Year 1
Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology I
(90hrs, 6 credits)
This course provides an overview of human anatomy, physiology, and the pathologies relevant to each system. Topics include cell biology, the organization of cells into tissues, and microbiology. Selected body systems will also be examined.
Holistic Wellness, Holistic Teaching
(45hrs, 3 credits)
This course focuses on wellness from a holistic health promotion approach, which assumes individuals, families, groups and communities are an integration of the physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual elements. Issues that have an effect on health such as culture, gender, lifestyle, and environment will be explored. Basic principles of learning, and the role of practical nurses in health teaching will also be examined.
NURS 0103 – Healthy Development
(45hrs, 3 credits)
This course examines the predicted growth and development of people across the lifespan, from conception to death. Selected theories of development will be examined to enhance the student’s understanding of this field of study. Health promotion and injury prevention will be addressed with the ages and stages of development.
Ways of Being
(45hrs, 3 credits)
This course focuses on the student’s discovery of their ways of being in relation to others. An experiential and self-reflective approach aids the student to become mindful of methods they use to communicate and form relationships with others in daily life and in the workplace. Attention is given to caring behaviours, perceptions, influence of culture in communication, and role of self in groups.
Nursing Skills: Getting Started
(45hrs, 3 credits)
This course includes hands-on practice of nursing skills in a laboratory setting. Basic practical nursing skills studied include using asepsis, personal hygiene, mobility, vital signs, and nutrition. Reporting and documentation skills will be included, and students will learn how to safely work with clients who are angry/aggressive.
Blending Traditions with Foundational Knowledge
(45hrs, 3 credits)
This course introduces traditional ways of healing within a primary health care model. Caring, cultural safety, nursing process, critical thinking, and an introduction to legal and ethical issues will be explored. The health care delivery system and working within a healthcare organization will be examined through a cultural perspective.
Academic Reading and Writing
(45hrs, 3 credits)
Students will attain key skills in academic reading, writing, critical thinking, and research, building on their existent reading and writing skills toward the advanced level of literacy that is the hallmark of the educated citizen.
Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology II
(90hrs, 6 credits)
Pre-requisite: NURS 0101 Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology I
This course is a continuation of Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology I. This course completes the study of structure, function and pathologies of selected body systems.
Healing in Primary Health Care: Part I
(45hrs, 3 credits)
Pre-requisites: NURS 0102 Holistic Wellness, Holistic Teaching; NURS 0103 Healthy
Development; NURS 0104 Ways of Being
This course focuses on the promotive, restorative, preventative, and rehabilitative aspects of primary health care. Topics covered include the practical nurse’s role in care for clients with endocrine, gastrointestinal, oxygen transportation and oxygen exchange challenges, neurological, and musculo-skeletal health challenges. A comparison of conventional beliefs and techniques of healing to the traditional systems of knowledge of Indigenous populations of the Northwest Territories will be examined.
Nursing Skills: Building Practice
(45hrs, 3 credits)
Pre-requisite: NURS 0105 Nursing Skills: Getting Started
This course includes hands-on practice of nursing skills in a laboratory setting. The student will continue to study and practice practical nursing skills which complement the theory component of this semester.
Pharmacology for Health Care
(45hrs, 3 credits)
Pre-requisite: NURS 0101 Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology I
Co-requisite: NURS 0108 Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology II
This course focuses on the basic principles of pharmacology. Medications, their therapeutic use and effects, the practical nurse’s role in the administration of medications, and the management of side/adverse effects are emphasized.
Practical Nurse Practicum I
(90hrs, non-credit)
Co-requisites: NURS 0109 Healing in Primary Health Care: Part I, NURS 0110 Nursing Skills: Building Practice
This course is an integration of theory into clinical practice. Students will be given opportunities to deliver nursing care to individuals and families who have continuing health care needs.
Practical Nurse Consolidated Practicum I
(90hrs, non-credit)
Pre-requisite: All first year practical nurse courses
In this course, students will integrate theory into clinical practice with individuals who have continuing health care needs. Students may be required to relocate to a different community to meet learning objectives for this course.
Year 2
Healing in Primary Health Care: Part II
(45hrs, 3 credits)
Pre-requisites: NURS 0112 Practical Nurse Practicum I
This course focuses on the promotive, restorative, preventative, and rehabilitative aspects of primary health care. Topics include the nursing role in care for clients with metabolic, hematological, immunological, genitourinary, reproductive, sensory and integumentary challenges. The practical nursing care of clients with cancer will be explored. A comparison of conventional beliefs and techniques of healing to the traditional systems of knowledge of Indigenous populations of the Northwest Territories will be examined.
The Profession in Practice
(45hrs, 3 credits)
Pre-requisite: NURS 0113 Practical Nurse Consolidated Practicum I
This course examines the professional role of the practical nurse. Emphasis will include an understanding of accountability, leadership, administration, and research. The role of practical nursing associations and unions, change theory, and issues of abuse will be examined.
Holistic Health Assessment
(45hrs, 3 credits)
Pre-requisite: NURS 0113 Practical Nurse Consolidated Practicum I
This course focuses on lifespan health assessments completed in a holistic manner. Physical, psychological, and social components are included in the assessments. The practical nurse learns to gather data from a variety of sources and assess the client in a thorough, organized manner.
Nursing Skills: Expanding Practice
(45hrs, 3 credits)
Pre-requisite: NURS 0113 Practical Nurse Consolidated Practicum I
This course includes hands-on practice of practical nursing skills in a laboratory setting. The student will study and practice advanced practical nursing skills, which complement the theory component of this semester.
Practical Nurse Practicum II
(180hrs, non-credit)
Pre-requisite: NURS 0113 Practical Nurse Consolidated Practicum I
Co-requisite: NURS 0201 Healing in Primary Health Care: Part II
This course is an integration of theory into clinical practice. Students will be given opportunities to practice care with individuals and families who are experiencing acute health needs.
Healthy Families
(45hrs, 3 credit)
Pre-requisite: NURS 0113 Practical Nurse Consolidated Practicum I
This course focuses on health, healing and caring as they relate to the individual and the family. Topics include the expanding family, care of sick children, and the care of clients with mental health concerns and addictions.
Non-Nursing Social Sciences Elective
(45hrs, 3 credit)
Students may transfer in pervious university level courses as transfer credit to meet this program requirement. Course work may be completed at the college or university level, post-basic certificate/diploma programs, and/or approved university level non-nursing courses.
Community Focused Nursing
(45hrs, 3 credits)
Pre-requisite: NURS 0201 Healing in Primary Health Care: Part II
This course focuses on community health and adapting nursing roles and activities to the needs of the community, with a specific focus on geriatric and palliative care. Levels of prevention, primary health care, determinants of health and epidemiology will be discussed. Principles of community development will be explored at a beginning level.
Transition to Graduate Nurse
(45hrs, 3 credits)
Pre-requisites: NURS 0202 The Profession in Practice; NURS 0203 Holistic Health Assessment
This course addresses the roles and responsibilities of the graduate practical nurse. The issues of professionalism, ethics, legalities, and leadership are emphasized. Continuing education, conflict resolution, preparation for national examinations, along with self care, will be explored.
Practical Nurse Practicum III
(180hrs, non-credit)
Pre-requisite: NURS 0205 Practical Nurse Practicum II
Co-requisites: NURS 0206 Healthy Families; NURS 0207 Community Focused Nursing
This course is an integration of theory into clinical practice. Students will be provided opportunities to care for individuals, families, and groups in community agencies and care facilities that focus on maternal, child, and mental health challenges. Students may be required to relocate to a different community to meet learning objectives for this course.
Integrative Practicum
(240hrs, non-credit)
Pre-requisite: All second year practical nurse courses
This course is a consolidated clinical experience where the student integrates their skills and knowledge, while working as a member of the health care team to further develop entry-level competencies. Students work in a preceptored role, which facilitates the transition to practical nurse.