Section 205.50 - Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research

The Faculty of Nursing is organized into four broad Areas of Excellence: Nursing Pedagogy; Philosophy, and History (NPPH); Chronicity; Health Equity and Health Systems. This initiative organizes the faculty’s research efforts, facilitates the development of research partnerships and interdisciplinary linkages, and directly links with courses in the Master of Nursing (MN) and the PhD.

The MN program prepares nurses to fulfil leadership roles in advanced practice nursing; provide health promotion, prevention and specialized care in a variety of health care settings; teach in academic and clinical settings; and contribute to the development of health programs and policies. It provides a solid academic and practice foundation for pursuing a PhD in Nursing.

The PhD (Nursing) program is designed to educate for excellence in the development and testing of nursing knowledge and research-based nursing practice. The number and types of courses included in the program will vary according to the individual needs of the student.

The embedded Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Nursing Education is recognition of the completion of three specific graduate level courses in teaching and learning. This certificate is provided to those students who, upon fulfillment of the requirements for either the Master of Nursing or PhD (Nursing) Program, have focused on the practice of teaching and completed the three graduate level teaching and learning courses. Preferably, students will declare an intention to receive the embedded Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Nursing Education at the beginning of their graduate program.

205.50.2 The Degree of MN

The MN program is an intensive practicum-based experience, intended to enhance knowledge and skills in the following five main areas: clinical and community practice, research and evidence-based practice, leadership/management, teaching/learning, and inter-professional practice. It includes practica opportunities in various areas: clinical, leadership, teaching and research. Those students who choose a clinical focus may, upon completion of the MN program, apply for Nurse Practitioner (NP) Adult licensure with the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA). In addition, students can receive a Specialization in Aging focusing on older adults in an acute or continuing care setting or in a community or home care setting. The Specialization in Aging is indicated on the student’s transcript and degree at program completion.

Entrance Requirements

The Faculty's minimum admission requirements are

(1)	A baccalaureate degree in Nursing with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the final two years (or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution). Registration with CARNA is required.
(2)	Three letters of reference (criteria described on the application form).
(3)	An undergraduate course in each of statistics and research methods, with a minimum grade of B (or equivalent), preferably completed within the past six years.
(4)	A minimum of one year of clinical nursing experience in the specialty area to which the student is applying is typically required. Students interested in a clinical focus or Nurse Practitioner (NP) licensure must provide evidence of 4500 hours of RN experience.
(5)	A TOEFL score of at least 550 (paper-based), or a total score of 88 with a score of at least 20 on each of the individual skill areas (internet-based), or equivalent where applicable (see §203.2.4 of this Calendar).

Clinical Requirements for Nursing Courses

The Faculty of Nursing is committed to meeting standards of practice in nursing by ensuring that students attain and maintain required certifications and meet recommended immunization standards. Students are responsible for the health and safety requirements for all clinical practice courses in their graduate program. These requirements must be met prior to starting the clinical courses. If there is an associated fee, students are responsible for the costs incurred.

(1)	Registration with College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA) Clinical placements: All students doing clinical placements must be registered in the Province in which they are doing placements. For most students this will mean Alberta (CARNA) but some may be placed in other Provinces and it is mandatory that MN students are registered in the Province in which their clinical placement occurs. Students are responsible for ensuring that they meet the registration requirements of any Province in which they are placed. Proof of registration must be submitted with application documents and on an annual basis. An RN student in a nurse practitioner program may use the term “student” with the protected “NP” title. As students in the NP program must be registered with CARNA for their practica, they must identify themselves as an RN when providing health services, even in the student role. CARNA suggests the title “RN, Student NP”. Research data collection: Any student research that involves contact with patients will require the student to be registered with CARNA. Students are responsible for being registered. This rule applies equally to MN and PhD students. Teaching: Any graduate students involved in teaching students or working as a graduate teaching assistant (e.g., marking papers or exams) must be registered with CARNA. This rule applies equally to MN and PhD students. Questions concerning registration should be directed to the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies Nursing. For questions about the health and safety requirements, contact Karen Peterson at karen.peterson@ualberta.ca or (780) 492-8645.
(2)	Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification (CPR) CPR certification at the Healthcare Provider Level is required. This course is designed for healthcare providers who have a duty to respond to medical emergencies. A CPR-Healthcare Provider certificate is valid for one year from the date of the course. Evidence of annual recertification must be presented each year while in the program. Students who do not have current CPR-Healthcare Provider Level certification cannot participate in clinical courses. Level C CPR certification is not acceptable; students must obtain CPR at the Healthcare Provider Level. If students have EMT certification that they believe may be equivalent to Healthcare Provider Level CPR, contact the Faculty of Nursing. Students in advanced clinical courses (N580; N581; N585) require Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Life Support course (PALS) or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).
(3)	Health Status Form Health Status Declaration: All students admitted to nursing programs must complete a Health Status Declaration (HSD) available on the Faculty of Nursing website at www.nursing.ualberta.ca.
(4)	Immunization Requirements Students must have their immunization records reviewed and updated by a healthcare professional. The Faculty of Nursing highly recommends that this be done at the University Health Centre. Students should bring all childhood and previous immunization records to the appointment. These can be obtained by contacting the student’s local public health centre, school, family physician, or wherever the student may have had childhood immunizations completed. Students who cannot obtain their records should consult with the University Health Centre for advice. Immunizations will be updated based on individual assessment. Refer to part B of the Medical Clearance Form for a complete list of required immunizations. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all immunizations remain current while in the Nursing program. Clinical experiences may be delayed if requirements are not met. Students who will not be proceeding with immunization or serological testing to prove their immunity, must contact the Faculty of Nursing for completion of waiver documentation.
(5)	Criminal Record Check (Security Clearance Check) Under the Protection for Persons in Care Act, a criminal record check (security clearance check) may be required by any site providing clinical practice. The clinical practice site will determine the criteria for acceptance/denial of a placement. The clinical instructors will notify students if a criminal record check is required for their specific clinical placement, and students are then responsible for having the check completed prior to commencement of clinical practice. Students who have concerns related to their ability to satisfy a criminal record check should consult with the Faculty of Nursing immediately upon being admitted to the program. Criminal record checks can be obtained through the Edmonton Police Service (see the Police Information Check page for more details), a community police station, or any RCMP detachment. Students must familiarize themselves with the requirements and process before going in for their criminal record check (fees, identification to bring, processing times, etc.). Students from outside of the region are advised to obtain this requirement prior to relocating to Edmonton. Students who obtain a criminal record check must not submit it to the Faculty of Nursing. Students need to keep their criminal record check and present it to clinical agencies upon their request. Criminal record checks are considered valid for 90 days, so additional checks will need to be acquired throughout the program. Students enrolled in NURS 511, 567, 571, or 581 may also be required to obtain a Child Intervention Record Check (Child Welfare Check). These are obtained from Child and Family Services Authority offices, and specific information may be obtained at the Undergraduate Nursing Office located on the third floor of the Clinical Sciences Building.
(6)	Professional Ethics/Code of Student Behaviour: All students enrolled in the Faculty of Nursing are bound by, and shall comply with, the Professional Codes of Ethics governing the profession and practice of Nursing.

“Professional Codes of Ethics” means the current Canadian Nurses Association's Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses, and all other relevant professional codes and practice standards for registered nurses.

It is the responsibility of each Faculty of Nursing graduate student to obtain, and be familiar with, such Professional Codes of Ethics, and their amendments as may be made from time to time. (See §30.1 and 30.2 of the Code of Student Behaviour). Amendments to the Code of Student Behaviour occur throughout the year. The official version of the Code of Student Behaviour, as amended from time to time, is housed on the University Governance website at www.governance.ualberta.ca.

Financial Assistance

Information regarding graduate assistantships and other forms of financial assistance will be supplied on request.

Program Requirements

Student programs are designed on an individual basis within the MN curriculum and in light of the student's career goals, clinical interests, and research interests. Students normally complete a minimum of ten courses plus thesis (thesis-based program) or eleven courses plus NURS 900 (course-based program) over the duration of their program.

For the Specialization in Aging, students choose either a thesis-based or a course-based program. Thesis students take ten required courses and complete a thesis. Course-based students take eleven courses (including one elective in their area of interest) and complete a capping exercise.

The Faculty of Nursing recommends that all MN students register in at least 9 in each September to August period. Thesis-based students who register full-time in their first full year (minimum 9 Fall Term and minimum 9 Winter Term) will be required by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research to continue with full-time registration throughout the program.

Length of Program

The Master's program can be completed within a two-year plus one term period. All requirements for the degree must be completed by thesis-based MN students within four years, and by course-based MN students within six years.

205.50.3 The Degree of PhD

Entrance Requirements

Applicants are sought who have a health background, an excellent scholastic record, and a demonstrated commitment to research. Applicants are selected by an admission committee and potential supervisor(s) on the basis of academic and research potential as evidenced in past grades; publications, presentations and academic awards; letters of reference; synopsis of academic, research, and professional plans/expectations; scholarly work; and current curriculum vitae. The minimum requirements for entrance are (1) a relevant master's degree from the University of Alberta (or its equivalent) with a GPA of 3.0 on the 4-point scale; (2) appointment of an appropriate supervisor; (3) satisfactory letters of reference; (4) academic, research, and professional plans which are acceptably stated, logically developed, and congruent with the PhD program and the supervisor's research program; and (5) where applicable, evidence of proficiency in the English language (a satisfactory score on an approved English language test such as a TOEFL score of 550). Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

Program Requirements

Student programs are designed under the direction of a supervisor/supervisory committee in relation to the student's background, dissertation interests, career goals, and learning needs in the areas of nursing theory, nursing research, nursing practice, and nursing history. The only required course is the Dissertation Seminar (NURS 699) which is compulsory for two terms.

The Faculty of Nursing requires all PhD (Nursing) students to maintain full-time status which consists of 18 taken during the academic year (September – April) [Fall (minimum 9) and Winter (minimum 9)]. In total, students must register in a minimum of 36 (a combination of courses and thesis research) over the duration of their program.

Students will progress through (1) a written comprehensive examination at the end of their coursework; (2) an oral PhD candidacy examination (including defense of their thesis proposal); and (3) a final oral examination.

The minimum period of residence on campus is one Fall or Winter Term, or two Spring or Summer Terms.

Length of Program

The time required to complete the program will vary according to the student's coursework requirements and the extent of the research project. Normally, a minimum of three years is required. All requirements for the degree must be completed within six years of the student's registration for the degree.

205.50.4 The Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Nursing Education

Nursing education requires educators who are not only proficient in clinical knowledge and skill but who are also knowledgeable and informed about the process of teaching and learning. The completion of this certificate would reflect the acquisition of the relevant knowledge and skills required to teach in the discipline of nursing. At a glance, this certificate would thus allow for instant recognition of formal preparation in teaching and learning.

Students admitted to either the Master of Nursing or PhD (Nursing) Program may choose to focus on the practice of teaching and learning within the context of nursing education. Students who declare this choice at the beginning of their graduate program will be required to register in and successfully complete the three graduate level courses (NURS 546, 556, 586) focused on teaching and learning in higher education for nursing. Upon successful completion of the graduate program, inclusive of the designated teaching and learning courses, the student will be awarded the embedded Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Nursing Education in addition to their graduate degree. The embedded Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Nursing Education will be noted on the student’s transcript.

205.50.5 Graduate Courses

Course offerings vary from term to term depending upon student enrolment and availability of suitable instructors. A current listing is available on Bear Tracks: https://www.beartracks.ualberta.ca/

Graduate courses can be found in §231, Course Listings, under the subject heading Nursing (NURS).

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