Program Curriculum

Program Curriculum

The Langara Post-Degree Diploma in Nursing Practice in Canada is designed to effectively prepare Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) for eligibility and application for nurse licensure and nursing practice positions. The program content includes critical thinking, clinical judgment and decision making, verbal and written communication, and cultural safety as applied within the health care setting.

The program includes active learning and a variety of evaluation methodologies with an emphasis on entry-to-practice competencies and standards of practice. Students will have opportunities within the classroom, nursing laboratory and clinical practice setting to apply nursing knowledge, build their clinical competency and enhance their psychomotor skills.

Post-Degree Diploma in Nursing Practice in Canada

CURRICULUM

Total Credits: 50

Term One

Courses Credits
All of
NURS 5110 The Nursing Profession and Health Care
3

Lecture Hours: 3.0 | Seminar: 1.0 | Lab: 0.0

This course examines the healthcare context and nursing in Canada. Nursing competencies, standards and scope of practice are included. There is an emphasis on critical thinking, effective communication, decision-making and accountability in the health care management setting. The social determinants of health and health care in Canada are included.Registration in this course is restricted to students admitted to the Post-Degree Diploma in Nursing Practice in Canada.

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NURS 5115 Clinical Skills Lab I
3

Lecture Hours: 0.0 | Seminar: 0.0 | Lab: 4.0

This course will build on the nurses' existing nursing practice knowledge and clinical competency by providing clinical skills review and opportunities for practice appraisal in a safe learning environment in preparation for clinical practice. Assessment, body mechanics, use of equipment and infection control are included. Communication, collaboration, critical thinking and relevant documentation in the clinical setting are emphasized. Registration in this course is restricted to students admitted to the Post-Degree Diploma in Nursing Practice in Canada.Corequisite(s): NURS 5110, 5120, 5130, and 5135.

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NURS 5120 Culture and Health
3

Lecture Hours: 3.0 | Seminar: 1.0 | Lab: 0.0

This course involves a critical examination of the relationship between culture and health, which are explored as dynamic, socially constructed processes linked to historic econo-socio-political contexts. The impact of global migration, colonialism and racialization on Indigenous and immigrant health will also be addressed. Using a postcolonial theoretical framework, and cultural safety as a lens for critical reflection, participants actively engage with approaches to understanding how cultural diversity influences nurse-client relationships, access to health care, and health care systems around the world.Registration in this course is restricted to students admitted to the Post-Degree Certificate in Nursing Leadership and Management or the Post-Degree Diploma in Nursing Practice in Canada.Corequisite(s): NURS 5110, 5115, 5130, and 5135.

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NURS 5130 Professional Communication I
3

Lecture Hours: 3.0 | Seminar: 1.0 | Lab: 0.0

This course builds on the concepts introduced in Professional Communication I. The emphasis is on writing skills utilized within the health care management context including memos, e-mails, reports, resumes, and employment correspondence in nursing. Legalities of delegation and continuing competence are examined. Oral communication skills, such as preparing for an interview and leading meetings, are included.Registration in this course is restricted to students admitted to the Post-Degree Diploma in Nursing Practice in Canada.

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NURS 5135 Critical Thinking and Decision Making I
3

Lecture Hours: 4.0 | Seminar: 0.0 | Lab: 0.0

This course will build on the nurses' existing nursing practice knowledge and clinical competency through utilizing the Langara Decision Making Framework (DMF) to critically analyze client and contextual data and apply clinical decision making skills to case studies. Health conditions involving the respiratory, cardiovascular, immune and endocrine systems are included as well as fluid, electrolyte and acid-base imbalance disorders. Students will have opportunities to integrate and apply their knowledge of anatomy, pathophysiology, health assessment, pharmacology, diagnostic procedures, health teaching, nursing interventions and nursing care evaluation. Nursing exam type questions are included. Registration in this course is restricted to students admitted to the Post-Degree Diploma in Nursing Practice in Canada.

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15 Credits

Term Two

Courses Credits
All of
NURS 5100 Professional Communication II
3

Lecture Hours: 3.0 | Seminar: 1.0 | Lab: 0.0

This course prepares the nurse to communicate effectively within health care settings. Oral and written communication leadership and management communication skills and techniques are included. An introduction to leadership theories is provided with an emphasis on the evolving role of the global nurse leader.Registration in this course is restricted to students admitted to the Post-Degree Diploma in Nursing Practice in Canada.Prerequisite(s): A minimum "C+" grade in all of the following: NURS 5110, 5115, 5120, 5130, and 5135.Corequisite(s): NURS 5125, 5145, and 5185.

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NURS 5125 Clinical Skills Lab II
3

Lecture Hours: 0.0 | Seminar: 0.0 | Lab: 4.0

This course will further build on the nurses' existing nursing practice knowledge and clinical competency by providing clinical skills review and opportunities for practice appraisal in a safe learning environment in preparation for clinical practice. Oral, parenteral and IV medication administration are included as well as IV therapy, oxygen therapy, catheters and tube care. Communication, collaboration, critical thinking and relevant documentation in the clinical setting are emphasized. Registration in this course is restricted to students admitted to the Post-Degree Certificate in Nursing Leadership and Management or the Post-Degree Diploma in Nursing Practice in Canada.Prerequisite(s): A minimum "C+" grade in all of the following: NURS 5110, 5115, 5120, 5130, and 5135.Corequisite(s): NURS 5100, 5145, and 5185.

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NURS 5145 Critical Thinking and Decision Making II
3

Lecture Hours: 4.0 | Seminar: 0.0 | Lab: 0.0

This course will further build on the nurses' critical thinking (CT) and decision making (DM) skills introduced in Critical Thinking and Decision Making I. Students will utilize the Langara Decision Making Framework (DMF) to critically analyze client and contextual data and apply clinical decision making skills to case studies related to gastrointestinal, genito-urinary, neurological, musculoskeletal, integumentary and ontological disorders. Students will have opportunities to integrate and apply their knowledge of anatomy, pathophysiology, health assessment, pharmacology, diagnostic procedures, health teaching, nursing interventions and nursing care evaluation. Nursing exam type questions are included. Registration in this course is restricted to students admitted to the Post-Degree Diploma in Nursing Practice in Canada.Prerequisite(s): A minimum "C+" grade in all of the following: NURS 5110, 5115, 5120, 5130, and 5135.Corequisite(s): NURS 5100, 5125, and 5185.

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NURS 5185 Clinical Nursing Practice I
6

Lecture Hours: 0.0 | Seminar: 10.0 | Lab: 0.0

This nursing course provides opportunities for participants to consolidate their learning and explore the transition to professional nursing in Canada as an Internationally Educated Nurse (IEN). Learning opportunities include consolidation and integration of previous learning and further development of skills related to communication, collaboration, time management, organization, critical thinking, decision-making, and enculturation into the Canadian healthcare context. Students will use critical thinking strategies, problem-solving techniques and clinical decision-making to provide safe, competent care to individuals and their families through supervised clinical practice in a long-term care setting. Graded S/U.Registration in this course is restricted to students admitted to the Post-Degree Diploma in Nursing Practice in Canada.Prerequisite(s): A minimum "C+" grade in all of the following: NURS 5110, 5115, 5120, 5130, and 5135. A satisfactory Criminal Records Check is required before students can attend clinical practice. SPECO and vaccination requirements must be completed prior to clinical practice.Corequisite(s): NURS 5100, 5125, and 5145.

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15 Credits

Term Three

Courses Credits
All of
NURS 5265 Clinical Simulation
4

Lecture Hours: 2.0 | Seminar: 0.0 | Lab: 4.0

This course will further build on the nurses' ability to practise professional nursing by utilizing knowledge, skills, values, judgment, and the ability to apply these safely, competently, and ethically in the simulated practice setting. Students will utilize the Langara Decision Making Framework (DMF) to critically analyze client and contextual data and apply clinical decision making skills to complex simulated client scenarios. Communication, team collaboration, critical thinking, leadership and relevant documentation in the clinical setting are emphasized. Substantially Equivalent Competency (SEC) skills and nursing exam type questions are included. Registration in this course is restricted to students admitted to the Post-Degree Diploma in Nursing Practice in Canada.Prerequisite(s): A minimum "C+" grade in NURS 5100, 5125, and 5145; and an "S" grade in NURS 5185.Working as a health care aide or in a health-related field (such as, but not limited to: companion for the elderly; group home aide). Students will provide the assistant chair, international with documentation to confirm details of their employment. Deadline for this documentation is set as one week prior to the opening of online registration for Term Three.Corequisite(s): NURS 5275 and 5280.

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NURS 5275 Common Health Challenges in Canada
3

Lecture Hours: 4.0 | Seminar: 0.0 | Lab: 0.0

This course will further build on the nurses' ability to practise professional nursing by examining various acute and chronic health challenges in the Canadian population and the appropriate family centered nursing care for clients and their families, both in the acute and community care settings. Health prevention, health promotion, health teaching, and client resources are emphasized. Trends in health and health care, both local and national, are included. Nursing exam type questions are also included. Registration in this course is restricted to students admitted to the Post-Degree Diploma in Nursing Practice in Canada.Prerequisite(s): A minimum "C+" grade in NURS 5100, 5125, and 5145; and an "S" grade in NURS 5185.Corequisite(s): NURS 5265 and 5280.

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NURS 5280 Critical Thinking and Decision Making III
3

Lecture Hours: 4.0 | Seminar: 0.0 | Lab: 0.0

This course will further build on the nurses' critical thinking (CT) and decision making (DM) skills introduced in Critical Thinking and Decision Making I and II. Students will utilize the Langara Decision Making Framework (DMF) to critically analyze client and contextual data and apply clinical decision making skills to complex case studies. Students will have opportunities to integrate and apply their knowledge of anatomy, pathophysiology, health assessment, pharmacology, diagnostic procedures, health teaching, nursing interventions, and nursing care evaluation for client case scenarios with health conditions involving maternity, pediatric, psychiatric, palliative, and community nursing care. Nursing exam type questions are included. Registration in this course is restricted to students admitted to the Post-Degree Diploma in Nursing Practice in Canada.Prerequisite(s): A minimum "C+" grade in NURS 5100, 5125, and 5145; and an "S" grade in NURS 5185. Working as a health care aide or in a health-related field (such as, but not limited to: companion for the elderly; group home aide). Students will provide the assistant chair, international with documentation to confirm details of their employment. Deadline for this documentation is set as one week prior to the opening of online registration for Term Three.Corequiaite(s): NURS 5265 and 5275.

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10 Credits

Term Four

Courses Credits
NURS 5285 Clinical Nursing Practice II
10

Lecture Hours: 2.0 | Seminar: 24.0 | Lab: 0.0

Participants in this course have opportunities to consolidate their learning and explore the transition to professional nursing in the Canadian health care context. Learning opportunities include consolidating and integrating previous learning and further developing skills such as communication, collaboration, time management, organization, critical thinking, and decision making in a hospital setting. Graded S/U.Registration in this courses is restricted to students admitted to the Post-Degree Diploma in Nursing Practice in Canada.Prerequisite(s): A minimum "C+" grade in NURS 5265, 5275, and 5280.

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10 Credits

Program Option Notes:

Regular Studies courses numbered 4799 or lower may not be substituted into this program for graduation purposes.

Student Progression and Maintenance of Standing

In order to progress in the program, students must achieve a minimum "C+" or "S" grade in all courses.

To progress from Term One to Term Two, students must:

  1. Submit a completed Criminal Record Check (CRC) to the NPIC department assistant before the end of Term One. Students will not be permitted to progress from Term One to Term Two unless they have submitted a CRC.
  2. Seek a credential evaluation at one of the following agencies: the Canadian branch of World Education Service (WES); Comparative Education Service (CES); International Credential Assessment Service (ICAS); or International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES). Students must submit proof of payment for credential evaluation to the NPIC coordinator at least one week prior to NPIC registration for Term Two.