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  • Practical Nursing

Practical Nursing


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Credential
Ontario College Diploma
Location
Oshawa
OCAS Code
PNII
Next Intake
September 2022
View all intakes
Faculty
Faculty of Health Sciences (HS)
Length
Five semesters
Laptop
Learn more about laptop requirements
Delivery
This program may be delivered in an alternative format. Learn more
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  • Overview
Apply Now
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Start classes
in September

Discover DC DaysJuly 20 and 21 Register Now for Open House

Program Overview

The Practical Nursing program is designed to prepare graduates who are able to meet the challenges of the expanding role of nursing in today’s society. As a practical nurse, you will combine your knowledge, skills and judgement to provide safe, competent, ethical nursing care to meet the unique needs of all patients throughout the continuum of care.

Intakes and Availability

Date Domestic Availability International Availability
September 2022OpenClosedApply now
January 2023OpenOpenApply now
May 2023Open Apply now
ProgramHighlights
  • Success Stories
  • Resources
  • Success Stories
  • Resources
Durham College Work-Integrated Learning programs receive nearly $500,000 in funding from CEWIL Canada
Living lab at Whitby campus inspires versatility
DC students test their skills and collaborate in emergency simulation
Durham College 2022 Viewbook
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2022 Viewbook
Read Now
Other Resources
  • Graduate Employment Report [PDF]
  • Attend a Program Information Webinar
  • Financial Aid Information
Clinical Placement
Anatomy
Helping Others

Admission Requirements

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
  • Grade 12 English (C or U) (minimum 60 per cent)
  • Grade 12 mathematics (C, M or U) (minimum 65 per cent)
  • Grade 11 or 12 biology (C, M or U)
  • Grade 11 or 12 chemistry (C, M or U)

Recommended

  • Keyboarding/basic computer skills

Please note: This program may be highly competitive and have a specific selection process and application deadline. Please refer to Admission Processes for details regarding highly competitive programs.

JANUARY START

If you begin classes in January, you will complete semesters 1 and 2 (Year 1) from January to August and semesters 3 and 4 (Year 2) from January to August. Semester 5 will then run from August to October.

MAY START

If you begin classes in May, you will complete semesters 1 and 2 (Year 1) from May to December and semesters 3 and 4 (Year 2) from May to December. Semester 5 will then run from January to March.

Tuition

  • Year one domestic: $3,985 (CAD)
  • Year one international: $15,449 (CAD)

View full costs

Semester 1 Courses

  • Anatomy & Physiology (ANAT 1500)
  • Fnmi Elective (FNMI 0000)
  • Medical Terminology (NURS 1514)
  • Development Of Self I (NURS 1520)
  • Health & Healing I (NURS 1521)
  • Professional Practice I (NURS 1522)
  • Practice Lab I (NURS 2528)

View all courses

Virtual Tour

Book an in-person tour
Clinical Placement
Clinical Placement
Anatomy
Anatomy
Helping Others
Helping Others

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

As a registered practical nurse, you can be employed as a frontline RPN caring for a wide range of patients/clients.  

View all career options

Connect with us

Program related questions?

Email
Live Chat

Application related questions?

Email
Live Chat

International Students

Email
Live Chat
905.721.2000 ext. 7697

Domestic students

905.721.3000

Connect with us

Program related questions?

Email
Live Chat

Application related questions?

Email
Live Chat

International Students

Email
Live Chat
905.721.2000 ext. 7697

Domestic students

905.721.3000

Program Details

Approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), the Practical Nursing program teaches the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to practice as a safe, competent and professional practical nurse. Using the concept of caring as the basis of nursing, you will develop knowledge, skills and judgment in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating nursing care for all age groups as they experience various health challenges. A particular focus is placed on the ability to communicate in a caring and therapeutic manner.

With a strong emphasis on practical hands-on experience, you will apply theory gained in the classroom and simulated lab practice to environments including:

  • Community
  • Long-term care
  • Maternal/child
  • Mental health
  • Medical surgical care

Upon completion of your program, you must successfully complete the Regulatory Exam – Practical Nurse (REx-PN) to become a registered practical nurse (RPN) in Ontario and a member of the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO)*

*Please note: In Ontario the following conditions are laid out by the Nursing Act to be registered as a practical nurse. These conditions may affect your ability to register with CNO as an RPN after graduation.

 

To register as an RPN in Ontario you must Meet the CNO requirements.

PROGRAM APPROVAL STATUS

In accordance with the mandate of the CNO to communicate Practical Nursing program approval status with current and prospective students please note that:

The Practical Nurse Program at Durham College is approved (Category 1) by the College of Nurses of Ontario. Current graduates from this program are eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Practical Nurse in Ontario.

Digital Health Canada

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Students in this program receive free membership to Digital Health Canada, a not-for-profit professional association that provides members with numerous educational and professional career benefits. Membership includes access to learning and networking opportunities, unique awards applications, as well as discounts for Digital Health Canada online and on-demand courses, Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS-CA) exam fees, and event registrations.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Communicate therapeutically with clients and members of the health care team.
  2. Assess clients across the life span, in a systematic and holistic manner.
  3. Plan safe and competent nursing care, based upon a thorough analysis of available data and evidence-informed practice guidelines.
  4. Select and perform nursing interventions using clinical judgment, in collaboration with the client and, where appropriate, the health care team, that promote health and well-being, prevent disease and injury, maintain and/or restore health, promote rehabilitation, and/or provide palliation.
  5. Evaluate the outcomes resulting from all interventions in the nurse-client interaction and modify the plan of care as required.
  6. Act equitably and justly with clients and members of the health care team.
  7. Adapt to a variety of health care settings, using different leadership skills and styles as appropriate to each setting.
  8. Contribute to creating a healthy and safe work environment in a variety of health care settings.
  9. Practice in a self-regulated, professional and ethical manner, complying with relevant legislation and with the standards of both the regulatory body and the practice setting to provide safe and competent client care.

Admission Requirements

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
  • Grade 12 English (C or U) (minimum 60 per cent)
  • Grade 12 mathematics (C, M or U) (minimum 65 per cent)
  • Grade 11 or 12 biology (C, M or U)
  • Grade 11 or 12 chemistry (C, M or U)

Recommended

  • Keyboarding/basic computer skills

Please note: This program may be highly competitive and have a specific selection process and application deadline. Please refer to Admission Processes for details regarding highly competitive programs.

JANUARY START

If you begin classes in January, you will complete semesters 1 and 2 (Year 1) from January to August and semesters 3 and 4 (Year 2) from January to August. Semester 5 will then run from August to October.

MAY START

If you begin classes in May, you will complete semesters 1 and 2 (Year 1) from May to December and semesters 3 and 4 (Year 2) from May to December. Semester 5 will then run from January to March.

Courses

The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC.

Semester 1

  • Anatomy & Physiology (ANAT 1500)
  • Fnmi Elective (FNMI 0000)
  • Medical Terminology (NURS 1514)
  • Development Of Self I (NURS 1520)
  • Health & Healing I (NURS 1521)
  • Professional Practice I (NURS 1522)
  • Practice Lab I (NURS 2528)

Semester 2

  • Health Assessment (HASS 2500)
  • Applied Math for Nurses (MATH 1503)
  • Practice Lab II (NURS 2523)
  • Health and Healing II - The Older Adult (NURS 2524)
  • Health and Healing II - Maternal - Child (NURS 2525)
  • Professional Practice II - Older Adult (NURS 2526)
  • Professional Practice II - Maternal Child (NURS 2527)

Semester 3

  • Practice Lab III (NURS 3514)
  • Pharmacology (NURS 3517)
  • Professional Practice III - Mental Health (NURS 3525)
  • Health & Healing III - Mental Health (NURS 3526)
  • Health & Healing III - Community (NURS 3527)
  • Professional Practice III - Community (NURS 3528)
  • Pathophysiology (PATH 3505)

Semester 4

  • General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
  • General Elective Credit (GNED 1000)
  • Health & Healing IV (NURS 4506)
  • Professional Practice IV (NURS 4508)
  • Development Of Self II (NURS 4520)

Semester 5

  • Professional Practice Preparation (NURS 5501)
  • Professional Practice V (NURS 5502)

Courses and course descriptions are subject to change. Please note that as a result of COVID-19 the 2022-23 program of study may be modified to accommodate program delivery changes.

Costs

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

As a registered practical nurse, you can be employed as a frontline RPN caring for a wide range of patients/clients.  

WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

  • Community service agencies
  • Long-term care facilities
  • Hospitals
  • Industry, clinic or physician’s offices
  • Psychiatric and acute care hospitals

Practicum

Practicum allows students to apply their learning with a variety of clinically supervised practicum experiences that are designed to prepare you to function as a graduate in diverse settings. Placements are located at various local hospitals and agencies throughout Durham Region and at times, in the immediate surrounding areas. Students are responsible for their transportation to and from their practicum placement. Please note that hospital placement may begin as early as 06:00 hours. 

PRE-PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS

Please note: There are costs associated with Electronic Student Permit Checking (ESPC), immunizations, lab tests and certifications.  Be sure to keep all of your receipts for income tax purposes.  These costs include:

  • Service fees for Verified, our documentation collection and ESPC verification partner.
  • Costs to complete mandatory immunizations, lab tests, and certifications.

It is required that students have completed the ESPC with Synergy Verified to be eligible for the field placement component of this program. You must (at your expense) provide:

  • A clear and current Criminal Reference Check (CRC) with Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS). If you cannot provide a clear CRC with VSS, you may not be accepted for placement by a field placement agency. A CRC with VSS must be obtained from your local police station. You will be required to obtain additional CRCs with VSS prior to each placement term to meet field placement agency requirements.
  • Current Level-C cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and mask fit testing from a recognized provider.
  • Entry immunization form completed by a health-care provider.
  • N95 Mask Fit.

Links:

  • Practical Nursing ESPC Information Package
  • Verified ESPC User Guide

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Qualified graduates may apply to take Durham College’s Addictions and Mental Health or Communicative Disorders Assistant graduate certificate programs.

Durham College also offers degree completion opportunities with a number of Canadian and international institutions. Sample diploma-to-degree opportunities include:

  • Bachelor of Allied Health Sciences (Honours) - Ontario Tech University (Ontario Tech)
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Post-RPN) - Ontario Tech
  • Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) bridge – Ontario Tech
  • Bachelor of Arts (Honours) – Educational Studies and Digital Technology – Ontario Tech
  • Bridge to Honours Bachelor of Science – Nursing - Seneca College
  • Bachelor of General Studies - Thompson Rivers University
  • Bachelor of Health Science - Thompson Rivers University

Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.

Laptop Requirements

SUGGESTED MINIMUM LAPTOP SPECIFICATIONS:

A laptop is required for this program. Most students tend to use Windows-based computers. Some prefer to use an Apple (Mac) device. Either platform can work within the School of Health and Community Services Practical Nursing program.

Here are suggested minimum hardware specifications recommended for your DC related computer activities like DC Connect and the Virtual Classroom:

WINDOWS PC MAC
Operating System Windows 7 or 10 64-bit (Pro edition is preferred)

  • Windows 7 must be at version Service Pack 1 (current updates)
  • Windows 10 must have the latest updates installed
Mac OS 10.12 or higher
Processor Type Core i5 or Higher Processor Core i5 U or Higher Processor
Memory Minimum 8GB RAM Minimum 8GB RAM
Hard Drive Minimum 250GB Minimum 250GB
Graphics Card Intel Integrated Graphics or better Intel Integrated Graphics or better
Wireless Network Card Optional Optional
Virus Protection An up to date Antivirus client is required.  (Note Windows 10 has built-in Windows Defender) An up to date Antivirus client is required.
Additional requirements
  • If required to do any on-site presentations, note that Durham College projectors support VGA and HDMI connections. If your machine does not have a supported display connector, you may be required to obtain an adapter.
  • Webcam is needed
  • If required to do any on-site presentations, note that Durham College projectors support VGA and HDMI connections. If your machine does not have a supported display connector, you may be required to obtain an adapter.
  • Webcam is needed

Experiential Learning

Your learning experience in the program will be complemented by simulation-based exercises to support critical thinking, clinical decision-making, and learner confidence in the field. Through the execution of a comprehensive pre-brief, a state-of-the-art simulation, and an in-depth debrief and reflection, students will engage in learning that goes well beyond the walls of the classroom. It is our mission to ensure that you are up to date with the most relevant health crises in Canada. This includes opioid overdose, preparing you for more than just life-saving care, but also the skills to de-stigmatize addiction and learn harm reduction strategies for each unique patient. Simulations are integrated throughout the program and are an effective platform for growth and reflection.

Project Lord Ridgeback

Project Lord Ridgeback (PLRB) is multi-disciplinary experiential learning exercise that simulates a local disaster. Interacting with actors who play victims, casualties, emotionally distressed persons and the elderly in a staged, choreographed event, students from a wide range of programs learn by acting and responding as they would in real emergencies. Subject matter experts design injects into disaster-related scenarios which simulate authentic workplace demands.

The day following the mock disaster, students participate in follow up exercises to apply learning in mock court testimony, critical incident stress debrief, crime-scene lab work, and form completion specific to their program areas.

Student participants are from a wide range of DC programs including: Practical Nursing, Primary Care Paramedic, Police Foundations, Protection Security & Investigation, Paralegal, 911 Call Centre Communications, Advanced Law Enforcement and Investigations, Journalism Mass Media Program, Social Service Worker, Activation Co-ordination – Gerontology, Court Support Services.

Land Acknowledgement

Durham College is situated on the traditional lands of the First Peoples of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. These lands are covered under the Williams Treaties and rest within the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg. We offer our gratitude to the Indigenous Peoples who care for and, through the treaty process, share the lands on which we live, learn, teach and prosper today.

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Many of the photos on this website were taken prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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2000 Simcoe St. N.
Oshawa, ON, Canada L1G 0C5

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1610 Champlain Avenue
Whitby, ON, Canada L1N 6A7

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