RN-BSN online Programs in Canada

[RN in USA]

Hi!

Do online distance nursing education programs from the U.S.A need approval to operate in Canada? Also, can these distance nursing education programs (i.e. RN-BSN programs) offer practicum or clinicals in Canada? Do they need approval from the Nursing Boards?

Thank you in advance for your input, I appreciate it.

[Fiona59]

Canada has provincials colleges of nursing as governing bodies.

Never heard of any US school offering after degrees up here.

My province hasn't graduated a diploma RN since 2009 and I'm not sure if our local universities even offer the bridge anymore

[RN in USA]

thank you. I appreciate your assistance. Do you know if the colleges of nursing in the provinces have to approve online clinical/practicum placements for the MSN programs, like MSN-leadership or education?

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

Yes, our Colleges are required by law, the Health Professions Act, to approve all educational programs, which include clinical placements. The accreditation process for these programs is quite rigorous.

[RN in USA]

Thank you for the information. Where can I find the Health Professions Act that states the Colleges approve all educational programs, including clinical placements? Is this for a particular providence or all of Canada? thank you again for your assistance. I am just trying to understand the processes in Canada.

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

Each province has its own Health Professions Act. They are essentially the same, with some minor differences based on population and legislative process. From the Alberta Health website (since Alberta is where I'm most familiar):

"The HPA requires that colleges carry out governance responsibilities in a manner that protects and serves the public interest. Health profession colleges do this by:

Setting entry requirements (including required education, practical training, and examinations);

Identifying services provided by regulated members, setting standards for professional practice;

Setting continuing competency requirements; and

Investigating complaints about regulated members and imposing disciplinary actions if required."

Manitoba says this:

"Scope of practice

3 The practice of registered nursing is the

application of registered nursing skill, knowledge

and judgment

(a) to assist individuals, families, groups,

communities and populations to achieve,

maintain and restore their optimal physical,

emotional, mental, spiritual and social health;

(b) to assess, diagnose, plan and provide

treatment and interventions and evaluate their

effectiveness and to make referrals;

© to teach, counsel and advocate on behalf of

their clients in order to enhance health and

well-being;

(d) to coordinate, supervise, monitor, deliver and

evaluate the provision of health care;

(e) to manage, administer and develop systems

related to registered nursing and the provision of

other health care;

(f) to teach registered nursing theory and

practice; and

(g) to engage in research related to health or the

practice of registered nursing.

College

4 The College of Registered Nurses of

Manitoba continued under the former Act is

continued under clause 8(b) of the Act as the College

of Registered Nurses of Manitoba for the regulated

health profession of registered nursing.

British Columbia says:

"The Health Professions Act gives the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia Board the power to make bylaws governing both

registrants and applicants for registration. As well, the Board has the power to make bylaws

concerning the administration and operation of CRNBC. These powers include making bylaws to:

... Establish classes of registration and the standards of academic achievement and other

qualifications required for registration in each class;

... Give the Registration Committee the discretion to assess whether the knowledge, skills

and abilities of an applicant for registration are substantially equivalent to the standards

of academic achievement and other qualifications that CRNBC requires for registration"

and this:

... Applicants for registration as a registered nurse or nurse practitioner who graduate from a

recognized education program in B.C. must successfully complete the required examination(s)

and provide evidence of good character and fitness to practise.

The Education Program Review Committee reviews entry-level nursing education programs and recommends to the CRNBC Board that it recognize a particular program. The graduates of recognized programs attain the entry-level competencies and standards of practice approved by the Board. The list of recognized nursing education programs is in Schedule C of the CRNBC bylaws."

That's a sampling of how the Health Professions Acts are interpreted here.

[RN in USA]

thank you ! I appreciate your assistance in answering my questions. I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week.