Graduate Studies
General Contact Information
Inquiries
Tel: 519-661-3395
Undergrad: nurse@uwo.ca
Grad: gradnurs@uwo.ca
Location
Room 3306, FIMS & Nursing Building
(see map)
Western University
London, Ontario N6A 5B9
Office Hours
Monday-Friday
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Primary Health Care Registered Nurse Certificate Program
The Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing at Western University is introducing a 12 week, fully online Primary Health Care Nursing Certificate for RNs who want to deepen their understanding of primary health care principles and the nursing role within interprofessional primary care teams. This course blends weekly asynchronous modules with optional live virtual drop in sessions, and uses case based learning to strengthen assessment, health promotion across the lifespan, chronic disease management, preventative care, and person centred approaches for individuals across the lifespan.
Delivered through Western Continuing Studies for province wide access, this program features:- Expert Nurse Practitioner instructors
- Open source resources
- A culminating certificate that supports professional development requirements through the College of Nurses of Ontario’s Quality Assurance Program
Upon successful completion of the program, full tuition will be reimbursed.
Completion of the Primary Health Care Registered Nurse Certificate Program opens the door to the University of Windsor’s RN Prescribing course, with full tuition reimbursement available upon successful completion of the program as well.
Admission is open to RNs in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario (temporary or permanent registration) as well as recent graduates of any Ontario BScN program.
Enrollment for this course is now open and will close on March 23, 2026.
The schedule for any additional course offerings will be available on the Nursing website as the dates are established.
- Strengthen foundational primary care knowledge
- Expand their understanding of population health across the lifespan
- Prepare for future roles, including RN prescribing
- Engage in flexible, accessible, lifelong learning
Primary health care is the foundation of every patient’s health—and this course empowers nurses to lead confidently in that space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this course designed for?
This course is open to Registered Nurses with temporary or permanent registration, as well as recent baccalaureate nursing program graduates who are eligible for registration.
It is designed for RNs from any practice setting, recognizing that primary health care principles form the foundation of high‑quality nursing care across acute care, community health, long‑term care, public health, and specialized clinical environments. Whether you're looking to broaden your scope, strengthen your clinical confidence, or advance your career, this course is ideal for nurses who value lifelong learning and are committed to ongoing professional growth
What is the focus of the course?
This focus of this course is to strengthen primary care nursing practice with a strong emphasis on primary health care across the lifespan. Learners develop enhanced skills in health promotion, disease prevention, comprehensive assessment, and chronic disease management which are key competencies that empower RNs to make a meaningful impact in today’s primary care teams. Whether you're looking to expand your role, enhance your confidence, prepare for future opportunities like RN prescribing, or nurse practitioner graduate studies, this course provides the foundation you need to thrive in your role.
What is the format of the course?
This is a 12-week, online, asynchronous course, allowing you to complete learning activities on your own schedule. While there are no mandatory live sessions, optional drop-in Zoom sessions are offered weekly to ask questions, connect with instructors, and engage with fellow learners.
Who teaches the course?
The course is taught by experienced Nurse Practitioners with more than 15 years of clinical experience who continue to practice in primary care. Instructors bring real-world, current perspectives that directly inform course content and discussions.
What time commitment do I need to make to complete the course?
Most of the people who enrol in this course are working nurses with busy schedules. To accommodate this, the course has two weekly modules delivered entirely online asynchronously. Each module is structured so students can pace their work across each week. Typically you should plan to spend about 4 hours per week on the course material with about an hour of time for preparation prior to starting the weekly learning activities.
What kind of assessments are included?
Assessments are designed to support learning and application and include:
- Online weekly knowledge-check quizzes
- Module-level certificates of completion
- A summative assessment at the end of the course
These assessments are structured to reinforce learning while remaining manageable for working nurses.
Are textbooks required?
Will I receive a certificate?
What is the cost of the course?
The tuition fee is $1,000, which is fully reimbursed by the Ontario government upon successful completion of the course.
How does the reimbursement work?
To be eligible for reimbursement you need to successfully complete the course. You will pay the tuition prior to starting the course and upon completion, you will receive a full refund for the tuition. If you choose to apply for the RN-Prescribing course you are also eligible for a tuition refund upon completion of the course.
Does this course support progression to the RN prescribing course?
How do I register?
Enrollment for this course is now open and will close on March 23, 2026.
