Practical Nursing (715)

Become a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) and pursue an exciting healthcare career that offers diverse opportunities. The PN program provides a collaborative learning environment where you and your peers will experience simulated and real-life opportunities in learning and simulation labs. Students will also gain knowledge of Indigenous Ways of Knowing in health to work effectively with Indigenous patients. A blended learning program offers online theory classes to support study-life balance. You can complete the program in 16 consecutive months and have a variety of academic pathways for further education and training.

Professional Practice placements

Clinical placements may occur at locations that are not accessible by public transit. Students should expect to either have access to a car or the ability to supply their own transportation when attending clinical placements in our catchment area which includes Ohsweken, Hamilton, Brantford, Halton, Niagara, Norfolk and surrounding regions.

Placements are assigned using randomization software based on placement options and students indicating preferences. Unfortunately, not everyone gets placed where they want as it is not logistically possible. We do not move students after the randomization process has been completed.  

Students are responsible for their own travel and costs to clinical placements.

Students who miss the first 2 weeks of clinical placement (for any reason) will be removed from placement and the co-requisite courses.  There are mandatory onboarding sessions during weeks 1 and 2 of clinical placement that cannot be rescheduled if missed.

For more information regarding clinical placement, please contact the clinical placement specialist.

Successful completion of Professional Practice

Successful completion of Professional Practice clinical placement is a requirement for graduation from the Practical Nursing program. Professional Practice is an academic requirement across all semesters of the program. Agencies that provide placement opportunities require you to have a clear Police Records Check for Service with the Vulnerable Sector (PRCSVS). As such, to be eligible for placement, you must submit proof of a clear PRCSVS, which will be retained on your departmental file and used only for purposes related to your placement.

If you register in the program without a clear PRCSVS, and, as a result, are unable to participate in placement, you will not be able to progress in the program. A Clear PRCVS, completed within the last 6 months and valid for the full upcoming semester is required.

Preclearance requirements:

Please note that all requirements below must be valid for the full upcoming semester in order to start your clinical placement.

Clear PRCVS, completed within the last 6 months and valid for the full upcoming semester
Immunizations - Tdap, Varicella, Hep B, MMR
Tuberculin skin test
Flu (Recommended, mandatory in some clinical settings)
COVID-19 Vaccine (third vaccination dose mandatory in some clinical settings)
Standard first aid and CPR-Level BLS/HCP
Mask fit
WSIB Consent Links 
Fire safety
WHMIS
AODA
Workplace violence and workplace harassment
Worker health and safety awareness in 4 Steps - BILL 18
Student consent and waiver for clinical placements

To learn more, please visit the Centre for Experiential Learning.