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Ministry-approved title: Registered Nurse Critical Care Nursing
Critical care nurses are responsible for the most vulnerable patients. They have the responsibility to vigilantly monitor, assess and treat the critically ill, while providing support to their families. Our registered nurse course in critical care prepares you to manage high-acuity patients requiring intensive interventions and continuous monitoring. Throughout the program, you’ll develop advanced assessment skills, clinical reasoning abilities, and technical competencies needed for intensive care settings.
What sets our program apart from other nursing programs in Ontario is the seamless integration of theoretical knowledge with practical application. Students gain expertise in managing complex medical equipment, interpreting critical diagnostic information, and implementing evidence-based interventions for patients experiencing multisystem dysfunction. Graduates develop the clinical judgment and ethical decision-making skills necessary to excel in high-stress environments where patient conditions change rapidly.
Whether you are a new critical care nurse, an experienced critical care nurse, or a nurse interested in working in the critical care unit, this program offers a flexible, professional development opportunity by enabling you to access continued learning regardless of your location, shift pattern or other commitments.
Please note: The advanced concepts and theory introduced in this program builds on prior foundational knowledge from nursing, Acute care experience is highly recommended.
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This program is designed for students with previous education. Please see the entrance requirements section of this page for more details.
Our registered nurse course is structured to progressively build critical care competencies through online learning, hands-on simulation, and clinical practice. Designed for registered nurses (RNs), it consists of an introductory course to e-learning, five theoretical critical care courses offered online, a critical care simulation component held at Durham College or a partner site and hands-on preceptored experience in a CCU or ICU.
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If you are a novice or experienced critical care nurse or interested in working in the critical care unit, this program offers flexible learning and certification.
The program begins with a brief course on the study methods required in an e-learning environment which is key to your success in the remaining five e-learning critical care courses. These critical care nursing courses cover topics like advanced pathophysiology, hemodynamic monitoring, respiratory care, cardiac management, and multisystem dysfunction in critically ill patients.
A measurement of your knowledge and competency will occur throughout each e-learning course. Following successful completion of six online critical care courses, you will complete the 39-hour simulation component of the program. This intensive simulation experience is a valuable element of nursing programs in Ontario, allowing you to develop critical thinking and technical skills in a controlled environment before entering the clinical setting.
The Simulation course takes place at Durham College or one of its partner sites. This critical care course provides an opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge to integrated case-based scenarios facilitated by an experienced inter-professional team of instructors. The simulation component employs high-fidelity mannequins and authentic equipment to replicate the complex care environments found in actual critical care units, preparing you for real-world patient management.
As part of our online registered nurse programs, we prioritize accessibility and flexibility while maintaining rigorous educational standards. Students benefit from engaging with instructors who are active practitioners in critical care settings and bring current clinical expertise to the virtual classroom. Upon program completion, graduates are well-prepared to provide expert care to critically ill patients and contribute meaningfully to intensive care teams across various healthcare settings.
Students in this program receive free membership to Digital Health Canada, a not-for-profit professional association that provides members with numerous educational and professional career benefits. Membership includes access to learning and networking opportunities, unique awards applications, as well as discounts for Digital Health Canada online and on-demand registered nurse courses, Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS-CA) exam fees, and event registrations.
The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC.
Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
Hybrid
The rest of the coursework will be delivered using hybrid, flexible or online formats. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
School is an investment in your future, and financial support is available to help you succeed.
DC's Financial Aid and Awards is here to help you access funding and opportunities that make pursuing your education easier and more achievable:
Visit Financial Aid and Awards to explore all the options to help finance your education.
The final component of the program is an integrated practicum, which includes 120 hours (ten, 12-hour shifts) of clinical practice in an adult critical care practice environment. This intensive clinical experience allows registered nurses to synthesize their learning and develop confidence in real-world critical care settings. Through practicum, learners will demonstrate competency in the Standards of Practice for Critical Care Nursing in Ontario under the direct preceptorship or mentorship of an experienced critical care nurse and the facilitation of a Durham College Field Placement Advisor. Throughout practicum, students build professional autonomy while applying evidence-informed care principles that are central to all nursing programs in Ontario.
All students must meet pre-placement requirements immediately prior to for the duration of placement, regardless of placement type or arraignment. Additionally, documents must remain valid for the entire duration of the placement. For additional information, see “Pre-Placement Requirements” below.
Placements are arranged at eligible hospitals across Ontario, and students must be available to follow their preceptor’s schedule. Due to availability, we cannot guarantee specific locations or accommodate geographic preferences. Students are responsible for all logistics, including transportation and accommodation, if required.
Placement may be supported at the organization where a student is currently employed, provided there is mutual agreement from the employer and an affiliation agreement with Durham College exists or can be arranged. If you intend to complete your placement with your employer, please contact us to review your request: criticalcare@durhamcollege.ca.
For students living and working outside Ontario, placements in other Canadian provinces may be accommodated if an affiliation agreement between Durham College and the host organization exists or can be arranged. Students considering an out-of-province placement must self-identify to Durham College before confirming program acceptance. Please contact us to indicate your intent for an out-of-province placement: criticalcare@durhamcollege.ca.
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) allows suitable candidates to formally recognize relevant work. PLAR eligibility criteria is available in the course outline for review. Suitable candidates will require documentation that supports working experience in a level II or III Critical Care Unit as well as documentation supporting competency. Fo more information, please visit https://durhamcollege.ca/admissions/transfer-services/plar.
Please note: There are costs associated with Electronic Requirements Verification (ERV), immunizations, lab tests, and certifications. Be sure to keep all of your receipts for income tax purposes. These costs include:
It is required that students have completed the ERV with Verified to be eligible for the field placement component of this program. You must (at your expense) provide:
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To help students have the best remote learning experience possible, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified technology recommendations for each program based on course needs and software requirements. While not required, students may want to consider these suggestions if they are purchasing a computer or laptop for the upcoming academic year.
Processor: i3 RAM: 4GB Storage: 256GB SSD Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional or Education x64 SP1 Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 11 or Google Chrome (newest version) or Firefox (newest version) Network Adapter: 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapter Camera: Webcam/built-in camera Internet connection
Questions regarding technology recommendations can be directed to the IT Service Desk or the school office.
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