UofC

Location: Professional Faculties 1238

Student Information:

BN programs 403.220.4636

Master's and Doctoral programs 403.220.6241

Faculty number: 403.220.6262

Email addresses:

BN at Medicine Hat College - bnosinfo@ucalgary.ca

All other BN programs - nursing@ucalgary.ca

Master's and Doctoral - nursgrad@ucalgary.ca

Website: nursing.ucalgary.ca

The University of Calgary Faculty of Nursing was established in 1969. Undergraduates of the University of Calgary Baccalaureate Program in Nursing participate in the generation of disciplinary knowledge and are prepared to interpret, integrate and apply relevant knowledge from other fields to their practice, on a continuum of active learning. These Undergraduates have a clearly defined philosophical and conceptual basis for their practice; are prepared to provide a strong voice in inter-professional, collaborative undertakings; and use evidence-informed approaches and diverse ways of knowing to provide compassionate care, in order to sustain and promote healthful environments. They are called on to take leadership roles to promote health for individuals, families, public groups, communities and/or populations who are experiencing health transitions and, as such, work in a variety of settings across health/illness trajectories. Undergraduates of the University of Calgary Baccalaureate program in Nursing strive for excellence in meeting entry-level competencies as outlined by the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (2006) in five domains: professional responsibility/accountability; knowledge-based practice; ethical practice; service to the public; and self-regulation. They demonstrate professional and ethical decision-making behaviours as outlined in the Canadian Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses (2017).

Career opportunities in nursing are many and varied. Staff nurse positions are found in acute care (hospital) settings, extended care, home care, and community/rural settings. Nurses are also employed in occupational health nursing and in various government services such as outpost nursing, penitentiaries, international nursing or the Canadian Armed Forces. Completion of a BN degree allows graduates to write the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) which is a prerequisite for licensure in any province/territory in Canada.

Advising Services

Student advisors are available in the Nursing Undergraduate Programs Office on the ground floor of the Professional Faculties Building on the University of Calgary campus. Contact information, including office hours, can be found at: nursing.ucalgary.ca/undergraduate/undergraduate-programs-office. Students are encouraged to become familiar with the office and its services.

Undergraduate Nursing Society (UNS)

The UNS is a society consisting of elected representatives from the Nursing student body. UNS serves students by providing faculty-student liaisons, information on current nursing issues, graduation funding, social functions and a support network for Nursing students.

The study of nursing practice places students in a position of special trust with Registered Nurses, other health-care professionals, and their patients or clients. The Faculty of Nursing recognizes that nursing education occurs both inside and outside the classroom and has the responsibility to ensure that its graduates are competent and ethical. Students are expected to comply with all University of Calgary policies and regulations. Although nursing students in program are not regulated members of the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA), as part of their formation as professional nurses, they are also expected to meet professional and ethical standards for Registered Nurses as outlined by:

• Canadian Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses (2017):
  cna-aiic.ca/html/en/Code-of-Ethics-2017-Edition/files/assets/basic-html/page-1
  
• CARNA Practice Standards for Regulated Members (2013): nurses.ab.ca/content/dam/carna/pdfs/DocumentList/Standards/PracticeStandards_Jan2013.pdf
  
• CARNA Requisite Skills and Abilities for Becoming a Registered Nurse in Alberta (2011):
  nurses.ab.ca/content/dam/carna/pdfs/DocumentList/Guidelines/RN_RequisiteSkills_May2011.pdf

Students are expected to ensure they are both familiar with, and comply with these standards.

The Faculty of Nursing is located on the first and second floors of the Professional Faculties Building and the sixth floor of Craigie Hall, both which are on the main campus of the University of Calgary. The Faculty houses a Clinical Simulation Learning Centre which is designed as an interactive environment to advance excellence in Nursing. Within it, the acquisition of knowledge and skills is facilitated through a variety of resources which link nursing education, practice and research.

Nursing is a practice based profession. Terms 1 and 2 consist of foundational courses alongside option courses which bring breadth to the BN Program. Nursing practice courses begin in Term 3. Each nursing practice course for Terms 3 through 7 consists of a combination of both on- and off-campus practice hours. Term 8, the final practicum, is a full-time preceptored consolidation course which transitions nursing students to practice as a Graduate Nurse (GN). Nursing practice courses take place in a variety of institutional and community settings, including rural and urban centres, with a variety of client populations. Students are expected to travel, at their own expense, to any nursing practice agency within commuting distance to Calgary. Examples of facilities and agencies utilized by the Faculty of Nursing include: Alberta Children's Hospital, Alexandra Community Health Centre, Calgary Correctional Centre, Calgary Health Services, Claresholm Hospital, Foothills Hospital, Home Care, High River Hospital, Peter Lougheed Centre, Rockyview Hospital, Stoney Tribal Health Centre, Strathmore Public Health Unit, Wood's Homes. Many other community health agencies contribute in a variety of ways to the programs of the Faculty of Nursing. Out-of-region and international placements are arranged on an individual basis.