courses and program, requirements for clinical learning experiences apply. (See the University Calendar.)
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Other Regulations
Registered nurses who are enrolled in the NP/BScN program must maintain an annual certificate of registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario.
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Applying
Applications for the NP program are done online through OUAC. Please see http://www.ouac.on.ca/.
NP applicants are required to submit one official transcript of academic work, including RN diploma and any additonal course work, which is to be sent directly to Admissions at Laurentian University.
NP applicants are also required to submit the following supplemental documentation, which is to be sent directly to Lise Carrière (lncarriere@laurentian.ca), Administrative / Nurse Practitioner Clinical Support, School of Nursing, Laurentian University.
Lise Carrière
School of Nursing
Laurentian University
Ramsey Lake Road
Sudbury, Ontario
P3E 2C6
Telephone: (705) 675-1151, Ext. 3780
Fax: (705) 675-4861
- Two clinical letters of recommendation (Clinical Reference Form (2012) [PDF]). Original documentation required.
- Declaration of employment hours of work (Verification Of Employment Hours [PDF]). Original documentation required.
- Personal Essay. (Personal Essay Instructions [PDF])
- Curriculum Vitae.
- If you do not have a 2009 College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) Certificate of Registration, submit your current provincial annual Certificate of Registration. Your offer of admission to the Program will be conditional upon proof of obtaining a CNO Certificate of Registration.
- Evidence of competency in English (i.e., TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB), if applicable.
Application and supporting documentation must be submitted to Laurentian University, no later than February 1st, for fall admission. Please note: This years deadline for applications is March 1, 2012.
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Further Information
For information on the Laurentian University - Nurse Practitioner program contact:
Robyn Gorham, R.N. (EC), B.Sc., P.H.C.N.P. (Laurentian), M.N. (Athabasca)
Nurse Practitioner Laurentian Site Program Coordinator
School of Nursing
Laurentian University
935 Ramsey Lake Road
Sudbury, Ontario
P3E 2C6
Office: L-522
Email: rgorham@laurentian.ca
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MScN Option
Laurentian University continues to offer the NP program as a stand alone program which can be completed in one year of full time studies. Upon completion of the NP core courses, students are eligible to apply to the MScN program offered at Laurentian University. For more information about the MScN offered at Laurentian University please contact Roberta Heale (rheale@laurentian.ca) or Sylvie Larocque (slarocque@laurentian.ca).
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