The Perioperative Post-Diploma Certificate is designed to provide Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses the theoretical and technical knowledge required to provide safe competent care across all phases of the perioperative process.

The 18-credit program is offered in a blended format with theory courses delivered asynchronously online, while skills labs and preceptorship are delivered in person. Laboratory components will be delivered once a week during the duration of the perioperative nursing skills lab which will be delivered over 8 weeks.

Work Integrated Learning

The perioperative nursing preceptorship will occur over a duration of 8 weeks, which could be subject to change based on the availability of preceptorship placements. Preceptorship placements may be outside the City of Calgary as well as any area within Calgary. The start date of the preceptorship placement can vary and is dependent on the availability of the preceptorship site (i.e., operating room facility).

If a student declines an assigned preceptorship placement, they will need to meet with an Associate Dean and Program Chair to determine if another preceptorship placement will be granted.

Students will only have one year to complete the NURS3999 Perioperative Nursing Preceptorship course. The one-year period will start immediately after grades are entered for the NURS3304 course.

Students should prepare for the possibility of daytime, evening, night, or weekend shifts for the duration of the preceptorship experience. Knowledge and experience gained through learning theory, skills labs, and work integrated learning provides the student with the required knowledge and skills to work in a perioperative environment.

Students are responsible for their own transportation and accommodation that may be required for a preceptorship placement.

Preparing for Work Integrated Learning

Documentation required prior to your preceptorship placement:

• Police Information Check (PIC), with Vulnerable Sector Search (VSS), should be requested no sooner than 90 days prior to the start of your program.
• All students are required to complete an immunization assessment and provide proof of immunization. Students must meet site requirements for immunizations prior to the start of all preceptorship placements. Not having immunizations could jeopardize your ability to be assigned to a placement and cause a deferral to another term. This may affect your program completion date.
• You can ensure your CPR certification is up to date by taking FACP9101 Basic Life Support CPR Healthcare provider level through Extended Education. This certificate must be renewed every year.
• You will have an opportunity to get an N95 mask fitting at our downtown campus, before you begin your preceptorship.  You will be able to register for this course SAFT9406 N95 Mask Fitting through MyBVC (or your regional administrator) once your program begins.

If students do not meet the requirements for Work Integrated Learning by the program’s submission deadline date, they will not be permitted to participate in Work Integrated Learning experiences for that term. The submission deadline date will be communicated to students after they have started the program.