Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Canada 2021 Version 1.0

51. - Health professions and related programs

This series comprises instructional programs that prepare individuals to practice as licensed professionals and assistants in the health care professions and related clinical sciences and administrative and support services.

51.38 - Registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing

This subseries comprises instructional program classes 51.3801 to 51.3899.

51.3801 - Registered nursing/registered nurse (RN, ASN, BSN, BScN, MSN, MScN)

This instructional program class comprises any program that generally prepares individuals in the knowledge, techniques and procedures for promoting health, providing care for sick, disabled, infirm, or other individuals or groups. These programs include courses in the administration of medication and treatments, assisting a physician during treatments and examinations, referring patients to physicians and other health care specialists, and planning education for health maintenance.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • registered nurse
  • registered nursing

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • dental nurse(51.0601)
  • Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP)(51.3818)
  • emergency room nursing(51.3816)
  • licensed practical nurse(51.3901)
  • nurse aide(51.3902)
  • nursing sciences (MSc, PhD)(51.3808)
  • palliative care nursing(51.3819)
  • registered psychiatric nurse(51.3823)
  • women's health nurse(51.3822)

51.3802 - Nursing administration (Cert., MSN, MS, MScN, MSc, PhD)

This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares registered nurses to manage nursing personnel and services in hospitals and other health care delivery agencies. These programs include courses in principles of health care administration, resource and financial management, health care law and policy, medical personnel management, and managed care operations.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • nurse management
  • nursing administration
  • nursing management

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • health care administration(51.0701)
  • health services administration(51.2211)
  • registered nurse(51.3801)

51.3803 - Adult health nurse/nursing

This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares registered nurses to provide general care for adult patients. These programs include courses in adult primary care, adult pathophysiology, clinical management of medication and treatments, patient assessment and education, patient referral, and planning adult health maintenance programs.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • adult health nurse
  • adult health nursing

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • adult health nurse practitioner(60.0704)
  • licensed practical nurse(51.3901)
  • nurse aide(51.3902)

51.3804 - Nurse anesthetist

This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares registered nurses to administer anesthetics and provide care for patients before, during and after anesthesia. These programs include courses in the biochemistry and physics of anesthesia; advanced anatomy and physiology; clinical pharmacology of anesthetics and adjunctive drugs; pain management; acute care and operating room practice; clinical technology and procedures; emergency intervention; patient assessment and education; and legal issues.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • nurse anesthetist

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • anesthesia nurse practitioner(60.0799)
  • anesthesiologist assistant(51.0809)
  • licensed practical nurse(51.3901)

51.3805 - Primary health care nurse/nursing and family practice nurse/nursing

This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares registered nurses to provide independent general care for family groups and individuals in the context of family living. These programs include courses in family theory and intervention, role synthesis, family primary care, nursing practice and health care policy, holistic practice, pediatric practice, gerontological practice, health assessment, clinical pharmacotherapeutics, clinical techniques, and pathopsychology.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • family practice nurse
  • family practice nursing
  • primary care nurse
  • primary care nursing
  • primary health care nurse
  • primary health care nursing

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP)(51.3818)
  • family nurse practitioner(60.0713)
  • licensed practical nurse(51.3901)
  • nurse aide(51.3902)
  • nurse practitioner(60.0701)
  • registered nurse(51.3801)

51.3806 - Maternal/child health and neonatal nurse/nursing

This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares registered nurses to provide prenatal care to pregnant women and to mothers and their newborn infants. These programs include courses in perinatal and newborn health assessment, stabilization, and care; pathophysiology of pregnancy, fetuses, and the newborn; clinical management of high-risk pregnancies and newborns; perinatal and neonatal technology and clinical procedures; and patient education.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • maternal nurse
  • maternal nursing
  • maternity nurse
  • maternity nursing
  • neonatal nurse
  • neonatal nursing

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • birthing and parenting knowledge and skills (not for credit)(34.0102)
  • midwifery(51.3401)
  • neonatal nurse practitioner(60.0725)
  • nursing midwifery(51.3807)
  • registered nurse(51.3801)

51.3807 - Nurse midwife/nursing midwifery

This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares registered nurses to independently deliver babies and treat mothers in the prenatal, delivery, and post-delivery periods. These programs include courses in pre-delivery screening, physician referral, and the care of infants during the delivery and immediate post-delivery phases.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • nurse midwife
  • nursing midwifery

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • birthing and parenting knowledge and skills (not for credit)(34.0102)
  • maternity nursing(51.3806)
  • midwifery(51.3401)
  • registered nurse(51.3801)

51.3808 - Nursing science (MS, MSc, PhD)

This instructional program class comprises any research program that focuses on the study of advanced clinical practices, research methodologies, the administration of complex nursing services, and that prepares nurses to further the progress of nursing research through experimentation and clinical applications.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • nursing science
  • nursing sciences (MSc, PhD)

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP)(51.3818)
  • registered nurse(51.3801)

51.3809 - Pediatric nurse/nursing

This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares registered nurses to provide care for children from infancy through adolescence. These programs include courses in the administration of medication and treatments, assisting physicians, patient examination and referral, and planning and delivering health maintenance and health education programs.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • children's nurse
  • pediatric nurse
  • pediatric nursing

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • licensed practical nurse(51.3901)
  • maternity nursing(51.3806)
  • mental health care(51.1502)
  • nurse aide(51.3902)
  • pediatric nurse practitioner(60.0736)
  • pediatrics - residency(61.1901)
  • registered nurse(51.3801)

51.3810 - Psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing

This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares registered nurses to promote mental health and provide nursing care to patients with mental, emotional or behavioural disorders, in mental institutions or other settings. These programs include courses in psychopathology, behavioural health, counselling and intervention strategies, psychoeducation, mental health assessment and dual diagnosis, stabilization and management of psychotic illness, psychiatric care and rehabilitation, substance abuse, and crisis intervention.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • mental health nurse
  • mental health nursing
  • psychiatric nurse
  • psychiatric nursing

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • psychiatric nurse practitioner(60.0738)
  • psychiatry - residency(61.2401)
  • registered nurse(51.3801)
  • registered psychiatric nurse(51.3823)

51.3811 - Public health/community nurse/nursing

This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares registered nurses to promote health and provide preventive and curative nursing services for groups or communities under the supervision of a public health agency. These programs include courses in community and rural health, family therapy and intervention, disease prevention, health education, and community health assessment.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • community health nursing
  • community nurse
  • community nursing
  • public health nurse
  • public health nursing

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • public health (MPH, DPH)(51.2201)
  • public health education and promotion(51.2207)
  • public health medicine - residency(61.2301)
  • registered nurse(51.3801)

51.3812 - Perioperative/operating room and surgical nurse/nursing

This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares registered nurses to provide care to patients before and during surgery, and provide tableside assistance to surgeons. These programs include courses in operating room safety and preparation, aseptic technique, anesthesia, patient preparation, surgical instruments and procedures, sterilization and disinfecting, surgical drugs and solutions, hemostasis, emergency procedures, and patient/family education.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • operating room nurse
  • operating room nursing
  • OR nurse
  • perioperative nurse
  • perioperative nursing
  • registered nurse first assistant
  • registered nurse first assistant (RNFA)
  • RN first assistant
  • surgical nurse
  • surgical nursing

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • dental nurse(51.0601)
  • registered nurse(51.3801)

51.3813 - Clinical nurse specialist

This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares registered nurses to deliver direct patient and client care in clinical settings. These programs include courses in clinical pharmacotherapeutics, advanced clinical practice, holistic nursing, nursing practice and health care policy, administration and consultation services, health assessment, patient stabilization and care, and patient education.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • clinical nurse specialist
  • clinical nursing

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • clinical nurse leader(51.3820)
  • licensed practical nurse(51.3901)
  • nurse aide(51.3902)
  • nursing sciences (MSc, PhD)(51.3808)
  • registered nurse(51.3801)

51.3814 - Critical care nurse/nursing

This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares registered nurses to provide specialized care to patients with life-threatening problems, including those in intensive care facilities and on life support. These programs include courses in adult, neonatal, and pediatric critical care; technical skills; patient monitoring and assessment; normal and abnormal readings; and troubleshooting.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • acute care nurse
  • acute care nursing
  • critical care nurse
  • critical care nursing
  • intensive care nurse
  • intensive care nursing

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • acute care nurse practitioner(60.0703)
  • palliative care nursing(51.3819)
  • pediatric critical care medicine - fellowship(61.1907)
  • registered nurse(51.3801)
  • trauma nursing(51.3816)

51.3815 - Occupational and environmental health nurse/nursing

This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares registered nurses to deliver nursing health care services to workers and worker populations in clinical settings and at job sites. These programs include courses in public and community health; occupational safety and health; occupational health surveillance; case management; fitness for duty testing; medication; allergies and immunization; emergency and ambulatory care; and applicable laws and regulations.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • environmental health nurse
  • environmental health nursing
  • occupational and environmental health nurse
  • occupational and environmental health nursing
  • occupational health and safety nursing
  • occupational health nurse
  • occupational health nursing

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • occupational health nurse practitioner(60.0730)
  • public health nurse(51.3811)
  • registered nurse(51.3801)

51.3816 - Emergency room/trauma nurse/nursing

This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares registered nurses to deliver advanced, direct patient care in emergency and trauma settings. These programs include courses in advanced health assessment, pharmacology, physiology, emergency management, trauma conditions, trauma assessments and acute care.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • emergency nurse
  • emergency nursing
  • emergency room nurse
  • trauma nurse

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • critical care nursing(51.3814)
  • emergency nurse practitioner(60.0711)
  • pediatric emergency medicine - fellowship(61.1908)
  • registered nurse(51.3801)
  • trauma counselling(51.1513)

51.3818 - Nursing practice

This instructional program class comprises any practice-focused program that prepares registered nurses for increasingly complex evidence-based nursing practice, including translating research into practice, evaluating evidence, applying research in decision-making, and implementing viable clinical innovations to change practice. These programs include courses in healthcare delivery systems, health economics and finance, health policy, research methods, translating evidence into practice, concepts in population health, and nursing leadership.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • Doctorate of Advanced Nursing Practice
  • Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP)

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • nurse practitioner(60.0701)
  • nursing sciences (MSc, PhD)(51.3808)
  • registered nurse(51.3801)

51.3819 - Palliative care nurse/nursing

This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares registered nurses to provide a combination of active and compassionate therapies intended to comfort and support patients and their families who are living with life-threatening illness. These programs include courses in pathophysiology, palliative care processes, pain management, pharmacology, loss, grief, death, and bereavement.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • palliative care nurse
  • palliative care nursing

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • critical care nursing(51.3814)
  • hospice and palliative medicine - fellowship(61.0205)
  • palliative care nurse practitioner(60.0734)
  • registered nurse(51.3801)

51.3820 - Clinical nurse leader

This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares registered nurses for careers as clinical nurse leaders in which they work as part of an interdisciplinary team that provides direct medical care for patients based on evidence-based practice and research. These programs include courses in pharmacology, pathophysiology, epidemiology, research in nursing methods, advanced health assessment, statistics, and clinical practice management.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • clinical nurse leader

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • clinical nursing(51.3813)

51.3821 - Geriatric nurse/nursing

This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares registered nurses to provide health care to aging and elderly patients. These programs include courses in geriatric primary care, geriatric diagnosis, mental health and aging, primary care management, geriatric acute and chronic illness, advanced nursing practices for geriatric patients, evidence-based nursing practice, advanced physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and pharmacotherapeutics.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • geriatric nurse
  • geriatric nursing
  • gerontological nurse
  • gerontological nursing

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • geriatric medicine - fellowship(61.0203)
  • gerontological nurse practitioner(60.0717)

51.3822 - Women's health nurse/nursing

This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares registered nurses to provide health care specific to women. These programs include courses in the wellness and care of women, gynecology, obstetrics, advanced nursing practices for women, evidence-based nursing practice, advanced physiology and pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, and pharmacotherapeutics.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • women's health nurse
  • women's health nursing

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • registered nurse(51.3801)
  • women's health nurse practitioner(60.0750)

51.3823 - Registered psychiatric nurse/nursing^CAN

This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares individuals to become registered psychiatric nurses; to promote mental health and provide nursing care to patients with mental, emotional or behavioural disorders, in clinical and treatment environments or other settings. These programs include courses in psychopathology, pharmacology, behavioural health, counselling and intervention strategies, psychoeducation, mental health assessment and dual diagnosis, stabilization and management of psychotic illness, psychiatric care and rehabilitation, substance abuse, and crisis intervention.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • registered psychiatric nurse
  • registered psychiatric nursing

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • mental health care(51.1502)
  • psychiatric nurse(51.3810)
  • psychiatric nurse practitioner(60.0738)
  • psychiatry - residency(61.2401)
  • registered nurse(51.3801)

51.3824 - Forensic nursing

This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares individuals to apply the law and forensic science to nursing practice and collaborate with other professionals for the care of victims and the prosecution of criminals. These programs include courses in advanced physical assessment, evidence collection and preservation, forensic anthropology, legal testimony, medicolegal investigation, pathophysiology, pathohistology, pharmacology, and violence prevention.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • advanced forensic nursing
  • advanced practice forensic nursing
  • child abuse nurse examiner
  • forensic nurse
  • forensic nurse death investigator
  • forensic nursing
  • forensic nursing science
  • intimate partner violence nurse examiner
  • sexual assault nurse examiner

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • forensic psychology(42.2812)
  • forensic science and technology(43.0406)
  • forensic social work(44.0703)

51.3899 - Registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing, other

This instructional program class comprises any program not listed above that relates to Registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research, and clinical nursing.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • coronary care nursing
  • nephrology nursing
  • neuroscience nursing
  • oncology nursing
  • other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing
  • pain management (college)
  • respiratory health nurse
  • respiratory nurse

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • cardiology nurse practitioner(60.0706)
  • dental nursing(51.0601)
  • nephrology nurse practitioner(60.0726)
  • oncology nurse practitioner(60.0799)
  • pain management (university)(51.1403)
  • pain management nurse practitioner - residency(60.0733)
  • pain medicine - fellowship(61.0210)
  • respiratory health nurse practitioner - residency(60.0740)