This single-course Certificate of Achievement develops nursing expertise in pain management across the lifespan, covering underlying pain mechanisms, pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, opioid safety, cannabis use in pain management, and end-of-life pain care. The course is delivered by distance and completed within 12 weeks or less, with all required materials included and no additional textbooks needed. It is approved as an elective for University of Saskatchewan nursing students and applies to clinical practice across acute care, community, and palliative settings. The course suits registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, and nursing students who have completed the second year of a post-secondary nursing degree program, offering focused, applied knowledge in pain assessment and management rather than a full multi-course credential. The course is not eligible for the Canada-Saskatchewan student loan program, and tuition varies by course rather than following a fixed program-level rate.
Requirements
Admission Requirements: Admission requires current registration as a Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, or Registered Psychiatric Nurse (diploma or degree), or current enrolment in a post-secondary nursing degree program with the second year completed. Saskatchewan Polytechnic's institution-wide English Language Requirement applies: IELTS Academic overall 6.5 with 5.0 per band, TOEFL iBT 81 overall with 19 per skill, PTE Academic 63 overall with 50 per component, Duolingo English Test 110, or CAEL 60 overall with 50 per component. Enrolment is continuous rather than tied to a fixed intake date.
