Indigenous 
Overview
Program Details
Program Highlights
This program consists of core theoretical courses delivered online and is well suited for learners seeking foundational or refresher knowledge in neonatal intensive care without lab or clinical placement requirements. Upon successful completion, graduates may choose to pursue the Registered Nurse Critical Care Nursing – Neonatal Advanced Ontario College Graduate Certificate program at St. Lawrence College to gain hands-on lab experience and participate in clinical placements.
Program Outline
2026-2027
Understanding the foundational principles of neonatal physiology and care is essential for providing safe, specialized support to vulnerable newborns and their families. This course introduces students to the unique developmental processes of the fetus and neonate, the transition to extrauterine life, and the critical role of nurses in neonatal intensive care. Emphasis is placed on evidence-informed practice, the interprofessional team, and trauma-informed, family-centered approaches. Students will explore culturally safe care, and the importance of early nutrition and skin-to-skin practices. Through interactive modules, required readings, and case-based reflections, learners will begin to build the knowledge and critical thinking skills required for specialized neonatal nursing roles.
This course focuses on how to assess and support the health of newborns in the NICU. Learners will explore how to recognize early signs of illness, understand lab values, and assess systems like respiratory, cardiac, neurologic, and gastrointestinal. Key topics include fluid balance, nutrition, pain assessment, and how medications work differently in neonates. Students will explore how prematurity, illness, or birth complications affect growth and development. With interactive online modules, case studies, and guided readings, learners will build the skills needed to collect and interpret clinical data, support families, and provide safe, evidence-informed care in the NICU.
Introducing learners to specialized nursing interventions in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), this course focuses on evidence-informed care for common high-risk conditions. Learners will examine respiratory distress syndrome, persistent pulmonary hypertension, neurological complications, and congenital anomalies. Emphasis is placed on clinical judgment, care planning, documentation, and therapeutic communication. Through case-based learning, clinical readings, and NICU-specific scenarios, students will apply current guidelines and research to plan, implement, and evaluate individualized care strategies for critically ill neonates. This course builds on foundational neonatal knowledge to support safe, effective nursing practice in complex care situations.
This course focuses on advanced nursing care for critically ill neonates with complex or evolving clinical conditions. Learners will explore topics such as multisystem complications, surgical recovery, hemodynamic instability, and neonatal end-of-life care. Emphasis is placed on applying best practice guidelines and current evidence to inform individualized care planning, implementation, and evaluation. Through clinical scenarios, critical appraisal activities, and guided case analysis, students will continue to develop documentation, decision-making, and clinical judgment skills. This course complements Clinical Considerations I and supports safe, evidence-informed nursing practice in high-acuity neonatal environments.
Requirements
Admission Requirements
Ontario College Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Degree or equivalent in Nursing.
- Proof of active unrestricted registration as a registered nurse (RN) in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) (or equivalent) is required for enrollment. You must provide your CNO registered number at the time of registration.
- Evidence of direct post-graduation clinical practice hours (3,900 hours within the previous 5 years). *Documentation from previous employer(s) must be available for upload at the time of registration.
Are your transcripts from outside of Canada? Please visit Applying to SLC - With Your Transcripts for more information.
If you have already completed your application and have been accepted, you can proceed to our course registration portal to view current offerings here.
Fees
2026-2027
For course fees, please view the following page and click "Part-Time Fees - Quick Reference". Please note that fees are subject to change and updated fees will be available each semester during the registration process.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of this program will be able to work in pediatric and neonatal services in hospitals and clinics across Ontario.
Other Information
St. Lawrence College recognizes that applicants to post-graduate nursing programs may have relevant knowledge and skills gained through prior education, professional experience, or certifications. Through the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) process, students may receive credit for demonstrated competencies that align with course learning outcomes. All submissions are evaluated to ensure they meet the academic and clinical standards of the program.
Program Contacts
For questions about this program, please contact:
Crystal Larose
crystal.larose@sl.on.ca