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

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 health care 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 health care team;
• Assess clients across the life span 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 promote health and well-being, prevent disease and injury, maintain and/or restore health, promote rehabilitation, and/or provide 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 health care team;
• Adapt to a variety of health care settings using different leadership skills and styles as appropriate to each setting;
• Contribute to creating a healthy and safe work environment in a variety of health care 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.

Career Outlook

• Clinical Nurse
• Community Health Nurse
• Palliative Care Nurse
• Educator
• Home Care Nurse
• Entrepreneur

Education Pathways

Successful graduates of the Practical Nursing Diploma program have the opportunity to apply their credits toward further study at the degree level