Perioperative Nursing for Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses

This program will provide LPNs with the required advanced practice education to work in a perioperative setting. Registered Nurses will gain additional knowledge and skills to provide safe, competent care in a perioperative setting.

Credential:

Post-Diploma Certificate

Program length:

22 Weeks

Area:

Health & Wellness

School:

School of Health and Wellness

Post-Graduation Work Permit:

Yes

No

About

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.

Admission requirements

  • Applicants must be actively registered in Alberta as a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse.
  • Applicants must provide proof of College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA) registration or College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA) licensure.
  • Applicants are strongly encouraged to have 1 year of recent acute care experience.

You need one of the following options:

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English Language Proficiency Requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, please review English language proficiency requirements.

Academic upgrading

Enhance your previous education to meet the missing admissions requirements for one of the BVC programs.

Available intakes

Starts in
Registration opens in
Domestic
International
September 2025
January 2026
Starts in
Registration opens in
September 2025
January 2026

Tuition and fees

Term
Tuition fees
Additional fees
Total fees*
Term 1
$4,950
584
$5,534

Estimated total tuition cost:

total cost
Term
Tuition fees
Additional fees
Total fees*
Term 1
584

Estimated total tuition cost:

total cost
*All tuition and fees are subject to change. Program tuitions are estimates only.  Your actual tuition and fees are calculated on actual course registrations and can be viewed under "Statement of Account" in MyBVC or by requesting a Statement of Account from Registrar Services.

Courses

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Zero Textbook Cost

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Course is eligible for PLAR

Earn a minimum grade of C in each of the following courses:

CodeCourseCreditPDF
NURS3301Introduction to Perioperative Nursing Concepts

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2

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NURS3302Perioperative Pharmacology and Anesthesia

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2

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NURS3303Perioperative Nursing Theory

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4

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Earn a minimum grade of B+ in each of the following courses:

CodeCourseCreditPDF
NURS3304 Perioperative Nursing Skills Lab

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4

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Complete the following courses:

CodeCourseCreditPDF
NURS3999Perioperative Nursing Preceptorship6

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I am ready to apply

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