Micro-credential
Caring for Select Populations in Primary Care Nursing
ABOUT THIS PROGRAM
The School of Nursing’s non-credit micro-credential programming in primary care nursing builds on knowledge, skills, and abilities learned in undergraduate nursing education and aims to prepare learners to practice in primary health care clinics such as physicians’ offices and community primary care centers.
This two-course micro-credential program will prepare nurses to deliver culturally safe, trauma-informed care to populations who may face increased health challenges or experience barriers to accessing medical services. Learners will develop essential competencies aligned with Canadian Family Practice Nurses Association frameworks to provide comprehensive, inclusive care that addresses the unique needs of underserved populations. This micro-credential is part of a series of stackable micro-credentials for primary care nurses. For more information on these micro-credentials, please click here.
OFFERED BY:
Program Regulations
We encourage learners to review the Program Regulations Handbook before beginning the program. Please note that while coursework is delivered fully online, this program includes an in-person clinical preceptorship component (30 hours) completed within your local community. For nurses living in Saskatchewan, along with others with questions related to the preceptorship, please contact nursing.placements@ubc.ca
OUTCOMES
By the end of this program, learners will be able to address the unique needs of select populations in primary care settings by:
- Applying evidence-based guidelines for assessments and developing, implementing, and evaluating plans to optimize clients’ healthcare and psychosocial outcomes.
- Implementing evidence-based practices and guidelines to provide comprehensive care to selected populations. Populations may include one or more of the following:
- Clients accessing sexual and reproductive health care
- Gender diverse people
- People with mental health conditions
- People who use drugs
- People with lived experience in the criminal justice system
- Refugees, immigrants and other newcomers (students, work visa, temporary foreign workers)
- Indigenous people
- Describing strategies to improve client health including addressing complex health needs and impacts of social determinants of health.
- Collaborating with an interprofessional team to promote coordinated, client-centered care.
- Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses in good standing in one of the Canadian Provinces.
- Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses currently practicing in a primary care setting, and wanting to further develop their skills to practice to a fuller scope.
- Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses wanting to seek employment in a primary care setting.
- Students in good standing in year four of a nursing baccalaureate program in one of the Canadian Provinces interested in primary care nursing.
Standard Fee:
$625
You may withdraw up to seven days before the start date and receive a refund (less a $50 administration fee) or a full fee transfer to another CPE offering with open registration. Please see Policy & Resources.
SONNC 0005 – Select Populations Care Fundamentals A blend of asynchronous coursework (approx. 22 hours) and online classes (8 hours). The synchronous portion of this course (8 hours) will consist of 4 online sessions lasting 2 hours each. These online and interactive classes will deepen your understanding of critical concepts through case presentations, conceptual questions, and group discussions.
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SONNC 0005 – Course Duration September 3 – October 30, 2026
Synchronous Sessions
- Thursday, September 10, 2026: 3:00pm – 5:00pm Pacific
- Thursday, September 24, 2026: 3:00pm – 5:00pm Pacific
- Thursday, October 8, 2026: 3:00pm – 5:00pm Pacific
- Thursday, October 22, 2026: 3:00pm – 5:00pm Pacific
SONNC 0006 – Select Populations Care Preceptorship The clinical preceptorship includes a blend of asynchronous modules (approx.10 hours) and intentional learning practice activities (30 hours).
- Course Duration: October 16 – December 20, 2026
- The expectation is to complete the preceptorship within these dates
Delivery Mode:
Blended
Structure:
This 70-hour micro-credential program comprises two courses. The first course, Caring for Select Populations Fundamentals, focuses on knowledge and skills acquisition. The second course, Caring for Select Populations Preceptorship, is an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills gained.
- You must successfully complete Caring for Select Populations Fundamentals (SONNC 0005) prior to starting Caring for Select Populations Preceptorship (SONNC 0006). The SONNC 0006 preceptorship may be started after October 16 and these courses may be completed concurrently.
- Successful completion of both courses will result in a Letter of Proficiency.
Technology Requirements:
To be successful, you will need:
- An email account.
- A computer, laptop or tablet that has the latest version of one of the following web browsers installed: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari. UBCO’s Canvas learning management system will not work with Internet Explorer. To verify your device’s browser is compatible with UBCO’s Canvas learning management system, please visit the Canvas supported browser page.
- A reliable internet connection.
- The technology to watch videos, listen to audio and read or download PDF files.
- A webcam and a microphone.
- Zoom
If you have technology-related questions or support, please use the link in the course or email cpe.ubco@ubc.ca
Emma Johnson (MSN, RN(C))
Practice Lead with Vancouver Coastal Health supporting primary care and public health, who is passionate about delivering equitable, culturally safe health care in the community. Emma has worked across BC in a range of clinical roles, including primary care, sexual health, harm reduction, and public health, as well as serving as a nurse educator at the BCCDC on the Harm Reduction and STI/HIV teams.
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, learners are awarded a UBC Okanagan Letter of Proficiency (a non-credit credential).
Learners will also receive a verifiable digital badge (which has descriptive metadata about the learning achievement) for sharing through digital channels.