The PHCNP Diploma program is a one-year, full-time or two-year, part-time course of study for nurses who already have a master’s degree and wish to prepare for advanced practice in primary health care nursing. The program consists of courses provided through the Ontario Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner program. This provides opportunities for students to develop advanced skills and knowledge in health assessment for clinical nursing roles in primary health care settings.
Queen’s University School of Nursing collaborates in a consortium of nine Ontario universities to deliver the seven courses of the Ontario Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner program that are required courses in the PHCNP Diploma program. Successful completion of the program allows the graduate to apply to complete the Canadian family/all-ages nurse practitioner licensure examination. Additional information about the Ontario Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner program can be found at http://np-education.ca. With a post Master's PHCNP diploma and registration, our graduates work in a wide variety of positions in public health, long-term care, primary health care, and community settings.
Official Information on the PHCNP Diploma program should be obtained from the School of Graduate Studies Calendar.
The Nurse Practitioner Primary Health Care Program at Queen's University is approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario (www.cno.org). Current graduates from this program are eligible to apply for Extended Class registration as a Nurse Practitioner in Ontario.
- Undergraduate university degree in nursing and Master's degree (nursing preferred) from accredited Universities
- Minimum overall average equivalent to B calculated over the core courses in both degrees;
- Active registration as a Registered Nurse with the College of Nurses of Ontario (International students cannot apply to this program unless they have active registration as a Registered Nurse with the College of Nurses of Ontario in Canada); and
- Two academic letters of reference (e.g. course professors)
International student cannot apply to this program unless they have active registration as a Registered Nurse with the College of Nurses of Ontario in Canada.
In addition to the online application submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, the following must be completed and submitted by hard copy to the Graduate Program Coordinator in the School of Nursing, Queen’s University, Cataraqui Building, 92 Barrie Street, Kingston, ON Canada K7L 3N6:
- One clinical reference (eg. your manager or supervisor)
- "Verification of Employment Hours" form completed by employer(s). Applicants must have the equivalent of two years of relevant full-time practice as a Registered Nurse within the past five years (minimum of 3640 hours).
- Completion of Nurse Practitioner personal essay questions
- Proof of registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario.
- Copy of Curriculum Vitae (Resume)
Roles and Responsibilities (OL)
Nurs 854
Integrated Practicum (CP)
Nurs 850 Advanced Pathophysiology for Nurse Practitioners (OL)
Nurs 856 Advanced Health Assessment & Diagnostics - I (CP)
Nurs 850
Advanced Pathophysiology for Nurse Practitioners (OL)
Nurs 857
Advanced Health Assessment & Diagnostics - II (CP)
Nurs 853
Roles and Responsibilities (OL)
Nurs 858
Therapeutics in Primary Health Care I (CP)
Nurs 853
Roles and Responsibilities (OL)
Nurs 859
Therapeutics in Primary Health Care II (CP)
Nurs 854
Integrated Practicum (CP)
Clinical placements typically occur within Kingston and communities within an hour's drive of Queen's. Our placement catchment area covers an area along the north shore of Lake Ontario from Peterborough to Smiths Falls to Brockville. As students are responsible for transportation to and from clinical placements, a vehicle will be necessary. The final clinical course Integrated Practicum requires 416 hours of clinical and 39 hours of tutorial over the 13 week term.
Applications to all graduate programs are made through the School of Graduate Studies website. Applications are available starting in late September for admission the following year.
Yes this program can be taken part-time. If taking the program full time, students are advised not to work.
Not completely. The PHCNP diploma course content is delivered both via online modalities as well as clinical tutorials held weekly on the Queen's campus. The tutorials are organized as small group seminars requiring active discussion among and presentations by students.