Practical Nursing

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.

Career Opportunities

The graduate may find employment opportunities in hospitals, long-term care settings, clinics, primary care or community health services.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. communicate therapeutically with clients and members of the healthcare team;
2. assess clients across the life span, in a systematic and holistic manner;
3. plan safe and competent nursing care, based upon a thorough analysis of available data and evidence-informed practice guidelines;
4. select and perform nursing interventions using clinical judgment, in collaboration with the client and, where appropriate, the healthcare team, that promote health and well-being, prevent disease and injury, maintain and/or restore health, promote rehabilitation, and/or provide palliation;
5. evaluate the outcomes resulting from all interventions in the nurse-client interaction and modify the plan of care as required;
6. act equitably and justly with clients and members of the healthcare team;
7. adapt to a variety of health care settings, using different leadership skills and styles as appropriate to each setting;
8. contribute to creating a healthy and safe work environment in a variety of health care settings;
9. practise 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.

External Recognition

Upon graduation from this program students can apply to the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) to write the provincial registration examination for practical nurses. The CNO’s mission is to regulate nursing to protect the public interest and they set entry to practice requirements that nurses must meet to become registered in Ontario. They assess each applicant and determine if they meet registration requirements. Details related to these requirements can be found on the CNO website. For further information about these registration requirements, please contact CNO directly at (416) 928-0900, or 1-800-387-5526, ext. 6249.

Students and graduates are encouraged to become members of the professional organization, WeRPN/Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario.

Program Progression 

The following reflects the planned progression for full-time offerings of the program.

Fall Intake - Barrie, Owen Sound

• Sem 1: Fall 2025
• Sem 2: Winter 2026
• Sem 3: Fall 2026
• Sem 4: Winter 2027
• Sem 5: Summer 2027

Winter Intake - Barrie, Owen Sound

• Sem 1: Winter 2026
• Sem 2: Summer 2026
• Sem 3: Winter 2027
• Sem 4: Summer 2027
• Sem 5: Fall 2027

Winter Intake - Orangeville

• Sem 1: Winter 2026
• Sem 2: Summer 2026
• Sem 3: Fall 2026
• Sem 4: Winter 2027
• Sem 5: Summer 2027

Articulation

A number of articulation agreements have been negotiated with universities and other institutions across Canada, North America and internationally. These agreements are assessed, revised and updated on a regular basis. Please contact the program co-ordinator for specific details if you are interested in pursuing such an option. Additional information can be found on our website at https://www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/credit-transfer/

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/

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:

• A mask fit test, renewed every two years (will be done at the College in Semester One);

• 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;

• 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;

• 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.

Graduation Requirements

20 Program Courses
4 Clinical Placements
2 Communications Courses
3 General Education Courses

Graduation Eligibility

To graduate from this program, the passing weighted average for promotion through each semester, from year to year, and to graduate is 65%. Additionally, a student must attain a minimum on 65% or a letter grade of P (Pass) or S (Satisfactory) in each program course or clinical in each semester, and must attain a minimum of 50% in general education and communication courses unless otherwise stated on the course outline.

Program Tracking

The following reflects the planned course sequence for full-time offerings of the Fall intake of the program. Where more  than one intake is offered  contact the program co-ordinator for the program tracking.

Plan of Study Grid

Semester 1		Hours
Program Courses
NRSG 1004	Introduction to Health and Wellness	42
NRSG 1006	Gerontological Nursing	42
NRSG 1025	Nursing Skills 1	98
NRSG 1028	Anatomy and Physiology 1	42
NRSG 1030	Introduction to Nursing as a Profession	28
NRSG 1031	Preparation for Clinical Experience	42
Communications Course
Select 1 course from the Communications list during registration.		42
General Education Course
Select 1 course from the General Education list during registration		42
	Hours	378
Semester 2
Program Courses
NRSG 1027	Professional Expectations in Nursing Practice	42
NRSG 1029	Anatomy and Physiology 2	42
NRSG 1032	Health Assessment	56
NRSG 1033	Introduction to Pharmacology	42
NRSG 1034	Nursing Skills 2	98
NRSG 2021	Mental Health Nursing	28
Clinical Placement
NRSG 1035	Practical Nursing Clinical 1	112
	Hours	420
Semester 3
Program Courses
NRSG 2002	Pathophysiology 1	42
NRSG 2022	Medical-Surgical Nursing: Chronic Health Conditions	42
NRSG 2023	Pharmacology and Nursing Practice	42
NRSG 2024	Maternal/Child Nursing	28
Clinical Placement
NRSG 2025	Practical Nursing Clinical 2	168
Communications Course
Select 1 course from the communications list during registration.		42
	Hours	364
Semester 4
Program Courses
NRSG 2006	Transition to RPN Practice	42
NRSG 2008	Pathophysiology 2	42
NRSG 2026	Nursing in the Community	28
NRSG 2027	Medical-Surgical Nursing: Acute Health Conditions	42
Clinical Placement
NRSG 2028	Practical Nursing Clinical 3	168
General Education Courses
Select 2 courses from the General Education list during registration		84
	Hours	406
Semester 5
Clinical Placement
NRSG 2029	Practical Nursing Praxis	450
	Hours	450
	Total Hours	2018

Graduation Window

Students unable to adhere to the program duration of two years (as stated above) may take a maximum of four years to complete their credential. After this time, students must be re-admitted into the program, and follow the curriculum in place at the time of re-admission.

Disclaimer: The information in this document is correct at the time of publication. Academic content of programs and courses is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational objectives and employment market needs. 

Program outlines may be subject to change in response to emerging situations, in order to facilitate student achievement of the learning outcomes required for graduation. Components such as courses, progression, coop work terms, placements, internships and other requirements may be delivered differently than published.