Overview

This is a new bridge initiative for working PSWs who wish to continue their studies toward qualifying to practice in Ontario as a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN). The courses are designed to offer flexible study options for working PSWs for core components of the bridging to Practical Nursing programs offered at Durham College.

Students who successfully complete each of the above pathway courses with a minimum passing grade of 60% (*80% in Math for Practical Nurses) are eligible to apply through the Ontario Colleges’ Application Service (OCAS) for direct admission into Semester Two of the Practical Nursing (PN) Diploma Program. (Durham College's PN diploma program runs on weekdays, in person and full time.) Graduates of approved PN programs are eligible to apply to the College of Nurses of Ontario to write the registration exam to practice in Ontario as an RPN.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The PSW to PN bridge courses are available to PSWs who:

• Graduated with a 65 percent average from a PSW program in Ontario that meets the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities program standards (includes PSW programs offered by the public colleges, private career colleges, and district school boards in Ontario).
• Have worked as a PSW in Ontario on a regular basis within the past five years.
• International students are not eligible to apply for this program.

Program Admission

• Only original or certified copies of academic records will be accepted. In order for transcripts to be considered official, they must bear an original seal/stamp and/or official signature from an appropriate signatory. We do not accept photocopies or photos as this will make them unofficial as the school seal will not show.
• Official transcripts must be sent by the issuing institution via email or an official credit service such as MyCreds™ – a secure digital credential platform that allows you to access and share the documents from anywhere in the world and at any time.
• You can learn more about MyCreds™, including privacy and security, at MyCreds™.ca
• For more information on admissions click here.

Click to access the Program Admission Form

This form must be submitted and an Admission Acceptance Letter received prior to registering for any courses.

Note, if you do not meet these criteria and are interested in exploring options for becoming a Practical Nurse, please visit the Practical Nursing program page.

Students must apply and be accepted into the PSW to PN Bridge pathway offering. Students must complete an application form, provide required documentation, and recieve an Admission Acceptance Letter prior to registering for any courses. Students who register for courses who have not been accepted into the PSW to PN Bridge pathway will be removed from the course and charged a $30 administration fee.

PSW TO PN BRIDGE COURSES

The PSW to PN bridge consists of six courses and are offered online, asynchronously. Students are not required to take all courses simultaneously. Review the available course start dates here.

• ANAT 1584 - Anatomy & Physiology
• NURS 6580 - Nursing Theory Bridge
• NURS 6582 - Nursing Professionalism
• MATH 1584 - Math for Practical Nurses
• HASS 6580 - Health Assessment*
• NURS 6581 - Transition to Practical Nursing.

*Note, Durham College’s PSW to PN bridge program does not require students to complete the HASS 6580 - Health Assessment course. Other colleges may require this course and we encourage students to confirm your college's entrance requirements prior to enrolling into this course.

Courses completed within a PSW program are not eligible for credit transfer recognition for courses in the PSW to PN Bridge offering.

NEXT STEPS:

The Durham College Practical Nursing (PSW-PN bridge) is for Students who successfully complete each of the PSW to PN bridge courses with the minimum grades listed in the Admission Requirements.

Successful candidates will be granted advanced standing into semester 2 of the Durham College Practical Nursing (PNII) program.

Please note: Decisions will be based on the date the final bridging course was successfully completed with preference given to applicants that have applied and met requirements before the equal consideration deadline for each term ( February 1 for May and September start, October 1 for January start).

Please visit – the Durham College Practical Nursing (PSW-PN bridge) program page for further information.

WILL I NEED TO BE ONLINE AT A SPECIFIC TIME?

Our courses are flexible and while each course will have a schedule to follow,  coursework may be completed at any time within the week.

FUNDING

PSWs enrolled in the PSW to PN bridge may be eligible for tuition reimbursement through the Bridging Educational Grant in Nursing (BEGIN) program offered by the Registered Practical Nurses Association, also known as WeRPN.

BEGIN provides Ontario PSWs and RPNs with tuition reimbursement grants to explore new pathways in nursing, and expand their careers. Visit the WeRPN BEGIN Student Toolkit for eligibility and program details. For more information visit begin.werpn.com or email info@begin.werpn.com

Watch This Video Before Registering for Multiple Courses