Personal Support Worker Bridging to Practical Nursing

Choose your stream

Program Highlights

Fleming College offers a bridging opportunity for practicing Personal Support Workers (PSW) who have graduated from a PSW program at a private or community college, to pursue the full-time Practical Nursing diploma at Fleming College (not transferable to the Practical Nursing Programs of other Ontario Colleges.

This part-time Bridging program is offered throughout the year in two different steams: as a single course per semester stream or on a two-courses-per-semester stream. All courses are online except the final 7-hour Field Preparation course, which is held at the Sutherland Campus in Peterborough. Eligible students who successfully complete their program can apply for direct entry into the second semester of the full-time Fleming College Practical Nursing program.

Why Choose Fleming

The Personal Support Worker Bridge and the Practical Nursing program have strong links with Peterborough and the surrounding community's health care facilities and organizations, ensuring you receive excellent clinical opportunities to explore various aspects of nursing. Fleming College is a community based learning environment with the first long-term care faculty (St. Joseph's at Fleming) built on a college or university campus.

Admission Requirements

• Completion of a recognized Ontario PSW Certificate
• Minimum average of 65% in all PSW certificate courses

Career Opportunities

Those who successfully complete the bridging program and are accepted into semester two of the Practical Nursing program can pursue their career goals of working as an RPN in acute care settings, community health agencies, industry, clinics, doctor's offices and long-term care facilities.

Further Study

Once you have completed your Bridging courses, you will be eligible to apply for direct entry into Semester 2 of the full time PN Program. You will be required to take Introduction to Indigenous Studies (INDG49) as your semester 2 general elective course. We have limited seats reserved for successful bridging students each semester. Seats are filled on a first come, first served basis.

Courses in Personal Support Worker Bridging to Practical Nursing

Details and registration below

Mandatory

• Bridged Nursing Theory (NRSG250)
• Clinical Nursing Informatics (COMP582)
• Math For Nursing (NRSG222)
• Communications I (English I) (LANG034)
• Anatomy & Physiology I (SCIE157)
• Bridge PSW to PN: Field Preparation for PSW Bridging to PN (NRSG193)

Mandatory

Bridged Nursing Theory

NRSG250

In preparation to enter the second semester of the PN program students will explore the theory, principles, and concepts specific to the practical nursing curriculum. We examine health promotion across the lifespan, application of a framework using the nursing process, legislative regulations and governance specific to the practice of nursing and the process of developing learning plans and nursing care plans. Emphasis is placed on humanistic caring, reflective practice, therapeutic use of self, and health promotion. This course must be taken as one of your first semester courses in the PSW to PN Bridging Program.

Clinical Nursing Informatics

COMP582

This course is designed for Practical Nursing Students to examine the core concepts related to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and how they can be used to promote and provide safe nursing care. Will explore Health Information Systems (HISs), the components of the Electronic Health Record (EHR), and other technology available in health care settings that contribute to patient care. Will also explain the importance and need for privacy, confidentiality, and security in the collection and use of health information.

Math For Nursing

NRSG222

This course prepares the Practical Nursing Student to use numerical skills in the administration of nursing care including the administration of medication and intravenous solution, fluid balance and other numerical calculations applicable to safe nursing care. This course will provide review and practice of basic mathematical calculations of whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio and proportions and, conversions. Included will be Systems of Measurement with a focus on S.I. Metric System and common conversions. Practice of numerical skills and out of class assignments will be a major component of the course with a focus on the importance of consistency in accuracy. Students will be successful in passing this course with a grade of 70%.

Communications I (English I)

LANG034

Using a practical, vocation-oriented approach, students focus on meeting the requirements of effective communication. Through a combination of lectures, exercises, and independent learning, students practise writing, speaking, reading, listening, locating and documenting information, and using technology to communicate professionally. Students develop and strengthen communication skills that contribute to success in both educational and workplace environments.

Anatomy & Physiology I

SCIE157

This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the human body. It will begin with an introduction to the organization and the cellular/tissue basis of the human body. The systems that will be focused on in this course are: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous and special senses.

Bridge PSW to PN: Field Preparation for PSW Bridging to PN

NRSG193

Prepare for your bridging process from PSW to the rigorous academic demands of the practical nursing program. We will help you develop study skill techniques, test-taking strategies, and critical thinking skills. A review of the nursing process and assessment frameworks in the clinical setting will help you with your clinical assignments. Applied lab practice will include updating and refining skills in blood pressure measurement, vital signs, and topical medication administration.