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 - Pathophysiology for Nurse Practitioners and NURS-5316 - Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner Roles and Responsibilities, 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.

For more information, visit the COUPN PHCNP web site for prospective students.

Academic Regulations

• All NP courses must be completed successfully before enrolling in the NURS-5395 - Integrative Practicum.
• A minimum 70% is required to pass each NP nursing course.
• Registered nurses who are enrolled in the NP/BScN program must maintain an annual certificate of registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario.
• Students who fail an NP course will have only one opportunity to repeat the failed course successfully.
• Students who fail a repeated NP course or fail a second NP course will be withdrawn from the NP program.
• Successful completion of field experiences and practicums is necessary in order to pass NP courses.
• Unless otherwise specified for the NP courses and program, academic regulations specific to Nursing apply. 
• Unless otherwise specified for the NP courses and program, requirements for clinical learning experiences apply. 

Admission Requirements

• A minimum of two years full-time practice, as a Registered Nurse, within the past five years
• BScN from an Ontario baccalaureate nursing program or the equivalent with an overall average of 70% (GPA).
• Current certificate of registration as a registered nurse with the College of Nurses of Ontario.

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.

Applying

The application deadline for the 2013-2014 academic year is February 1, 2013.

All application for admission into the PHCNP program are to made online at: http://ouac.ca

Supporting Documentation

1.     Two clinical letters of recommendation (Clinical Reference Form (2012) [PDF]). Original documentation required.

2.     Declaration of employment hours of work (Verification Of Employment Hours [PDF]). Original documentation required.

3.     Personal Essay. (Personal Essay Instructions [PDF])

4.     Curriculum Vitae.

5.     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.

6.     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 the application deadline (see above).

Send the supporting documentation to the address below:

Lise Carrière
Administrative/Nurse Practitioner Clinical Support
School of Nursing
Laurentian University
935 Ramsey Lake Road
Sudbury ON P3E 2C6
Canada
Tel: 705-675-1151, Ext. 3780
Fax: 705-675-4861

Further Information

For information on the Laurentian University - Nurse Practitioner program contact:

Dr. Roberta Heale
Nurse Practitioner Program Coordinator
School of Nursing
Laurentian University
935 Ramsey Lake Road
Sudbury, Ontario
P3E 2C6
Office: L-923
Email: rheale@laurentian.ca
Tel: (705) 675-1151, Ext. 3971