About this program

  • Credential Awarded: 1 Year Graduate Certificate
  • Campus: Welland
  • Code: 0966 P0966
  • Delivery Length: 1 Year
PGWP Eligible
Internationally Trained Applicants Only
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Overview

Internationally trained are eligible to register for this intensive one-year program, which awards an Ontario College Graduate Certificate.

The Gerontology program is ideal for nurses who are interested in enhancing their foundational knowledge and building leadership skills in caring for the health of older adults in diverse settings. Graduates of this program will combine their new, advanced learning with their previous professional credentials and experience to provide exemplary service to this growing population.

Highlights

  • Unique interprofessional education experience with other nursing and allied health programs.

  • Access to Co-Curricular Record program in which individuals gain recognition for student engagement, leadership and co-curricular activities pursued outside of the classroom.

  • Experiential learning including more than 100 hours of clinical placement.

  • 42 hours of hands-on experiential learning in state-of-the-art simulation labs.

  • Access to international student specific advisement and transition supports through the International Division.

  • Over 50 hours of online simulation learning to integrate knowledge and geriatric assessment.

  • Students earn Gentle Persuasive Approach certificate focused on caring for individuals with dementia and other cognitive diseases.

Career Opportunities
  • Clinic or medical centre
  • Community healthcare organization
  • Hospital
  • Long-term care facility
  • Seniors' residence
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Courses

Term one (2026 Winter)
Code Course Name Credits
CLIN9430 Fundamental Clinical Skills 4
NURS9410 Health and Aging in Canada 3
NURS9415 Older Adult and Long Term Care Nursing 5
NURS9416 Healthy Aging in the Community 3
NURS9422 Advanced Communication in Nursing 3
Term two (2026 Spring)
Code Course Name Credits
CLIN9440 Gerontological Nursing Practice 8
HLTH1020 Introduction to Interprofessional Education and Practice 3
NURS9420 Nursing Leadership 3
NURS9424 Introduction to Evidence Based Nursing 3
NURS9426 Older Adult and Hospital Based Nursing 5
Learning Outcomes Term: 1261

  1. Integrate nursing research and theoretical underpinnings as they relate to gerontological nursing practice within the context of the Canadian health care system.

  2. Examine the role of the registered nurse as it relates to upholding the principles of accountability, diversity, equity and dignity in the care of Canadian seniors and their families.

  3. Differentiate between normal age- related changes and pathological changes in the older adult.

  4. Apply evidence based methods and tools to conduct comprehensive geriatric assessments in designing individualized plans of care.

  5. Comply with legislation and regulations governing nursing practice within the Canadian health care system

  6. Demonstrate professional behaviours and practices to meet the therapeutic needs of those affected by chronic illness, multiple comorbidities and/or life-limiting illness.

  7. Respond appropriately and effectively to the needs and expectations of persons, families and populations at the end of life.

  8. Communicate effectively to promote person and family centered care and strengthen interprofessional collaborative practice.

  9. Demonstrate enhanced professional leadership capabilities at the levels of the professional, organization and health care system

  10. Analyze the health impact of public policy on the Canadian population.

  11. Apply priority-setting and critical-thinking approaches in determining appropriate responses to clinical scenarios.

  12. Analyze the impact of commonly held assumptions and attitudes concerning aging within the Canadian context on the provision and quality of care for older adults.

  13. Develop person and family centered transition plans that are responsive to the changing needs of the aging individual and promote interprofessional collaboration.

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Admission Requirements

  • A College Diploma or University Degree in Nursing
  • If English is not your first language, proof of English proficiency may be required
Selection and Ranking

Testing or other supplemental evaluation may be required.

Learn more about admission decisions.

Note

Most private college courses and/or credentials are not acceptable as admission requirements for Niagara College programs.

Please contact the Admissions office at [email protected] for assistance.

Program Requirements
Government Mandates

All students who participate in clinical placements are, without exception, required to meet the expectations mandated by the Ontario Hospitals Act and the Ontario Long Term Care Homes Act. These nonacademic requirements include: Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screen and the Confidential Communicable Disease Surveillance (CDS). Detailed requirements are below.

All requirements must be met and remain current for the student’s duration of the program subject to the Placement Agency’s requirements. If any documentation expires before the end of the term and the student’s last day of clinical placement, the student will not be able to register for that term’s clinical course or its co-requisites.

Criminal Record Check
  • A Criminal Record Check which is less than 6 months old is required by the start of week 12 of term 1.
  • Students with criminal charges or convictions will be severely limited in placement, clinical, and/or employment opportunities in this field.

  • The CRC-VSS must be provided to the Placement Agency on the first day of the clinical placement, or as required by the Placement Agency. Niagara College does not adjudicate the CRC, but merely facilitates the paper work. It is the Placement Agency that adjudicates the clearance.

Communicable Disease Surveillance
  • The confidential Communicable Disease Surveillance (CDS) Form must be completed and submitted to Student Health Services prior to the start of the program or prior to the term which includes field placement, co-op or clinical opportunities.
  • Please view the CDS Form and Checklist for health requirements at niagaracollege.ca/cdsform/.
  • This process must be maintained annually.
  • This process may take up to 10 weeks or more and requires a visit to your personal physician and/or a Public Health Department.
  • If the CDS process is not completed your placement, clinic or co-op opportunity will be denied.
First Aid and CPR
  • Current Standard First Aid certification and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR/AED) Level BLS (Basic Life Support) / HCP (Health Care Provider) is required.
  • All certifications must be met and remain current or placement/clinical will be denied and/or the student will be withdrawn from their current placement/clinical.

  • During the first week of Term 1, the Field Placement Coordinator will provide information regarding the First Aid and CPR requirement. Students are required to provide copies of their certification for Standard First Aid and CPR at Level HCP/BLS. (This program is designed for those with specific healthcare responsibilities).

Student Dress Code
  • A student dress code is in effect for clinical courses.
Transportation
  • Students are responsible for their own transportation in order to complete program requirements which may not be readily accessible by public transportation.
  • Program requirements could include co-ops, placements, volunteer requirements, practical labs, field projects, assignments, clinicals, or any other off-campus visits required as part of the program’s curriculum.
Computer Requirements

Students are responsible for ensuring that they have a Microsoft Windows-based desktop or laptop that meets or exceeds the following general requirements:

  • A desktop or laptop running on an updated Microsoft Windows operating system (Windows 11 recommended).
  • Minimum 256GB SSD storage and 8 GB memory (note that 16 GB memory is strongly recommended).
  • An integrated or peripheral video camera, microphone, and speaker system.
  • Reliable internet connectivity with Broadband capabilities. A minimum download speed of 10 – 50 Mbps is recommended.

Niagara College may not be able to provide support for systems different than the above specifications as provided software may not operate properly. Academic software for your courses will be made available for download and remote use. Access will also be provided to remote high performance computer labs if software downloads are not feasible.

Note: We do not provide support for Chromebooks or Apple products. (learn more)

Computer/technology requirements may be subject to change without notice.

All costs associated with program requirements are the responsibility of the student.

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Availability

Note

This program is for qualified internationally-trained nurses only.

International Applicants Apply
Legendfor intake status table
Open

Accepting applications

Waitlisted

Eligible applications will be placed on a waiting list

Closed

Not accepting applications

Suspended

No longer offered this term

The College reserves the right to cancel or make changes to any course or program, fee, procedure, or campus location at any time.

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Program Completion Verification

Please note graduation from this program does not grant the required licenses to be employed as a nurse in Canada. Separate licensing is required, and is subject to review and approval, through College of Nurses of Ontario and/or other regulatory bodies. Learn more about how to make a request for verification of program completion (for assessment agencies and/or regulatory bodies such as NNAS or CNO) by clicking the button below.

Program Completion Verification Requests
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I really like the course overall and the way it consists of all important aspects. The simulation provides real time patient scenarios. This is a totally suitable course for someone who had no experience back home. This is a great opportunity to learn, explore and put it all together for better achievements. All this possible because this college provides so many facilities and helps out every student as much as they can.

Kiranjot, program graduate
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