General information

The School of Nursing offers a diploma in Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner. The goal of the program is to educate registered nurses for an advanced practice role as a primary health care nurse practitioner (NP). The graduates of this program are prepared to assume leadership roles in improving the quality of nursing care as nurse practitioners in various primary health care settings. The program provides rigorous academic preparation based on theory, research, and practice to address health-related phenomena experienced by individuals, families, groups and communities.

The faculty of the School of Nursing is committed to assisting students to achieve the following objectives:

1. Synthesize complex health information using advanced diagnostic reasoning and critical thinking skills.
2. Critically appraise current evidence to support best practices.
3. Provide comprehensive evidence based on primary health care to clients and families across the lifespan applying clinical, theoretical and research knowledge.
4. Evaluate existing community level primary health care programs and develop new programs to meet the primary health care needs of the community.
5. Evaluate and influence policies affecting the health of the community.
6. Practice autonomously within a collaborative, interprofessional model to promote client health.
7. Deliver primary health care utilizing the roles (researcher, educator, and leader, collaborator, and change agent) recognized as advanced nursing practice.

The Diploma is offered in English and French as a post master’s degree option on a full-time or part-time basis. According to university regulations, students have the right to use French or English in their dealings with the Central Administration and the General Services and with the administration of the faculty or school where they are registered. Except in language courses, students have the right to produce their work and answer examination questions in the official language of their choice (either English or French).

All courses are offered in English and French by distance modalities. NP courses have a number of on-site tutorials for the clinical courses, and every effort will be made to provide clinical placements in either language close to the geographic area where the student is located.

Candidates for the Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner Diploma will be considered for admission under the general regulations of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (FGPS).

The admission requirements are as follows:

1. Baccalaureate degree in nursing;
2. Master’s degree in nursing or related discipline (e.g. education, health administration, public health)*;
3. Overall average of at least 70% (B) calculated in accordance with FGPS guidelines;
4. Current certificate of competence from the College of Nurses of Ontario or equivalent from another province;
5. The equivalent of two years nursing practice (3,640 hours) as a registered nurse within the last five years.

* In exceptional circumstances, the file of a candidate without a Master's degree could be considered.

Application deadline

The application deadline for a fall admission is the first Monday of February. However, applications received after the deadline will be reviewed and admission offers could be made providing that space is still available in the program. Please note that because of course sequencing and others factors, a student can only be admitted for a fall entry to the program. Preference is given to Ontario applicants. Out-of-province nurses will be accepted in the program if there are available spaces.

Please note that all students admitted to the School of Nursing must comply with the immunization regulations of the Faculty of Health Sciences prior to registration. See webpage, Immunization regulations of the Faculty of Health Sciences - (immunization, CPR): http://http://www.uottawa.ca/services/ehss/CPRM.html

Documents required

The following documents are required to be submitted to the Graduate Studies Office of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Roger Guindon Hall, Room 2016, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8M5):

1. The official "Application for Admission On-line - Graduate Studies" form;
2. Official transcripts of all postsecondary studies;
3. Two letters of recommendation (at least one letter from a health professional with whom you have worked);
4. Verification of Employment Hours Form documenting 3,640 hours of nursing practice within the last 5 years; http://http://www.health.uottawa.ca/sn/pro/documents/EmploymentHours-heuresemploi.pdf
5. Personal Essay From responding to three questions (maximum 1,500 words.) http://http://www.health.uottawa.ca/asg/form/phchp_personal_essay.htm
6. A copy of a current certificate of registration from the College of Nurses of Ontario or from the province of clinical placement.

Diploma Requirements

The diploma requires 30 credits as follows: