Advanced Studies in Critical Care Nursing

The Mount Royal University Advanced Studies in Critical Care Nursing (ACCN) program is the perfect blend of semester-based theoretical coursework and hands-on clinical practicums uniquely offered through online distance learning to adjust to where you live and your busy life. Applicants have up to six years to complete the program allowing you to take the courses at your own pace. Flexibility within the semester is built in to allow adult learners to manage external commitments.

The ACCN program is recognized by ER and ICU departments across Canada giving graduates from our program a competitive edge when applying for positions.

Clinical practicums

Clinical practicums are offered at select locations across Canada (some restrictions apply). International students, please contact us for possible options. A minimum of one year full-time equivalent of medical/surgical experience in acute care is required before entering the clinical practicum.

Nurses currently working in the ER or ICU

You may be eligible to challenge the clinical practicum by showcasing your experience. Please contact the course coordinator to see if your experience can be counted towards the clinical practicum hours.

Allied health personnel or nursing student

You may be eligible to take certain theory courses in the ACCN program. Please contact us if you are an allied health personnel or nursing student before applying to discuss your options.

Streams

To meet your career goals, this program offers two distinct streams of study:

Intensive Care Nursing

• Four three-credit theory courses and a 210-hour clinical practicum
• Learn to work as an intensive care nurse with critically ill and injured patients requiring close monitoring for complex situations
• Become an expert at assessing and managing interconnected physiological systems and achieving optimal outcomes for critically ill patients
• Be prepared to work in a range of ICU units, ranging from general settings to more specific units, including burn and cardiac

Emergency Nursing

• Four three-credit theory courses and a 210-hour clinical practicum
• Learn to thrive in a fast-paced and unpredictable environment with a wide variety of clinical presentations, from minor injuries to critical illnesses or major trauma
• Help achieve optimal outcomes for patients in all age groups using evidence-based nursing practices
• Be prepared to work in rural, urban and northern settings and/or provide flight nursing care

Curriculum and courses

Admission requirements and costs

Vaccination requirements

All health care workers in Alberta are required to be vaccinated against Rubella pursuant to the Alberta Public Health Act, Communicable Diseases Regulation.

To be eligible to graduate from the Advanced Studies in Critical Care Nursing program, students must complete practicums located in clinical sites which require them to be immunized against Rubella. At this time, if someone has a medical condition or other reason which prevents them from receiving the immunization with the live Rubella vaccine, they will be unable to complete the prerequisites required to complete the program and will not be eligible for graduation from the program.

For more information on immunizations recommended and required of health care workers in Alberta, please see the following resource from Alberta Health Services: Immunization Recommended for Health Care Students and Students in Other High-Risk Occupation Programs (PDF)