Advanced Studies in Critical Care Nursing post-diploma certificate comprehensive and flexible
— Mount Royal University | Posted: March 27, 2023
ER nurse Shandell Petker took the Advanced Studies in Critical Care Nursing from 2013 to 2015.
Advanced Studies in Critical Care Nursing is one of four nursing programs at Mount Royal, including the Bachelor of Nursing, the Bachelor of Midwifery and the Bridge to Canadian Nursing. Each of the ACCN streams (Critical Care Nursing and Emergency Nursing) includes four theory courses plus hands-on clinical practicums putting students in the field shadowing a registered nurse for 210 hours. That practice portion can be arranged close to where students live or at hospitals where they already work.
Many ACCN graduates are nurses working everywhere from B.C. to the Prairies and even Eastern Canada. And, of course, a good number live in Alberta.
Given it is online and easy to access, some ACCN students have been from overseas and military nurses have taken the program for a deeper dive into key concepts for emergency room and critical-care nursing.
Dr. Elizabeth Van Den Kerkhof, director of MRU’s School of Nursing and Midwifery, says the well-established ACCN began more than three decades ago as the Critical Care Nursing Program at what was then Foothills Nursing School.
In 1995, it moved to then-Mount Royal College, but offered training on the ICU side of nursing. By 1996 the ER (emergency room) stream was added.
Van Den Kerkhof says both the ER and ICU are highly specialized areas with a lot of ever-changing technology — all of which demands advanced skills from those who work there.
In some provinces, the extra training is mandated, although that is not the case in Alberta.
But for those wanting to do the groundwork, the ACCN program is perfect.
“It really prepares nurses and gives them that theoretical background and provides them with practical experience so they can work in those settings in a safe and competent way,” she says.
Applicants can take the courses at their own pace, with up to six years to complete the program. Those who qualify can opt out of an in-hospital clinical program by applying for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition, which gives students credit for learnings they have already picked up on the job.
What are the perks?
Van Den Kerkhof says the ACCN, which is recognized across the country, gives graduates a competitive edge when applying for positions. It appeals to recent grads who haven't worked in the area as well as nurses who move over and feel they need a little more training and exposure.
“I believe it sets nurses up with a theoretical background and practice experience so they can practice confidently and safely in a highly complex environment caring for challenging and unstable patients,” she says.
The last piece for those students is the clinical aspect, which puts nurses into the work environment alongside physicians and other specialists. Those who qualify can opt out of an in-hospital clinical program by applying for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition, which gives students credit for learnings they have already picked up on the job.
Whether students are taking the ACCN certificate to prep them prior to going into critical care or emergency room nursing or are already there, the program has lots to share.
“I think, regardless of the background, the more experience the better,” she says. “It’s a completely different environment.”
ER nurse Shandell Petker took the ACCN from 2013 to 2015.
“It was a fantastic program that I did alongside working my .80 line. I especially loved the pathophysiology component of the program. It was so fascinating to go in-depth with pathophysiology beyond what I learned in my bachelor’s — and see my learning in action as I worked as an RN,” Petker says.
“The program gave me a solid foundation for working in the emergency department (ED). Shortly after completing the ACCN, I took a job in the ED of a major level-one trauma centre. I’m so grateful for what I learned and how the program gave me the confidence to fulfill my career goal of working in emergency.”
Find out more about the ACCN or sign up for a virtual information session.