Forensic Nursing offers a bridge between medicine and the legal system. It is a relatively new, multi-faceted and evolving nursing specialty, with nurses working in emergency rooms, correctional institutions, critical care units, inpatient mental health facilities, and other areas where forensic expertise is needed.
The Forensic Nursing Certificate (FNC) is a self-paced, online professional development program designed to provide Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) with knowledge of forensic nursing in secure environments. The program is delivered online and links the theory, policy, and practice elements of forensic nursing in secure environments.
Access to a Windows or Apple (Mac) computer with an up-to-date internet browser is required.
Apply now Register for your next course
To apply for this certificate, or any of the individual courses, you must be either:
Note: The following must be included in your application to the program:
This certificate includes five online courses, each consisting of six modules that total approximately 30 contact hours. Students have 3 to 6 months to complete each course.
You can register for the full certificate or individual courses, and while we do encourage taking the courses in chronological order, you are not required to do so. You may take the courses in the order that works best for your study plan.
Each course costs $795 (no HST).
The course offers an introduction to forensic nursing. The course explores and defines the scope of practice of the Nurse working at the point of care in forensic health care environments, which includes both secure environments, such as Federal and Provincial correctional facilities, and in the broader community (e.g., clients in the community under the the provincial review board, sexual assault nurse examiners, community treatment orders). Learners will be introduced to the unique challenges associated with forensic nursing and the course provides opportunities to define the scope of practice for Nurses working in forensics.
This course provides an overview of the contexts of care relevant to forensic health care environments and explores the unique challenges associated with nursing practice in/within correctional facilities. The course includes a review of the federal and provincial laws, Correctional Services Canada (CSC) policies related to health care in secure environments, as well as the provincial Mental Health Acts.
This course explores the unique aspects of helping relationships in forensic health care environments. Through various scenarios, learners will have the opportunity to explore effective therapeutic skills. The course includes content on group dynamics and aims to foster knowledge of effective strategies to collaborate with inter / intra professional teams to provide care to clients in forensic health care environments.
This course explores the concept of social justice as it applies to secure environments. The course provides an opportunity to explore the various health inequities faced by clients who receive care within secure environments. It also uncovers the role of nursing in advocating for social justice for diverse clients.
In this course, learners will apply knowledge, gained in the previous four courses of the Forensic Nursing Certificate required to competently care for clients in a secure environment, to virtual situations and simulation scenarios.
Using asynchronous digital technology, this certificate is guided by UNB Nursing curriculum, an abilities-based framework that allows students to actively engage in learning. These abilities include:
The core philosophical underpinnings of the curriculum: Caring, Social Justice, and Primary Health Care are interwoven through all five abilities. Learning outcomes are leveled appropriately for progressive learning across the certificate and the abilities-based framework is woven into every course.
The LPN-BN Nursing Pathway provides the education needed for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in New Brunswick to apply to UNB's 4-year Bachelor of Nursing (BN) program in Fredericton. The LPN-BN Nursing Pathway builds on current knowledge and nursing practices and prepares students for entry into the third year of the four-year BN program in Fredericton.
Related: UNB brings virtual nursing education to Miramichi and Moncton
Consisting of six online courses, the LPN-BN Nursing Pathway can be completed in a single term (6 courses in winter term) or over two terms (3 courses each term - fall and winter).
Students who choose this option will complete Year 3 and Year 4 of the 4-Year Bachelor of Nursing program in-person at UNB Fredericton. Your theory classes will be delivered on campus in the classroom. You will complete clinical placements in a variety of community and acute care settings within the Fredericton region and other communities.
Students who choose this option will complete Year 3 and Year 4 of the 4-Year Bachelor of Nursing program remotely with other LPN-BN students in your cohort. Your theory classes will be delivered completely Virtual. You will complete clinical placements in a variety of community and acute care settings including but not limited to Miramichi, Moncton, Restigouche, and Upper River Valley.
Please note that the availability of clinical placements in different regions depends on enrollment.
The application deadline for September entry into the LPN-BN Pathway is Feb. 15.
PSYC 1013 - Introduction to Psychology I OR PSYC 1023 - Introduction to Psychology II (or equivalent)
STAT 2263 - Statistics for Non-Science Majors (or equivalent)
BIOL 2759 - Physiology and Pathophysiology for Licensed Practical Nurses
This course provides a detailed review of normal human physiology and then focuses on the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying diseases in each organ system. This course is online and only open to students in the Licensed Practical Nurse to Bachelor of Nursing Pathway program.
NURS 2132 - Pharmacotherapeutics
Includes theory and principles of pharmacology as they apply to Nursing. Provides requisite knowledge to administer medications, provide patient education, and assess the potential for adverse events related to drug and lifestyle issues. The theory will include basic legal and safety issues related to drug administration by the nurse.
NURS 2217 - Professional Nursing Practice
Builds on the concepts of professional nursing practice gained in Practical Nurse curricula expanding knowledge and practice to the scope of the entry-level Registered Nurse. This course will focus on communication, professional identity, and social justice abilities within the BN curriculum. Particular emphasis on role transition, academic writing, and evidence-informed practice.
NURS 2218 - Enhanced Decision Making in Clinical Practice
Using a case-based approach across the lifespan, this course builds on assessment, data collection, pharmacotherapeutics, and clinical decision making of LPNs. Specific attention will be paid to the abilities of knowledge and its application and critical thinking and skills of analysis within the BN curriculum. Frameworks for recognizing and responding to changes in a client’s condition will be introduced (anticipatory thinking).
Once you complete the LPN-BN Nursing Pathway, you must apply for transfer into the third year of the four-year BN program.
To be eligible for transfer into the BN program, students must have a minimum grade of C in each of the LPN-BN Nursing Pathway courses with an overall minimum grade point average of 3.0. NOTE: Meeting the minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee admission into the BN program.
Admitted students will be granted a block transfer of 50 credit hours based on their Practical Nurse program and earn an additional 18 credit hours from the LPN-BN Nursing Pathway.
Once enrolled in the BN program, students have four years to complete the degree. The transfer application deadline to UNB's Bachelor of Nursing program is Feb. 15. Early application is encouraged.
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) who meet the following requirements are eligible to apply to the LPN-BN Pathway program:
Note: Applicants who have completed their practical nursing program external to New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) or Oulton College may be required to submit program curriculum and course syllabi for assessment of equivalency.
All applicants to nursing programs at UNB will be required to write the Acuity Insights Assessments CASPer Test, an online, open-response situational judgement test. Learn more about the Acuity Insights Casper Test.
Admission decisions will be based on the applicant’s Grade Point Average (GPA) (60% weight) and the CASPer score (40%) weight.
Learn more about tuition and fees.
The New Brunswick Critical Care Nursing Program (NBCCNP) is a standardized Critical Care Certificate program based on the standards of the Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses (CACCN), the National Emergency Nurses Affiliation (NENA), and the Canadian Council of Cardiovascular Nurses (CCCN). The program includes both theory and practice and is delivered by distance – primarily online, but may also include audio or live virtual sessions, clinicals, and a preceptorship. Access to a computer is essential.
The NBCCNP offers learning within a critical care and emergency care environment. Courses may be offered to as many as eight sites depending on students' locations and is offered in both official languages. The application and information on the French offering of the NBCCNP through Université de Moncton is available here.
As part of its commitment to the recruitment and retention of nursing resources for New Brunswick, the Department of Health also contributes to the preparation of nurses for the specialty of Critical Care Nursing through the NBCCNP. This Program is offered in collaboration with the University of New Brunswick (UNB), Université de Moncton (U de M) and the New Brunswick Regional Health Authorities.
Program dates: TBD
Deadline for application: TBD
The program consists of seven courses including a 135-hour Integrated Clinical Practicum. This 11-week program may be taken in one block full-time or completed part-time within the same fiscal year as the start date.
A non-credit Certificate of Proficiency will be granted upon successful completion of the program.
Courses:
Acceptance to the program is dependent upon approval granted by the Regional Health Authorities. You must contact your site coordinator to confirm your interest in applying:
The following must be included with your application to the program:
Who is eligible to apply to the NB Critical Care Program (NBCCNP)?
Novice nurses employed by one of the New Brunswick Health Authorities are eligible to apply.
How do you define a novice nurse?
A novice nurse is considered to be a recently graduated nurse with an RN or a nurse who is new to critical care or emergency care.
What are the admission requirements?
To be accepted into the program, you must be:
You must also have:
How are students selected?
All complete applications received by the application deadline are reviewed by the NBCCNP Selection Committee comprised of site coordinators from each zone across the province.
Candidates are selected based on the application qualifications and the needs of the provincial Health Authorities.
Who pays student costs for NBCCNP?
The Department of Health pays the student costs associated with the program. This includes salary replacement costs, tuition fees, textbooks, and travel if required.
How many courses are there in the program and how long is each course?
The program consists of seven courses, focused on the management of the critically ill client and their family, spread over 11 weeks:
Note: This program also includes a 1-day orientation at the start of the 11 weeks.
How long does a student have to complete the program? Is there any flexibility?
The program is designed to be taken full-time in a block format. However, in special circumstances, a student may attend part-time provided the program is completed within the same fiscal period (i.e. April 1 - March 31 of the following year).
How will performance be assessed?
Exams, written papers, projects, case studies, discussions, clinical and preceptorship experiences are all used for student assessment.
How will student progress be monitored?
Instructors, a Teaching and Learning Consultant and the Program Coordinator monitor and track progress.
All grades will be available to you on the Desire to Learn platform.
How many times a year is the program offered?
There are typically four intake dates per year. However, this may be adjusted annually based on the needs of the RHA's.
What are the instructional methods used?
The program is delivered with a blended learning approach that uses various methods and technologies:
Where is the physical classroom?
Both New Brunswick Health Authorities have rooms available for students. There is a combination of distance, self-study and on-site education. The program is designed for students to join virtually anywhere via audio/video or internet connection.
Clinical courses are to be completed in a referral center closest to the participants' working environment.
How is the integrity of the curriculum maintained?
The curriculum design meets the standards of the Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses and the National Emergency Nurses' Affiliation. Any alterations to the curriculum are brought to the Education Committee and the Steering Committee for approval.
What do students receive upon successful completion of the program?
Students are awarded a UNB or UdeM Certificate of Proficiency. They will also receive a pewter pin.
Where can students work upon completion of the program?
Students can work in the Critical Care Units and Emergency Care Units.
What technology is needed for the program?
A Windows or Apple (Mac) computer with the following minimum software requirements is essential:
Who are the site coordinators for this program?
How do I apply for the program?
Process for submitting applications to UNB and UdeM: