Intensive Care Week is celebrated in Canada in October of each year. This is a special week recognized by the Federal Government to raise awareness of critical care and the work of health professionals who have chosen this path.

The professional voice for critical care nursing in Canada is provided by the Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses (CACCN). CACCN has developed Standards for Critical Care Nursing Practice and position statements to guide critical care nursing practice. As a specialty interest group of the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA), CACCN collaborated with CNA to develop the first critical care nursing certification program in 1995. Certification in critical care nursing is now available for nurses working in either adult or paediatric critical care. Successful completion is recognized by the credentials Certified Nurse in Critical Care Nursing in Canada or CNCC(C) and Certified Nurse in Critical Care Paediatrics in Canada or CNCCP(C) respectively.

To become certified in either adult or paediatric critical care, candidates must have 2 years of critical care nursing experience or 1 year plus completion of a certificate in critical care nursing. The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) owns and administers all nursing certification examinations in Canada. Interested candidates must apply to CNA to become certified (membership in CNA or CACCN is not required, but is associated with a number of benefits). Certification in any of CNA's areas of specialty designation (including critical care) are offered in the spring and fall of each year. Interested candidates must apply directly to CNA through their certification portal.

Bursaries and financial support to become certified may be available from a variety of sources, including: CACCN, the Canadian Nurses Foundation and from a number of provincial nursing associations and interest groups, as well as provincial health ministries. Contact your employer to determine if funding is available from your place of employment.

Application deadlines and examination writing dates for 2023 are:

FALL 2023 EXAMINATION:
Application Window: June 5 – September 30, 2023
Certification Exam Window: November 1 – 15, 2023

SPRING 2023 EXAMINATION:
Application Window: TBA but estimated January 13th - March 7th 2024
Certification Exam Window: TBA but estimated May 1-15 in 2024

Certification must be renewed every 5 years. The easiest way to accomplish this is via Continuing Learning (CL) activities. Critical care courses offered through Critical Care Concepts can be used to help prepare for initial certification or to obtain CL Activities to apply toward certification renewal.

Membership in the Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses provide a number of opportunities for CL Activities, including online education through the members only section, local and national educational events, and a variety of professional development opportunities and activities. CACCN publishes a quarterly peer reviewed journal, (Canadian Journal of Critical Care Nursing - CJCCN) and hosts an outstanding annual convention (Canadian Critical Care Nursing Conference, formerly known as "Dynamics of Critiacal Care"). Members of CACCN also have access to an examination study guide that was written by Brenda Morgan. Membership in CACCN also provides several opportunities for awards and bursaries.

The Canadian Critical Care Nursing Conference is held in a different Canadian city each fall. Thankfully, we are once again able to meet live! It is a great opportunity to meet colleagues across the country to share experiences and knowledge. Choose from a variety of oral and poster presentations, visit the state-of-the-art exhibition hall and create lasting friendships. The Canadian Critical Care Nursing Conference 2023 will be held in Fredericton, New Brunswick, September 25-27, 2023.

The professional voice for critical care physicians is provided through the Canadian Critical Care Society (CCCS). Critical care research is supported through the Canadian Critical Care Trials Group (CCCTG) and financial support for critical care research in Canada is provided through the Canadian Intensive Care Foundation. The Critical Care Forum is the annual national convention of the CCCS and CCCTG. The 2013 meeting will be held in Toronto, Ontario from November 9 - 12.

Other important links include the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CSRT), the Canadian Physiotherapy Association and the Dietitians of Canada Association.

All of these websites contain very valuable information to practitioners in critical care.

Last Update: July 23, 2023