MN - Nurse Practitioner Stream

The Master of Nursing Program at the University of Manitoba prepares nurses for advanced practice and leadership roles. The program builds on experiential knowledge and fosters critical enquiry. Graduate nursing education builds on undergraduate education through the integration of theory, research, and practice. Our graduates are prepared as leaders in advanced nursing practice. Graduates will influence the domains of education, research, administration, practice and nursing knowledge and outcomes.

The Faculty of Nursing offers a graduate program (NP stream) which, upon completion, leads to a Master of Nursing degree. This degree is achieved through an innovative, course-based, non-thesis program of study comprised of 45 credit hours and more than 700 clinical hours at the advanced practice level.

The goal of the Nurse Practitioner stream is to prepare nurses with the advanced knowledge and skills to function as first line providers of health care and health promotion in primary care, to clients throughout the life span. The program of study, taught by an interdisciplinary faculty, provides a strong basis in physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, advanced health assessment, community health, evidence informed practice and role development. Three clinical courses are designed to address the common health needs of individuals and families, including health promotion and wellness strategies, and management of episodic and stable chronic illnesses.

Additional Features of the NP Stream

  • The Master of Nursing (NP) stream prepares nurses for advanced practice roles as nurse practitioners in primary care.
  • Students in the NP stream complete a core curriculum of 45 credit hours, plus a clinical consolidation course.
  • Of the 712 program clinical hours, 312 hours are integrated throughout, with an additional 400 hours (10 weeks) in the final clinical consolidation.
  • A full-time program of study is required.
  • The NP stream is offered by blended delivery, including a mix of in-class and distance teaching and learning strategies.

What is a Nurse Practitioner (NP)?

According to the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA), “nurse practitioners provide direct care, focusing on health promotion and the treatment and management of health conditions. They have an expanded scope of practice and can diagnose, order and interpret diagnostic tests. They can also prescribe medications and perform certain procedures”.

  • NPs are registered nurses (RNs) with graduate education and clinical expertise in primary care.
  • NPs are expert clinicians; they are licensed to autonomously diagnose, prescribe medications, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and perform specific clinical procedures.
  • NPs focus on health promotion, disease prevention, and acute and chronic illness management.
  • NPs lead or collaborate with other disciplines to provide holistic care services to patients across the lifespan, and to families, groups, and communities.

What does a NP do?1

  • Integrates in-depth evidence-informed knowledge of advanced nursing practice and theory, health management, health promotion, disease/injury prevention, and other relevant biomedical and psychosocial theories to provide comprehensive health services with an emphasis to promote health or prevent illness, autonomously ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, prescribing pharmacologic agents and performing minor invasive procedures.
  • Provides primary and consultative care to individuals or specific client groups in accordance with evidence-based knowledge and advance nursing practice.
  • Educates patient/family, provides appropriate information about diagnosis and treatment, resources in the community, and responds to inquiries.
  • Shares knowledge and expertise with patients/families and other professionals through a variety of teaching strategies.
  • Advocates for clients, the workplace, and the profession.
  • Establishes and maintains respectful, collaborative, therapeutic, and professional relationships.
  • Provides consultation and clinical support to peers as needed.
  • Maintains knowledge of current legislation as it pertains to NP practice.
  • Possesses and continually acquires knowledge relevant to the professional service she/he provides through critical thinking and problem solving.
  • Ensures practice is guided by research-based evidence and best-practice guidelines.

What types of career opportunities are available for graduates of the NP stream?

  • Primary care clinics
  • Nursing stations in the north
  • Specialty clinics or community settings, often where nurses have worked
    prior to completing the NP Program, such as:
       - ER minor treatment area
       - Neonatal ICU
       - Cancer care
       - Cardiac Sciences Program
       - Mental health/addictions
       - Geriatrics
       - Instructor at a faculty/school of nursing
       - DNP (Doctorate in Nurse Practitioner) studies

      1 College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba. (2011). Competencies for Nurse Practitioners in Manitoba. Winnipeg, MB: Author.

    Admission Requirements

    An application fee of $100 (subject to change) for Canadian and International applicants.

    Applicants are required to meet the entrance requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, and the following requirements of the Faculty of Nursing:

    1. A baccalaureate degree in nursing from an approved or accredited university. In exceptional circumstances, applicants with a degree in another discipline may be considered on a case by case basis, providing the applicant is a Registered Nurse (RN). For these individuals, up to an additional year of course work may be required prior to consideration for admission to the graduate program as a regular student. RPNs are not eligible for the Nurse Practitioner stream.
    2. Official transcript(s) (statement of course work and grades obtained) of all academic records from courses taken at all degree-granting institutions. Please note that you do not need to provide an official transcript from the University of Manitoba. Contact the Graduate Program Student Advisor in Nursing for clarification.
    3. Completion of a Research Methods course and an introductory Statistics course with a minimum grade of 2.5 (C+) in each course. It is highly recommended that Statistics be taken within the last 5 years and Research Methods be taken within the last 8 years to ensure currency. Students are advised to check with the Graduate Program Student Advisor as to whether courses completed meet this requirement. Please note that applications are accepted from students currently enrolled in these two prerequisite courses.
    4. A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) in the last 60 credit hours of university study. In rare instances, the Faculty of Nursing may recommend admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies of applicants who have a non-competitive GPA, but who have demonstrated evidence of recent academic achievement, long-standing commitment, leadership, and outstanding achievement in the nursing profession. Applicants who fit in this category must have a GPA of at least 2.5 in the last 60 credit hours of university study.
    5. Three (3) letters of reference indicating the applicant’s academic and/or professional qualifications.
    6. Proof of active practicing nurse registration in Canada is needed. Applicants from other countries may apply provided they have active practicing nurse status in their home country.
    7. A minimum of two years or equivalent (3,600 hours) full time clinical practice within the past five years is required.
    8. A resume/curriculum vitae that includes the following:
      • past educational preparation;
      • employment experience, indicating level of responsibility;
      • community service including involvement in professional associations;
      • awards and honours;
      • research projects;
      • publications;
      • continuing education;
      • innovation in clinical practice; &
      • any other supporting information.
    9. Statement of Intent (500 words) - statement of career goals and reasons for applying to the Nurse Practitioner stream, Master of Nursing Program.
    10. Proficiency in English (see Graduate Calendar).
    11. Upon acceptance to the Master of Nursing Program, students must submit a completed Immunization Record by September 1 of the year of admission.
    12. An interview may be required.

      Note: The Graduate Studies Committee in the Faculty of Nursing reviews all applications, but final approval rests with the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Program admission is on a competitive basis and submission of the above requirements in no way guarantees program acceptance.

        All application materials must be received in the Faculty of Graduate Studies no later than April 1 for the year in which admission is sought. LATE OR INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. 

        Full Time Study

        Full time study is required in the NP stream and takes place over 2 years, each with three academic terms. A student is considered to be full time in the NP stream if she/he takes an academic load of 24 credit hours in the first year and 12 credit hours, clinical practice, and the final Clinical Consolidation course in the second year.

        All students will be assigned an advisor upon admission. Students must meet, at a minimum, annually with their advisor. Any changes to program plan must be approved by the advisor.

        The student/advisor relationship is important in assisting the student to navigate the university system. Students are responsible for initiating and maintaining regular communication with their advisor. Students are also responsible for understanding and knowing the Faculty of Graduate Studies policies and regulations, as well as the Supplementary Regulations which provide the guidelines for graduate study.

        The program at a glance