Diploma in Practical Nursing

Program Details

• Program Code: 9350
• School: School of Community and Health Studies
• Credential: Ontario College Diploma
• Program Type: Post-secondary program
• Program Length: 2 year/ 4 semesters
• Location: Morningside Campus

You may also be interested in these other options:

• Practical Nursing (Flexible)
• Practical Nursing for Internationally Educated Nurses

The Practical Nursing program at Centennial College will offer you the in-depth knowledge, skills, and judgment required in today's complex healthcare environment.

The curriculum in this Practical Nursing program is based on the:

• College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) Practice Standards and Guidelines
• National Entry-to-Practice Competencies for Registered Practical Nurses (updated 2020)
• Practical Nursing Program Standard for Ontario Practical Nursing Programs (Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development)

The offering also meets competencies that will reflect the evolving and expanding role of the practical nurse as provided by the Nursing Act and the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA). These competencies will include learning to provide safe, competent, and ethical care using resources and technologies for an increasingly complex client population. The Practical Nursing program will also serve as preparation to practice autonomously in a variety of settings.

Program Highlights

• Practical Nursing program faculty members have extensive clinical and in-classroom teaching expertise
• Classroom instruction will be supplemented by independent study, multimedia support, and ongoing clinical experience.
• Some courses in the program will be delivered through a combination of classroom and online instruction (blended courses)
• Small group instruction in clinical and laboratory settings will utilize the latest technology, such as computerized simulation
• The School of Community and Health Studies' nursing lab recreates an actual hospital floor, complete with nursing stations and operating room facilities
• You'll gain the edge over the competition by working within the advanced clinical simulation facilities and using highly realistic computerized "patients"
• The program will allow you to immerse yourself in the nursing field through a variety of acute, rehabilitation, and long-term care agencies with industry-leading healthcare providers
• Effective January 4, 2022, all graduates of Practical Nursing programs within Ontario will be required to take the new REx-PN Registration Exam

Upon completion of the program, graduates have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Therapeutically communicate with clients and members of the healthcare team
• Assess clients across the lifespan in a systematic and holistic manner
• Plan safe and competent nursing care based on a thorough analysis of available data and evidence-informed practice guidelines
• Select and perform nursing interventions using clinical judgment in collaboration with the client and, where appropriate, the health care team, that promotes health and well-being, prevents disease and injury, maintains and/or restores health, promotes rehabilitation, and/or provides palliation
• Evaluate the outcomes resulting from all interventions in the nurse-client interaction and modify the plan of care as required
• Act equitably and justly with clients and members of the healthcare team
• Adapt to a variety of healthcare settings using different leadership skills and styles as appropriate to each set
• Contribute to creating a healthy and safe work environment in a variety of healthcare settings
• Practice 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

Please note: The Practical Nurse Diploma program at Centennial College is currently approved (Category 1) by the College of Nurses of Ontario. Current graduates from this program are eligible to apply for registration as registered practical nurses in Ontario.

Centennial College is Ontario’s first public college with five campuses in Toronto, Canada. Centennial offers high-quality Canadian Education that is hands-on and employment-focused. Programs at Centennial promote experiential learning with laboratory instruction, co-op education, and industry placements. Centennial consistently ranks #1 in Toronto for Student Satisfaction! (KPI: 2016, 2017, 2018).

With seven specialized academic schools, Centennial offers over 160 programs in Business, Engineering Technology and Applied Science, Communications, Media, Arts and Design, Health, Hospitality, Tourism, and Culinary Arts, and Transportation. Centennial offers post-secondary and post-graduate programs, as well as English Language Learning and Foundations programs for college and university preparation.

Why Study at Centennial College?

• Affordable and cost-effective
• High standard of education
• Co-op and industry connections
• Incredible diversity
• Opportunity to work in Canada
• Safe city and friendly community
• High standard of education

You belong here! Centennial is the #1 College Choice for International Students in Canada! Our 25,000 full-time students include over 11,000 international students from 126 countries! As you enjoy the academic benefits of Canadian college education, a wide range of global perspectives will enrich your education and experience.

An award-winning Canadian institution Centennial received the Gold Medal for Leadership Development at the 2018 World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP) Awards of Excellence. Centennial also received the 2016 Gold Medal for Internationalization Excellence from Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan).

We are leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs We work with over 800 industry partners! You have access to the latest equipment and technology, industry-leading faculty, and co-op opportunities to get you work-ready upon graduation. Centennial ranks third in Canada for the number of students employed and paid for applied research (Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges)

Over 1,000 pathways! Centennial College programs offer 367 Degree Pathways and 40 Masters Degree Pathways with partner universities in Canada and abroad.

Are you seeking a global experience? Centennial offers unique global learning opportunities for students: International internships, semester exchanges, faculty lead international programs, global citizenship and equity learning experiences, language and culture learning, and conferences, and competitions abroad. Our Suzhou Centennial College learning site offers Canadian education in China, credit transfer pathways, and semester exchanges with our campuses in Toronto, Canada.

Study, Work and Live in Canada

Centennial College welcomes you in your pursuit of incredible international education experience. Centennial has a reputation for student and graduate success and numerous awards for International Education Leadership. International students achieve their goals at Centennial and lead the province in rates of successful graduation! 92.3% of international students that start our graduate programs successfully graduate.

Centennial College is an approved government institution for Canada’s Study and Work Programs! Full-time international students enrolled in a degree, diploma, or certificate program can work part-time (20 hours per week) while studying, and full-time during scheduled breaks.

The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program allows international students to gain valuable Canadian work experience after graduating from Centennial College. Graduates are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit for up to three years!