Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada
Perioperative Program Approval

ORNAC is pleased to offer a Perioperative Nurse Program Approval for educational programs that provide post-basic education for Registered Nurses. The Program Approval is a voluntary, peer review process that validates the program's curriculum (as submitted) aligns with the ORNAC Standards, Guidelines, and Position Statements for Perioperative Registered Nurses. This process ensures that educational programs maintain high standards and provide relevant, evidence-based education to support the professional development of skilled perioperative nurses across Canada.

Approval Process

Programs interested in seeking Perioperative Program Approval are directed to contact the ORNAC Education Director at education@ornac.ca. Successful programs will maintain an approval status for 3 years. 

Current Application Fees: $1,500.00 (Payment must be received prior to commencement of approval process)

Approved Perioperative programs will qualify for the following benefits:

  • Posting of Approved Program Information on the ORNAC Website;
  • Posting in the ORNAC Journal;
  • EBlast to Members regarding new or renewed Approved Programs; and
  • Posting on various ORNAC Social Media accounts of Program Approval.

Note: ORNAC’s Approval Process for Perioperative Programs is available only for those educational programs offering post-basic education for Registered Nurses. Programs offering perioperative education to both Registered Nurses and other health care providers within the same program will have only the RN curriculum evaluated or approved by ORNAC.

Thank you for participating in the Perioperative Program review and for your efforts in developing the next generation of perioperative nurses!

Approved Perioperative Programs
British Columbia Institute of Technology

bcit cmyk 

Perioperative Nursing Program
Approval Expires  December 31st, 2025
 Contact Stephanie Strong, Program Assistant
 Address  BCIT Specialty Nursing – SE12 – 328

3700 Willingdon Ave

Burnaby, British Columbia

Canada, V5G 3H2
 Phone  604-432-8875
 Email sstrong4@bcit.ca
 Description  The BCIT Advanced Certificate in Perioperative Specialty Nursing prepares students to practice as novices in various Perioperative settings. Students explore factors influencing Perioperative Nursing in today’s changing health care environment. The program consists of 6 courses, 3 theory (on line and distance), 3 clinical (Instructor Supported Preceptorship model). 

The program can be completed through full-time and part-time studies. For more information about this perioperative nursing program, please click here.
Foothills Medical Centre

Alberta Health Services Logo

Post-Graduate Perioperative Program
Approval Expires December 31st, 2025
Contact Lucia Pfeuti, RN, BN, CPN(c)
Ruth Morrison, RN, BN, CPN(c) Clinical Nurse Educators – FMC Operating Room
Address Foothills Medical Centre
1403 29th Street NW
Calgary, AB T2N 2T9
Phone 403-944-1254
403-944-1415
Fax 403-944-6424
Email lucia.pfeuti@ahs.ca
ruth.morrison@ahs.ca
Description

The program is committed towards the promotion of the perioperative nursing profession. It is open to both novice and experienced Registered Nurses who have current licensure with the College & Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA). The program spans across 14 weeks consisting of full time hours from Monday – Friday. Four weeks are dedicated to the didactic content covering theory; approach includes lectures, skills labs, and self-study modules. The final 10 weeks focuses on application of knowledge within a clinical practicum. The student pairs with a preceptor to provide support while learning clinical application of theory and knowledge; this takes place at Foothills Medical Center. Upon completion of the program, the Registered Nurse will be an independent practitioner who will be able to demonstrate the necessary knowledge and skill required to provide safe patient care in all perioperative phases at an entry to practice level. Educational opportunities are posted on the Alberta Health Services website: www.albertahealthservices.ca
George Brown College Registered Nurse (RN) Perioperative Nursing Program

Program Approval Expires: September 2027

Contact: Chelsea Ovsonka, RN, MN, BScN, CPN(C)

Chelsea.Ovsonka@georgebrown.ca

Laura Ptasznik, RN, MN, BScN, CPN(C)

Laura.Ptasznik@georgebrown.ca

Address:

51 Dockside Drive 

PO Box 1015, Station B 

Toronto, ON M5T 2T9 

This comprehensive 14-week Perioperative Nursing Certificate program is designed for novice and experienced nurses registered in good standing with their provincial regulatory body. The curriculum is rooted in the national competencies outlined in the current Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (ORNAC) Standards, ensuring that all taught skills are aligned with these guidelines.

Students will engage in theory modules, attend lectures, and participate in hands-on training in a state-of-the-art simulation lab. Students will then apply their knowledge in a clinical placement, consolidating their learning into real-world practice. Upon completion, graduates will possess a solid perioperative framework, equipping them to begin their careers as novice perioperative nurses in the clinical setting.

Registered Nurse – Operating Room Perioperative Nursing Program (Postgraduate) S414 | George Brown College

Humber College

Humber College 

Perioperative RN Nursing Program
Approval Expires  April 2026
Contact  Marilyn Morson, Program Advisor
Address  205 Humber College Blvd

Toronto, Ontario M9W 5L7
Phone  416 675-6622 x5245
Email  cehealthsciencesOPER@humber.ca

marilyn.morson@humber.ca
Description

The Operating Room Nursing - RN certificate program is designed for registered nurses (RNs) seeking to advance their practice in perioperative nursing. This certificate is based on the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) competencies for perioperative nurses, current research, and adheres to the current Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (ORNAC) Standards, Guidelines, and Position Statements for Perioperative Registered Nurses.

The Operating Room - RN certificate program includes four intensive online theory and lab-based courses over a total of eight weeks. The courses are asynchronous. Weekly onsite labs are scheduled by the Program Advisor (Saturday or Sunday). A fulltime clinical placement of six weeks completes the program.

The clinical placements are arranged with Humber College’s partner institutions across the Greater Toronto Area and are completed on a full-time basis without exception. Upon request clinical placements may possibly be arranged at your hospital employer outside of the GTA. Completion of the certificate includes the clinical placement where scrub skills are demonstrated at the novice level. This program academically prepares successful students for the Perioperative Certification Exam. 

Visit the Humber website for further information: Humber College Operating Room Nursing - RN Program 
MacEwan University

Faculty of Nursing, Department of Professional Nursing and Allied Health, Perioperative Nursing Program for Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses (Post-Diploma Certificate)

Approval Expires September 2027
Contact Office of the Dean, Faculty of Nursing
Address

MacEwan University
Faculty of Nursing
Robbins Health Learning Centre
9-511 10910 – 104 Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB Canada T5J 4S2
Phone
Email nursingdeansoffice@macewan.ca

MacEwan University's Faculty of Nursing offers a post-diploma certificate in perioperative nursing for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses. Offered through online distance delivery, in-person labs, and supervised clinical practice, this program provides RNs and LPNs with the hands-on skills required to work with a multidisciplinary perioperative team in the challenging, fast-paced and team-oriented environment of the operating room. Upon successful completion of the program and fulfillment of the clinical hours, registered nurses are eligible to write the Canadian Nurses Association Certification for Nursing Specialties exam in Perioperative Nursing.

https://www.macewan.ca/academics/programs/perioperative-nursing/

Nova Scotia Health, Learning Institute for Health Care Providers

LIHCP NS 

Perioperative Nursing Program for Registered Nurses
Approval Expires December 31st, 2025
Address

1276 South Park Street
Bethune Building, Room 231
Halifax, NS  B3H 2Y9

Faculty contact: Shelley Haynes
E-mail LearningInstitute@nshealth.ca
Phone  902-222-5641
Description

The Learning Institute performance-based Perioperative Nursing Program for Registered Nurses prepares RNs for professional practice in the operating room. This program is offered in two formats: Full-time onsite and Part-time distance (asynchronous and synchronous online delivery). Both formats offer a knowledge component, a skill development component, and a preceptor-led clinical learning experience.

For more information about this Perioperative Nursing Program, please visit: 

Learning Institute NS Health
Saskatchewan Polytechnic

saskpolytech logo

Perioperative Nursing RN Program
Approval Expires December 31st, 2025
Contact Cathy Chao, Administrative Assistant, Heather Harrison
Address Email only
Phone 306-775-7575
1-866-467-4278 ext 7575
Fax na
Email

perioperative@saskpolytech.ca, harrisonh@saskpolytech.ca
Description

As an emerging member of Polytechnics Canada, the Perioperative Nursing RN Program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic (formerly SIAST) offers high-quality, job focused education for nurses seeking to practice in a perioperative setting.

  • Flexible online learning (delivered over approx. 5 months)
  • Innovative teaching - mobile app
  • Continuing to work while you study
  • Accessible and personalized instruction
  • Hands-on learning
  • High-tech simulation learning
  • Industry endorsed programming
  • Three intakes per year
  • Transfer credit to both the University of Saskatchewan and Athabasca University

You will consolidate your learning through the following phases:

  • One week of intensive simulation based learning (30 lab hours)
  • Four weeks of supervised clinical led by a faculty member (160 hours)
  • Six weeks of preceptoring with experts in surgical specialty areas (240 hours)
  • *400 total hours of clinical practice education

All phases of your learning are monitored and supported by a faculty member committed to your success. While the program's clinical practice education is primarily offered in Saskatchewan, contract based education can be tailored (i.e. start dates) to suit the needs of partnering organizations. Entrance requirements: Licensed with the registered nurses licensing body in the province where you will participate in the clinical experience. For more information about this advanced certificate or the opportunity to collaborate in providing perioperative nursing education please visit www.saskpolytech.ca