Clinical Competence Assessment (CCA) Centre for Nursing

The RN Clinical Competency Assessment Exams and the AP Clinical Competency Assessment Exam are conducted online as computer-based written tests. You can access these exams through the University of Manitoba’s Learning Management System, known as UM Learn (or Brightspace/D2L).

You’ll need to complete the exams at home in a quiet, private space. If you can’t find a suitable spot at home, you can choose an alternative location, but it’s crucial that you are alone for the entire duration of the exam.

The exams are monitored and recorded using a webcam and Respondus Monitor, which tracks any unusual movements or sounds. Please remember that exam content is confidential, and no one else should be able to see your computer screen during the exam.

In your designated exam area, you’re allowed to have:

• A calculator
• A clear bottle of water
• Pencils
• One sheet of scrap paper

To pass the exam, you need to achieve a minimum score of 65%.

You will need:

• A laptop or desktop computer
• A web camera (internal or external)
• A reliable broadband internet connection
• An operating system: Windows 10, 8, 7, or Mac OS X 10.12 or higher

If you don’t have a computer that meets these requirements, you can borrow a laptop from the College of Nursing. The borrowed laptop will come with Respondus Monitor pre-installed. You can pick it up the day before your exam and return it the day after you complete your exam. Please note that a $100 refundable deposit is required.

When you book an AP Clinical Competency Assessment (CCA), you’ll need to read and sign a confidentiality agreement. This agreement ensures that you do not share or reveal any content from the CCA. Breaches of confidentiality include, but are not limited to:

• Comparing your responses with those of colleagues
• Sharing exam content
• Posting case information or exam questions online
• Engaging in cheating or dishonest behavior during the exams

NOTE: Any breach of confidentiality may lead to disciplinary and legal actions, including the invalidation of your results. The CRNM or CRPNM will be notified of any breaches.

Nursing in Manitoba is designed specifically for health-care professionals who are new to Manitoba, new to the Canadian health-care system, or returning to nursing practice after a break. This course provides an in-depth look at the unique aspects of nursing within Manitoba’s health-care landscape, covering topics from the foundational elements of the Manitoba health-care system to specific practices and challenges faced by nurses in the region.

The course emphasizes the importance of interprofessional collaboration and teamwork in delivering effective patient care, as well as the legal, ethical, and professional standards governing nursing in Manitoba.

Course highlights include:

• Roles of health-care team members: Explore the roles and responsibilities of various team members, including health-care aides, physiotherapists, occupational health professionals, medical practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, and social workers. Learn about their unique contributions to patient care in Manitoba.
• Interprofessional team collaboration: Understand the dynamics of working in interprofessional teams, including effective communication, mutual respect, and the importance of different professional roles in health-care settings.
• Nurse as advocate: Focus on how nurses can advocate for patients by understanding their rights and promoting equitable access to health-care services.
• Canadian health-care system: Gain insights into the Canadian health-care system, with a special focus on Manitoba’s structure, function, and regional variations.
• Scope of practice, practice standards, and ethics: Learn about the legal, ethical, and professional standards that define and regulate nursing practice in Manitoba, including ethical decision-making in complex care situations.
• Entry-level competencies for registered nurses: Review the necessary competencies for entry-level registered nurses in Manitoba, focusing on clinical skills, critical thinking, patient safety, and evidence-based practice.
• Utilization of community resources: Discover how to effectively identify and use community resources to enhance patient care in Manitoba’s diverse health-care settings.
• Culturally competent care for Indigenous clients: Develop cultural competence in nursing care, particularly in understanding and addressing the health needs and cultural sensitivities of Indigenous communities in Manitoba.
• PHIA/FIPPA and social media guidelines: Learn about the principles and regulations related to personal health information, freedom of information, and responsible social media use in the context of nursing and patient confidentiality.

Course structure:
This course includes asynchronous lectures, practical workshops, and simulation exercises designed to apply communication theories and techniques to real-world scenarios.

Who should enroll:
This course is ideal for any health-care professional looking to pursue nursing in Manitoba. It provides a comprehensive understanding of nursing practices in the region, preparing you to deliver safe and effective patient care.

Duration:
This flexible eight-week course is designed to fit into the busy schedules of health-care professionals.

How to register:
To register for this course, please email nursing.pd@umanitoba.ca.

Communication in Nursing is part of our Nursing Professional Development Series, designed to help nurses enhance their communication skills in the Manitoba health-care environment. This course is perfect for those planning to work in clinical settings where clear and empathetic communication is essential for effective patient care and teamwork.

Course highlights include:

• The role of communication: Learn the impact of effective communication on patient outcomes and team efficiency. Explore communication theory, including verbal, non-verbal, and written communication, through real-world case studies. Understand how clear communication can prevent errors, improve patient satisfaction, and support interprofessional collaboration.
• Empathy and listening skills: Deepen your empathy and active listening abilities through exercises and role-playing. Gain techniques to show understanding and compassion, even in high-stress situations. Practice listening to patient concerns and responding in ways that validate their experiences and foster a strong nurse-patient relationship.
• Patient participation: Discover strategies to encourage patient involvement in their care, including motivational interviewing and shared decision-making. Learn to simplify medical jargon and use teach-back methods to ensure patients are engaged and informed partners in their health journey.
• Team collaboration: Explore the dynamics of health-care teams and how effective communication can enhance teamwork. This module covers conflict resolution, delegation, and feedback within interprofessional teams, with team-building activities and simulations to practice mutual respect and open communication.
• ISBARR framework: Get comprehensive training on the ISBARR (identify, situation, background, assessment, recommendation, repeat) communication tool. Learn to use ISBARR for handovers, emergency situations, and routine updates to improve information exchange and reduce miscommunication.
• Challenging interactions: Equip yourself with strategies for handling difficult conversations with patients and families, such as delivering bad news or managing emotional responses. Practice these skills through role-playing, guided reflection, and scenario analysis to maintain professionalism and respect.
• Ethical and legal considerations: Understand the ethical and legal aspects of communication in nursing, including confidentiality, informed consent, and professional boundaries. Discuss ethical dilemmas and case law to ensure respect for patient rights and autonomy.
• Awareness of personal biases: Recognize and manage personal biases that can affect communication and decision-making. Engage in self-reflection and cultural competence training to minimize biases and promote inclusive and respectful care.
• Interviewing techniques: Improve your interviewing skills for gathering patient histories and understanding health concerns. Practice various interviewing styles, emphasizing open-ended questions, empathy, and active listening, with feedback to refine your approach.
• Documentation: Learn best practices for clinical documentation, including SOAPIE (subjective, objective, assessment, plan, interventions, evaluation) and DA(R)P (data, assessment (and response), plan) methods. Understand the legal significance of documentation and strategies to avoid common pitfalls, ensuring clear, concise, and timely records.

Course structure:
This course includes asynchronous lectures, practical workshops, and simulation exercises to apply communication theories and techniques in real-world scenarios.

Who should enroll:
Ideal for health-care professionals looking to enhance their communication skills, especially those aiming to improve patient interactions, teamwork, and overall effectiveness in health-care settings.

Duration:
This eight-week course is designed to be flexible and fit into the busy schedules of health-care professionals.

How to register:
To register, please email nursing.pd@umanitoba.ca.

Nursing Procedures: Sterile Technique, Wound Care and Skills is part of the Nursing Professional Development Series. This course provides essential training in core nursing skills, including oxygenation, sterile technique, Foley catheterization, and blood administration. 

Through online modules, case studies, simulations, and lab sessions led by instructors, learners can practice their skills, ensuring competency in fundamental nursing procedures.

• Catheter and sterile wound care: Develop proficiency in catheter care, including insertion, maintenance, and removal, as well as managing sterile wound dressings. Emphasize infection control practices, patient comfort, and techniques to prevent complications like urinary tract infections and pressure ulcers.
• Infection prevention: Discuss infection prevention and control principles, including personal protective equipment, isolation precautions, and strategies to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases. Scenarios and simulations reinforce best practices in various clinical situations.
• Oxygenation principles: Learn about the physiological principles of oxygenation and how to assess and support patients requiring oxygen therapy. Training includes interpreting arterial blood gases, understanding hypoxia, and managing patients with various oxygen delivery systems to maintain optimal oxygenation levels.
• Respiratory care equipment: Discuss indications for and the application of respiratory equipment, including nasal prongs, rebreather masks, and suction devices.
• Blood administration: Learn about the fundamentals of blood transfusion and its role in patient care. Review blood components, compatibility, indications, preparation and administration procedures. The module also reviews monitoring and managing transfusion reactions and documentation. 

Program delivery:
This course is delivered through a virtual platform (UM Learn), combining synchronous and asynchronous content to fit the diverse schedules of nursing professionals. It includes lectures, hands-on practice sessions, and simulation exercises for practical understanding of medication administration and psychomotor skills.

Who should enroll:
This course is ideal for:

Nurses new to Manitoba seeking to understand local health-care practices.

Practicing nurses aiming to update or refresh their medication administration and psychomotor skills.

Nurses re-entering the profession and needing a comprehensive refresher course to align with current standards.

Course structure:
This eight-week short course is designed to be flexible and accessible, fitting into the busy schedules of health-care professionals.

How to register:
To register, please email nursing.pd@umanitoba.ca.