The application process for this program is currently paused. Please visit our website later for more details.

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 Personal Support Worker (PSW) in Ontario within the past 5 years on at least a part-time or casual basis.
• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident or have appropriate authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) that permits an individual to engage in the practice of nursing in Ontario.
• International students are not eligible to apply for this program.

Notes: 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.

The application process for this program is currently paused. Please visit our website later for more details.

Students must apply and be accepted into the PSW to PN Bridge - they must meet all registration requirements and receive an Admission Acceptance Letter before registering for any courses. Registering without an Admission Acceptance Letter will result in removal from the course and an administration fee.

Submit your signed Application Form along with the following documents to ppladmissions@durhamcollege.ca.

• Click to access the Program Application Form
• An official copy of your PSW Diploma/Certificate.
• An official copy of your Transcripts for your PSW program showing your final grade.
• An official copy of your National Association of Career Colleges (NACC) Certificate for private college graduates only.
• Proof of Employment (Letter of Employment on official letterhead, signed and dated, including name of employer and start/end dates of employment), confirming you have worked as a ‘Personal Support Worker (PSW)’ in Ontario within the past five years.
  
• 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. Photocopies or photos are not accepted as they are not official documents. Applicants have the option to bring these documents into the office in person if they prefer.
• 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.

The PSW to PN bridge program consists of six courses, all offered online and asynchronously. Although you do not need to complete all the courses in a particular order, it is recommended that students complete the following courses before registering for the Transition to Practical Nursing course. You can review the available course start dates here.

• ANAT 1584 - Anatomy & Physiology
• NURS 6580 - Nursing Theory Bridge
• NURS 6582 - Nursing Professionalism
• MATH 1583 - Math Foundations for Nurses (New)^
• 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.

^Note: The Math Foundations for Nurses course is optional for students at this time. However, it will become mandatory for all students who register for the PSW to PN Bridge (NTI) program on or after May 1 2025.

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

Watch This Video Before Registering for Multiple Courses

The schedule below reflects Spring 2025 dates starting in April 2025.

Notes: Students are not required to take all needed courses at one time or in one semester.

Courses are asynchronous online. This means each course will have week to week timelines. Students should consider their personal circumstances in determining the workload that they are able to manage. This schedule may change to meet demand. Courses may be cancelled due to insufficient enrolment.

Once you have successfully completed all the courses in the PSW to PN Bridge:

• Students who successfully complete each of the PSW to PN Bridge courses with the minimum grades listed in the Admission Requirements should apply directly to the Practical Nursing (PSW-PN Bridge) program through the Ontario College Application System (OCAS).
• Please note that the courses within the Practical Nursing (PSW-PN Bridge) program are delivered in-person, on-campus, and are scheduled throughout the week, Monday to Friday.
• It is important for students who complete the PSW to PN Bridge to know that they are not eligible to apply directly to other Durham College Practical Nursing offerings.
• Admission to the Practical Nursing (PSW-PN Bridge) program is subject to conditions such as start dates and availability of spaces. If you have additional questions about the application process, please connect with the student recruitment team at recruitment@durhamcollege.ca or call 905-721-3126.

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