Find your calling with a health-care career in practical nursing
Practical Nursing Ontario College Diploma program
Caring, committed faculty. More clinical time to build your skills. State-of-the-art facilities. Our students excel on provincial exams!
Part-time
Program information
Program description
Students engage with philosophy and curriculum that incorporates and utilizes the concept of caring as the basis of nursing practice. Students work with experienced, caring faculty to gain the knowledge, skills and judgment required to work in today’s complex health care system. Students learn how to engage in safe, competent professional practice with high expectations of accountability, collegiality, collaboration, leadership and ethical care.
Students experience high-quality, innovative nursing education both in the classroom and simulation laboratory settings. Engaging in a mix of individual and team learning activities, students focus on the lived experiences of individuals, families, groups and communities. Through our partnerships, clinical experiences in diverse healthcare settings are offered to allow students to integrate their knowledge into the care of clients across the lifespan. In order to provide quality practicum placements, students have the opportunity to be placed in a variety of agencies in the region.
The Practical Nursing program is currently approved (Category 1, the highest ranking) by the College of Nurses of Ontario. Current graduates of this program are eligible to apply for registration as Registered Practical Nurses in Ontario.
This program is highly competitive. Learn about admission requirements for highly competitive programs.
Intake information
Start date | Campus |
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Winter 2025 | Barrie, Muskoka, Orangeville, Owen Sound |
Fall 2025 | Barrie, Owen Sound |
Tuition and fees
- Visit our tuition and fees page for detailed information on the cost to attend Georgian.
- You can afford this! Explore OSAP as well as awards, scholarships and bursaries to help you pay your way to graduation.
Work-integrated learning
- This program includes a clinical placement component where you’ll get clinical experience under the supervision of an experienced registered or licensed professional.
- Learn about types of work-integrated learning at Georgian.
What are the admission requirements for the Practical Nursing program?
Practical Nursing admission requirements
- Ontario secondary school diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, mature student status
- Grade 12 English (C or U)
- Grade 12 Mathematics (C or U)
- Grade 11 or 12 Biology (C or U)
- Grade 12 (C) or Grade 11 or 12 (U) Chemistry OR Grade 12 (C) or Grade 11 or 12 (U) Physics
Mature students, non-secondary school applicants (19 years or older), and home school applicants may also be considered for admission. Eligibility may be met by applicants who have taken equivalent courses, upgrading, completed their GED, and equivalency testing. For complete details refer to: www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/academic-regulations/
Pathways
Applicants who have taken courses from a recognized and accredited post-secondary institution and/or have relevant life/learning experience may also be considered for admission; refer to the Credit for Prior Learning website for details:
www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/credit-transfer/
Selection Process
Applicants will be assessed and ranked based on academic grades. A minimum grade of 75% in each pre-requisite subject is recommended.
Criminal Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check
Placement agencies require an up-to-date clear criminal reference check and vulnerable sector check prior to going out on placement. Students should obtain their criminal reference three months prior to placement; checks conducted earlier may not be considered current. As some jurisdictions require longer lead-time for processing, please check with the program coordinator to ensure you allow for sufficient turn-around time. It is the student’s responsibility to provide the completed document prior to placement start.
NOTE: Individuals who have been charged or convicted criminally and not pardoned will be prohibited from proceeding to a clinical or work placement.
Additional information
It is required that students have a completed and verified Clinical Preparedness Permit in order to be eligible for practicum placements. Requirements for the permit include:
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A mask fit test, renewed every two years (will be done at the College in Semester One);
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Level HCP/BLS CPR and Standard First Aid prior to commencing the program (On-line courses are not acceptable). It is the student’s responsibility to renew their Level HCP/BLS CPR certification annually while in the program;
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Up-to-date immunization records in compliance with the Public Hospitals Act. Completion and submission of this record is required during the first week of classes in order to ensure your placement in clinical and field placement facilities;
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An up-to-date clear criminal reference check and vulnerable sector screen (renewed regularly so that it is never more than 6 months old).
Placement agencies require an up-to-date clear criminal reference check and vulnerable sector check prior to going out on placement. Students should obtain their criminal reference no more than three months prior to placement; checks conducted earlier may not be considered current. As some jurisdictions require longer lead-time for processing, please check with the program coordinator to ensure you allow for sufficient turn-around time. It is the student’s responsibility to provide the completed document prior to placement start.
NOTE: Individuals who have been charged or convicted criminally and not pardoned will be prohibited from proceeding to a clinical or work placement.
Applicants are encouraged to obtain volunteer or work experience in a health or human service field to assist them in making a career choice.
In order to provide quality practicum placements, students are placed in a variety of agencies in the region serviced by the campus. Students are required to provide their own transportation to practicum placements. Placements may be 6, 8, 10- or 12-hour days and may include holidays, weekends, nights and evenings starting as early as 0600.
Re-application to Program
Suspended students must reapply for re-entry to this program and will be considered based on eligible space and likelihood of success. Please refer to the Georgian College Calendar for the Academic Policies and Procedures.
Mature applicants must have no unfavourable academic performance (achievements less than 65%) in the last two years.
Information about placement requirements
To help you navigate the requirements to complete the clinical placement component(s) of this program (e.g. immunization, First Aid and CPR, criminal record screening and other non-academic requirements), please review the details below.
For more information about placements, visit the Placement Offices webpage.
In order to provide quality practicum placements (“Placements”), students are placed in a variety of agencies, largely in the region serviced by the campus. Students are required to provide their own transportation to Placements. Placements may vary in length (e.g. six to 12 hour days) and may include weekends and evenings, with varying start and end times (e.g. day, afternoon, overnight).
Many programs, including Health and Wellness, have immunization, First Aid and CPR, criminal record screening and other non-academic requirements that need to be met prior to Placements starting. You are responsible for carefully reviewing and meeting these requirements. The failure to meet them may mean that the host agency may refuse to accept you for a Placement or, if you have started one, that you may be prevented from continuing. The result may be that you cannot complete your program. Program-specific requirements can be found on page 2 of the Clinical Preparedness Permit specific to your program.
You are responsible for meeting all immunization, criminal screening and other requirements by the deadline provided by your program and before you start your Placement.
Notes regarding the Criminal Record Check (“CRC”) and Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS)
Individuals who have been charged or convicted criminally and not yet pardoned or who have adverse entries on their CRC or VSS will be prohibited from proceeding to a Placement. Such a student will normally be counselled to withdraw from the program because the successful completion of a Placement is a program requirement.
Obtaining the CRC and VSS usually requires a processing time of up to 12 weeks and can vary between police jurisdictions. As some jurisdictions require longer lead time for processing, ensure you allow for sufficient turn-around time. Record checks and screenings conducted earlier than six months may not be considered current and not be acceptable. Refer to your Clinical Preparedness Permit for information regarding this. A host agency may refuse a Placement if the CRC or VSS is not satisfactory to it. It is the student’s responsibility to provide the necessary completed documents prior to the start of a Placement at the designated check time, and in the format set by Georgian College and stated in the Clinical Preparedness Permit Information Package. More information can be found on the Placement Offices webpage.
The costs associated with the provision of the CRC and VSS, anything related to them (including, if applicable, obtaining a pardon), and meeting any immunization and other Placement requirements, are to be borne by the student. The non-academic requirements of clinical agencies as described in the Clinical Preparedness Permit are subject to change at any time and host agencies may accept or decline students for any reason at their discretion. Georgian College is not responsible for any of the costs associated with the foregoing, nor for the consequences of failing to comply with, any of the requirements set out above.
What career paths can I take as a practical nurse?
Your Practical Nursing diploma gives you many career opportunities
Graduates of the Practical Nursing diploma program are qualified to work as Registered Practical Nurses (RPN) upon completion of the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE).
The graduate may find employment opportunities in hospitals, long-term care settings, clinics, primary care or community health services.
Your future career in nursing
- Case manager
- Community health nurse
- Health administration
- Health-care co-ordinator
- Home health-care nurse
- Personal support worker (PSW)
- Policy development
- Practical nurse
- Wellness nurse
Accreditation
Become a Registered Practical Nurse in Ontario
Georgian’s licensed practical nurse course gives you the in-depth knowledge and skills you need to practice as a Registered Practical Nurse!
The Practical Nursing program at Georgian College is currently approved (Category 1, the highest ranking) by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). Current graduates of this program are eligible to apply for registration as Registered Practical Nurses (RPN) in Ontario.
Practical Nursing graduates are also qualified to become a member of the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (RPNAO), also known as WeRPN.
Flex MORE. Study Practical Nursing part-time
Benefits of studying part-time:
What you need to know:
Next steps:
What courses are included in the Practical Nursing diploma program?
Course overview
20 Program Courses
4 Clinical Placements
2 Communications Courses
3 General Education Courses
Program-specific courses
Semester 1 courses are listed below. For a full list of courses in the program including course descriptions, view the Practical Nursing program outline.
- NRSG 1004 – Introduction to Health and Wellness
- NRSG 1006 – Gerontological Nursing
- NRSG 1025 – Nursing Skills 1
- NRSG 1028 – Anatomy and Physiology 1
- NRSG 1030 – Introduction to Nursing as a Profession
- NRSG 1031 – Preparation for Clinical Experience
- Select 1 course from the Communications list during registration.
- Select 1 course from the General Education list during registration
Your course delivery method(s)
In person
This program is delivered fully in person and requires you to attend campus.
Please note, delivery methods are based on planning for the upcoming semester and are subject to change.
Check out our other related programs
Honours Bachelor of Science – Nursing
Central Ontario’s first four-year nursing degree. Study close to home and benefit from more industry connections, hands-on practise, and one-on-one training with small class sizes taught by expert faculty who care.
Honours Bachelor of Science – Nursing RPN to BScN Advanced Standing Pathway (Bridge)
Bridge your RPN credential into a Honors Bachelor of Science – Nursing degree. Study close to home and benefit from more industry connections, hands-on practise, and one-on-one training with small class sizes taught by expert faculty who care.
Personal Support Worker
Develop your skills during placements. Become an integral part of a health-care team. Graduate job-ready or pursue further studies.
Paramedic
Preparing students with the knowledge and skills to practise emergency out-of-hospital medical and trauma care. Featuring state-of-the-art learning technology and a nationally-recognized faculty.
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