Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada
Perioperative Program Approval
graphic of ORNAC logo and nurses working at a hospital

ORNAC is pleased to offer a Perioperative Nurse Program Approval for educational programs that provide post-basic education for Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, and Registered Practical Nurses.

This voluntary review process confirms that a program's submitted curriculum aligns with the ORNAC Guidelines for Perioperative Practice in Canada. Approval supports high-quality, evidence-based perioperative education and helps ensure programs prepare knowledgeable, skilled perioperative nurses across Canada.

What Program Approval Confirms
  • The program aligns with current ORNAC Guidelines
  • Content reflects recognized best practices in perioperative nursing
Interested in Program Approval?

Thank you for your commitment to advancing perioperative nursing education and supporting the next generation of perioperative nurses!

Approved Perioperative Programs
British Columbia Institute of Technology

bcit cmyk 

Perioperative Nursing Program
Approval Expires  January 31st, 2026
 Contact Stephanie Strong, Program Assistant
 Address  BCIT Specialty Nursing – SE12 – 328

3700 Willingdon Ave

Burnaby, British Columbia

Canada, V5G 3H2
 Phone  604-432-8875
 Email sstrong4@bcit.ca
 Description  The BCIT Advanced Certificate in Perioperative Specialty Nursing prepares students to practice as novices in various Perioperative settings. Students explore factors influencing Perioperative Nursing in today’s changing health care environment. The program consists of 6 courses, 3 theory (on line and distance), 3 clinical (Instructor Supported Preceptorship model). 

The program can be completed through full-time and part-time studies. For more information about this perioperative nursing program, please click here.
Foothills Medical Centre

Alberta Health Services Logo

Post-Graduate Perioperative Program
Approval Expires January 31st, 2026
Contact Lucia Pfeuti, RN, BN, CPN(c)
Ruth Morrison, RN, BN, CPN(c) Clinical Nurse Educators – FMC Operating Room
Address Foothills Medical Centre
1403 29th Street NW
Calgary, AB T2N 2T9
Phone 403-944-1254
403-944-1415
Fax 403-944-6424
Email lucia.pfeuti@ahs.ca
ruth.morrison@ahs.ca
Description

The program is committed towards the promotion of the perioperative nursing profession. It is open to both novice and experienced Registered Nurses who have current licensure with the College & Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA). The program spans across 14 weeks consisting of full time hours from Monday – Friday. Four weeks are dedicated to the didactic content covering theory; approach includes lectures, skills labs, and self-study modules. The final 10 weeks focuses on application of knowledge within a clinical practicum. The student pairs with a preceptor to provide support while learning clinical application of theory and knowledge; this takes place at Foothills Medical Center. Upon completion of the program, the Registered Nurse will be an independent practitioner who will be able to demonstrate the necessary knowledge and skill required to provide safe patient care in all perioperative phases at an entry to practice level. Educational opportunities are posted on the Alberta Health Services website: www.albertahealthservices.ca
George Brown College Registered Nurse (RN) Perioperative Nursing Program

Program Approval Expires: September 2027

Contact: Chelsea Ovsonka, RN, MN, BScN, CPN(C)

Chelsea.Ovsonka@georgebrown.ca

Laura Ptasznik, RN, MN, BScN, CPN(C)

Laura.Ptasznik@georgebrown.ca

Address:

51 Dockside Drive 

PO Box 1015, Station B 

Toronto, ON M5T 2T9 

This comprehensive 14-week Perioperative Nursing Certificate program is designed for novice and experienced nurses registered in good standing with their provincial regulatory body. The curriculum is rooted in the national competencies outlined in the current Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (ORNAC) Standards, ensuring that all taught skills are aligned with these guidelines.

Students will engage in theory modules, attend lectures, and participate in hands-on training in a state-of-the-art simulation lab. Students will then apply their knowledge in a clinical placement, consolidating their learning into real-world practice. Upon completion, graduates will possess a solid perioperative framework, equipping them to begin their careers as novice perioperative nurses in the clinical setting.

Registered Nurse – Operating Room Perioperative Nursing Program (Postgraduate) S414 | George Brown College

Humber College

Humber College 

Perioperative RN Nursing Program
Approval Expires  April 2026
Contact  Marilyn Morson, Program Advisor
Address  205 Humber College Blvd

Toronto, Ontario M9W 5L7
Phone  416 675-6622 x5245
Email  cehealthsciencesOPER@humber.ca

marilyn.morson@humber.ca
Description

The Operating Room Nursing - RN certificate program is designed for registered nurses (RNs) 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.

The Operating Room - RN certificate program includes four intensive online theory and lab-based courses over a total of eight 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.

The clinical placements are arranged with Humber College’s partner institutions across the Greater Toronto Area and are completed on a full-time basis without exception. Upon request clinical placements may possibly be arranged at your hospital employer outside of the GTA. Completion of the certificate includes the clinical placement where scrub skills are demonstrated at the novice level. This program academically prepares successful students for the Perioperative Certification Exam. 

Visit the Humber website for further information: Humber College Operating Room Nursing - RN Program 
MacEwan University

Faculty of Nursing, Department of Professional Nursing and Allied Health, Perioperative Nursing Program for Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses (Post-Diploma Certificate)

Approval Expires September 2027
Contact Office of the Dean, Faculty of Nursing
Address

MacEwan University
Faculty of Nursing
Robbins Health Learning Centre
9-511 10910 – 104 Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB Canada T5J 4S2
Phone
Email nursingdeansoffice@macewan.ca

MacEwan University's Faculty of Nursing offers a post-diploma certificate in perioperative nursing for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses. Offered through online distance delivery, in-person labs, and supervised clinical practice, this program provides RNs and LPNs with the hands-on skills required to work with a multidisciplinary perioperative team in the challenging, fast-paced and team-oriented environment of the operating room. Upon successful completion of the program and fulfillment of the clinical hours, registered nurses are eligible to write the Canadian Nurses Association Certification for Nursing Specialties exam in Perioperative Nursing.

https://www.macewan.ca/academics/programs/perioperative-nursing/

Nova Scotia Health, Learning Institute for Health Care Providers

LIHCP NS 

Perioperative Nursing Program for Registered Nurses
Approval Expires August 31st, 2027
Contact Maria Brennan, Nurse Educator
Address

1276 South Park Street
Bethune Building, Room 231
Halifax, NS  B3H 2Y9

Faculty contact: Shelley Haynes
E-mail

maria.brennan@nshealth.ca

LearningInstitute@nshealth.ca
Phone  902-222-5641
Description

The Perioperative Nursing Program and Nova Scotia Health's Learning Institute for Healthcare Providers is a competency-based program designed to meet the needs of learners across Nova Scotia. This flexible program enables learners to earn a performance-based certificate through part-time or full-time learning streams, ensuring that perioperative nurses can develop their knowledge and skills at a pace that fits their needs. The PONP curriculum is continuously updated to reflect current evidence-based practices in clinical care, education, and the perioperative environment. Revisions incorporate recommendations from ORNAC and align with Required Organizational Practices (ROPs) to ensure quality and safety.

For more information, please visit: Learning Institute NS Health
Poly Sask

Saskatchewan Polytechnic has successfully renewed ORNAC Program Approval for their Perioperative RN Program and has achieved initial ORNAC Prgram Approval for their Perioperative LPN Program!

This accomplishment reflects a strong commitment to excellence in perioperative education and to preparing knowledgeable, skilled perioperative Nurses!

Please join us in celebrating this achievement!

Saskatchewan Polytechnic

saskpolytech logo

Perioperative Nursing RN and LPN Programs
Approval Expires August 31, 2027
Contact Leah Lowe
Address perioperative@saskpolytech.ca
Phone 306-775-7575
or 1-866-467-4278 ext 7575
Fax N/A
Email

perioperative@saskpolytech.ca
Description

As an emerging member of Polytechnics Canada, the Perioperative Nursing RN and LPN Programs at Saskatchewan Polytechnic (formerly SIAST) offers high-quality, job focused education for nurses seeking to practice in a perioperative setting. For more information about these advanced certificates or the opportunity to collaborate in providing perioperative nursing education please visit www.saskpolytech.ca.

Program Details:

RN: https://saskpolytech.ca/programs-and-courses/programs/Perioperative-Nursing-RN.aspx

LPN: https://saskpolytech.ca/programs-and-courses/programs/Perioperative-Nursing-LPN.aspx