Practical Nursing (PSW-PN Bridge)

Registered Practical Nurses have a role in society that offers a range of choices and opportunities. You will make a difference.

During the four semesters in the Practical Nursing program, you will learn the concepts and skills related to health and nursing. You will also learn nursing practices and interventions in specific health situations. In addition, you will have the opportunity to practice nursing skills in both the nursing and simulation lab. After successfully completing this diploma program, graduates are eligible to write the national examinations with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) and become registered to practice in Ontario as a Registered Practical Nurse. Graduates wishing to be registered with the CNO will be asked to sign a declaration of their status regarding:

• citizenship
• any conviction of a criminal offense under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
• professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity in Ontario
• any mental or physical disorder which makes it desirable in the public interest that the person not practice nursing

The Practical Nursing Program at Fleming College is approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario. Current graduates from this program are eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Practical Nurse in Ontario.

Please be sure to read the Requisite Skills and Abilities document from the College of Nurses of Ontario.

After several career changes, I found the confidence to pursue my lifelong dream of a career in nursing. The program was challenging and gave me the building blocks of critical thinking and communication skills. Clinical placement was an experience unlike any other, and really opened up my eyes to the demands of this profession. I was fortunate to get my job through my placement, in the field of health care that I really enjoy."

Tonia Barber, RPN - Maternal/Child Care Unit, Peterborough Regional Health Centre

The Practical Nursing program has strong links with Peterborough and the surrounding community's health care facilities and organizations, ensuring students have excellent clinical opportunities to explore various aspects of nursing. Employers in the health care field have recognized Fleming's Practical Nursing program as an excellent program, producing knowledgeable and clinically well-prepared graduates.

The Practical Nursing Diploma Program at Fleming College is currently Approved (Category 1) by the College of Nurses of Ontario. Current graduates from this program are eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Practical Nurse in Ontario

Ninety percent of Fleming's Practical Nursing graduates in 2017 were successful in passing the national exam to become registered to practice in Ontario as a Registered Practical Nurse. This high standard of pass rate for the exam has been consistent since the inception of Fleming's Practical Nursing program in 2002.

You will have clinical experiences, chosen by faculty, in hospitals and/or community settings throughout the program. The final field practice assignment will enable you to consolidate your knowledge and skills for your role as a graduate of the Practical Nursing program.

A love of working with people, as well as a desire to help them to attain their physical, emotional, mental and spiritual potential is critical to your success. As a vital member of the health care team, it is essential that you have the following personal and academic attributes:

• integrity
• empathy
• compassion
• emotional maturity
• good listening skills
• commitment
• accountability
• flexibility
• respect for diversity
• competence in reading, writing and mathematics
• ability to be self-directed

Students would benefit by having basic computer and internet skills including e-mail, word processing, and file management.

As a graduate of Fleming's Practical Nursing diploma program, you will have the necessary knowledge and skills to care for individuals, families and groups across the life-span. You will be able to work in acute hospital care settings, community health agencies, industry, clinics, doctor's offices and long-term care facilities.

As a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) you are able to practice independently in a variety of health care settings. You will seek the collaboration of other health care team members, including the RNs, with complex health care issues. You will also have an opportunity to promote health and wellness and prevention of illness through educational programs.

If you don't possess the required science courses for admission to this program, or if you want to enhance your likelihood for entry, consider the one-year Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Certificates and Diplomas program. Fleming College has reserved space in the Practical Nursing program for students who successfully complete one year of study in this program.

Still reviewing your options for a health care career? Depending on your previous education and experience you might also want to consider the Personal Support Worker, Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist Assistant, or the Trent/Fleming - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program.

Fleming College and Trent University have introduced a new pathway that will allow Fleming Practical Nursing graduates to seamlessly continue their education with the Trent/Fleming School of Nursing.

Qualified Fleming graduates will be given advanced standing equal to five credits in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program. The graduates must have earned a 75% average or better in the Practical Nursing program to qualify.

The agreement is in place for Fleming graduates who want to continue at Trent to earn their degree. Past graduates of the Practical Nursing program are eligible to apply. For more information, visit the Trent University website.

Students need to be in good health. Independent physical mobility and manual dexterity are essential in nursing. Please consult the program Coordinator if there is concern regarding the physical expectations of the program. A cognitive analysis may also be required.

Non Academic Requirements

Your program has mandatory requirements which include a criminal reference check, first aid, CPR-C, etc. For more information, please see the Non Academic Requirements page.

Failure to provide any of the required Non Academic Field Requirements by the specified due date will result in an inability to participate in the mandatory placement components of the program.

Students who met the above pathway eligibility criteria will have been required to complete the following PSW-PN pathway courses, available for online registration through any participating NPTI registering college:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Nursing Theory Bridge
• Nursing Professionalism
• Math for Practical Nurses*
• Health Assessment
• Transition to Practical Nursing

Students who successfully completed each of the above pathway courses with a minimum passing grade of 60% (*80% in Math for Practical Nurses) and within twenty-four months, are eligible to apply through the Ontario Colleges’ Application Service (OCAS) for direct admission into Semester Two of the PN program at any receiving college.

Students are advised that admission to a receiving college may be subject to some conditions, including the start date of Semester 2 and the availability of spaces.

Colleges reserve the right to verify the students are proficient in the language of the receiving college.

• Communicate therapeutically with clients and members of the health care team.
• Assess clients across the life span, in a systematic and holistic manner.
• Plan safe and competent nursing care, based upon a thorough analysis of available data and evidence-informed practice guidelines.
• Select and perform nursing interventions using clinical judgment, in collaboration with the client and, where appropriate, the health care team, that promote health and well-being, prevent disease and injury, maintain and/or restore health, promote rehabilitation and/or provide palliation.
• Evaluate the outcomes resulting from all interventions in the nurse-client interaction and modify the plan of care as required.
• Act equitably and justly with clients and members of the health care team.
• Adapt to a variety of health care settings, using different leadership skills and styles as appropriate to each setting.
• Contribute to creating a healthy and safe work environment in a variety of health care settings.
• Practice in a self-regulated, professional and ethical manner, complying with relevant legislation and with the standards of both the regulatory body and the practice setting to provide safe and competent client care.