COURSE CURRICULUM

The Practical Nurse program offers a comprehensive and structured curriculum that equips students with the knowledge, clinical skills, and professional competencies required to become Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) in Ontario. Semester 1 introduces foundational nursing concepts through courses such as Nursing Foundations 1, Principles of Nursing Practice, and Professionalism and Nursing Practice, supported by studies in Human Anatomy and Physiology and Communications for College. In Semester 2, students build upon this foundation with Nursing Foundations 2 and explore cultural competence, community health, and medication safety through courses such as Professionalism and Transformative Practice, Pharmacology, Physical Assessment, and Developmental Psychology. Semester 3 continues to develop clinical proficiency and theoretical understanding with Nursing Foundations 3, Pathopharmacology 2, Professionalism and Critical Inquiry, and Alterations in Mental Health. General education electives, such as The Story of Indigenous People and Intercultural Communications, deepen students’ understanding of diverse populations and enhance their cultural awareness. In Semester 4, Nursing Foundations 4 focuses on care across the childbearing and pediatric spectrum, complemented by studies in Professionalism and Leadership and Pathopharmacology 3. Students further develop leadership skills and examine healthcare inequities while deepening their understanding of complex disease and medication management. Finally, in Semester 5, the Pregraduate Clinical capstone provides students with hands-on experience in a clinical setting to consolidate their knowledge and prepare for entry into the workforce. The final course, Professionalism and Transition to Practice, helps students navigate the shift from student to healthcare professional by emphasizing leadership, resilience, mentorship, and career planning. Throughout all five semesters, the program emphasizes evidence-based practice, critical thinking, compassionate care, and adherence to regulatory standards. By graduation, students are well-prepared to meet the Entry to Practice Competencies established by the College of Nurses of Ontario and are eligible to write the national registration exam, becoming Registered Practical Nurses in Ontario.