Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s (KPU) faculty of community and health studies (CAHS) designs programming to support their graduates in the pursuit of continuing education. Once students receive a health care assistant program (HCAP) certificate, they are eligible to move into the bachelor of psychiatric nursing (BPN) degree program in semester three. In addition, BPN degree graduates can earn a dual degree by entering semester three of the bachelor of science in nursing, post baccalaureate (BSN – PB) program.
The 30 week HCAP program is designed to provide students with opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to function as a front-line caregiver in a variety of long-term care settings that include both residential care facilities and home support agencies. Students will spend approximately 870 hours in a variety of learning environments, including classroom, nursing laboratory, resident care facilities, and home care environments. Upon completion of this certificate program, graduates are qualified to work in any level of continuing care services, including home support, complex care, assisted living and adult day care.
Upon completion of the HCAP program, graduates who meet the admission criteria can move into the third semester of an eight semester BPN degree program. The purpose of the BPN program is to educate learners to be competent and caring practitioners of psychiatric/mental health nursing, who apply their creativity and critical thinking skills in the roles of direct care provider, educator, clinician, researcher and administrators.
BPN graduates that want to pursue a dual degree in both psychiatric nursing and nursing can enter semester three of seven of the BSN-PB program. This program is intended for students who already have a baccalaureate degree. The purpose of the program is to educate nurses to practice with a variety of clients in various settings guided by a health promotion perspective and a capacity for effective relational engagement. Graduates will be eligible to apply to write national examinations to obtain registration to practice as registered nurses in British Columbia.
Program courses are offered in a hybrid or blended course format through residencies at KPU, practice within health care agencies and communities, or combined with distributed or online learning formats. Hybrid courses are those in which a significant portion of the learning activities have been moved online, and time traditionally spent in the classroom is reduced but not eliminated. The goal of hybrid courses is to join the best features of face-to-face teaching with the best features of online learning to promote active, independent learning, and reduce place-bound learning.
Start your education in KPU’s faculty of community and health studies. Complete a certificate and begin working while continuing your education.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University has been serving the Metro Vancouver region for 30 years, and has opened doors to success for more than 250,000 people. Four campuses—Richmond, Surrey, Cloverdale and Langley—offer a comprehensive range of sought-after programs, including business, liberal arts and science, design, health, trades and technology, apprenticeships, horticulture, and academic and career advancement. Over 17,500 students annually have a choice from over 200 programs, including bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, certificates and citations. Please visit: Kwantlen.ca.
-30-
For more information about KPU, contact:
Hayley Woodin
Media Specialist
Tel: 604.599.2883
hayley.woodin@kpu.ca
For more KPU news:
twitter.com/KPUmedia
kpu.ca/news