Obstetric Nursing – RPN

This certificate is designed for RPNs employed in and/or seeking to advance their practice in obstetric nursing following a holistic, comprehensive model of care. Content spans pregnancy through postpartum and newborn with a focus on low risk situations and settings. It includes understanding historical perspectives and current themes, relevant assessments, evidence-informed nursing interventions, and development of collaborative partnerships with obstetrical clients, families, support persons, and other interprofessional team members.

There are opportunities for developing high level critical thinking, care planning, leadership and professional practice skills while exploring personal reflection and ethics. Special attention is paid to current trends in maternity care in hospital and community settings in Canada. This certificate is based on the Canadian Association of Perinatal and Women’s Health Nurses (CAPWHN) Perinatal nursing standards in Canada and the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) competencies for perinatal nurses.

Please note that the courses in this certificate need to be taken in a specific order.  Check that you have obtained the necessary pre-requisite prior to registering for a course.  Learners without the necessary pre-requisites will be removed from courses and charged the administrative fee.

Admission Requirements

• Registered Practical Nurse (RPN)

Compulsory Courses

• Human Milk Feeding Basics
• Essentials of Pre-Pregnancy and Prenatal Care
• Understanding Labour, Birth and Women and Newborns at Low Risk
• Postpartum and newborn: Assessment and initial management
• Obstetric Nursing – Clinical Practicum for the RPN