Contribute to a healthcare team and support excellence in patient care.

The two-year Practical Nursing Ontario College Diploma program prepares you for work in healthcare with the necessary knowledge, skills and judgement to contribute to a healthcare team and support excellence in patient-centred care. This includes the processes of assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating required to provide nursing care to individuals, families and populations.

Through classroom, lab and simulation, you build your nursing knowledge, skills, and judgement before working with patients in clinical placements. Our on-campus simulation labs allow you to experience realistic simulated patient care in a wide range of scenarios. You develop your nursing expertise within health care settings such as hospitals, long term care facilities, community agencies and retirement homes.

To practice as a Registered Practical Nurse in Ontario, you are required to be licensed by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). Graduates are eligible to write the REx-PN and Jurisprudence Exams which, once passed, allows you to register with the College of Nurses of Ontario.

Registered Practical Nurses work in close collaboration with healthcare teams. You may find employment a variety of settings such as:

• community clinics
• visiting nursing/in-home care
• retirement and long-term care homes
• hospitals
• educational facilities
• private practice

You may also choose to pursue further studies after graduation.

For more information on the Nursing Profession, please review the Fact Sheet Requisite Skills and Abilities for Nursing Practice in Ontario, available on the CNO website at www.cno.org

Careers

To practice as a Registered Practical Nurse in Ontario, you are required to be licensed by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). This program gives you the necessary knowledge and skills to write the Regulatory Exam - Practical Nurse (REx-PN) in Ontario.

Registered Practical Nurses work in close collaboration with healthcare teams. You may find employment in a variety of settings such as community clinics, private homes, long term care homes, as well as medical, surgical, rehabilitative and obstetrical units.

For more information on the Nursing Profession, please review the Fact Sheet Requisite Skills and Abilities for Nursing Practice in Ontario, available on the CNO website at https://cno.org.

Pathways

Please note: There may be more pathways available for this program than are listed here. Please use our Pathways search tool to see every option.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Communicate therapeutically with clients and members of the healthcare 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 healthcare 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 healthcare team.
7. Adapt to a variety of healthcare 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 healthcare settings.
9. 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.
10. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Application Information

PRACTICAL NURSING
Program Code 1704X01FWO

Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:

ontariocolleges.ca
60 Corporate Court
Guelph, Ontario
N1G 5J3
1-888-892-2228

Students currently enrolled in an Ontario secondary school should notify their Guidance Office prior to their online application at OntarioColleges.ca

Applications for Fall Term and Winter Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.

International applicants please visit this link for application process information: https://algonquincollege.my.site.com/myac360/s/

For further information on the admissions process, please visit:
Admissions - Registrar's Office https://algonquincollege.com/ro/admissions/

Program Resources

This full-time program is offered at the Ottawa and Pembroke campuses. Learning outcomes are consistent; delivery may vary by location. Students are expected to remain at their accepted campus. Transfers are considered only in extenuating circumstances and require Chair approval with supporting documentation. Students are responsible for travel to both academic and clinical destinations.

Course repetition, program withdrawal, and re-entry are subject to seat availability. Students may be required to wait until space is available in classroom or clinical courses.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) Requisite Skills and Abilities and registration requirements at www.cno.org. Registration requirements include completion of the registration and jurisprudence exams and demonstration of English or French language proficiency. Additional details are provided by the CNO prior to licensing.

Clinical placements may require evening, weekend, or night shifts, regional travel, and may not include all specialty areas. Placement agencies have mandatory immunization requirements, including influenza and COVID-19 vaccines for Long-Term Care. Medical exemptions must be reviewed by Paramed. Agencies may refuse placement or impose restrictions during outbreaks.

Clinical Placement Eligibility:
A clear Police Records Check for Service with the Vulnerable Sector (PRCSVS) is required for clinical placement. Students without a clear PRCSVS who are unable to participate in placement cannot graduate, as clinical placement is mandatory. A PRCSVS is required annually and more frequently if requested by placement agencies.

Accepted applicants must complete a Health Assessment Form and meet annual requirements, including TB testing, influenza vaccination, CPR Level C certification, and a clear PRCSVS, prior to starting clinical placement. Delays may impact program progression. Additional requirements may be added as circumstances arise.

Students must submit proof of a clear PRCSVS, disclose all contents to placement agencies, and obtain the PRCSVS from their local police service at their own cost. Processing times may be lengthy - apply early. For questions, contact the Program Chair.

Basic computer skills are required throughout the program.