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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.
The Practical Nursing Program at Durham College is approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario (www.cno.org). Current graduates from this program are eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Practical Nurse in Ontario.
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.
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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 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)*.
To register as an RPN in Ontario you must meet the CNO requirements.
PROGRAM APPROVAL STATUS
The Practical Nurse Program at Durham College is approved 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.
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:
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.
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.
Courses and course descriptions are subject to change. Please note that as a result of COVID-19 the 2023-2024 program of study may be modified to accommodate program delivery changes.
More than 75% of this program is delivered in-person.
The rest of the coursework will be delivered using hybrid, flexible or online formats. Students will come to campus to complete in-person learning requirements. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
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. Please note that hospital placement may begin as early as 06:00 hours. Placements may take place on weekdays or weekends with the exception of Semester 5, Professional Practice V (consolidation), where students are expected to be available to follow their 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:
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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 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:
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