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Ministry-approved title: Practical Nursing
The 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 below. Successful candidates will be granted advanced standing into semester 2 of the Practical Nursing (PNII) program.
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.
Please note: This program is highly competitive. Admissions decisions are based on the completion date of the final bridging course, with priority given to applicants that have applied and met requirements before the equal consideration deadlines: February 1 for May and September intakes and October 1 for the January intake. Completion of the bridging courses does not guarantee admission to the next available intake. Applicants are encouraged to apply to all available intakes at OCAS.
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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:
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 impact your ability to register with CNO as an RPN post-graduation.
To register as an RPN in Ontario you must Meet the CNO requirements.
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 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.
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, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
Hybrid
The rest of the coursework will be delivered using hybrid, flexible or online formats. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
School is an investment in your future, and financial support is available to help you succeed.
DC's Financial Aid and Awards is here to help you access funding and opportunities that make pursuing your education easier and more achievable:
Visit Financial Aid and Awards to explore all the options to help finance your education.
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. 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 own transportation to attend practicum.
Please note that hospital placement may begin as early as 06:00 hours.
Please note: There are costs associated with Electronic Requirements Verification (ERV), 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 ERV with Synergy 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 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:
Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.
Looking for more pathway opportunities or to transfer to Durham College? Click here for more information.
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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