Perinatal - Obstetrical and Neonatal Programs

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

These programs are intended for nurses wishing to enhance their knowledge and skills in perinatal nursing care. Courses provide a rigorous review of relevant material from conception to six weeks post partum for mother, fetus/newborn, and family. Credit for clinical hours may be available for individuals with current relevant experience. Nurses with current certification in neonatal resuscitation can apply for an exemption for the NRP course. Some courses in this program are also offered through Distance Education.

The Perinatal High Risk Obstetrical Certificate program will help prepare RNs to write the Canadian Nurses Association Perinatal Certification exam.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Current registration as a Registered Nurse with the College of Nurses of Ontario.

PROGRAM OF STUDIES

To obtain the High Risk Obstetrical Certificate you must successfully complete the following courses in the order listed:

To obtain the Neonatal Certificate you must successfully complete the following courses or equivalent in the order listed: 

CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING

Perinatal challenge exams are available for Registered Nurses with appropriate knowledge, skills and clinical experience who believe they are able to proceed more quickly through the certificate. Challenge exams are available for Perinatal Education 1 and Perinatal Education 2 . Prerequisites for the challenge exam include current/recent clinical experience and related knowledge. Call the Program Manager for registration and prerequisite assessment.

FAQ

I am interested in the Perinatal Nursing Certificate. What is involved?
The Perinatal Nursing Certificate Program has three (3) streams:

• Perinatal High Risk Obstetrics Certificate for Registered Nurses
• Perinatal Neonatal Certificate for Registered Nurses
• Perinatal Maternal Newborn Certificate for Registered Practical Nurses

The programs provide an increasing level of complexity in care practice as well as critical thinking skills. The courses follow a logical progression and build upon each other therefore it is expected that students will complete the program in the following sequence (See below).

What are the admission requirements?
Students must have a current certificate of registration from the College of Nurses of Ontario as a Registered Nurse or Registered Practical Nurse. Students are expected to submit a copy of their current registration to the Program Manager prior to any clinical experience.

How are the courses delivered?
Perinatal Education 1 and 2 are offered through distance learning as are the RPN Maternal Newborn courses. At this time, Neonatal Resuscitation, Advanced Obstetrical and Advanced Neonatal courses are offered in class. All course offerings and delivery methods are subject to change.

Courses run during the fall, winter and spring semesters. You can find full program of study information as well as course descriptions and cost information in our current catalogue.

How much work is there in the program?
The Perinatal Nursing Certificate is a post-basic program which means you must have completed either college or university for your basic nursing education. As such, there is an expectation that you know how to write in a scholarly manner and can do computer searches for current literature and/or evidence-based practice.

You are evaluated by a number of methods: assignments, tests, papers, and group presentations.  You will need to do work outside of class in preparation.  For example, in a distance education course, plan on spending approximately 3-6 hours per week on course work.  For an in-class offering, 1-2 hours a week or more may be required, in addition to the hours in the classroom.

Are there any clinical experiences? What is involved?
The clinical experiences are interspersed throughout the theory modules.  This provides you with the opportunity to apply the theory to a clinical setting.  These experiences can usually be completed in your own community.

Starting Fall 2007, clinical experiences will take place between April and August of each year in the Hamilton area, due to the overwhelming number of full-time students in clinical settings between September and April.

Other requirements include medical clearance from Mohawk College Health Services; please note there is a one-time fee of $115 for this clearance. If you have paid this fee for another clinical experience through Mohawk it is not required again.  However medical clearance will be required to be updated. Contact Health Services at IAHShealthservices@mohawkcollege.ca

You will be expected to develop a learning plan which is an opportunity to design the clinical experience to meet individual learning needs. The program manager can provide assistance with this. 

Exemptions for clinical experiences
If you already work in maternal-child nursing, application can be made through Prior Learning Assessment to challenge this experience.  Proof of work experience must be provided; the Program Manager should be contacted for further information.

If you have further questions please contact the Program Manager.

CURRENT COURSES

Mohawk College
Continuing Education catalogue
Health Sciences
Distance Education

RELATED LINKS

Canadian Nurses Association
http://www.cna-nurses.ca

Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS)
http://www.cps.ca

Childbirth Nurses Interest Group
http://www.cnig.ca

Pediatric Nurses Interest Group
http://www.pednig-rano.ca

Registered Nurses Association of Ontario
http://www.rnao.org

The Society of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC)
http://www.osgc.org