Curriculum & Program Timeline - RPN Stream
The Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing is committed to providing students with the best possible learning experience. The RPN Stream within the 19-month Compressed Time Frame (CTF) Program spans two academic years. Students take courses in the summer of the first year of the program, before completing two terms of courses in the second year.
Progression Requirements
All students in the BScN CTF Program (RPN Stream) must:
- Successfully complete all courses for each term before proceeding to the next term
- Meet the progression requirements and maintain clinical skills in all courses at a satisfactory level
- Submit documentation for all medical and non-medical pre-placement requirements
Program Curriculum - RPN Stream
Level 1: September to December
Students will begin to gain an understanding of the philosophical, theoretical and ethical foundations of the nursing profession and nursing practice. Concepts such as health promotion, relational practice, social determinants of health, social justice, and person-centered collaborative care are emphasized. First level students will spend four hours per week in clinical laboratory settings learning and applying introductory health assessment techniques necessary to begin the process of developing clinical judgment as a nurse.
Lecture-Based Courses
- Nursing 1120A (0.5 credit) – Community Models of Care
- Nursing 1201A (0.5 credit) – Foundations of Nursing Practice
- Nursing 2240F (0.5 credit) – Introduction to Health Informatics Within Nursing
- Nursing 3340A (0.5 credit) – Analyzing Data
- Nursing 3820A (0.5 credit) – Microbiology and Immunology for Nursing Students
- Nursing 2440A (0.5 credit) - Pathophysiology
Level 2: January to April
Students will build upon their knowledge from first level and gain deeper insights and experience with more diverse populations. Concepts related to mental health care as well as application of principles in simulation are experienced. Students spend additional time in the clinical laboratory learning more advanced techniques related to aseptic technique and medication administration. An introduction to health informatics in nursing is also explored.
Lecture-Based Courses
- Nursing 2600B (0.5 credit) – Mental Health Care
- Nursing 2630B (0.5 credit) – Nursing Care for Clients with Acute & Chronic Health Challenges I
- Nursing 3456B (0.5 credit) – Indigenous Health: The Influence of Policy and Practices
- Pharmacology 2060B (0.5 credit) – Introduction to Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Professional Practice Courses
- Nursing 2500S/T (0.25 credit) – Laboratory: Medication Administration
- Nursing 2660S/T (0.25 credit) – Simulation: Mental Health
Level 3: May to July
A deeper focus on acute and chronic healthcare considerations will be discussed by students in theory, the clinical laboratory and simulation environment, as well as the clinical settings in acute care medical and surgical. Research methodologies, and evidence-informed practice in nursing are also emphasized throughout this level.
Lecture-Based Courses
- Nursing 2250A (0.5 credit) – Understanding and Using Research
- Nursing 3630A (0.5 credit) – Nursing Care for Clients with Acute & Chronic Health Challenges II
- Elective (0.5 credit)
Professional Practice Courses
- Nursing 3800Q (0.25 credit) – Simulation: Clients with Health Challenges (Simulation-based course)
- Nursing 3900B (0.5 credit) – Clinical Application: Nursing Care of Clients with Health Challenges
- Preceptored placement, schedule varies depending on preceptor’s schedule (12-hour shifts, days, evenings, nights, weekends are possible)
- Placements are within the Southwest geographic area
- Students will apply knowledge gained throughout Levels 1 - 3 to understand the nature of illness, healthcare system, inter-professional collaboration and variety of nursing roles and responsibilities
Level 4: September to December
Students will begin to consolidate their knowledge in classes that explore ethical theories and the legal aspects of nurses’ role, nursing regulation and practice standards, social justice, leadership and advocacy. Students will examine the role of the nurse in shaping and influencing future directions in health and health care related to economics, technology innovation, power, and policy. Advanced clinical concepts are explored with a deeper understanding and application of clinical judgment in theoretical courses, as well as in professional practice placements.
Lecture-Based Courses
- Nursing 3310A (0.5 credit) – Health in a Global Context
- Nursing 4320A (0.5 credit) – Professional, Ethical and Legal Obligations: A Critical Appraisal
- Nursing 4401W (1.0 credit) – Integration of Advanced Concepts for Nursing Practice
- Nursing 4440A (0.5 credit) – Nurses as Leaders in System Transformation
Professional Practice
- Nursing 4410A (0.5 credit) – Clinical Application: Applying Advances Care Concepts
- Preceptored placement, schedule varies depending on preceptor’s schedule (12-hour shifts, days, evenings, nights, weekends are possible)
- Placements are within the Southwest geographic area
- Students to integrate and apply concepts learned through program at an advanced level
- Course has a mix of both Collaborative and Compressed Time Frame students
Level 5: January to April
Students will enter the fifth level ready to apply knowledge in their integrative practicum experiences where they will work alongside a nurse preceptor preparing them to enter the profession as a novice registered nurse.
Professional Practice Courses
- Nursing 4461X (2.0 credits) – Integrative Practicum
- Preceptored placement; schedule varies depending on preceptor’s schedule (12-hour shifts, days, evenings, nights, weekends are possible)
- Placements available in diverse placements settings (primary care, acute care, public health, long term care, community health, etc.) within the entire Southwest geographic area
