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Operating Room Nursing - RPN

Certificate of Accomplishment | RPD1

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Program Overview

Important Note:

The Operating Room - RPN certificate program includes three intensive online theory and lab based courses over a total of six 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.

Program Description

The Operating Room Nursing certificate program is designed for registered practical nurses (RPNs) 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. Completion of the certificate includes a clinical placement where scrub skills are demonstrated at the novice level.   

Application Process

Registration in this program is for CNO registered practical nurses entitled to practice without restrictions. It is advisable to have either acute care hospital nursing work experience or prior operating room nurse work (international) however this is not required. New grads are welcome to apply. Self-apply, employer-recommended, and sponsored nurses may apply. Successful candidates will be offered admission into the program through the program advisor.

The March 31ST , 2025, Operating Room Nursing RPN program is full. The next intake for the Operating Room Nursing RPN program will begin on September 2nd , 2025.  APPLY NOW!

SOME NURSES MAY CHOOSE TO OBTAIN A CLINICAL PLACEMENT INDEPENDENTLY. PLEASE NOTE ANY CLINICAL PLACEMENT ARRANGEMENTS IN YOUR APPLICATION.

Admission Requirements

  • Registered practical nurse (RPN)
  • Canadian Citizenship or PR status

Supporting Documents

  • Resume
  • Verification of employment and/or Letter of recommendation
  • CNO Entitled to Practice confirmation

NEW! Are you working as an RPN in the OR but have now become registered as an RN? If so, bridging to the Operating Room Nursing – RN program is available! Please email cehealthsciencesOPER@humber.ca for more information.

Fees

The entire program, including the clinical placement can be completed in 14 weeks.

The total cost is approximately $2227.58 and includes the following:

  • $1,526.78 due upon acceptance
  • $700.80 for the clinical due before the start of the placement
  • students are responsible to purchase all textbooks and are not included in these fees

As this is a highly competitive program, students in the Operating Room RPN certificate are expected to complete all 3 courses within one semester. If a student is unable to continue in the program, 25% of the total program fees will be withheld. Students who are requesting a refund based on exceptional circumstances will need to apply in writing and provide supporting documentation for review.

How to Apply

To apply to this certificate program, please select Next Steps below

Next Steps

Curriculum

Quick-Look Availability Scheduler

Use the Quick-Look Availability Scheduler to see available courses in a calendar view and plan towards achieving your certificate.

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Course Name 2025/2026 Academic Year 2026/2027 Academic Year
Compulsory Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
OPER 511: Operating Room Foundations
OPER 512: Operating Room Surgical Procedures
OPER 513: Operating Room Laparoscopic Procedures
OPER 515: Operating Room RPN - Clinical Component

Compulsory Courses

OPER 511 Operating Room Foundations
  Start Date: September 2025  
The registered nurse or registered practical nurse engages in this dynamic online and lab- based course to examine the principles of perioperative nursing practice, the Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (ORNAC) documents, and regulatory body practice standards. Nurses utilize prior knowledge and compare that with new learning about ethical patient care, patient safety and risk management, asepsis, and infection prevention and control within perioperative nursing. Nurses explore the principles of perioperative phases, perioperative zones, wound closure, and basic instrumentation. Nurses practise the following psychomotor skills in the OR lab setting: Surgical hand scrub, and gowning and gloving self. Successful nurses demonstrate competence in these psychomotor skills in the OR lab setting which are novice level skills required of the perioperative scrub nurse.

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OPER 512 Operating Room Surgical Procedures
  Start Date: September 2025  
The registered nurse or registered practical nurse engages in this dynamic online and lab-based course to examine further principles of perioperative nursing practice, utilizing Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (ORNAC) documents and regulatory body practice standards. The nurse explores anatomy, physiology, nursing process, perioperative principles and skills, and patient education related to common operative procedures such as gynaecological, ENT, and general surgeries. Nurses participate in case studies and group activities that include a focus on patient safety and physiological stability. Nurses practice new skills within the OR lab setting: Psychomotor skills include movement around sterile fields, setting the table, handling instruments, doffing contaminated gown/glove, regloving self and others, and counting from the scrub perspective. Successful nurses demonstrate competence in these psychomotor skills in the OR lab setting which are novice level skills required of the perioperative scrub nurse.

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OPER 513 Operating Room Laparoscopic Procedures
  Start Date: September 2025  
Registered nurses or registered practical nurses engage in this dynamic online and lab-based course to examine further principles of perioperative nursing practice as established by the Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (ORNAC) documents and regulatory body practice standards. Nurses interpret additional strategies for infection control/protection, urgent and emergency responses required for sentinel events, and managing resources and techniques for the patient undergoing laparoscopic surgery. Nurses analyze ethical, professional practice and safety while exploring healthcare technology specific to laparoscopic operative procedures. Nurses practice these new skills within the OR lab setting: Positioning, skin prep, draping, and set up and handling of laparoscopic instruments. Successful nurses demonstrate competence in these psychomotor skills in the OR lab setting which are novice level skills required of the perioperative scrub nurse.

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OPER 515 Operating Room RPN - Clinical Component
  Start Date: May 2025, October 2025  
The registered practical nurse participates in this clinical course in order to apply theoretical principles and knowledge within the perioperative clinical setting. Nurses are required to demonstrate safe and professional practice in the scrub nurse role at the novice level* according to Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (ORNAC) Standards, Guidelines, and Position Statements for Perioperative Registered Nurses. The registered practical nurse will collaborate effectively with Humber College faculty and members of the health care facility in this preceptored, six-week, full time clinical course. The nurse is scheduled with a preceptor and participates as a scrub nurse for six weeks of eight-hour days (or evenings if approved by the Program Advisor) weekly. The nurse cannot attend on call shifts. *According to the Operating Room Nurses of Canada (ORNAC) Standards, Guidelines, and Position Statements for Perioperative Registered Nurses, “the novice states and/or demonstrates knowledge and skills but is still learning to anticipate and incorporate perioperative skills into efficient planning, actions, and clinical decision-making. Performance requires supervision, coaching, and precepting.” (ORNAC, 2019, p.35)

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Faculty Highlights

Gillian Gravely

Gillian has been a Perioperative nurse for over 30 years.  She did her nursing and OR training in Ireland and the UK.  She worked in multiple roles in the Operating Room at Toronto General Hospital for over 28 years which culminated in her being the OR Manager for both operating rooms at Toronto General and Princess Margaret Hospitals for over 10 years.  Gillian is passionate about teaching and has been a Clinical Instructor for the Operating Room Certificate at Humber since its reintroduction in 2020.  She is delighted to be able to share her experience with nurses who are keen to develop their knowledge and skills as perioperative nurses. 
 

Lena Chamberlain

Lena Chamberlain, RN, BScN, CPN ©, earned her Diploma in Nursing from Humber College in 2001.  She went on to complete her Operating Room Certification with Honors from Humber College in 2002.   Lena Completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Metropolitan University in 2006.  Lena has over 18 years of Surgical and Ambulatory care nursing experience and over 7 years experience as a Perioperative clinical service manager and clinical nurse educator.   

Lena facilitates continuing education, professional development and evaluation of clinical skills for nursing staff. As an educator, Lena creates opportunities for nursing staff to acquire and maintain their required skills, and believes strongly in helping others with long term learning goals.   

Lena is a long standing member of the Registered Nurses of Ontario Association as well as a member of Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada. 

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Humber Continuous Professional Learning
Learning Health Sciences & Wellness
416.675.6622 ext. 4554
cehealthsciencesoper@humber.ca

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