Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner (PHCNP) Certificate

Program Overview & Objectives - PHCNP Certificate 

Ryerson University’s Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing is pleased to offer the Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner (PHCNP) Certificate program. This program is for applicants with a minimum preparation of a Master’s degree in Nursing from a program accredited by CASN or approved by the appropriate provincial body.

Students enrolled in the PHCNP Certificate program will benefit from the depth of faculty expertise in primary health care found both within the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing and the PHCNP faculty expertise across the Council of Ontario University Programs in Nursing (COUPN) consortium.

Our primary objectives in offering the combined PHCNP Certificate program are to:

1. Prepare Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioners who are competent in the provision of care to individuals, families and communities.

Students will achieve this objective by successfully completing courses that provide the foundation for the critical appraisal, integration, and application of concepts, theories, and frameworks essential to the role of the Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner. The theoretical component of the courses will use online resources, seminars, teleconferences, discussion, written assignments, and seminar presentations to enhance nurse practitioner knowledge and skill. The clinical practicum component of the courses will provide opportunities for the application of advanced nursing practice, and related theories and research to varied health issues and client needs.

2. Provide opportunities for students to analyse and integrate theories, models, concepts, and frameworks from advanced practice nursing, nursing, and related disciplines that form the basis for the role of the Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner.

To achieve this objective, students will critically analyse and develop strategies to implement advanced nursing practice competencies, which include clinical, research, leadership, collaboration, and education. Throughout the program, students use a variety of learning modalities that strongly promote the integration of theory, practice, and self-direction as essential elements in the professional role of the nurse practitioner.

3. Prepare graduates who can incorporate principles of evidence-based practice and contribute to knowledge development for the role of the Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner.

To achieve this objective, students will critically appraise a variety of research methodology studies, debate health care and social policy issues, contribute to discussions with nurse practitioner and nurse researchers, and participate in primary health care clinical experiences. Guidance from expert faculty will enhance the nurse practitioner students’ capacity to contribute to knowledge development through the identification of critical questions and the ability to participate in research. Evidence based practice principles will be incorporated throughout each course to assess, diagnose, and manage health issues appropriate to the population served.

4. Prepare nurses to practice in the PHCNP role in an ethical and legal manner that reflects an understanding of human values, diversity, and health and social policy related issues.

This objective will be achieved in seminars where students will share their different experiences and backgrounds, as well as the diverse client situations they encounter in the clinical settings. The students will apply legislative regulations and ethical models to a variety of simulated and actual practice situations through assignments, seminar discussions, and clinical practice situations. These include, but are not limited to consultation, prescriptive authority, the ordering of laboratory and diagnostic tests and the certification of death. Effective strategies to influence health and social policy will be incorporated into discussion and assignments throughout the program.