Clinical Competence Assessment (CCA) Centre for Nursing
University of Manitoba – Clinical Competence Assessment (CCA) Update
Effective March 1, 2026, the University of Manitoba will no longer serve as a CCA provider for either the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba (CRNM) or the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba (CLPNM).
Individuals seeking to schedule a CCA after this date are encouraged to contact their respective regulatory body directly for further guidance:
- College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba (CRNM)
- College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba (CLPNM)
We sincerely thank all candidates, staff and partners who have supported and contributed to the CCA program at UM.
Please note that Nursing Professional Development courses and programs will continue to be offered. To learn more about ongoing professional learning opportunities, explore the information provided on this webpage.
Courses Nursing professional development series
As the College of Nursing undertakes a restructuring of its leadership, the March cohort will be the final session offered until further notice. Future intake dates remain under review and will be announced once confirmed. Please note the current courses offered, along with their associated content, may be subject to revision during this period.
Course descriptions
Nursing in Manitoba
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
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 Essentials
Nursing Procedures
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.
Contact us
College of Nursing — Professional Development
89 Curry Place
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry Campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada