WELCOME Family Practice Nursing Program Information Session Program Coordinator Sheilagh Callahan, RN MScN Family Practice Nursing

Information Session Overview:  Family Practice background information  Who is the program for? Program requirements?  How is the program designed?  What courses will I be taking? What are the main themes?  How is the Clinical Placement structured?  When will the program start? Program cost?  Frequently Asked Questions  Contact details for further inquires

Family Practice Nursing  Historically Nurses moved to Family Practice following many years of generalist practice  Nurse roles were largely determined by Physician needs  No specific nursing curriculum has been available for Primary Care until now  Curriculum and Competencies are being identified & developed  George Brown College Certificate Program - first Primary Care professional development opportunity for RN’s in Canada

Family Practice or Primary Care Nursing is increasingly being recognized as specialized field of Nursing Nature of practice  Clients = Before birth to “End of life”  Long-term Nurse-Client Relationships  Health = defined by client & determined by biological, psychosocial, environmental factors  Nurses collaborate with clients and team to facilitate client health goals  Roles include promotion of health, prevention of illness, and management of chronic diseases Family Practice Nursing

Who is this program for?  RN’s working in a Primary Care setting seeking to advance their scope of practice. Examples include: Family Health or Primary Care Team, Community Health Center, Aboriginal Access Center, NP-Led Clinic, Dr’s Office, Family Practice Clinic, etc…  RN’s with current clinical practice experience seeking career move to Primary Care

Family Practice Nursing Program Requirements: Registered Nurse  Current Registration/no restrictions – Recognized College of Nurses Certificate  Clinical practice experience – General Med/Surg. Primary Care experience ideal  Pre-placement Health Check  Current CPR certification – Health Professional  Current Vulnerable Persons Police check

Family Practice Nursing How is the program designed?  Fulltime, most coursework on-line  2 semesters – Sept. - Dec., Jan. - April  Next intake – September 2014  First term = 4 online courses + 2 weekends at College  Second term – 13 week clinical practicum – 2 days/week in Interprofessional Team-based Primary Care setting + 1 online course

What courses will I be taking? SEMESTER 1 1. Primary Care Nursing & the Health Care System 2. Assessment & Management Part 1 & 2 3. Using Research to Enhance Family Practice Nursing 4. Quality, Risk & Workflow Management SEMESTER 2 5. Leadership & Advocacy (online) 6. Clinical Practicum in Primary Care setting (2 days/week,13 weeks) Family Practice Nursing

Program Themes  RN scope of practice in Primary Care  RN Roles in Primary Care; Health Promotion, Prevention & Chronic Disease Management  RN competencies; Relational Inquiry, Assessment & Management across life span, Interprofessional collaboration  Evidence Based Practice  Relation-centered practice; self, practitioners, client  Advocating & leading change - healthy clients & healthy systems  Planning & evaluating programs for quality care Family Practice Nursing

How is the clinical placement structured?  Clinical practicum is arranged by the Placement Coordinator in consultation with RN students.  Clinical Placement sites are selected based on ability to provide an interprofessional team environment, and support for RN’s to practice to full scope  RN’s currently working in an interprofessional team based environment may be able to complete practicum project within their workplace Family Practice Nursing

When will the program start?  The next intake will be September 2014  Orientation takes place at George Brown College in late August. Exact date to be announced.  Registration is now open Family Practice Nursing

What does the program cost?  This is a fulltime graduate certificate program  Program Fees approx. $3,  Texts are additional but minimal (approx. $200) as most resource materials are online  Financial support may be available from RNAO education fund and/or Ontario Family Practice Nurses Association Bursary – apply early Family Practice Nursing

Question: Can I take this program part-time? Answer: At the present time the program is only offered on a full-time basis, with 1 annual intake in September. Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Can I work full-time and take this program? Answer: This is a full-time program, with the heaviest workload in the first semester. While work and study can be challenging, students have proven the workload is manageable by successfully completing the program working and studying fulltime.

Frequently Asked Questions Question: How much time do the courses require? Answer: Each course requires a minimum of 3 hours/week to complete online content, plus additional time spent on research, group assignments, discussion postings, and study.

Frequently Asked Questions Question: How difficult is it to take courses online? Answer: For anyone taking online courses for the first time, there is an initial learning curve getting used to the online system & tools, and adapting to this style of learning and the online environment. Most students learn quickly and adapt well once the initial anxiety and unfamiliarity with the system subsides.

Frequently Asked Questions Question: Is there anything I can do now to prepare for this program? Answer: You can read up on Federal and Provincial Governments’ plans to transform Primary Care to ensure all health professionals work to their full scope and clients receive timely access to care. You can practice taking an online course through RNAO. And, you can familiarize yourself with the Canadian Nurses Association website in relation to Primary Care.

Frequently Asked Questions Question: Will this certificate be recognized? Answer: While requirements for post graduate preparation in Primary Care Nursing do not yet exist, Professional Nursing Associations recognize the need and are currently working on recommendations for preparation for this specialized field of nursing practice.

Frequently Asked Questions Question: Will this program get me a job in a Primary Care setting? Answer: No program can guarantee a job in your chosen field. However, the clinical placement offers the student opportunities to showcase one’s professionalism and competencies, as well as offering networking opportunities to connect with a wide range of professionals in the field, which can expand one’s potential for employment.

For more information: Visit: search “RN-Family Practice’ Call: Sheilagh Callahan , ext Thank you for your interest. Family Practice Nursing