SIAST - Perioperative Nursing/LPN

Perioperative Nursing/LPN

Location(s): Regina Distance Learning Option

SIAST’s Perioperative Nursing/LPN program prepares you to take advantage of growing career opportunities in perioperative nursing. You will work with a multidisciplinary team that includes surgeons, anesthesiologists and other specialists.

This advanced certificate program for licensed practical nurses provides specialized education in applying the nursing process to perioperative nursing, principles and practice of aseptic technique, basic technical skills for surgical procedures, legal/ethical issues and more.

Who qualifies?

To enrol, you must be currently licensed with the practical nurses’ licensing body in the province where you plan to do your clinical practice education.

Why SIAST?

SIAST is one of the most respected providers of nursing education in Canada. Our online educational format links you with fellow students across Canada, while also allowing you to interact with faculty. High-tech simulation learning centres use near-life scenarios to give you hands-on practice. Clinical practice education enables you to hone your new nursing skills, preparing you for the dynamic environment of an operating room.

On graduation, you can apply for practice hours to maintain your registration with the Saskatchewan Association of Licensed Practical Nurses (SALPN) if registered in Saskatchewan while taking the program.

Is this program for you?

Perioperative nursing involves care of patients immediately before, during and after surgery. It includes the roles of scrub nurse, who directly assists the surgeons, and circulating nurse, who facilitates the procedure and assists the anaesthetist. This is an exciting career path that offers a high-energy work environment, lifelong learning and direct patient care.

The program is delivered over the Internet, so you can build your professional credentials while maintaining job and family responsibilities. It is designed to enable completion in approximately eight months of full-time study or within three years of part-time study.

Refer to Frequently Asked Questions for additional information.

Length: 22 weeks

Career Opportunities

Perioperative nurses are in demand across Canada. The ongoing evolution of health care delivery and technology is opening doors to a growing number of career opportunities in hospital operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centres, freestanding clinics and more.

For more information about career opportunities related to this program, contact Student Employment Services at the SIAST campus nearest you.

Program Details

Start Date(s): November, January

For more information, send an email to perioperative@siast.sk.ca

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Admission Requirements

Licensed with the practical nurses' licensing body in the province where you will participate in the clinical component. Your registration must be active and current to participate in the clinical component.

English Language Requirement

Graduates of the SIAST Practical Nursing Program prior to 2001 and graduates of a licensed practical nursing program that did not include administration of oral and intramuscular medications and catheterization must also provide proof of successfully completing:

Administration of Medications for LPNs (or equivalent)

NURS 1601 - Catheterization (or equivalent)

PHAR 1602 - Intramuscular Injection Completer (or equivalent)

Note

Prior to participating in CLIN 220, you must provide proof of:

Current immunization

Current CPR Health Care Provider/AED Level 'C' Certificate

Admission Method

First Qualified/First Admitted

The First Qualified/First Admitted (FQFA) process is used for the majority of SIAST 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.

Tuition and Fees

For complete details on tuition and fees for this program, click here to access the SIAST campus Tuition and Fee Schedules.

Learning Method(s)

SIAST offers a variety of learning methods for course delivery. The following learning methods are available for some of the courses in this program.

The on-site labs take place in Regina or Saskatoon. You must be successful in the lab components to continue on into clinical.
Your clinical practice is approximately 10 weeks (400 hours) and occurs in Saskatchewan. It takes place in an operating room under the direction of a clinical instructor and with the participation of experienced perioperative nurse preceptors.
Special Requests to complete on-site labs and clinical practice outside Saskatchewan may be considered.

The theory component of the program is offered online.

Please refer to the course descriptions for course specific learning methods.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) Availability

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

Frequently asked questions regarding PLAR for this program are answered in the Fact Sheet. A detailed Candidate Guide, which includes a self-audit for all PLAR-ready courses, has been developed for this program. This information guides a candidate through all steps in the PLAR process.

Transfer Credit

Many SIAST students benefit from transferring credit. You may be eligible to transfer credit from or to another college or university. Find out more about transfer credit options.

Courses
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ANAT 266 Anatomy Review

You will briefly review human anatomy and anatomical terminology in the context of perioperative nursing.

1.0 Credit Units
15.0 Other hours

Learning Method(s): Prior Learning, Online/Blackboard

Prerequisites:
NURS 246 Minimum Grade of 60 (concurrent)

CLIN 220 Perioperative Nursing Practice/LPN

You will participate in a 10-week clinical experience that is limited to specific pre-selected agencies. Within the role of the LPN, you will integrate all aspects of the program into the delivery of patient care.

27.0 Credit Units
400.0 Other hours

Learning Method(s): Clinical/Practicum, Prior Learning

Prerequisites:
NURS 202 Minimum Grade of P

NURS 202 Psychomotor Skills Lab

You will implement the theory and principles of perioperative nursing in the performance of basic skills. Selected psychomotor skills will be demonstrated and you will practice them in a laboratory setting.

2.0 Credit Units
30.0 Other hours

Learning Method(s): Clinical/Practicum, Prior Learning

Prerequisites:
NURS 248 Minimum Grade of 60

NURS 214 Perioperative Nurse Anesthesia/LPN

You will describe your support in caring for the surgical client during induction and emergence from anesthesia, including emergency procedure protocols.

2.0 Credit Units
25.0 Other hours

Learning Method(s): Prior Learning, Online/Blackboard

Prerequisites:
NURS 250 Minimum Grade of 60

NURS 244 Surgical Environment

You will be introduced to the principles of asepsis, sterilization, disinfection and infection prevention through the implementation of perioperative nursing care standards. You will learn basic technical skills necessary to prepare yourself and the patient for a surgical procedure.

4.0 Credit Units
55.0 Other hours

Learning Method(s): Prior Learning, Online/Blackboard

Equivalent Course(s): NURS 209

NURS 246 Surgical Equipment

You will learn how to identify, arrange, use and care for surgical instruments and accessory surgical equipment. You will learn to safely prepare and handle supplies for surgical wound closure, perform a surgical count, and manage surgical specimens.

2.0 Credit Units
30.0 Other hours

Learning Method(s): Prior Learning, Online/Blackboard

Prerequisites:
NURS 244 Minimum Grade of 60 and ( NURS 245 Minimum Grade of 60 or NURS 250 Minimum Grade of 60)

NURS 248 Surgical Procedures

You will focus on the nursing actions to be performed by the scrub and circulating nurse during surgical procedures and the specialized care requirements of pediatric, geriatric and morbidly obese patients.

4.0 Credit Units
60.0 Other hours

Learning Method(s): Prior Learning, Online/Blackboard

Prerequisites:
ANAT 266 Minimum Grade of 60 and ( NURS 247 Minimum Grade of 60 (concurrent) or NURS 214 Minimum Grade of 60) (concurrent)

NURS 250 Perioperative Nursing Process/LPN

You will review communication skills and apply the nursing process to the perioperative period. You will identify nursing roles and scope of practice in the perioperative setting, patient safety issues, and ethical, legal and moral obligations. You will also explore concepts basic to ambulatory surgery.

3.0 Credit Units
45.0 Other hours

Learning Method(s): Prior Learning, Online/Blackboard

Prerequisites:
NURS 244 Minimum Grade of 60 (concurrent)

More Information

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