The following courses, NURS 225 Health Assessment, PHAR 271 Clinical Drug Therapy and NURS 1679 Clinical Decision Making for Additional Authorized Practice, have been approved by the College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan (CRNS) for Registered Nurses interested in obtaining the Additional Authorized Practice designation to work in Saskatchewan's northern communities.
Students may opt to complete the PLAR process for NURS 225 Health Assessment and PHAR 271 Clinical Drug Therapy. This process provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate the required knowledge, skills, and abilities related to each specific course by moving forward with the evaluative components that measure these.
Students who apply for PLAR and are not successful and who still want to obtain the RN (AAP) designation will be required to register and complete the course in which they were unsuccessful (see listing below).
PLAR process
- Read the PLAR Candidate Guide (pdf) for AAP and refer to the section for the course that you are applying for PLAR.
- Complete Section F Self-rating course outlines in the Candidate Guide (pdf) for the course that you are applying for PLAR.
- Complete and submit the following items to cnpp@saskpolytech.ca.
- Section F (self-rating course outline) for the course you are applying for PLAR.
- PLAR application (pdf)
- Updated Resume/CV
- CRNS License to Practice
- The program head will review your application and if you are accepted, they will return the completed PLAR Application form to you. Students who are not accepted will be advised as to why their application was rejected. Students will be advised within 5-10 business days of the status of their application.
- Students accepted for PLAR will follow the instructions provide to them on how to register for the PLAR course and will pay required fees.
- Students must complete all assessment requirements by the identified deadline. Non completion will constitute a failure and the student will be required to complete the regular course offering to obtain credit.
- Once the program receives confirmation of the registration and payment of fees, the student will receive access to the online course materials for the course, they are PLARing.
- All other information will be provided in the online content.
PLAR details
Students are expected to demonstrate their knowledge to an assigned faculty member as per the assessments outlined below.
Please access the Candidate Guide (pdf) for additional details and the self checklist.
NURS 225 Health Assessment PLAR - $721.75
Students will demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and ability by completing:
- Open book exam comprised of 150 questions. Students will have three hours to complete.
- Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE). The student will collect a health history and perform a focused physical exam based on the patient's presenting complaint and health history findings and document the findings in a nursing note using the SOAP (subjective, objective, assessment, plan) format.
Students demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities by completing:
- Open book exam comprised of 150 questions. Students will have three hours to complete.
| Event: | Information session for more info on the course of the PLAR process |
| Date: | To be determined |
| Time: | To be determined |
| Location: | Zoom |
Students may opt to complete the course(s) in an online asynchronous format with faculty support, each course is 13 weeks in length.
Registration requirements
Learning outcomes
- Complete a comprehensive health history for an adult client.
- Demonstrate the components of a physical examination.
- Perform a general survey on an adult client.
- Perform a mental status examination on an adult client.
- Perform an assessment of the integument on an adult client.
- Perform an assessment of head and neck on an adult client.
- Perform an assessment of the thorax and lungs on an adult client.
- Perform an assessment of the cardiovascular system on an adult client.
- Perform an assessment of the breasts and axillae on an adult client.
- Perform an assessment of the abdomen on an adult client.
- Describe the assessment of the adult male and female genitalia and rectum.
- Perform an assessment of the musculoskeletal and peripheral vascular systems on an adult client.
- Perform an assessment of the neurological system on an adult client.
- Adapt the techniques of health assessment for infants and children.
Registration requirements
Learning outcomes
- Describe the factors related to the safe use of drugs.
- Explain the concepts and processes of drug action.
- Examine the drugs affecting the central nervous system (CNS).
- Examine the drugs affecting the autonomic nervous system (ANS).
- Examine the drugs affecting the endocrine system.
- Examine the drugs used to treat infections.
- Examine the drugs affecting the respiratory system.
- Examine the drugs affecting the cardiovascular and renal systems.
- Examine the drugs affecting the gastrointestinal system.
- Examine the drugs used in an emergency situation.
Registration requirements
- PHAR 271 Clinical Drug Therapy
- NURS 225 Health Assessment
- Eligible for registered nurses' licensure in your jurisdiction
- Approval of program head (Overall progression grade of 70% in PHAR 271 & NURS 225)
Learning outcomes
- Practice in accordance with federal and provincial/territorial legislation, professional and ethical standards and values, and policy relevant to additional authorized practice.
- Provide health care services in the role of additional authorized practice in collaboration with others.
- Use evidence-informed research to manage limited common medical disorders.
- Examine therapeutic interpersonal communication.
- Develop knowledge of procedural skills.
- Provide care for conditions covered by the clinical decision tools
Contact us
For more information contact cnpp@saskpolytech.ca or call 306-775-7335.