Perioperative Nursing/RN Frequently Asked Questions

The Perioperative Nursing /RN program is approved by the Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (ORNAC).

To enroll:

1. You must be currently licensed with the registered nurses’ licensing body in the province where you will be completing the clinical experience. (i.e. CRNS)
2. Recent graduates of an approved nursing degree program are also eligible to apply. You must pass the NCLEX and be licensed with registered nurses' licensing body in the province where you will completing your clinical experience prior to entering clinical.

The theory component of the program is delivered online, which allows you to study in your home community and maintain work and family responsibilities.

The six theory courses are completed over approximately 22 weeks. Clinical components consist of a one-week lab and approximately ten weeks of clinical practical education.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic is committed to student success. A variety of resources are available to assist you in your pursuit of a perioperative nursing education; program faculty are also available to support you with any concerns you may have related to online learning.

Lab and clinical components of the program must be completed in Saskatchewan. When you apply to the program, you will choose your clinical site. RNs can choose from Regina, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Lloydminster or Prince Albert for their clinical completion site.

Special requests to complete the lab and clinical in locations outside of Saskatchewan may be considered if a health care facility enters into a contractual arrangement with Saskatchewan Polytechnic to deliver the program within their facility.

Program faculty are available to support you via the telephone, email, online communication tools (video chat) and, in some situations, in person.

Exams are written online unless a student accommodation is in place to access the test centre.

Experienced perioperative nurses should contact the perioperative nursing program to determine if a Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is appropriate for them. Effort is made to recognize the individual’s education and experience.

When applying for PLAR, all post-secondary documents must be submitted with the application. 

The program offers three intakes a year; August, October and January. It is designed to enable completion in approximately eight months on a full-time basis or within three years on a part-time basis. Please contact the program for further details.

Part-time is an excellent option for students who feel they cannot commit to the full-time program or to take a few classes while they are on the waitlist for the full-time program. The program must be completed in three years. To enroll part-time, apply to the program to ensure that you are on the waitlist for a clinical seat when you are finished your theory classes. Once you have applied to the program you can request to start theory courses.