Course description
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing will be offered in partnership with Dalhousie University. The Program is 4 years in length and is designed to prepare Inuit nurses to respond to the health care needs of the people of Nunavut. The curriculum emphasizes awareness and respect for Inuit culture and will prepare Inuit nurses to be leaders in the health care system of Nunavut. Students may exit after three years with a Diploma in Nursing awarded by Nunavut Arctic College and will be prepared to provide hospital-based nursing services. The Bachelor of Science [Arctic Nursing] will be conferred by Dalhousie University and will provide nurses with the skills needed to provide primary health care in a community health center.
Admission Requirements
Applicants wishing to apply to this program must:
* be 18 years of age or older
* have an academic Grade 12 OR have successfully completed the College Foundation Program
* pass a criminal records check
* have current immunization prior to starting any clinical placement in a health facility.
Immunizations required include:
* DPTP (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio)
* MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
* Hepatitis B and titre
* Mantoux testannually (including one 2-step Mantoux test)
Submit the following:
* a letter of interest from the applicant
* letter of reference from an employer or other authority, and
* a letter of support from the Regional Health Board, Community Health Committee, or community health care professional
Applicants will be admitted to this program based upon program eligibility requirements and the applicant’s assessment results. Admission is subject to space available and priority will be given to eligible beneficiaries of the Nunavut Land Claim.
Record of Achievement
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Arctic Nursing)
Employment Opportunities:
Graduates from the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Arctic Nursing) will have the necessary skills, knowledge, and judgment which are required to write the Canadian Registered Nurse Exam (CRNE). On passing the CRNE, graduates will then be eligible to apply for registration in any Provincial or Territorial Registered Nurses Association in Canada.
After passing the CRNE, many exciting nursing opportunities await you! Some possible careers include:
* Community Health Nursing
* Hospital Nursing: Adults Pediatrics Labour and Delivery
* Operating Room Emergency Departments
* Nursing Educator
* Nursing Researcher
* Health Informatics Specialist
* Public Health Nursing
* Occupational Health Nursing
* Home Care Nursing
Courses in this program
198-100 Pathways to Health and Healing
Introduces students to the meaning of health and how culture influences the meaning of health and healing. Students begin to develop an awareness of the practice of nursing based on the principles of primary health care, determinants of health, domains of nursing practice, and processes of informed caring. Students are introduced to the Canadian and Nunavut Health Care Systems.
198-110 Human Experiences in Health
Students explore concepts central to health and nursing practice. Students will be introduced to roles and actions basic to nursing, including therapeutic communication; health promotion and illness prevention, teaching coaching and other nursing actions that help clients meet basic needs and promote healthy lifestyle. The meaning and significance of research and evidence evidence-based practiced will be explored.
198-120 Understanding Human Behavior
An overview of psychological theory is used to introduce students to the biopsychosocial factors that influence human Behavior. Teaching-learning activities will focus on helping students understand personality development, the biology of behavior, sensation and perception, learning and other concepts involved in the social behavior of humans. Students develop an understanding of the relationship between psychological knowledge and the practice of nursing.
198-130 Introduction to Sociology
Provides students with an overview of the general concepts of sociology and how they relate to the structure and function of communities in Nunavut. Topics include the development of social structures, families and communities. The impact of the historical relationship between Inuit and non-Inuit people on Inuit social structures, processes, and the health of families and communities are explored.
198-140 Introduction to Chemistry
Basic concepts of chemistry are reviewed, including elements, compounds, atoms, and molecules. The study of gases, liquids, solids and solutions are covered as well as acids and bases. Students are introduced to the fundamental principles of organic chemistry with emphasis on topics related to the health professions.
198-160 Anatomy
Provides students with an understanding of the fundamental principles of human anatomy. This course will enable students to describe and explain the gross anatomy and histology of the human body.
198-162 Physiology
The course focuses on providing an understanding of human physiology. Students will study the functions of the organs and systems of the body. The course will also explore the integration of functions within the body. The course requires an understanding of human anatomy.
198-170 Introduction to Microbiology
In this course, students learn characteristics of microorganisms, especially pathogens of significant concern in health care in Nunavut. In addition to general principles of immunology and microbiology, students explore strategies to prevent transmission of pathogens such as sterilization and disinfections. The actions of antibiotic use and over use on individual health are explored.
198-180 Nursing Practice I
Students are introduced to health care settings in Nunavut (community-based clinic or hospital) where they develop beginning knowledge and skills basic to nursing practice. Students assist clients to meet basic physiological and psychosocial needs. Students integrate knowledge and skills related to Inuit health practices and begin to develop an approach to nursing with an emphasis on helping relationships.
198-190 Health Assessment
Students develop competencies to perform comprehensive health assessment of individuals using a systematic approach. Emphasis is on health history, physical and mental status examination as a basis for monitoring health status, planning health promotion activities and clinical interventions.
198-200 Physical Changes in Illness: Pathophysiology
This courses focuses on providing an understanding of the physiological changes that occur in the human body with disease and how these changes impact on health and illness across the lifespan. This course is basic to the understanding and practice of the following domains of nursing practice: 1) diagnostic and monitoring, and 2) administering and monitoring interventions and regimens. The course requires an understanding of basic physiology and will focus on clinical applications of pathogenic processes and the body’s compensatory mechanisms.
198-210 Human Experiences in Illness
Introduces students to the impact of illness on individuals and families. The concepts of spirituality, grief, hope, and social support are explored. The focus is on developing an understanding of the application of nursing and health concepts to client care and use of a framework to develop individualized plans of care. Students are introduced to a broad range of interventions that enhance clients’ ability to achieve and /or maintain optimal functioning.
198-220 Introduction to Pharmacology in Nursing
Introduces students to the major classes of drugs and the pharmacokinetic phase of these drugs. Course content also includes the mechanisms of action, side effects and related implications for nursing practice of the major classes of drugs. Students learn the basic principles of safe medication administration.
198-230 Care of the Older Adult
This three credit course uses a “determinants of health framework” to introduce students to the aging process. The influence of the aging process on the physical, psychosocial, cultural and spiritual health of seniors/elders and nursing practices that promote health in older adults are explored. The course will focus on practices that utilize direct care giving by individual nurses, as well as those that involve collaboration with family, resource persons and community services. The course is embedded in a primary health care philosophy that values the knowledge gained from the personal experience of the client as well as from expert nursing knowledge in planning care for the older adult. The course further develops some essential care giving concepts introduced earlier in the program. These concepts include health assessment, communication, and caring and nursing roles. Students are also introduced to the principles and standards of gerontological nursing as a foundation for developing higher levels of expertise during the baccalaureate program.
198-240 Human Development
Examines theories of human growth and development through the life span. Content is focused on the health and safety of individuals appropriate to physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development. Students apply information about development and child rearing to the Inuit culture.
198-250 Legal and Ethical Issues In Nursing Practice
Introduces students to the legal and ethical dimensions of health care. The course is designed to help the learner develop the skills required to explore ethical and legal issues as they relate to nursing. The course will explore important concepts and processes in ethical decision-making. Issues of professional competence, negligence and malpractice will be examined in the context of methods that nurses can use to reduce the risk of litigation. The focus will be on ethical decision-making in a problem context as well as a broader perspective on the moral dimensions of everyday nursing practice.
198-260 Caring for Mothers, Children and Families
Focuses on the concepts of health related to childbearing families. Students assess health care needs of families during pregnancy, birth and post-partum. Approaches to perinatal care and the role of midwifery in northern communities are explored. Students examine various theories and concepts as they relate to nursing practice in providing care to the family as client. Clinical experiences enable learners to focus on health promotion within the context of family-centered care and to integrate and practice family assessment.
198-270 Nursing Practice II
This clinical experience provides the opportunity for students to integrate knowledge and develop competencies in the use of the domains of nursing practice. The students integrate health assessment, pharmacotherapeutic management and the nursing process as a basis for clinical interventions inherent in the caring role. The focus is on assisting individuals with acute and chronic alterations in health to achieve optimal functioning. Emphasis is placed on collaborating with clients to identify health goals as well as perceptions and attitudes about their health.
198-280 Acute Alterations in Health
Students learn to integrate nursing knowledge and process in the care of adults coping with acute illnesses. Emphasis is placed on the integration of primary health concepts as related to acute alterations in health. Students further develop knowledge and skill in the domains of nursing practice during clinical experiences in acute care settings.
198-290 Chronic Alterations in Health
Students integrate knowledge of science, nursing and Inuit healing practices with the care of people experiencing chronic alterations in health. There is integration of the principles of primary health care and processes of informed caring as related to chronic alterations in health. This course assists students to apply principles of clinical decision making and develop understanding of the impact of chronic disease on the individual and family. Learners apply this knowledge and skill in the domains of nursing practice during clinical practice experiences in long term care and community settings in Nunavut.
198-300 Alterations in Mental Health
Students learn about the cultural, biological, sociological, psychological and environmental factors that challenge clients’ mental health. Mental health issues of specific concern to the Inuit are highlighted and a major focus of the course is learning about approaches to mental health care that are culturally relevant. Students explore a variety of approaches to the treatment of mental health problems, including problems associated with addictions and violence.
198-310 Counseling Relationships
Students build on a fundamental knowledge of communication skills and processes to explore selected theoretical approaches to counseling. Students develop a counseling style, which is culturally relevant and utilizes principles, which are evidence-based. Differences between cross-cultural and "within cultural" relationships are explored, and students learn to develop and use therapeutic strategies which are appropriate to the health needs of the client and family.
198-320 Culture and Health
Students recall their knowledge of traditional health care practices centered in Inuit culture and relevant to health, education, and cultural needs of Nunavut. Students develop specific strategies for integrating these practices into their work with individuals, families and communities.
198-330 Families and Communities
The focus is on family and community health with emphasis on developing skill in family and community assessment. Factors that have significant impact on family and community health in Arctic communities are identified. Psychological, sociological and cultural concepts are used as foundations for helping students formulate family and community health assessment and intervention strategies.
198-340 Nursing Practice III
This clinical practicum provides students with the opportunity to apply the principles of Primary Health Care through the integration and application of nursing knowledge and theory within the domains of nursing practice. Emphasis is placed on collaborating with clients experiencing acute and chronic alterations in health to assist them to meet their optimal level of functioning; The practicum will provide the student with the opportunity to work with clients through a continuum of care.
198-350 Health Promotion and Illness Prevention
The philosophical basis, roles, settings and functions of health promotion, community health and community health nursing will be examined within the perspective of current health care issues and future trends in health care delivery and nursing practice. Emphasis is on assessing, planning, intervening and evaluating a community health promotion program in Nunavut. Health education theory will encourage consciousness raising and a participatory action approach for the building of new knowledge to guide social change.
198-360 Managing Illness
The role of the nurse in a Nunavut health centre is specialized and unique. In this course, students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to provide basic treatment of illness in a health centre. In seminars, laboratory practice, and through guided clinical experiences, students learn the assessment and management of common non-life threatening medical conditions.
198-370 Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Skills
Students utilize previously acquired physical and mental health assessment skills to develop competence in assessment and diagnosis for clients across the lifespan who are healthy, as well as those who are experiencing illness. Students will develop beginning knowledge and skill in obtaining health histories, performing physical examinations and developing a plan for diagnostic investigations. Students develop a beginning ability to interpret health information related to common uncomplicated illness and develop a beginning level of diagnostic reasoning and clinical judgment.
198-380 Pharmacology in Primary Health Care
Content in this course will provide a foundation for the pharmacological management of clients needs across the lifespan. Students build on their knowledge of pharmacology to develop competence in treating clients requiring pharmacological intervention, with a focus on the drugs commonly prescribed in Nunavut Community Health Centres.
198-390 Leadership in Nursing Practice
The practice of primary health care nursing in Arctic communities demands that the nurse possess leadership skills. Students examine theories of leadership as they apply to community health settings and identify behaviors and skills critical to helping individuals and communities accomplish health and community goals. Leadership practices in Inuit communities are explored to help students understand broad approaches to leadership in Nunavut.
198-400 Nursing Practice IV
Students learn the nursing competencies necessary for effective primary health care in Nunavut. Through a series of guided clinical experiences, students integrate knowledge from Year Four into their work with clients in a community health centre. Students have opportunities to strengthen their clinical skills and judgment in a clinical practice setting, and gain confidence in performing the role of a community nurse.
