Orientation to Nursing in Canada for Internationally Educated Nurses

Program Overview

If you're an internationally-educated nurse who wants to practice nursing in Saskatchewan, you will need to update your credentials to meet the competencies set out by the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses' Association (SRNA), or for the regulatory body in the province in which you reside. We are unable to accept internationally educated nurses from Ontario or British Columbia. Saskatchewan Polytechnic is here to help you gain the knowledge and skills to work as a registered nurse (RN) in Canada.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Orientation to Nursing in Canada for Internationally Educated Nurses (ONCIEN) program is an online applied certificate program. It is designed to provide the knowledge and skills you need to work as a nurse in Canada. You will:

learn about the Canadian health care system
study health assessment, health challenges, communications, and care of the elderly
study medical technology, terminology and drug therapy theory in Canada
study regulations, ethics, safety and cultural competency
explore issues generated by language barriers and cultural differences
have your clinical skills assessed in comparison to techniques and equipment used in Canada
take part in simulation labs and supervised clinical practice education, and
prepare to write the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX)

Why Saskatchewan Polytechnic?

Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Orientation to Nursing in Canada program is highly regarded across Canada. Because it is offered online (with access to tutor support via telephone, fax and/or email), you can work from your own home, on your own time and at your own pace. You have two years to complete all courses.

Practical Learning

The program is designed to give you hands-on practice with nursing skills, documentation and equipment. You'll take part in simulation labs and supervised clinical practice education, and you'll have your clinical skills assessed in comparison to techniques and equipment used in Canada.

You’re Ready to Earn Professional Credentials

Refer to Frequently Asked Questions for additional information.

Graduation/Completion Requirements

Successful completion of all theory courses (except the Communications courses) with a grade of 50% or better
Successful completion of the Communications courses, skills lab and clinical experience is a pass-fail designation based on identified criteria
PLAR and Transfer Credit
- For more information on PLAR and Transfer Credit, please contact the program at oncien@saskpolytech.ca

Career and Salary Information

Your Career

Whether you already live in Saskatchewan or are planning to move here, Orientation to Nursing in Canada for Internationally Educated Nurses will help you qualify to practice in the province. Once your credentials are recognized by the SRNA, you'll discover career opportunities in hospitals, northern health facilities, community clinics, long-term care facilities and more.

For more information, contact the Student Employment Services at the Saskatchewan Polytechnic campus nearest you or visit www.healthcareersinsask.ca.

Length and Start Date

Start Date(s):

September, January and April

Length: 80 weeks (16 weeks x 5 semesters). Each intake consists of 5 semesters.

You will have two years to complete the program.

For a list of currently available courses, click here.

Locations

Online

Some online programs include on-site labs, clinicals, practicums or work experiences. Online programs may be offered course-by-course or full-time, or both, and deliveries may change over time.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

A letter from the SRNA (or from the regulatory body in the province where the student resides) recommending the candidate for the ONCIEN program and indicating the candidate meets English language proficiency

Note:

Proof of current Transferring, Lifting and Repositioning (TLR) certification is required prior to entry into the clinical practicum.
Current CPR Health Care Provider "C" AED or equivalent is required prior to participating in CLIN 209 Clinical Experience.
Current immunization is required prior to participating in CLIN 209 Clinical Experience.
A Criminal Record Check is required prior to participating in CLIN 209 Clinical Experience. A student may be declined access to a clinical placement based on the contents of the Criminal Record Check. A student must complete the clinical practice experience to graduate from the program. The cost of the Criminal Record Check is the student's responsibility.
Accepted applicants are required to provide evidence of current N95 respirator mask testing prior to entry into the clinical practicum. The cost of N95 respirator mask testing is your responsibility.
Effective July 1, 2019: Accepted applicants are required to provide evidence of 2015 WHMIS Globally Harmonized System (GHS) certification upon admission into the program. Recertification will be required every three years to remain current. The cost of WHMIS certification is your responsibility.

Admission Method

First Qualified/First Admitted

The First Qualified/First Admitted (FQFA) process is used for the majority of Saskatchewan Polytechnic programs. When we determine that you meet the program's admission requirements, you will be offered admission based on the date you fully qualify for the program. The earlier you provide the appropriate documents and information that qualify you for admission to the next intake, the earlier you might begin your studies. Your application, once qualified, is always considered for the next intake.

Applicants to programs with multiple intakes in an academic year remain in the application pool until the last intake for that academic year has begun. Programs using the FQFA process receive applications year round and maintain an application pool for each academic year. Qualified applicants who are not offered a seat must reapply for the next academic year.

Sponsored programs or programs targeted to specific groups do not accept applications year round or maintain an application pool.

See Admission Processes for more information about this method of admission.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition amounts will vary depending on the number of courses assigned by your regulatory body. For example, tuition for semesters 2, 3 and 4 is estimated at approximately $5,700. Contact delasi.essien@saskpolytech.ca for specific tuition information based on your assessment and completion timeline.

Courses

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Semester 1

Code

Name/Description

Credits

NRSG 219

Nursing in Canada 1

Your studies will focus on nursing in Canada. You will learn about the role of the nurse in primary health care and how nurses can influence the determinants of health to improve the health of Canadians. You will examine ways in which nurses can be sensitive to the diversity of their clients and how they can support First Nations communities and their traditional health care practices. You will be introduced to the key concepts associated with a systems approach to client safety.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Equivalent Course(s): NRSG 219CE
Potential Learning Method(s): Online, Online - Individual, Print Distance Group, Prior Learning

NRSG 220

Nursing in Canada 2

You will apply theory related to critical thinking, decision making and the nursing process. You will demonstrate reporting and recording in nursing, and teaching and learning. You will examine and solve legal and ethical issues in nursing. This is the second of two courses that focus on nursing in Canada.
Credit Units: 2
Course Hours: 30.0
Equivalent Course(s): NRSG 220CE
Potential Learning Method(s): Online, Online - Individual, Print Distance Group, Print Distance Individual, Prior Learning

Semester 2

Code

Name/Description

Credits

NRSG 200

Health Assessment 1

Health Assessment 1 is the first of two courses that focus on the theory related to physical assessment. You will study interviewing techniques, history taking and a head-to-toe physical assessment. You will learn about assessment of the integumentary system, head and neck, breasts and axillae, lungs and thorax, and cardiovascular, peripheral vascular and lymphatic systems.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Equivalent Course(s): NRSG 200CE
Potential Learning Method(s): Online, Online - Individual, Print Distance Group, Print Distance Individual, Prior Learning

PHAR 202

Pharmacology Review

Your studies will focus on a review of the basic principles of pharmacology and common medication classifications. You will explore general nursing roles and responsibilities related to drug administration in Canada. You will identify cultural factors influencing drug therapy. You will review adapting drug therapy for children and older adults, correct drug dosages and IV rate calculations. You will explore the phenomenon of pain and the implications for nursing care for clients experiencing pain.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Prerequisites(s): NRSG 220
Equivalent Course(s): PHAR 202CE
Potential Learning Method(s): Online, Online - Individual, Print Distance Group, Print Distance Individual, Prior Learning

Semester 3

Code

Name/Description

Credits

NRSG 201

Health Assessment 2

Building on the theory you learned in NRSG 200 (Health Assessment 1), you will continue to study the assessment of body systems. The course content includes assessment of the abdomen, musculoskeletal system, neurological system, male and female genitalia and rectum, adapting techniques of health assessment to other age groups and psychological and sociocultural assessment.
Credit Units: 2
Course Hours: 30.0
Prerequisites(s): NRSG 200(concurrent)
Equivalent Course(s): NRSG 201CE
Potential Learning Method(s): Online, Online - Individual, Print Distance Group, Print Distance Individual, Prior Learning

NRSG 221

Common Health Challenges

You will focus on common health challenges that Canadians experience and the nursing care required to support clients (and their families) experiencing those health challenges.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Prerequisites(s): PHAR 202, NRSG 201, NRSG 220
Equivalent Course(s): NRSG 221CE
Potential Learning Method(s): Online, Online - Individual, Print Distance Group, Print Distance Individual, Prior Learning

Semester 4

Code

Name/Description

Credits

NRSG 120

Fundamentals of Canadian Nursing Communication

You will study communication skills appropriate to Canadian nursing practice within an interprofessional healthcare environment. You will apply the concepts of therapeutic communication and health teaching to nursing practice in dealing with patients and/or their families. You will engage in interactive online activities to apply theory to simulated scenarios.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 60.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Online, Prior Learning

NRSG 222

Caring for the Elderly Client

You will review the growth and development of the older adult. You will explore issues related to older adults (including elder abuse and neglect, the caregiver role and institutionalization). You will examine drug-related issues affecting older adults. You will explore the nursing care required to support older adults (and their families) experiencing elder abuse and/or neglect, and loss, grief and/or death.
Credit Units: 2
Course Hours: 30.0
Prerequisites(s): NRSG 220
Equivalent Course(s): NRSG 222CE
Potential Learning Method(s): Online, Online - Individual, Print Distance Group, Print Distance Individual, Prior Learning

Semester 5

Code

Name/Description

Credits

CLIN 209

Clinical Experience

Your clinical experience will help you make the transition into clinical nursing in Canada. You will demonstrate competence in theoretical knowledge specific to the clinical area. To meet the clinical learning outcomes and perform a self-evaluation, effective communication skills are important.
Credit Units: 16
Course Hours: 240.0
Prerequisites(s): NRSG 223
Equivalent Course(s): CLIN 209CE
Potential Learning Method(s): Clinical/Practicum, Clinical/Practicum-Individual, Online

NRSG 223

Clinical Skills Lab

The course will help you adapt your nursing skills to the techniques used in Canada. You will review and practice basic nursing skills (including general physical assessment techniques).
Credit Units: 5
Course Hours: 75.0
Prerequisites(s): NRSG 201, NRSG 219, NRSG 221, NRSG 222, NRSG 226
Equivalent Course(s): NRSG 223CE
Potential Learning Method(s): Lab/Practical, Online, Print Distance Group, Print Distance Individual

Accreditation

Saskatchewan Registered Nurses' Association (SRNA)

Additional Information

Personal Readiness

Related Programs

Application Form

Part-Time Delivery

To graduate and receive a credential for this program, part-time students must apply to the program and be admitted before taking any program courses.

View the program page for a complete list of courses and additional information.

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