Registered Nursing Bridging Program for Internationally Educated Nurses

Certificate
Registered Nursing Bridging Program 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 College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan (CRNS), or for the regulatory body in the province in which you reside. We are unable to accept internationally educated nurses from Ontario. Saskatchewan Polytechnic is here to help you gain the knowledge and skills to work as a registered nurse (RN) in Canada.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Registered Nursing Bridging Program for Internationally Educated Nurses is an online 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 Registered Nursing Bridging Program for Internationally Educated Nurses 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

Career and Salary Information

Your Career

Whether you already live in Saskatchewan or are planning to move here, our program will help you qualify to practice in the province. Once your credentials are recognized by the CRNS, 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 May


Length:

64 weeks (16 weeks x 4 semesters)


You will have two years to complete the program.

For a list of currently available courses, click here.

Locations

  • Regina
  • Online/Distance options available

  • Some programs offered online or otherwise by distance (i.e., correspondence) include on-site labs, clinicals, practicums or work experiences. They may be offered course-by-course or full-time, or both, and deliveries may change over time.

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.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

  • A letter from the CRNS (or from the regulatory body in the province where the student resides) recommending the candidate for the program 

 

English Language Requirements

The language of instruction and assessment for this program is in English. In addition to the general admission requirements, if your first or primary language is not English and/or your country is not exempt, you must demonstrate an appropriate level of proficiency in English. English language proficiency will be based on submission of one of the following: 

Completion of International English Language Testing Scores (IELTS)

  • Overall minimum score of Band 6.5 with a minimum score of 6.5 in each component is required

OR

Completion of Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN) with the following acceptable scores:

Speaking 8

Writing 7

Listening 9

Reading 8

 

Note:

  • Valid Transferring, Lifting and Repositioning (TLR) certification is required prior to entry into the clinical practice education experience. The cost of TLR certification is your responsibility.
  • Valid CPR Health Care Provider "C" AED or equivalent is required prior to participating in the clinical practice education experience. The cost of CPR certification is your responsibility.
  • Valid immunization is required prior to participating in the clinical practice education experience.
  • A Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search is required prior to participating in the clinical practice education experience. A student may be declined access to a clinical placement based on the contents of the Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search. A student must complete the clinical practice education experience to graduate from the program. The cost of the Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search is your responsibility.
  • Accepted applicants are required to provide evidence of current N95 respirator mask testing prior to entry into the clinical practice education experience. The cost of N95 respirator mask testing is your responsibility.
  • 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 valid. 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

2022/23 Academic Year

$18,810

Tuition amounts will vary depending on the number of courses assigned by your regulatory body. Contact rnbpien@saskpolytech.ca for specific tuition information based on your assessment and completion timeline. 

This program is not eligible for the Canada-Saskatchewan student loan program. 

Courses

Expand All +

Semester 1

Code
Name/Description
Credits
 
NRSG 103
Nursing in Canada
3
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Your studies will focus on nursing in Canada. You will describe health and healthcare in Canada. You will discuss the foundations of nursing practice in Canada. You will appraise the roles and responsibilities of registered nurses in Saskatchewan. You will examine approaches to nursing care. You will distinguish nursing considerations for Indigenous and culturally diverse clients. You will analyze evidence-informed nursing practice and nursing research. You will examine nursing leadership and collaborative practice. You will examine trends in nursing practice.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Online, Prior Learning
NRSG 106
Mental Health Nursing
3
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You will articulate foundational theories and concepts of mental health as they pertain to Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. You will analyze the anatomy and physiology of the brain in relation to mental health, and plan nursing care for clients experiencing psychobiological disorders. You will manage pharmacological interventions and examine nursing care to support mental health across the lifespan. You will then discuss a nursing care plan for a client experiencing a mental health crisis.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Online, Prior Learning
NRSG 120
Fundamentals of Canadian Nursing Communication
3
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You will study the importance of therapeutic communication skills for Canadian nurses. You will recognize commonly used medical terminology and apply the principles of basic communication skills in an interprofessional healthcare setting. You will identify the concepts of health teaching and conflict management skills in dealing with clients and their families.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Online, Prior Learning
Total semester credits: 9

Semester 2

Code
Name/Description
Credits
 
NRSG 104
Health Assessment
4
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You will learn how to conduct a systematic holistic health assessment, and how to adapt your health assessment techniques across the lifespan. You will demonstrate a modified head-to-toe assessment, applicable in any clinical practice education setting.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 60.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Online, Prior Learning
NRSG 107
Maternal-Newborn Nursing
3
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You will discuss the foundational concepts of maternal-newborn nursing and review the human reproductive systems and considerations related to human reproduction. You will discuss the management of nursing care to support clients while pregnant; clients during labor, birth and postpartum; as well as support for at risk childbearing and newborn clients.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Online, Prior Learning
PHAR 202
Pharmacology
3
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You will examine foundational concepts of pharmacology in nursing practice. You will examine factors impacting medication therapy. You will formulate pharmacological interventions for clients. You will manage nursing care for clients taking anti-infective and anti-inflammatory medications. You will manage nursing care for clients taking medications that affect the nervous, cardiovascular, renal system, endocrine, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Online, Prior Learning
Total semester credits: 10

Semester 3

Code
Name/Description
Credits
 
NRSG 108
Pediatric Nursing
4
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You will examine the growth and development, and the nurse’s role in caring for children from birth to adolescence. You will promote foundations of pediatric nursing. You will formulate nursing care for pediatric clients experiencing a wide range of health alterations in the following systems: respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, endocrine, hematological, neoplastic, infectious, immunologic, neurologic, neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, genetic, cognition, behavior, development, sensory, and integumentary.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 60.0
Prerequisites(s): PHAR 202
Potential Learning Method(s): Online, Prior Learning
NRSG 221
Adult Health Nursing
4
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You will focus on nursing care required to support clients facing surgery, experiencing cancer and undergoing alterations in immune function. You will also examine the nursing care required to support clients experiencing a wide range of health alterations in cardiovascular, peripheral vascular, metabolic, digestive, oxygenation, neurological, psychosocial, sexuality and reproduction, and musculoskeletal systems.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 60.0
Prerequisites(s): PHAR 202
Potential Learning Method(s): Online, Prior Learning
NRSG 222
Gerontological Nursing
3
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You will study the growth and development of elderly clients, considering how nurses can assist the elderly and their caregivers to achieve healthy aging. Nursing care required to support elderly clients with issues related to medications, psychosocial health, complex health needs, and loss and grief will also be discussed.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Online, Prior Learning
Total semester credits: 11

Semester 4

Code
Name/Description
Credits
 
CLIN 209
Clinical Practice Education Experience
16
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Progressing through an instructor-led to a preceptor-led clinical practice education experience, you will transition to a Canadian Registered Nurse. You will demonstrate competence in theoretical and practical knowledge in nursing, make use of effective communication skills, and perform a self-evaluation. You will also provide holistic, safe, competent, ethical, and professional nursing care.
Credit Units: 16
Course Hours: 240.0
Prerequisites(s): NRSG 223
Potential Learning Method(s): Clinical/Practicum, Clinical/Practicum-Individual, Online, Prior Learning
NRSG 223
Clinical Skills Lab
5
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You will learn to practice the nursing skills and assessments required for each body system. You will demonstrate competence in theoretical and practical knowledge in nursing, as well as safely administer medications, blood, and blood products. Finally, you will consolidate your learning by performing an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE).
Credit Units: 5
Course Hours: 75.0
Prerequisites(s): NRSG 104, PHAR 202
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Prior Learning
Total semester credits: 21

Accreditation

College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan (CRNS)

Distance to online education; students write their online exams from home. 

Additional Information

 

 

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