DC is committed to providing students with a high-quality academic experience. All scheduled academic activities and services continue as planned during Ontario’s stay-at-home order, including on-campus learning through classes and labs. For a full list of what is open on campus or operating virtually, please visit our COVID-19 winter semester page.
Learn more about courses and services being offered remotely. COVID-19 Pre-entry Screening Questionnaire Report if you are unwell
MINISTRY-APPROVED PROGRAM TITLE: PRACTICAL NURSING
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.
Note: this program has additional recommended requirements. Please visit the Admission Requirements tab for further information.
Date | Domestic Availability | International Availability |
---|---|---|
May 2021 | Open | |
September 2021 | Open | Closed |
January 2022 | Open | |
May 2022 | Open |
As a registered practical nurse you can be employed as a bedside specialist or in a leadership position in a variety of agencies.
Approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), the Practical Nursing program teaches the 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 across the lifespan 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:
Upon completion of your program, you must successfully complete the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination to become a registered practical nurse (RPN) in Ontario and a member of the .*
*Please note: in Ontario the following conditions are laid out by the Nursing Act to be registered as a practical nurse. These conditions may impact your ability to register with CNO as an RPN post-graduation.
To register as a RPN in Ontario you must:
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 Diploma Program at Durham College is currently approved (Category 1) by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). Current graduates from this program are eligible to apply for registration as a registered practical nurse in Ontario.
To register as an RPN in Ontario you must meet the CNO requirements
This program follows an alternative delivery format. The delivery will cover the same material as the traditional weekday program. Due to the delivery format, there is limited availability of services on campus during class hours.
Please note: as the material is being taught over consecutive terms the program will be very rigorous and demanding.
The program has an intake each semester (September, January and May) that runs for 75 continuous weeks at the Oshawa campus. The weekly format may be as follows:
Please note: This program may be highly competitive and have a specific selection process and application deadline. For more information, please contact recruitment@durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.3126. Please refer to Admission Processes for more details regarding highly competitive programs.
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 MyCampus.
Courses and course descriptions are subject to change. Please note that as a result of COVID-19 the 2020-21 program of study may be modified to accommodate program delivery changes. Students should refer to their timetable for the most up-to-date course information.
As a registered practical nurse you can be employed as a bedside specialist or in a leadership position in a variety of agencies.
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 will begin as early as 06:00 hours. Placements take place on Saturdays or Sundays in 12-hour shifts with the exception of consolidation where students are expected to be available to follow the preceptor’s schedule. Students are responsible for their transportation to and from their practicum placement.
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:
It is required that students have completed the ESPC with Verified to be eligible for the field placement component of this program. You must (at your expense) provide:
Links:
Qualified graduates may apply to take the Durham College’s Addictions and Mental Health and Communicative Disorders Assistant graduate certificates.
Durham College also offers degree completion opportunities with a number of Canadian and international institutions. Sample diploma-to-degree opportunities include:
Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.
A laptop is strongly recommended 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)
|
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 |
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T: 905.721.3000
Program related questions?
Contact
Recruitment.
Application related questions?
Contact
Admissions.
Contact International Admissions or call 905.721.2000 ext. 2355.