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  • Critical Care Nursing – e-learning (graduate certificate)

Critical Care Nursing – e-learning (graduate certificate)

Ministry-approved title: Registered Nurse Critical Care Nursing


Credential
Ontario College Graduate Certificate
Location
Oshawa
OCAS Code
CCH
Next Intake
September 2025
View all intakes
Faculty
Faculty of Health Sciences (HS)
Length
Two semesters
Laptop
Learn more about laptop requirements
Delivery
Hybrid Learn more.
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PROGRAM
Information
Nights

May 13 and 14 Register Now for Program Information Nights

Program Overview

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. 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.  

Intakes and Availability

Date Domestic Availability International Availability
September 2025OpenClosedApply now
January 2026OpenClosedApply now
May 2026OpenClosedApply now
ProgramHighlights
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Admission Requirements

  • Proof of registration as a registered nurse (RN) with the College of Nurses of Ontario
  • RNs from other provinces should contact criticalcare@durhamcollege.ca.
  • How to apply

Please note: The advanced concepts and theory introduced in this program builds on prior foundational knowledge from nursing, Acute care experience is highly recommended.

Related information:

  • Computer requirements
  • How to apply
  • Simulation
  • Contact Critical Care Nursing

Bachelor of Science in Nursing students

Fourth-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing students can also apply to the program but will not be able to complete the practicum portion until proof of RN registration is provided. A letter of recommendation from a professor/clinical teacher is required and should be forwarded to the program coordinator.


Tuition

  • Year one domestic: $1,547 (CAD)

View full costs


Semester 1 Courses

  • Management Of CCHC: Cardiac (CCCC 1501)
  • Foundations: Critical Care (CCFO 1500)
  • Introduction to E Learning (CCIN 1500)
  • Professional Practice Preparation (CCPP 1506)
  • Critical Care Practicum (CCPR 2502)
  • Mgmt Of CCHC: Gi/Renal/Endocri (CCRE 1503)
  • Management Of CCHC:Neuro (CCRN 1503)
  • Management Of CCHC:Respiratory (CCRN 1505)
  • Critical Care Simulation (CCSI 2501)

View all courses


Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

  • Critical care nurse
  • Emergency nurse
  • Cardiac nurse

View all career options

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I AM A CANADIAN APPLICANT

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I AM AN INTERNATIONAL APPLICANT

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905.721.2000 ext. 7697

I HAVE ALREADY APPLIED

Please contact the international office.

Program Details

This program is designed for students with previous education. Please see the entrance requirements section of this page for more detail.

Designed for registered nurses (RNs), it consists of an introductory course to e-learning, five theoretical courses offered online, a critical care simulation component held at Durham College or a partner site and hands-on preceptored experience in a CCU.

Related information:

  • Computer requirements
  • How to apply
  • Simulation
  • Contact Critical Care Nursing

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.

A measurement of your knowledge and competency will occur throughout each e-learning course. Following successful completion of six online courses, you will complete the 39-hour simulation component of the program.

The Simulation course takes place at Durham College or one of its partner sites. This course provides an opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge to integrated case-based scenarios facilitated by an experienced inter-professional team of instructors.

Digital Health Canada

Image for DigitalHealthCanada_Logo-RGB.

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 courses, Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS-CA) exam fees, and event registrations.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Practice within the scope of professional, legal and ethical standards, organization policies and best practices in critical care nursing.
  2. Establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with patients, families and/or substitute decision makers to optimize patient and family-centred critical care.
  3. Assess, analyze and monitor data for patients with complex, multi-system problems in order to anticipate early deterioration in patient’s condition, establish priorities and to plan interventions.
  4. Plan, implement, evaluate and document specialized nursing interventions to achieve optimal patient outcomes in potential or actual life threatening illness and end-of-life situations.
  5. Advocate for and deliver patient and family-centred care to patients/families experiencing potential or actual life threatening illness and end-of-life situations.
  6. Collaborate with members of the inter-professional health care team in providing care for patients experiencing potential or actual life threatening illness and end-of-life situations to achieve continuity of care and optimal patient outcomes.
  7. Use evidence-based research and best practice guidelines to inform and adapt critical care nursing practice.
  8. Use strategies and available resources to respond to environmental, physical and psychosocial stressors affecting self and others in the critical care setting.
  9. Engage in reflective practice and ongoing professional development to enhance competence in critical care nursing.

Admission Requirements

  • Proof of registration as a registered nurse (RN) with the College of Nurses of Ontario
  • RNs from other provinces should contact criticalcare@durhamcollege.ca.
  • How to apply

Please note: The advanced concepts and theory introduced in this program builds on prior foundational knowledge from nursing, Acute care experience is highly recommended.

Related information:

  • Computer requirements
  • How to apply
  • Simulation
  • Contact Critical Care Nursing

Bachelor of Science in Nursing students

Fourth-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing students can also apply to the program but will not be able to complete the practicum portion until proof of RN registration is provided. A letter of recommendation from a professor/clinical teacher is required and should be forwarded to the program coordinator.

Courses

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.

Semester 1

  • Management Of CCHC: Cardiac (CCCC 1501)
  • Foundations: Critical Care (CCFO 1500)
  • Introduction to E Learning (CCIN 1500)
  • Professional Practice Preparation (CCPP 1506)
  • Critical Care Practicum (CCPR 2502)
  • Mgmt Of CCHC: Gi/Renal/Endocri (CCRE 1503)
  • Management Of CCHC:Neuro (CCRN 1503)
  • Management Of CCHC:Respiratory (CCRN 1505)
  • Critical Care Simulation (CCSI 2501)

Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.

Course delivery

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.

In person:
Course is delivered in person, on campus within a classroom, lab, shop or studio.
Hybrid:
Part of the course is delivered online, remotely, and part is in-person on campus within a classroom, lab, shop or studio.
Online:
Fully remote course delivery.

Costs

The fees below are estimates only based on information available at the time of publication, and do not include the cost of textbooks. There may be additional costs; however, not all courses require textbooks.

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Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

  • Critical care nurse
  • Emergency nurse
  • Cardiac nurse

WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

  • Critical care
  • Coronary care
  • Emergency care
  • Post-anaesthetic care
  • Telemetry
  • Step-down unit

Practicum

The final component of the program is an integrated practicum, which includes 120 hours of clinical practice in an adult critical care practice environment. You will demonstrate competency in the Standards of Practice for Critical Care Nursing in Ontario under the direct preceptorship/mentorship of an experienced critical care nurse and the facilitation of a Durham College faculty advisor.

Upon successful completion of the program, a critical care certificate will be awarded. Transfer credit, advanced standing, or challenge will be considered on an individual basis. Please visit www.durhamcollege.ca/criticalcare or contact the program co-ordinator.

Please note: You will be required to adhere to and meet the pre-placement documentation requirements of the host agency.

PRACTICUM COMPLETION OUTSIDE OF ONTARIO

For students living and working outside of Ontario, practicum placements outside of the province of Ontario (but in Canada) MAY be accommodated if an affiliation agreement between Durham College and the out-of-Ontario organization can be arranged.  If you are considering an out-of-Ontario placement, you will need to self-identify yourself to Durham College before confirming your acceptance to the program.

Please send an email with your intent to complete an out-of-Ontario placement to:

criticalcare@durhamcollege.ca

PRE-PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS

Students who are requesting a placement outside of their employer are required to complete pre-placement documents.

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:

  • Service fees for Verified, our documentation collection, and ERV verification partner.
  • Costs to complete mandatory immunizations, lab tests, and certifications.

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:

  • A clear and current Criminal Reference Check (CRC) with Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS). If you cannot provide a clear CRC with VSS, you may not be accepted for placement by a field placement agency. A CRC with VSS must be obtained from your local police station. You will be required to obtain additional CRCs with VSS before each placement term to meet field placement agency requirements.
  • Current Level-C cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and mask fit testing from a recognized provider.
  • Entry immunization form completed by a health-care provider.

Links:

  • Critical Care Nursing ERV Information Package
  • Verified ERV User Guide

Contact:

criticalcare@durhamcollege.ca

Tech Requirements

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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Land Acknowledgement

Durham College is situated on the traditional lands of the First Peoples of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. These lands are covered under the Williams Treaties and rest within the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg. We offer our gratitude to the Indigenous Peoples who care for and, through the treaty process, share the lands on which we live, learn, teach and prosper today.

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All campuses and operations are open; classes and activities will proceed as scheduled.
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