Graduate Diploma in Primary Health Care for Nurse Practitioners University of Ottawa, Canada

The goal of the program is to educate enrolled nurses for an advanced practice role as a primary health care nurse practitioner (PHCNP). The graduates of this program are prepared to assume leadership roles in improving the quality of nursing care as nurse practitioners in various primary health care settings.

The program provides rigorous academic preparation based on theory, research, and practice to address health-related phenomena experienced by individuals, families, groups and communities.

Program learning outcomes

• Depth and breadth of knowledge - Integrate NP practice experience with a Master of nursing level of theory, diagnostic reasoning, and related knowledge, in collaboration with the client and healthcare team to meet the primary healthcare needs of residents in Ontario.
• Research and scholarships - Apply and disseminate knowledge and collaborative research activities to embed evidence into practice.
• Level of application of knowledge
  • Practice safely, ethically, competently, and with integrity as an entry-level NP within the primary healthcare area of specialty and within the NP-PHC role, scope of practice, competencies, standards, and regulatory framework specific to the College of Nurses of Ontario.
  • Understand and recognize legislative and political forces that drive health policy in order to manage the interaction between clients, systems of care and primary health care outcomes.
• Professional capacity/autonomy
  • Practice safely, ethically, competently, and with integrity as an entry-level NP within the primary healthcare area of specialty and within the NP-PHC role, scope of practice, competencies, standards, and regulatory framework specific to the College of Nurses of Ontario.
  • Demonstrate advanced nursing leadership competencies such as acting as an agent of change, advocating for primary healthcare policy and health services changes, resolving conflicts and acting or addressing professional and client-related ethical issues.
  • Demonstrate intra-and interprofessional competencies related to practice, teaching and scholarship.
  • Enact the PHCNP program’s philosophy and concepts including advanced nursing practice, primary healthcare, scholarship-sustained practice, relationship-centered practice, and collaborative practice.
• Level of communications skills
  • Understand and recognize legislative and political forces that drive health policy in order to manage the interaction between clients, systems of care and primary health care outcomes.
  • Show effective communication, collaboration, and consultation skills with the healthcare team and clients.
• Awareness of limits of knowledge - Practice safely, ethically, competently, and with integrity as an entry-level NP within the primary healthcare area of specialty and within the NP-PHC role, scope of practice, competencies, standards, and regulatory framework specific to the College of Nurses of Ontario.