Registered Nurse – Operating Room Perioperative Nursing Program (Postgraduate) (S414)
Apply Now:
Domestic Students
Program Description
Leadership Claims
Preparing registered nurses to work in the operating room for over 50 years.
This full-time, 14-week program has been accredited with the Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (ORNAC) since 2017.
Program Overview
Registered Nurse – Operating Room Perioperative Nursing (Postgraduate) is a graduate certificate program for registered nurses. In one semester, students will learn the skills required to work as an operating room nurse. This program includes both a theory and clinical practice component.
Full Description
Registered Nurse – Operating Room Perioperative Nursing (Postgraduate) (S414) is an ORNAC-approved (2021) accredited program that utilizes current perioperative nursing research and strictly adheres to the ORNAC Standards of Practice.
This graduate certificate program prepares the registered nurse to practise at a beginner level in the perioperative setting. Students will learn operating room principles and practice considerations for all surgical specialties.
This includes:
- the study of relevant anatomy
- surgical modalities
- surgical instrumentation
- the nursing process of caring for perioperative patients
- simulated lab practise to consolidate the development of the scrub and circulating nurse roles
Each student will complete a clinical practicum in an operating room with an emphasis on both roles in various surgical specialties.
Course Delivery
This course will be delivered through multimodal learning and will include:
- synchronous and asynchronous in class and online theory
- lab skills and simulations
- a clinical practical experience
The program is organized in two phases.
Phase I: Nursing 4045: Nursing Theory and Lab Skills
During the first five weeks of this program, students will learn:
- current ORNAC standards, principles and applications
- surgical anatomy and instrumentation
- intensive study of surgical interventions and surgical technologies
- role of the scrub nurse
- role of the circulating nurse
- clinical lab skills delivered at George Brown's Operating Room in our accredited Simulation Centre
Phase II: Nursing 4046: Clinical Practicum
During the second phase of this program, students will consolidate operating room theory and principles at a designated hospital facility during an eight-week (320-hour) clinical placement.
This includes:
- development of the scrub nurse role
- development of the circulating nurse role
- exposure to various surgical specialties (i.e. General Surgery, Urology, Gynecology, Plastic Surgery, ENT and Orthopedic Surgery)
- safe and professional practice
While in the clinical setting, students will participate in online discussions through live video conferences and complete clinical assignments as per the course syllabus.
Clinical placements are coordinated by the program coordinator with hospitals in and outside of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), or at the hospital where the student is currently employed. A clinical placement for independent (non-hired) students must be confirmed to be considered for an acceptance in the program. Sponsored (hired) students will complete their clinical placements at the hospital where they are employed.
Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities
Educational Pathways
Students who complete George Brown's Registered Nurse – Operating Room Perioperative Nursing graduate certificate program are eligible to submit the Course Curriculum Outline from the year the program was taken. Students may apply for a transfer credit toward the Post-Diploma B.Sc.N. program at Toronto Metropolitan University.
For further information, see the Transfer Guide.
Alumni Impact
We are immensely proud of the contributions of our alumni in Toronto and around the globe.
From Michelin-starred restaurants to major construction, entertainment, community and financial organizations, our graduates are truly making an impact across a range of industries.
Courses
Required Courses
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| NURS 4045 | Operating Room Nursing – Theory and Labs |
| NURS 4046 | Operating Room Nursing – Practicum |
Note: Due to ongoing program improvements, courses are subject to change without notice.
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Practice in a professional manner, within the legislated, ethical frameworks and exhibit cultural sensitivity in diverse clinical settings.
- Develop and sustain therapeutic relationships with surgical clients and their families.
- Communicate effectively with surgical clients, health-care team members and others.
- Participate effectively as a team member to support surgical clients’ achievement of their expected outcome.
- Integrate theory, principles and concepts into competent surgical nursing practice.
- Complete health assessments in a holistic, comprehensive and analytical manner.
- Prioritize and organize nursing health care.
- Implement and evaluate nursing interventions competently.
- Use a variety of technological tools to support surgical clients’ achievement of their expected health outcomes.
- Apply principles of teaching-learning to promote surgical clients’ health and wellness.
- Practice according to the Standards of Practice of Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada, the College of Nurses of Ontario and The Canadian Nurses’ Association.
- Emphasize sustainable practices minimizing the environmental footprint consistent with the highest standards of practice in the perioperative setting.
Tuition & Fees
Domestic Tuition
Additional Costs
*Amounts listed are the estimated total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for one semester of the program starting in Fall 2023. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2024 and at later dates. This fee does not include books, which are to be purchased by the student separately.
Financial Assistance
RNs registered to practise in Ontario and employed in a Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) priority area may be eligible for a Nursing Education Initiative (NEI) grant to support their education and professional development. To learn more about this program, visit rnao.ca/education-funding/nei.
This program is approved for OSAP funding, provided the applicant meets OSAP eligibility criteria.
Each year we award over $2 million dollars in scholarships, awards and bursaries to first-year students. Check out our financial aid webpages for ways to pay for college and the full list of available scholarships, awards and bursaries.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is subject to change without notice. It should not be viewed as a representation, offer or warranty. Students are responsible for verifying George Brown College fee requirements.
Admission Requirements
- RN, Certificate of Competence, College of Nurses of Ontario without practice restrictions
- BCLS (Heart and Stroke Foundation), HCP Level
- current resumé
- interview by telephone
- recommended two years of surgical nursing experience in the hospital setting. No operating-room experience is necessary
This program is open to both non-sponsored (independent) and sponsored student applicants.
Independent Student:
- independent application and tuition fees
- not hired by a clinical agency
- a clinical placement is arranged at an affiliate hospital by the program co-ordinator
- must complete the pre-placement health form requirements and VSS upon program acceptance
Sponsored Student:
- hired by the clinical agency (prior to) applying to the program
- program fees may or may not be covered based on hiring contract details from the clinical agency
- clinical placement is completed at the hospital student is employed
If you would like more information about sponsorship to this program and how to meet the admission requirements please contact nursing@georgebrown.ca.
This program is open to domestic applicants only.
Course Exemptions
College or university credits may qualify you for course exemptions. Please visit the Transfer Guide for more information.
Special Requirements
Clinical Pre-placement Health Form: Requirements and Program Policy
Upon confirmation of acceptance into this program, students must meet and complete all the mandatory Pre-placement requirements for this program. It will take up to 10 to 12 weeks to complete.
- Students will need to process and provide proof of their medical records (such as TDAP shot, COVID-19, MMR, Varicella, Hep B blood test reports/titres and Two-Step TB Skin Test), proof of clear Vulnerable Sector Check renewed every year, Basic Life Support certificate renewed every year, annual flu shot and mask fit test renewed every two years. These requirements must be submitted by the program-specific deadline to ParaMed Placement Pass website.
- COVID-19 vaccination is highly recommended for oral health care workers and those working with vulnerable populations, hospitals, long term care facilities and some community agencies continue to require COVID-19 vaccines for placements. Students who are not vaccinated may not be able to attend external clinical or field placements. As a result, this may pose a risk of meeting the requirements for program completion. The onsite WAVE (Wellness, Applied Learning, Visionary, Education) dental clinic will not require vaccination but it is highly recommended. Use of PPE will be required in all onsite clinics.
- The health policies and non-academic requirements are designed to protect clients and vulnerable populations whom students will engage in practice. Students who do not comply with the program’s health policy and non-academic requirements, or who do not submit all required documentation by deadlines established by the program will be excluded from the clinical practicum. Exclusion from clinical practicum for any reason may jeopardize students' academic standing and successful completion of this program.
- All costs, service fees and fines associated with the overall health requirements are the responsibility of the student.
- To download the mandatory Pre-placement health form and for more details, go to the Clinical Pre-placement website.
Vulnerable Sector Check: Requirements and Program Policy (Renew every year)
- In compliance with the requirements of our placement partners, all students in this program are required to have a Vulnerable Sector Check completed, and this check must be renewed every year before entering into field or clinical placement.
- The Vulnerable Sector Check process typically takes two to three months, but under some circumstances can take four to eight months. This is required to protect the clientele of our placement partner agencies, who are considered “vulnerable persons” under the law.
- Students are responsible for ensuring that the Vulnerable Sector Check covers appropriateness for “individuals being employed and/or volunteering who will be working with vulnerable person(s).
- Students are required to keep the original copy of their Vulnerable Sector Check.
- Students who are unable to provide a “clear” Vulnerable Sector Check will not be able to start their field or clinical placement and will therefore be unable to complete the program. Students who are not eligible to attend their practice placement due to a “not clear” status will jeopardize their progress in the program. Our agency partners have the final decision for students being allowed to practice in their agency.
Failure to meet the requirements for field placement will prevent students from completing the program and/or securing employment. The fees for the vulnerable sector check vary and must be paid by the student. For more information, please visit the Clinical Pre-placement website.
How to Apply
Domestic students can apply through Ontario Colleges.
Please note: Due to the limited number of clinical placements available, this program has a limited number of seats open to applicants lacking specific clinical experience. Please contact nursing@georgebrown.ca for more details before applying.
Contact Us
Contact Professor Laura Ptasznik , Program Co-ordinator at the George Brown College Sally Horsfall Eaton School of Nursing at 416-415-5000, ext. 5849 or email laura.ptasznik@georgebrown.ca for more information.
For general information about George Brown College, call the Contact Centre at 416-415-2000 or long distance 1-800-265-2002.
Registered Nurse – Operating Room Perioperative Nursing Program (Postgraduate) (S414)
Apply Now:
Domestic StudentsProgram Description
Leadership Claims
Preparing Registered Nurses to work in the operating room for over 40 years.
George Brown offers the only full-time 14-week Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (ORNAC) approved course in Ontario.
Program Overview
George Brown College's Registered Nurse – Operating Room Perioperative Nursing (S414) prepares the Registered Nurse with the theoretical and technical skills required to work as an operating room nurse. This program includes a theory and clinical practice component.
Full Description
George Brown College's Registered Nurse – Operating Room Perioperative Nursing (S414) is an ORNAC-approved (2021) accredited postgraduate program that utilizes current perioperative nursing research and strictly adheres to the ORNAC Standards of Practice.
This program prepares the Registered Nurse to practise at a beginner level in the perioperative setting. Students will learn operating room principles and practice considerations for all surgical specialties.
This includes:
- the study of relevant anatomy
- surgical modalities
- surgical instrumentation
- the nursing process of caring for perioperative patients
- simulated lab practice to consolidate the development of the scrub and circulating nurse roles
Each student will complete a clinical practicum in an operating room with an emphasis on both roles in various surgical specialties.
Course Delivery
This course will be delivered through multimodal learning and will include:
- synchronous and asynchronous in class and online theory
- lab skills and simulations
- a clinical practical experience
The program is organized in two phases.
Phase I: Nursing 4045: Nursing Theory and Lab Skills
During the first five weeks of this program, students will learn:
- current ORNAC standards, principles and applications
- surgical anatomy and instrumentation
- intensive study of surgical interventions and surgical technologies
- role of the scrub nurse
- role of the circulating nurse
- clinical lab skills delivered at George Brown's Operating Room in our accredited Simulation Centre
Phase II: Nursing 4046: Clinical Practicum
During the second phase of this program, students will consolidate operating room theory and principles at a designated hospital facility during an eight-week (320-hour) clinical placement.
This includes:
- development of the scrub nurse role
- development of the circulating nurse role
- exposure to various surgical specialties (i.e. General Surgery, Urology, Gynecology, Plastic Surgery, ENT and Orthopedic Surgery)
- safe and professional practice
While in the clinical setting, students will participate in online discussions through live video conferences and complete clinical assignments as per the course syllabus.
Clinical experiences are co-ordinated by the program co-ordinator at hospitals in and outside of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), or at the hospital where the student currently works. Sponsored (hired) students will complete their clinical placements at the hospital where they are employed.
PLEASE NOTE: Public Health continues to recommend that people working with vulnerable communities be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Clinical agency partners continue to require students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to be approved to complete clinical placements within their facilities. Agencies have the right to decline the placement of students who are not fully vaccinated, and students who are not vaccinated are at risk of not being able to complete their clinical placement course requirements.
Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities
Educational Pathways
Students who complete George Brown's Registered Nurse – Operating Room Perioperative Nursing postgraduate certificate program are eligible to submit the Course Curriculum Outline from the year the program was taken. Students may apply for a transfer credit toward the Post-Diploma B.Sc.N. program at Toronto Metropolitan University.
For further information, see the Transfer Guide.
Alumni Impact
We are immensely proud of the contributions of our alumni in Toronto and around the globe.
From Michelin-starred restaurants to major construction, entertainment, community and financial organizations, our graduates are truly making an impact across a range of industries.
Courses
Required Courses
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| NURS 4045 | Operating Room Nursing – Theory and Labs |
| NURS 4046 | Operating Room Nursing – Practicum |
Note: Due to ongoing program improvements, courses are subject to change without notice.
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Practice in a professional manner, within the legislated, ethical frameworks and exhibit cultural sensitivity in diverse clinical settings.
- Develop and sustain therapeutic relationships with surgical clients and their families.
- Communicate effectively with surgical clients, health-care team members and others.
- Participate effectively as a team member to support surgical clients’ achievement of their expected outcome.
- Integrate theory, principles and concepts into competent surgical nursing practice.
- Complete health assessments in a holistic, comprehensive and analytical manner.
- Prioritize and organize nursing health care.
- Implement and evaluate nursing interventions competently.
- Use a variety of technological tools to support surgical clients’ achievement of their expected health outcomes.
- Apply principles of teaching-learning to promote surgical clients’ health and wellness.
- Practice according to the Standards of Practice of Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada, the College of Nurses of Ontario and The Canadian Nurses’ Association.
- Emphasize sustainable practices minimizing the environmental footprint consistent with the highest standards of practice in the perioperative setting.
Tuition & Fees
Domestic Tuition
Additional Costs
*Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for one semester of the program starting in Fall 2022. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2023 and at later dates.
Financial Assistance
RNs registered to practise in Ontario and employed in a Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) priority area may be eligible for a Nursing Education Initiative (NEI) grant to support their education and professional development. To learn more about this program, visit rnao.ca/education-funding/nei.
This program is approved for OSAP funding, provided the applicant meets OSAP eligibility criteria.
Each year we award over $2 million dollars in scholarships, awards and bursaries to first-year students. Check out our financial aid webpages for ways to pay for college and the full list of available scholarships, awards and bursaries.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is subject to change without notice. It should not be viewed as a representation, offer or warranty. Students are responsible for verifying George Brown College fee requirements.
Admission Requirements
- RN, Certificate of Competence, College of Nurses of Ontario without practice restrictions
- BCLS (Heart and Stroke Foundation), HCP Level
- current resumé
- interview by telephone
- recommended two years of surgical nursing experience in the hospital setting. No operating-room experience is necessary
This program is open to both non-sponsored (independent) and sponsored student applicants.
Independent Student:
- independent application and tuition fees
- not hired by a clinical agency
- a clinical placement is arranged at an affiliate hospital by the program co-ordinator
- must complete the pre-placement health form requirements and VSS upon program acceptance
Sponsored Student:
- hired by the clinical agency (prior to) applying to the program
- program fees may or may not be covered based on hiring contract details from the clinical agency
- clinical placement is completed at the hospital student is employed
If you would like more information about sponsorship to this program and how to meet the admission requirements please contact nursing@georgebrown.ca.
This program is open to domestic applicants only.
Course Exemptions
College or university credits may qualify you for course exemptions. Please visit the Transfer Guide for more information.
Special Requirements
Pre-placement Health Form
- Upon confirmation of acceptance into this program, students must meet all the mandatory pre-placement health requirements for the program. It may take up to four months to complete all the requirements.
- All costs, service fees and fines associated with the overall health requirements are the responsibility of the student.
- For further details and to download the mandatory pre-placement health form, go to the Pre-placement website.
Students must submit proof of a satisfactory medical examination before entering field placement. Students who are unable to provide a clear medical examination result to the college will not be able to start their field placement and therefore will be unable to complete the program.
Police Vulnerable Sector Check
- In compliance with the requirements of our placement partners, all students in this program are required to have a Police Vulnerable Sector Check completed, and this check must be renewed annually before entering into field or clinical placement.
- The Police Vulnerable Sector Check process typically takes two to three months, but under some circumstances can take four to eight months. This is required to protect the clientele of our placement partner agencies, who are considered “vulnerable persons” under the law.
- Students are responsible for ensuring that the Police Vulnerable Sector Check covers appropriateness for “individuals being employed and/or volunteering who will be working with vulnerable person(s).”
- Students are required to keep the original copy of their Police Vulnerable Sector Check.
- Students who are unable to provide a “clear” Police Vulnerable Sector Check may not be able to start their field or clinical placement and therefore may be unable to complete the program. Students who are not eligible to attend their practice placement due to a “not clear” status will jeopardize their progress in the program.
- Failure to meet the requirements for field placement will prevent students from completing the program and/or securing employment.
- The fees for the police record check vary and must be paid by the student. For more information, please visit the Pre-placement website.
Public Health continues to recommend that people working with vulnerable communities be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Clinical agency partners continue to require students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to be approved to complete clinical placements within their facilities. Agencies have the right to decline the placement of students who are not fully vaccinated, and students who are not vaccinated are at risk of not being able to complete their clinical placement course requirements.
How to Apply
Domestic students can apply through Ontario Colleges.
Please note: Due to the limited number of clinical placements available, this program has a limited number of seats open to applicants lacking specific clinical experience. Please contact nursing@georgebrown.ca for more details before applying.
Contact Us
Contact Chelsea Ovsonka, program co-ordinator at the George Brown College Sally Horsfall Eaton School of Nursing at 416-415-5000, ext. 2349 or email chelsea.ovsonka@georgebrown.ca for more information.
For general information about George Brown College, call the Contact Centre at 416-415-2000 or long distance 1-800-265-2002.
