Introduction to Advanced Practice Nursing

NUR1170H is the first course in the MN Clinical Field and lays a strong scholarly, practice- oriented, and skills-based foundation for the program and future professional practice as an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN). Learners will be introduced to the role of the APN, including the opportunities for expansion and unique challenges faced by this group. Learners will begin to explore and understand the complexity, breadth, and in-depth knowledge required to respond to the health needs of individuals, families, groups, communities and populations in advanced practice roles. The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) has identified core competencies required of APNs in the document Advanced Nursing Practice: A Pan-Canadian Framework (CNA, 2019) as well as core competencies specific to the Clinical Nurse Specialist role (CNA, 2014). These two frameworks are used in the course in addition to multiple sources of scholarly literature and contemporary ideas of advanced nursing practice. This course specifically provides learners with opportunities to begin to develop the knowledge, skills, judgment, and personal attributes to enact the role of an APN. The course includes a practicum placement of 24 hours with an APN in any one of the following health care delivery settings: acute care hospitals, the community, long-term care, or complex continuing care. Students will also complete four hours across two required simulation laboratory sessions. The practicum placement should align with the individual student’s learning goals and future career goals and focus on the multifaceted breadth of knowledge and skills needed for advanced nursing practice.  

Delivery Format

In person