Registered Practical Nurse - Operating Room
If you are a registered practical nurse and desire to work in a dynamic and challenging specialty, this Ontario College Graduate Certificate program provides you with the theoretical knowledge and technical skills required to work in a perioperative setting.
- This Ontario College Graduate Certificate program provides you with the theoretical knowledge and technical skills required to work in a perioperative setting. Students learn operating room practices, techniques and procedures that ensure safe patient care.
- Students will learn how to complete work as a member of a surgical team in a legal, ethical, competent, and professional manner.
- Students will learn how to identify and respond appropriately within the scope of practice to changes in human behavior due to the effects of illness, stress, and fatigue of an individual.
Program Availability and Schedule
Availability
Availability varies by course. Click here to view availability for courses in this program.
Schedule
Given the part-time delivery of this program, there is not a standard schedule for all learners.
Program Summary
Credential
Program Code
Area of Interest
To qualify for this certificate, you must complete the program within two years.
SUCCESS FACTORS...(read more)
Overview
If you are a registered practical nurse and desire to work in a dynamic and challenging specialty, this Ontario College Graduate Certificate program provides you with the theoretical knowledge and technical skills required to work in a perioperative setting. Students learn operating room practices, techniques and procedures that ensure safe patient care.
To qualify for this certificate, you must complete the program within two years.
SUCCESS FACTORS
This program is well-suited for nurses who:
- Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Are detail-oriented, organized and committed to achieving excellence in their work.
- Can be self directed but are also comfortable working in a team.
- Enjoy working in a fast-paced environment.
- Are critical thinkers.
Courses
Programs at Algonquin College are delivered using a variety of instruction modes. Courses may be offered in the classroom or lab, entirely online, or in a hybrid mode which combines classroom sessions with virtual learning activities. Upon registration, each full-time student is provided an Algonquin email account which is used to communicate important information about program or course events.
Read this before applying:
Applications for this program will be accepted between August 1 and August 31, 2024.Â
Courses |
Course Number | Hours | Course Name |
---|---|---|
NSG6779 | 45.0 | Introduction to Operating Room for RPNNSG6779 Introduction to Operating Room for RPNStudents learn perioperative nursing models, standards of practice and the development of perioperative patient care plans. Introduction to the operating room suites includes environmental and health and safety features and the roles of the surgical team members. Students are introduced to surgical instrumentation, principles of infection control and asepsis. Principles for setting up and working in an aseptic environment are explained. There are no classes currently scheduled for this course. |
NSG0168 | 90.0 | Perioperative Patient Care for RPNNSG0168 Perioperative Patient Care for RPNStudents create perioperative care plans that include preoperative assessment and intraoperative planning for surgical intervention. Students are introduced to safe, responsible practices of equipment, supply handling and the role of the perioperative nurse in assisting the surgical team. Implementation and documentation of care are practised. Students review surgical anatomy and explore select surgical and diagnostic procedures including requisite instrumentation, equipment and supplies, anesthetic interventions, as well as patient considerations in the immediate post-operative period. There are no classes currently scheduled for this course. |
NSG6760 | 45.0 | Operating Room Lab PracticeNSG6760 Operating Room Lab PracticeSkills and techniques for the scrub and circulating roles are demonstrated and practised during this lab experience. Participants have realistic hands-on experiences using operating room equipment and surgical instruments in the simulated lab environment. Skills are integrated into the performance of basic surgical procedures. Teamwork and interprofessional communication are emphasized during simulations. There are no classes currently scheduled for this course. |
NSG0130 | 150.0 | Registered Practical Nurse Operating Room ClinicalNSG0130 Registered Practical Nurse Operating Room ClinicalPreceptored clinical practice provides the opportunity for integration and consolidation of the theory and principles of operating room nursing in the hospital setting. Students are evaluated according to the clinical objectives. Students are considered members of the nursing team and are accountable to the staff for the nursing care they provide. Emphasis is on the scrub nurse's role as a member of the surgical team. There are no classes currently scheduled for this course. |
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
NSG6779 Introduction to Operating Room for RPN
Students learn perioperative nursing models, standards of practice and the development of perioperative patient care plans. Introduction to the operating room suites includes environmental and health and safety features and the roles of the surgical team members. Students are introduced to surgical instrumentation, principles of infection control and asepsis. Principles for setting up and working in an aseptic environment are explained.
NSG0168 Perioperative Patient Care for RPN
Students create perioperative care plans that include preoperative assessment and intraoperative planning for surgical intervention. Students are introduced to safe, responsible practices of equipment, supply handling and the role of the perioperative nurse in assisting the surgical team. Implementation and documentation of care are practised. Students review surgical anatomy and explore select surgical and diagnostic procedures including requisite instrumentation, equipment and supplies, anesthetic interventions, as well as patient considerations in the immediate post-operative period.
NSG6760 Operating Room Lab Practice
Skills and techniques for the scrub and circulating roles are demonstrated and practised during this lab experience. Participants have realistic hands-on experiences using operating room equipment and surgical instruments in the simulated lab environment. Skills are integrated into the performance of basic surgical procedures. Teamwork and interprofessional communication are emphasized during simulations.
NSG0130 Registered Practical Nurse Operating Room Clinical
Preceptored clinical practice provides the opportunity for integration and consolidation of the theory and principles of operating room nursing in the hospital setting. Students are evaluated according to the clinical objectives. Students are considered members of the nursing team and are accountable to the staff for the nursing care they provide. Emphasis is on the scrub nurse's role as a member of the surgical team.
NSG6779 - Introduction to Operating Room for RPN
Schedule
All sections for this course are in progress.
Description
Notes
NSG6760 - OPERATING ROOM LAB PRACTICE
Schedule
All sections for this course are in progress.
Description
Notes
NSG0168 - PERIOPERATIVE PATIENT CARE FOR RPN
Schedule
All sections for this course are in progress.
Description
NSG0130 - REGISTERED PRACTICAL NURSE OPERATING ROOM CLINICAL
Schedule
All sections for this course are in progress.
Description
Careers & Pathways
Careers
Nurses who complete this Ontario College Graduate Certificate program may find employment in hospital operating rooms or surgicentres.
Pathways
Please use our Pathways tool to search for pathway options.
Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Complete all work as a member of a surgical team in a legal, ethical, competent and professional manner.
- Contribute to the provision of nursing care to persons undergoing surgery by applying knowledge of the process and principles of nursing in the operating room setting.
- Participate in effective interdepartmental relationships related to operating room services.
- Identify and respond appropriately within the scope of practice to changes in human behaviour due to the effects of illness, stress and fatigue of an individual.
- Apply knowledge of the principles of physical sciences to operating room nursing.
- Apply asceptic techniques to all delegated tasks related to surgical procedures, patient care and other departmental functions.
- Contribute to the safety of self and others in the application, care and use of instruments, special equipment and supplies used for basic surgical procedures.
- Develop personal strategies to maintain, improve and promote professional competence within the role of the operating room nurse.
- Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.
Tuition & Fees
Get an idea of how much each semester will cost with our Tuition and Fee Estimator.
2024/2025 Academic Year
Fees are subject to change.
Fees for part-time programs are charged on a course-by-course basis and are published on each individual course page. For questions related to fees, please call the Registrar's Office at 613-727-0002.
Graduation Fee:
Once you have completed all the courses in the program, it is the responsibility of the student to complete a credential application. A graduation fee is charged when the application is submitted. After your credential application has been approved, you will be invited to Convocation.
Additional program related expenses include:
There is a fee for a Police Records Check which is payable at your local Police Department.
Admissions Requirements
Program Eligibility
- Proof of good standing and current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario as a Registered Practical Nurse is required.
- Prior to entry into the program, students are required to complete the online application form. Please refer to program notes.
- Applications are reviewed and determination of admission status is done in September.
Application Information
Read this before applying:
Applications for this program will be accepted between August 1 and August 31, 2024.Â
Additional Information
Program Resources
Students enrolled in the RPN Operating Room Graduate Certificate complete theory courses online. Labs are five hours per week for nine weeks. Clinical Practicum is a four-week, full-time day experience.
A passing grade for all theory courses is 60%. The lowest possible passing grade is C- and any grade lower than that results in a F.
Academic Planner:
The Academic Planner provides registered part-time students the ability to declare into a program of study. The Academic Planner outlines successfully completed courses to date, as well as courses that need to be completed in order to meet graduation requirements. It is therefore, essential that all part-time students declare to their program of study, allowing administrators to plan course offerings. The tool is available on ACSIS, located under 'Part-time Studies' on the left-hand toolbar.