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Personal Support Worker to Practical Nurse Pathway

Advance your health care career to a nursing role

The Personal Support Worker (PSW) to Practical Nurse (PN) courses are designed as a pathway for working PSWs to continue their studies toward qualifying to practice in Ontario as an Registered Practical Nurse (RPN).

These courses offer flexible study options and are built around the core components of the pathway to Practical Nursing programs offered at Ontario's public colleges. A new career with a wide range of job opportunities is waiting for you. Creation of these courses was funded through the Ontario government's Nursing Program Transformation in Ontario's Colleges initiative. 

Eligibility 

To be eligible for this pathway program, you must:

  • Be a Canadian citizen or Canadian permanent resident
  • Have graduated from an Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities approved PSW program
  • Have worked as a PSW in Ontario on a regular basis within the last five years

PATHWAY HIGHLIGHTs

Upon successfully completing six online and asynchronous pathway courses, PSWs will be eligible for advanced entry into a public college's four-semester Practical Nursing (PN) programs. Graduates of approved PN programs are eligible to apply to the College of Nurses Ontario to write the registration exam to practice in Ontario as a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN).

Courses

  • CSSL 1000 Nursing Theory Bridge
  • CSSL 1001 Nursing Professionalism
  • CSNC1000 Anatomy & Physiology
  • CSDU1002 Math for Practical Nurses
  • CSNC1001 Health Assessment
  • CSDU1003 Transition to Practical Nursing

RELATED PROGRAMS

Personal Support Worker

  • Campus: This program is available in our KingstonBrockville and Cornwall campuses)
  • Credential: Certificate
  • Program length: 1 year

Highlights

  • The SLC PSW Program has well over 400 hours of clinical placement.
  • Students will have placements in a variety of clinical settings.
  • Assist individuals from all ages of the lifespan with home management, facilitating social and recreational activities

Practical Nursing

  • Campus: This program is available in our KingstonBrockville and Cornwall campuses
  • Credential: Ontario College Diploma
  • Program length: 2 extended years

Highlights:

  • Placements in a variety of health care settings including a 400-hour clinical consolidation placement in semester 5.
  • Hands-on simulated learning experiences in a simulation lab.
  • Graduates are eligible to write the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) Registration Exam.