About this program

  • Credential Awarded: 2 Year Diploma
  • Campus: Welland
  • Code: 0926 P0926
  • Delivery Length: 2 Years (4 Terms)
Competitive Program
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Overview

Are you a compassionate person who wants to promote health and provide care to help patients optimize their well-being?

As a Practical Nursing graduate, you are an integral member of the healthcare team with the skills and knowledge needed to provide vital and valued nursing care to patients.

Important: Delivery Information

To make sure this program’s scheduling and timetable are right for you, please review the Delivery Information tab.

Highlights

  • Over 140 hours of hands-on experiential learning in state-of-the-art simulation labs.

  • Over 600 hours of clinical placement experience in a variety of organizations, culminating in an eight-week practicum.

  • Unique interprofessional education course designed to strengthen collaboration skills for members of the healthcare team.

  • Eligible graduates may write the Regulatory Exam-Practical Nurse (RExPN), and if successful, may work as a registered practical nurse (RPN) regulated by the College of Nurses of Ontario.

Career Opportunities

Registered Practical Nurses (RPN) can work at/in:

  • Business/industry
  • Clinic/medical centre
  • Community agency
  • Correctional facility
  • Hospital
  • Long-term care agency
  • Mental health service
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Courses

Term one (2024 Spring)
Code Course Name Credits
BIOL1170 Anatomy and Physiology I 3
COMM1160 Communication in Healthcare I 3
NURS1158 Professional Growth I 2
NURS1170 Nursing Theory I 3
PSYC1100 Introductory Psychology 3
PSYC1323 Developmental Psychology 3
CLIN1115 Nursing Practice I 5
Term two (2024 Fall)
Code Course Name Credits
BIOL1180 Anatomy and Physiology II 3
COMM1260 Communication in Healthcare II 3
MATH1109 Mathematics for Practical Nursing 1
NURS1258 Professional Growth II 2
NURS1270 Nursing Theory II 3
HLTH1245 Health Assessment 5
CLIN1215 Nursing Practice II 13
Term three (2025 Spring)
Code Course Name Credits
NURS1358 Professional Growth III 2
NURS1361 Pathophysiology I 4
NURS1385 Nursing Theory III 4
HLTH1020 Introduction to Interprofessional Education and Practice 3
CLIN1315 Nursing Practice III 14
PHAR1380 Pharmacology I 3
Term four (2025 Fall)
Code Course Name Credits
NURS1420 Pathophysiology II 3
NURS1458 Professional Growth IV 2
NURS1495 Nursing Theory IV 3
PRAC1730 Nursing Practice Consolidation 8
CLIN1415 Nursing Practice IV 14
PHAR1480 Pharmacology II 3
Elective Information

Completion of additional General Education elective 1 course required
Program Outcomes Term: 1242

  1. The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to communicate therapeutically with clients and members of the health care team.

  2. The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to assess clients across the life span, in a systematic and holistic manner.

  3. The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to plan safe and competent nursing care, based upon a thorough analysis of available data and evidence-informed practice guidelines.

  4. The Graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to 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. The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to evaluate the outcomes resulting from all interventions in the nurse-client interaction and modify the plan of care as required.

  6. The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to act equitably and justly with clients* and members of the health care team.

  7. The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to adapt to a variety of health care settings, using different leadership skills and styles as appropriate to each setting.

  8. The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to contribute to creating a healthy and safe work environment in a variety of health care settings.

  9. The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to practise 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.

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Admission Requirements

Important: Admissions Dates and Deadlines
This program is
competitive
and has important application deadlines, which can be found at niagaracollege.ca/deadlines/.
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent including the following required course(s):
  • English – any Grade 12 (C) or (U), or equivalent
  • Mathematics – any Grade 11 (C), (U), or (M), or equivalent
  • Biology – Grade 11 (C) or (U) or Grade 12 (U)
  • Chemistry – Grade 11 (U) or Grade 12 (C) or (U)
Selection and Ranking

Applications are evaluated based on the published admission requirements. When the applicant provides proof of meeting the requirements, an offer of admission can be issued, provided space is available in the program.

In the event the number of qualified applicants exceeds the available seats in the program, selection will be based on Ontario residency and the most senior level final grade available in required courses at the time of ranking.

Learn more about admission decisions for competitive programs.

Program Requirements
Government Mandates

All students who participate in clinical placements are, without exception, required to meet the expectations mandated by the Ontario Hospitals Act and the Ontario Long Term Care Homes Act. These nonacademic requirements include: Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screen and the Confidential Communicable Disease Surveillance (CDS). Detailed requirements are below.

All requirements must be met and remain current for the student’s duration of the program subject to the Placement Agency’s requirements. If any documentation expires before the end of the term and the student’s last day of clinical placement, the student will not be able to register for that term’s clinical course or its co-requisites.

Criminal Record Check
  • A Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (CRC-VSS) which is less than 6 months old is required by the start of week 12 of Term 1.
  • Students with criminal charges or convictions will be severely limited in placement, clinical, and/or employment opportunities in this field.

  • Students will be required to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) in order to be cleared for placement/clinical. Please note, in order to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS), students must be 18 years of age or older. If a student is not 18 years of age or older at the start of this program, they will experience delays in progression through the program.

  • The CRC-VSS must be provided to the Placement Agency on the first day of the clinical placement, or as required by the Placement Agency. Niagara College does not adjudicate the CRC, but merely facilitates the paper work. It is the Placement Agency that adjudicates the clearance.

Communicable Disease Surveillance
  • The confidential Communicable Disease Surveillance (CDS) Form must be completed and submitted to Student Health Services prior to the start of the program or prior to the term which includes field placement, co-op or clinical opportunities.
  • Please view the CDS Form and Checklist for health requirements at niagaracollege.ca/cdsform/.
  • This process must be maintained annually.
  • This process may take up to 10 weeks or more and requires a visit to your personal physician and/or a Public Health Department.
  • If the CDS process is not completed your placement, clinic or co-op opportunity will be denied.
First Aid and CPR
  • Current Standard First Aid certification and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR/AED) Level BLS (Basic Life Support) / HCP (Health Care Provider) is required.
  • CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR/AED) Level BLS (Basic Life Support) / HCP (Health Care Provider) must be renewed annually.
  • All certifications must be met and remain current or placement/clinical will be denied and/or the student will be withdrawn from their current placement/clinical.

  • During the first week of Term 1, the Field Placement Coordinator will provide information regarding the First Aid and CPR requirement. Students are required to provide copies of their certification for Standard First Aid and CPR at Level HCP/BLS. (This program is designed for those with specific healthcare responsibilities).

Student Dress Code
  • A student dress code is in effect for clinical courses.
Skills and Abilities

Required Skills and Abilities

Please refer to the following website to gain an understanding of required skills and abilities for this profession: niagaracollege.ca/pnskills.

Eligibility for Registration for College of Nurses

In Ontario, the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) and the Nurses Act have conditions for provincial registration that impact Ontario students entering and completing the Practical Nursing program and writing the Regulatory Exam – Practical Nurse (RExPN). These conditions require students to:

  • be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada or authorized under the Immigration Act (Canada)
  • not have been convicted of a criminal offence or an offence under the Narcotic Control Act and the Food and Drug Act
  • not have been the subject of a proceedings with respect to professional misconduct, incompetence, or incapacity in another health profession in Ontario or in nursing in another jurisdiction
  • not be suffering from a mental or physical disorder which makes it desirable in the public interest that the person not practice.

Provided the conditions stated above are met, graduates of this program are eligible to write the Regulatory Exam – Practical Nurse (RExPN).

The College of Nurses of Ontario grants a certificate of registration to practice as a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) to all candidates who succeed in the examination and meet the requirements of the RHPA and the Nursing Act. Additional information: niagaracollege.ca/rpnexam.

Transportation
  • Students are responsible for their own transportation in order to complete program requirements which may not be readily accessible by public transportation.
  • Program requirements could include co-ops, placements, volunteer requirements, practical labs, field projects, assignments, clinicals, or any other off-campus visits required as part of the program’s curriculum.
Computer/Technology Requirements

Students are responsible for ensuring that they have a Microsoft Windows 10 based desktop or laptop system that meets or exceeds the following general personal computer technology requirements:

  • A desktop or laptop system running on an updated Microsoft Windows 10 operating system.
  • Minimum 256GB SSD storage and 8 GB memory.
  • An integrated or peripheral video camera, microphone and speaker system.
  • Reliable internet connectivity with Broadband capabilities (a minimum download speed of 5 Mbps) is recommended.

Niagara College will not be able to provide support for systems different than the above specifications. Any provided software may not operate properly. Academic software for your courses (supported under the Microsoft Windows 10 operating system) will be made available for download and remote use. Access will also be provided to remote high performance computer labs if software downloads are not feasible.

Note: There is no support for Chromebooks or Apple products for this program. (learn more)

Computer/technology requirements may be subject to change without notice.

All costs associated with program requirements are the responsibility of the student.

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Availability

Important: Admissions Dates and Deadlines
This program is
competitive
and has important application deadlines, which can be found at niagaracollege.ca/deadlines/.
Note

Please note that term 4 (level 04) of this program is 6 months long. Other important date exceptions apply. Please visit niagaracollege.ca/dates, select the relevant term, and check the exceptions table for important dates.

Domestic Applicants Apply
Legendfor intake status table
Open

Accepting applications

Waitlisted

Eligible applications will be placed on a waiting list

Closed

Not accepting applications

Suspended

No longer offered this term

International Applicants

Sorry, international applications are not accepted for this program.

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Pathways

Explore your pathway options What are pathways? for the Practical Nursing program below.

  For detailed information about these pathway options visit niagaracollege.ca/pathways/.

Did you know?

Applicants with previous postsecondary education will be assessed for transfer credits upon receipt of an official transcript from their previous institution. There is no fee for this service.

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Tuition

The below is a tuition fees estimate ( what's this?) for the indicated start term. Tuition fees are set in accordance with the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities fee guidelines.

Year: 2023-2024
Start Term: Fall

Expand each level below for a fee breakdown.

Year 1
Level one $3,034.81
Fee Breakdown for Level one
Fee Type Fee Cost
Tuition
$1,696.86
Ancillary Fees
$1,179.95
Material Fees
$158.00
Level one Total
$3,034.81
Level two $2,689.81
Fee Breakdown for Level two
Fee Type Fee Cost
Tuition
$1,696.86
Ancillary Fees
$756.95
Material Fees
$236.00
Level two Total
$2,689.81
Year 1 Total: $5,724.62
Year 2
Level three $3,330.81
Fee Breakdown for Level three
Fee Type Fee Cost
Tuition
$1,696.86
Ancillary Fees
$1,111.95
Material Fees
$522.00
Level three Total
$3,330.81
Level four $2,616.81
Fee Breakdown for Level four
Fee Type Fee Cost
Tuition
$1,696.86
Ancillary Fees
$716.95
Material Fees
$203.00
Level four Total
$2,616.81
Year 2 Total: $5,947.62
Estimated Program Total: $11,672.24
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Advanced Tuition Tool

The tuition amounts provided are an estimate only ( what's this? ).

To generate a detailed fees calculation, which includes tuition, ancillary, and material fees for this or a different start term, please access the Advanced Tuition Tool.

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Sorry, international applications are not accepted for this program.

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Delivery Information

Important

To make sure this program’s scheduling and timetable are right for you, please review the important program delivery and course delivery information below.

Program Delivery Schedule
Term 1
(Program Start)		 Term 2 Term 3 Term 4
(Program End)
Sep 2022 Jan 2023 Sep 2023 Jan 2024
Jan 2023 May 2023 Jan 2024 May 2024
May 2023 Sep 2023 May 2024 Sep 2024
Sep 2023 Jan 2024 Sep 2024 Jan 2025
Jan 2024 May 2024 Jan 2025 May 2025
May 2024 Sep 2024 May 2025 Sep 2025
Sep 2024 Jan 2024 Sep 2025 Jan 2025
Jan 2025 May 2025 Jan 2026 May 2026
May 2025 Sep 2025 May 2026 Sep 2026
Course Delivery Schedule
  • Niagara College operates seven days per week with scheduled activities occurring throughout the day. Scheduled activities occur between 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., but are not limited to these timeframes.
  • The Practical Nursing program would typically have in-person classes scheduled Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with additional online/hybrid classes.
  • A sample timetable has been included below to better demonstrate when in-person classes are typically scheduled.
Sample Timetable

A table demonstrating that in-person classes will typically be scheduled Monday-Friday from 8:30pm to 5:30pm

Need a more flexible schedule? If you are unable to meet the delivery schedule of this program, check out the Practical Nursing (Alternative Delivery) program, which typically schedules classes on evenings and weekends.

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