Novice nurses employed by one of the New Brunswick Health Authorities are eligible to apply.
A novice nurse is considered to be a recently graduated nurse with an RN or a nurse who is new to critical care or emergency care.
To be accepted into the program, you must be:
- A registered nurse who is a novice to critical care or emergency care nursing (you must either have less than one year's experience in these practice areas or be interested in pursuing a career in critical care or emergency care nursing)
- Currently employed by Horizon or Vitalité
- Able to commit to 11 full weeks of full-time study
You must also have:
- Proof of current CPR
- Proof of NANB registration
All complete applications received by the application deadline are reviewed by the NBCCNP Selection Committee comprised of site coordinators from each zone across the province.
Candidates are selected based on the application qualifications and the needs of the provincial Health Authorities.
The Department of Health pays the student costs associated with the program. This includes: salary replacement costs, tuition fees, textbooks, and travel if required.
The program consists of seven courses, focused on the management of the critically ill client and their family, spread over an 11-week period:
- Course 1 – Foundations (8 days)
- Course 2 – Cardio Vascular Alterations (9 days)
- Course 3 – Pulmonary Alterations (7 days)
- Course 4 – Endocrine, Gastrointestinal, Hematological/Immunological & Renal Alterations (2 days)
- Course 5 – Neurological Alterations (3 days)
- Course 6 – Multi-systems Alterations (7 days)
- Course 7 – Integrated Clinical Practicum (18 days)
Note: This program also includes a 1-day orientation at the start of the 11 weeks.
Exams, written papers, projects, case studies, discussions, clinical and preceptorship experiences are all used for student assessment.
Instructors, a Teaching and Learning Consultant and the Program Coordinator monitor and track progress.
All grades will be available to you on the Desire to Learn platform.
There are typically four intake dates per year. However, this may be adjusted annually based on the needs of the RHA’s.
The program is delivered with a blended learning approach that uses various methods and technologies:
- Theory-based curriculum for independent self-directed learning
- Laboratory experiences
- Online curriculum available through UNB’s LMS (D2L: Desire to Learn Bright Space)
- Journal and textbook readings
- Video conference
- Online instructor-led discussion via Zoom platform
- Clinical practice
- Preceptorship
The curriculum design meets the standards of the Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses and National Emergency Nurses’ Affiliation. Any alterations to the curriculum are brought to the Education Committee and the Steering Committee for approval.
Students are awarded a UNB or UdeM Certificate of Proficiency. They will also receive a pewter pin.
Students can work in the Critical Care Units and Emergency Care Units.
A Windows or Apple (Mac) computer with the following minimum software requirements is essential:
- Computer Compatible Operating System: PC Windows 7 with Service Pack 1, MAC OS X or higher.
- Web Browser: Microsoft Edge, or higher Internet Explorer 10 or higher, Safari, Chrome, or Firefox.
- Word processing and presentation software is required, such as Word and PowerPoint.
- Headset (provided at orientation)
Process for submitting applications to UNB and UdeM:
- Applicants are encouraged to contact the nurse manager of the critical care area of interest, e.g. Emergency Department, Critical Care Unit.
- The nurse manager of the critical care unit may interview the applicant, contact their current nurse manager, to determine if they are a suitable candidate and negotiate the nurses release for the program. If the candidate is a new graduate, a professor recommendation may be obtained.
