The Post-Diploma Degree Completion Program in Nursing is designed to prepare a more liberally educated nurse to function in a variety of roles and health care settings. The program provides an opportunity for diploma nursing graduates or graduates from Ryerson's Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing approved bridging program to develop an analytical approach to nursing practice, and to expand their understanding of how they as practitioners, and how nursing as a profession, integrates with the rest of the health care system.

The program has been offered on a part-time basis since 1983. Part-Time students may take up to seven years to complete the program. Program planning is developed to meet the individual student's needs.

One unique feature of the program is that it allows students to develop skills in the clinical area of choice. Students capitalize on past experience, have the opportunity to develop their own learning objectives and apply knowledge in an area in which they have professional goals.

Teaching methods throughout the program include lecture discussion, small group process, self-directed learning and supervised clinical practice.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

The graduate:

• Demonstrates caring as it relates to the self and others.
• Determines meaning and significance in client encounters.
• Establishes meaningful connections with clients to facilitate therapeutic interactions.
• Collaborates with clients and colleagues to ensure consistent, safe, effective care.
• Uses personal knowledge and theory from nursing and related disciplines to determine an appropriate course of action.
• Uses reflective, critical and analytical thinking to facilitate creative and flexible nursing practice.
• Critically appraises research studies and utilizes the findings as a basis for nursing practice.
• Identifies gaps in nursing knowledge, considers research possibilities, and participates in research activities.
• Analyses health and practice issues within the social/economic/political environment.
• Practices nursing in a skillful, therapeutic and culturally sensitive manner.
• Provides leadership within his/her own practice to facilitate clients' and colleagues' desired outcomes.
• Uses population health principles to plan, market, implement and evaluate health promotion and disease prevention.
• Works within the context of a multidisciplinary health care team to apply primary health care principles.
• Participates in developing and implementing strategies for the improvement of the health environment through the political process and the principles of social justice and equity.
• Practices nursing within legal, ethical and professional guidelines.
• Is an active participant in his/her personal and professional development.

CURRICULUM INFORMATION

Transfer Credits

1. Students may be eligible for a transfer credit if they have completed equivalent courses at the university level.
2. Selected Post RN courses from community colleges which are equivalent in course content, duration and application of theory may be considered for a credit. A 'B' grade is required.
3. No more than 50 percent of the program courses may consist of transfer or challenge credits. This includes courses taken at other universities after admission to the program.

Challenge Credits

Students can challenge NCL 800- Nursing Practice II if they have a current/valid 'Canadian Nurses Association Certification' or they have successfully completed the Clinical Fellowship Program with the RNAO within the past five years. Students must submit by August 31: a Challenge Credit application form and fee; and the appropriate documentation. Visit http://www.ryerson.ca/nursing/ for more information.

GENERAL ACADEMIC INFORMATION

Academic Standing Variation

An Academic Standing Variation exists for this program. See Academic Standing Variation for details.

Graduation Requirement Variation

A Graduation Requirement Variation exists for this program. See Graduation Requirement Variation for details.

Liberal Studies

Students must take three upper level liberal studies courses to graduate.

Minors

Students may pursue any Minor offered by Ryerson with exceptions. Please refer to the Minors Policy section of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and restrictions.

The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education Certificates

Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible restrictions. Please refer to the Curriculum Advising website at www.ryerson.ca/curriculumadvising for complete details.

FULL-TIME DEGREE PROGRAM

The Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing also offers this curriculum on a full-time basis.