Professional Practice Entrepreneurship
The Professional Practice Entrepreneurship specialization will provide Registered Nurses (RNs), Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and other health care practitioners opportunities to develop and expand their understanding of the complexities of independent practice. Practitioners will build upon their clinical expertise to develop a greater understanding of how to create and lead business opportunities, lead business operations, manage risks, ensure compliance using technology, and develop a business strategy to grow their professional practice.
Graduate Certificate Connect Dates
UCalgary Nursing offers all Graduate Certificate courses online.
All courses in this program require students to attend instructor-led Connect Days, which are delivered online at scheduled dates and times (as listed in course outline). Students who do not attend Connect Days will normally be withdrawn from the associated course, as per the Graduate Calendar.
Student Connect days are scheduled in a virtual format.
Sept. 13, 2025
FALL 2025
NURS 677
2 days Sept. 13 & Nov. 1
Nov. 1, 2025
FALL 2025
NURS 677
2 days Sept. 13 & Nov. 1
Jan. 30, 2026
WINTER 2026
NURS 678
2 days Jan. 30 & March 7
March 7, 2026
WINTER 2026
NURS 678
2 days Jan. 30 & March 7
May 9, 2026
SPRING 2026
NURS 679
1 day May 9
July 25, 2026
SUMMER 2026
NURS 688
2 days July 25 & 26
July 26, 2026
SUMMER 2026
NURS 688
2 days July 25 & 26
NURS 677 - Fall 2025
Creating and Leading Business Opportunities Within Healthcare Contexts
Leverage clinical expertise to develop entrepreneurial and leadership skills necessary to start and manage a successful professional practice with a focus on addressing the unique challenges and opportunities faced within the healthcare sector. Practical applications will be used to evaluate entrepreneur readiness, establish success criteria tailored to professional goals, and navigate regulatory and stakeholder influences.
NURS 678 - Winter 2026
Business Operations Within Complex Healthcare Landscapes
Exploration of essential skills to operate a business within complex healthcare landscapes. There will be a focus on financial management, accounting, and human resource skills needed to launch and sustain a successful professional practice in healthcare. Developing marketing plans and learning strategies to streamline practice operations and ensure patient satisfaction will also be explored.
*Prerequisite(s): NURS 677
NURS 679 - Spring 2026
Technology, Compliance, and Risk in Healthcare Entrepreneurial Spaces
A comprehensive overview of managing risks, ensuring compliance, and utilizing technology in a professional healthcare practice. Learn to identify and evaluate risks in practice and patient safety, understand regulatory requirements, and safeguard patient information. The effective use of technology, including electronic medical records (EMRs) will also be covered.
*Prerequisite(s): NURS 678
NURS 688 - Summer 2026
Professional Practice Business Strategy and Growth
Build on clinical expertise, knowledge of business development, and operations management to create a business strategy to grow a professional practice. A strategic plan will be developed outlining current practice state, desired future state, and the steps needed to achieve goals. By the end of the course, participants will be able to formulate a comprehensive strategy to drive the growth and development of their professional practice.
*Prerequisite(s): NURS 679
Provinces to begin funding nurse practitioners for primary care by 2026
Federal Health Minister Mark Holland says provincial and territorial health plans will cover primary care provided by nurse practitioners, pharmacists and midwives.