Family Practice Nursing Education Program

Credential Earned

Certificate of Completion

Length

  • Full time: 16 weeks

See Plan of Study details for more information.

Delivery

  • Independent, online learning with live classroom and simulation sessions
  • In-person skills lab in Halifax
  • Clinical placements divided into 3 blocks for a total of 150 hours

Dates

  • Winter: January 22, 2024-May 13, 2024
  • Spring: March 18, 2024-July 8, 2024
  • Fall: August 26, 2024-December 13, 2024

Registration Deadlines

  • Winter: Program registration closed
  • Spring: Program registration closed
  • Fall: June 21, 2024 

Overview

The Family Practice Nursing Education Program (FPNEP) is designed to prepare Registered Nurses to work in primary health care settings. This performance-based program supports RNs to advance their clinical judgment, critical thinking, and clinical leadership in family practice. The program prepares nurses to provide safe, effective, and compassionate care to patients and families at the advanced beginner level.

The program uses a conceptual learning approach. Knowledge and skills are organized into concepts that are illustrated using real-life patient situations. Learners study a concept, actively apply the concept to a patient scenario, and then learn a new concept. Each concept is integrated with others so, by the end of a program, graduates can apply all concepts to patient populations in a variety of primary health care settings. This active, learner-centred approach fosters critical thinking and a deeper understanding of clinical knowledge by building on previous knowledge. Learners are well-prepared to meet the dynamic and complex needs of patients in family practice settings.

Requirements

  • Active-practicing RN license with the provincial regulator
  • Completion of  Education Program for Immunization Competencies (EPIC) course
  • Support from an employer to attain the competencies to practice at optimal scope as an RN in family practice, which must include access to a primary care site to complete clinical experiences
  • Access to/training in electronic medical records (EMR) if used in current practice setting

Please note:

  • For online learning, learners must have a functioning microphone and use a headset or ear buds.
  • We use online proctoring software for exams, which is not compatible with Nova Scotia Health networked computers. Learners must have access to a computer with an up-to-date operating system to complete exams.

Register  Contact Us

The Nova Scotia Health Learning Institute for Health Care Providers offers education programming designed to meet the needs of learners across the province and strengthen our health care system. We are committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-informed programming that enables providers to develop and maintain foundational and specialty competencies.