School of Nursing

Registered Nursing Bridging Program for Re-entry to Practice

Certificate
Registered Nursing Bridging Program for Re-entry to Practice

Program Overview

You’ve been thinking about getting back into nursing. You miss your ability to touch so many lives as a registered nurse. And whether you want to practice at the bedside or work in research, community health or education, job opportunities for RNs are more diverse than ever.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Registered Nursing Bridging Program for Re-entry to Practice is your first step back to the career you love. When you graduate, you’ll have the knowledge and skills you need to move confidently into today’s primary health-care settings.

This is a certificate program for RNs previously registered in Canada. There are three major components to the program: theoretical concepts (9 online courses), simulation labs and onsite clinical practice education. Your studies will focus on:

  • health assessment
  • issues and trends in professional nursing
  • maternal-newborn nursing
  • mental health nursing
  • pediatric, adult and gerontological nursing
  • perspectives in community nursing
  • pharmacology

Why Saskatchewan Polytechnic?

Saskatchewan Polytechnic is one of the most respected providers of nursing education in Canada. Our School of Nursing offers innovative online programs. Each is designed with input from the health care profession, so your education is up-to-date and matches opportunities in the field.

Learn At Your Own Pace

Because this is an online, distance-based program, you can work from your own home, on your own time and at your own pace. You have three years to complete all courses. You’ll build your knowledge through course work, develop your practical skills through simulation labs and gain real world experience through clinical practicums. You’ll also have one-on-one interaction with faculty throughout your program.

Update Your Professional Credentials

On completion of the program, you’ll be eligible for re-licensure as a Registered Nurse with the College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan (CRNS).

Refer to Frequently Asked Questions for additional information.

Career and Salary Information

Your Career

When you graduate, you’ll be ready to move confidently into today’s primary health-care settings—acute-care hospitals, regional hospitals, long-term care facilities, home-care settings and more. Most RNs work in direct patient care, but your background and experience could open doors to jobs in administration, education, research 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


For more information, contact rnbprtp@saskpolytech.ca

Length:

64 weeks (16 weeks x 4 semesters)


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 recommendation letter from the College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan (CRNS), (or from the regulatory body in the province where the student resides), recommending the candidate for the program

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 valid N95 respirator mask testing prior to entry into the clinical practice education.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 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

2022/23 Academic Year

$18,810

For more information, contact rnbprtp@saskpolytech.ca

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 learn about the healthcare system and describe the nursing profession in Canada. You will identify the roles and responsibilities of a registered nurse and describe client-centered and collaborative care. You will learn the Canadian Nursing Association’s Code of Ethics and examine ethical and legal issues in nursing. You will apply theory related to critical thinking, decision making, the nursing process, and teaching and learning. You will examine the role of the nurse as a leader and describe emerging trends for nursing in Canada.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Online, Prior Learning
NRSG 105
Community Health Nursing
3
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You will discuss the history, foundations, and health promotion strategies of community health nursing. You will examine the roles of the community health nurse in various settings. You will apply the nursing process to community health nursing. You will learn to provide culturally competent care to Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. You will identify issues and trends in community health nursing.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Online
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
Equivalent Course(s): NRSG 106CE
Potential Learning Method(s): Online, Prior Learning

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
Equivalent Course(s): NRSG 104CE
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
Equivalent Course(s): NRSG 107CE
Potential Learning Method(s): Online, Prior Learning
PHAR 202
Pharmacology
3
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You will explain the importance of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and outline major medication classifications and nursing implications. You will describe general nursing roles and responsibilities related to medication administration in Canada and identify medication therapy for special populations. You will calculate correct medication dosages, explore the concept of pain and the associated nursing implications, as well as identify complementary and alternative medication therapies.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Equivalent Course(s): PHAR 202CE
Potential Learning Method(s): Online, Prior Learning

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
Equivalent Course(s): NRSG 108CE
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
Equivalent Course(s): NRSG 221CE
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
Equivalent Course(s): NRSG 222CE
Potential Learning Method(s): Online, Prior Learning

Semester 4

Code
Name/Description
Credits
 
CLIN 106
Clinical Practice Education Experience
16
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During a preceptored clinical practice education experience in a high acuity setting, you will transition to nursing practice. 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
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
Equivalent Course(s): NRSG 223CE
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Prior Learning

 

  • You will need Microsoft Word (2000 or newer) and Internet access.
  • You can purchase your books and manuals from any Sask Polytech Bookstore.
  • You must complete the program within three years.

Get Credit for What You Know

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Saskatchewan Polytechnic recognizes that adults learn in many different ways. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training.

See link(s) below to get more information about PLAR.


Transfer Credit

Many Sask Polytech students benefit from transferring course credit. You may be eligible to transfer credit to Sask Polytech or to another college or university.

Accreditation

College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan (CRNS)

Additional Information

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