These courses, NURS-1724 Health Assessment, PHAR-1610 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 (RNs) interested in obtaining the Additional Authorized Practice designation to work in Saskatchewan's communities.
Effective September 2025:
- Course code for NURS-225 Health Assessment will be NURS-1724 Health Assessment.
- Course code for PHAR-271 Clinical Drug Therapy will be PHAR-1610 Clinical Drug Therapy.
Courses
Registration requirements
Eligible for licensure with the registered nurses' or registered psychiatric licensing
body in your jurisdiction.
Learning outcomes
- Conduct a systematic patient visit starting with a health history
- Select interviewing strategies to complete a health history
- Demonstrate the technique of inspection
- Demonstrate the technique of palpation
- Demonstrate the technique of percussion
- Demonstrate the technique of auscultation
- Perform a general survey on an adult client
- Discuss components of mental functions and variations with age
- Perform a mental status examination on an adult client
- Describe the structure, function, and normal variations of the skin
- Perform an assessment of the skin, hair and nails on an adult client
- Describe the structure, function, and normal variations of the neurological system
- Perform an assessment of the neurological system on an adult client
- Describe the structure, function, and age-related variations of the head and neck
- Perform an assessment of the head and neck on an adult client
- Describe the structure, function, and normal variations of the thorax and lungs
- Perform an assessment of the thorax and lungs of an adult client
- Describe the structure, function, and age-related variations of the breasts and axillae
- Perform an assessment of the breasts and axillae on an adult client
- Describe the structure, function, and age-related variations of the cardiovascular and peripheral vascular systems
- Perform an assessment of the cardiovascular and peripheral vascular systems on an adult client
- Describe the structure, function, and age-related variations of the abdomen
- Perform an assessment of the abdomen on an adult client
- Describe the structure, function, and age-related variations of the adult male and female genitalia and rectum
- Describe how to assess the adult male and female genitalia and rectum
- Describe the structure, function, and normal variations of the musculoskeletal system
- Perform an assessment of the musculoskeletal system
- Describe the examination techniques for infant clients
- Describe the examination techniques for clients in early childhood
- Describe the examination techniques for clients in late childhood
- Describe the clinical reasoning process
- Review common types of clinical cognitive errors
Registration requirements
Eligible for licensure with the registered nurses' or registered psychiatric licensing
body in your jurisdiction
Learning outcomes
- Describe the role of the nurse in providing drug therapy
- Describe the safe use of drugs
- Describe sources of drug information and how it influences rational drug prescribing
- Describe the process of drug movement and action in the body
- Discuss the factors that affect drug action
- Describe the drugs used for pain and inflammation
- Describe the psychotherapeutic drugs
- Describe the drugs used for seizure and parkinson's disorders
- Describe the drugs used in substance abuse disorders
- Review the clinical decision tools related to the central nervous system and pain management
- Describe the drugs affecting the sympathetic nervous system
- Describe the drugs affecting the parasympathetic nervous system
- Describe the corticosteroids
- Describe drugs used for thyroid and parathyroid disorders
- Describe the anti-diabetic drugs
- Describe the characteristics of antimicrobial drugs
- Describe antibacterial drugs
- Describe anti-viral, antifungal, and anti-parasitic agents
- Review the clinical decision tools related to the management of infections
- Describe the agents used to treat airway disorders
- Describe antihistamines, nasal decongestants, antitussives, mucolytics, and cold remedies
- Review the clinical decision tools related to the management of respiratory conditions
- Describe the drugs used to manage blood pressure
- Describe the anti-anginal drugs
- Describe the drugs used for contractility and conduction
- Describe blood coagulation agents
- Describe the drug used for dyslipidemia
- Describe the use of vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes
- Describe the drugs used for gastric hyperacidity
- Describe drugs used for gastrointestinal symptom control
- Describe drugs used for genitourinary conditions
- Describe appropriate drug therapy 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 ConEd@saskpolytech.ca or call 306-659-4418.