Practical Nursing (Flexible)
How To Apply
Program Details
- Program Code9351
- Credential NamePractical Nursing
- Credential TypeOntario College Diploma
- SchoolSchool of Community and Health Studies
- Program TypePost-secondary program
- Program Length2 years/ 6 semesters
- LocationMorningside Campus
- Emailhealthstudies@centennialcollege.ca
- Telephone416-289-5000
- Technology RequirementsCareerExplorerPlugin
Program Availability
- Program Overview
- Courses
- Career Options and Education Pathways
- Admission Requirements
- How to Apply
- Tuition and Fees
- Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
- Advising
- Indigenous Studies
- Inclusive Leadership Practices
You may also be interested in these other options:
The Practical Nursing - Flexible program at Centennial College will offer you in-depth knowledge, skills and judgement required in today's complex health care environment.
Curriculum in this Practical Nursing - Flexible program is based on the:
- College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) Practice Standards and Guidelines
- National Entry to Practice Competencies for Registered Practical Nurses (updated 2020)
- Practical Nursing Program Standard for Ontario Practical Nursing programs (Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development)
The Practical Nursing program meets the competencies that reflect the evolving and expanding role of the practical nurse as provided by the Nursing Act and the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA). These competencies will include learning to provide safe, competent and ethical care using resources and technologies for an increasingly complex client population. The Practical Nursing program will also serve as preparation to practice autonomously in a variety of settings.
Note: The Practical Nurse Diploma program at Centennial 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 Registered Practical Nurses in Ontario.
Program Overview
You may also be interested in these other options:
The Practical Nursing - Flexible program at Centennial College will offer you in-depth knowledge, skills and judgement required in today's complex health care environment.
Curriculum in this Practical Nursing - Flexible program is based on the:
- College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) Practice Standards and Guidelines
- National Entry to Practice Competencies for Registered Practical Nurses (updated 2020)
- Practical Nursing Program Standard for Ontario Practical Nursing programs (Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development)
The Practical Nursing program meets the competencies that reflect the evolving and expanding role of the practical nurse as provided by the Nursing Act and the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA). These competencies will include learning to provide safe, competent and ethical care using resources and technologies for an increasingly complex client population. The Practical Nursing program will also serve as preparation to practice autonomously in a variety of settings.
Note: The Practical Nurse Diploma program at Centennial 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 Registered Practical Nurses in Ontario.
Courses
Career Options and Education Pathways
Program Highlights
- Practical Nursing program faculty members have extensive clinical and in-classroom teaching expertise.
- Classroom instruction will be supplemented by independent study, multimedia support and ongoing clinical experience.
- Some courses in the program will be delivered through a combination of classroom and online instruction (blended courses).
- Small group instruction in clinical and laboratory setting will utilize the latest technology, such as computerized simulation.
- The School of Community and Health Studies' nursing lab recreates an actual hospital floor, complete with nursing stations and operating room facilities.
- You'll gain the edge over the competition by working within the advanced clinical simulation facilities and using highly realistic computerized "patients".
- The program will allow you to immerse yourself in the nursing field through a variety of acute, rehabilitation and long-term care agencies with industry-leading health care providers.
- Effective January 4, 2022 all graduates of Practical Nursing programs within Ontario will be required to take the new REx-PN Registration Exam.
Upon completion of the program, graduates have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Therapeutically communicate 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 on 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.
Career Outlook
- Clinical Nurse
- Community Health Nurse
- Palliative Care Nurse
- Educator
- Home Care Nurse
- Entrepreneur
Education Pathways
Graduates of the Practical Nursing (flexible) diploma program have the opportunity to apply learning achieved at Centennial for credits toward further study at the degree level. Listed below are institutions offering pathways for this program.
Please note that each receiving institution has minimum admission requirements in order to qualify for transfer credits, which are assessed by the receiving institution.
| Region | Insitution |
|---|---|
| Toronto GTA | Toronto Metropolitan University |
| Ontario | Algoma University |
| Fleming College | |
| Trent University | |
| Wilfrid Laurier University |
or more detailed pathways information, visit our website at //centennial.adv-pub.moveonca.com/outgoing-home/.
Use the following Education Pathways Checklist as a guide as you explore your options.
For pathways to other Ontario post-secondary institutions, please visit ONTransfer.
Areas of Employment
Areas of EmploymentAdmission Requirements
Academic Requirements
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or mature student status (19 years or older)
- Grade 12 English (C or U), or equivalent (minimum grade required)
- Grade 11 Mathemathics (M or U) or Grade 12 Mathematics (C or U), or equivalent (minimum grade required)
- Grade 11 Biology or Grade 12 Biology (C or U), or equivalent (minimum grade required). The course used for admission must have been completed within seven years of the program start date.
- Grade 11 (C or U) or Grade 12 (C or U) One additional science (Physics, Chemistry, or Exercise Science), or equivalent (minimum grade required). The course used for admission must have been completed within seven years of the program start date.
- Minimum grade scores: 75% in each required subject (65% in U- or A-level courses) and an overall average of 80% in the four required subjects.
- Centennial's English, Science, and Math assessments cannot be accepted in place of their respective course requirments.
Notes:
- Admission to this program is highly competitive and the program fills quickly. To be considered for the program, you should apply prior to the Ontario Colleges equal consideration date of February 1 and submit transcripts as early as possible. For admission to the January program, we advise you to apply before June 1.
- Applicants are ranked based on an average of required subjects as well as the application date. Offers are sent to the top-ranked applicants only. Meeting minimum requirements for admission does not guarantee an offer. For information on minimum grade requirements and approximate cut-off point for offers, please contact admissions@centennialcollege.ca.
- Before undertaking this program, please visit the College of Nurses of Ontario website to review registration requirements at //www.cno.org/en/become-a-nurse/registration-requirements/.
Additional Requirements
- Language proficiency may be demonstrated by successfully completing three full years of secondary or post-secondary education in Canada in English or in a school where English is the primary language of instruction and communication.
Prospective students are encouraged to view the College of Nurses Ontario's Requisite Skills and Abilities fact sheet to self-assess suitability for the Practical Nursing profession at //www.cno.org/globalassets/docs/reg/41078-skillabilities-4pager-final.pdf.
Field Placement Requirements
Field Placement RequirementsHow to Apply
1. Apply Online
Domestic student applicants must apply online through Ontario College Application Service (OCAS) at Ontariocolleges.ca. A non-refundable application fee of $125 must accompany applications. The fee is payable online, by telephone, online banking, by mail, or in person to Ontariocolleges.ca. For more information go to Ontariocolleges.ca Application Fees.
If you have previously attended a full time program at Centennial College, you may be eligible for a Program Transfer. Visit Enrolment Services at any Campus for information.
If you are applying through the Second Career Strategy, please apply at the Employment Training Centre for Second Career (Progress Campus). Second Career Strategy is a funding initiative for those who have been laid-off and are in need of training. For more information go to Second Career Strategy.
2. Submit Documents
Current Ontario high school students and graduates from Ontario high schools: Notify your guidance counsellor that you have applied to college and your school will forward transcripts to Centennial College via Ontariocolleges.ca.
Graduates of college/university, or high school outside Ontario but within Canada: You are responsible for requesting that your educational institute sends any required documents and transcripts to Ontariocolleges.ca.
Applicants who attended school outside of Canada: If you are submitting transcripts to meet admission requirements, you must have the transcripts assessed by an independent credential assessment agency such as World Education Services (WES) or International Credential Assessment Service (ICAS).
For more information go to Submitting your Transcripts.
3. Confirm Your Offer of Admission
Offers of Admission are sent by mail to eligible applicants. When you receive your offer, you must login to your account at Ontariocolleges.ca and confirm before the Deadline to Confirm noted in your offer letter.
You may confirm only one college and one program offer at a time.
You must confirm your offer by the Deadline to Confirm noted in your Offer of Admission letter or your seat may be given to another applicant.
When you confirm your Offer of Admission at Centennial College you are given access to your personal myCentennial account where you can check your email, grades, register for courses, pay tuition fees, and see your class timetable.
4. Pay Fees
Centennial fees statements are sent by email to your personal email account and to your myCentennial email account. Fees statements are not mailed.
You must make a minimum payment by the Fees Deadline noted in your Fees Statement or your seat may be given to another applicant.
5. Build Your Timetable (Register for Courses)
Build your timetable (web-register for courses) at my.centennialcollege.ca.
- Fall registration begins mid-July
- January registration begins mid-December
- May registration begins mid-April
Your web-registration will not open if:
- You have not submitted your minimum fee payment by the deadline
- You received a Conditional Offer of Admission and you have not met the conditions of your offer.
Once you have paid your fees or have made appropriate arrangements, register for your courses online through myCentennial.
Tuition and Fees
Fees noted below are estimates only. Tuition is based on two semesters, beginning Fall 2025.
| Student | Tuition (2 Semesters) | Ancillary Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian | $3,285.00 | $1,930.53 | $5,215.53 |
| International | $17,148.00 | $2,428.48 | $19,576.48 |
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes describe what graduates of the program have demonstrated they can do with the knowledge and skills they have achieved during their studies. The outcomes are closely tied to the needs of the workplace. Through assessment (e.g., assignments and tests), students verify their ability to reliably perform these outcomes before graduating.
1. Communicate therapeutically with clients and members of the health care 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 health care 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 health care 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. 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.
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Helena Pieroni, Practical Nursing, GraduateClinical placement really put me face-to-face with reality, but I realized that even little details in class or in the lab gave me the background to test my skills and improve them.