Practical Nursing (PSW to PN Bridge)
Description
Winter 2026 registration information
- Applications open July 14, 2025. Apply online through ontariocolleges.ca. If you require assistance, please email ask-us@ontariocolleges.ca or phone 1-888-892-2228.
- Application deadline is October 6, 2025.
- Acceptance offers go out October 20, 2025.
- Deadline to confirm acceptance is November 1, 2025.
- Course registration opens December 8, 2025.
- This program is available for domestic students only. International applicants, please contact InternationalAdmissions@conestogac.on.ca for alternate program options.
About the program
Practical Nursing is a career-focused program where the student will gain the knowledge, skills and experience required to become a member of the nursing profession and health-care team. The foundational knowledge for practical nursing is based on scientific theory from nursing, the physical and psychosocial sciences and humanities. Person-centred care is learned in context through real-life experiences and career-related work-integrated learning (WIL) experiences. Seniors care is given special attention to meet the needs of an aging population.
Regulatory Obligations:
The Nursing Act
The Nursing Act requires that all graduate practical nurses wishing to work in Ontario must be registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario. The Nursing Act also states graduates must not have been convicted of a criminal offence or an offence under the Narcotic Control Act (Canada) or the Food and Drugs Act (Canada). In addition, the Nursing Act identifies a number of other abilities and requirements that must be met in order to practice nursing in the province of Ontario.
The College of Nurses of Ontario
Graduate practical nurses wishing to register with the College of Nurses of Ontario must sign a declaration of their status regarding: citizenship; permanent residence; immigration; convictions of a criminal offence under the Narcotic Control Act/Food and Drug Act; involvement with respect to professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity in Ontario in another health profession; any mental or physical disorder, which makes it desirable in the public interest that the person not practice nursing. These conditions also apply throughout the program. In preparation to pursuing a nursing career, we encourage all prospective nursing students to carefully consider the requisite skills and abilities for nursing practice in Ontario outlined by the College of Nurses of Ontario.
The Practical Nursing diploma program at Conestoga 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.
Admission requirements:
The Nursing Act
The Nursing Act requires that all graduate practical nurses wishing to work in Ontario must be registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario. The Nursing Act also states graduates must not have been convicted of a criminal offence or an offence under the Narcotic Control Act (Canada) or the Food and Drugs Act (Canada). In addition, the Nursing Act identifies a number of other abilities and requirements that must be met in order to practice nursing in the province of Ontario.
The College of Nurses of Ontario
Graduate practical nurses wishing to register with the College of Nurses of Ontario must sign a declaration of their status regarding: citizenship; permanent residence; immigration; convictions of a criminal offence under the Narcotic Control Act/Food and Drug Act; involvement with respect to professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity in Ontario in another health profession; any mental or physical disorder, which makes it desirable in the public interest that the person not practice nursing. These conditions also apply throughout the program. In preparation to pursuing a nursing career, we encourage all prospective nursing students to carefully consider the requisite skills and abilities for nursing practice in Ontario outlined by the College of Nurses of Ontario.
The Practical Nursing diploma program at Conestoga 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.
Admission requirements:
- A 1-year Personal Support Worker certificate from an Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology
- Proof of current employment as a Personal Support Worker
- The following Ontario Secondary School courses (or equivalents), with a minimum cumulative average of 75% are required
- Grade 12 compulsory English, C or U, or equivalent, OR Conestoga College Preparatory Communications (COMM1251)
- Grade 12 Mathematics, C or U, or equivalent, OR Conestoga College Preparatory Mathematics (MATH1420)
- Grade 11 or 12 Biology, C or U, or equivalent, OR Conestoga College Preparatory Biology (SCIE1010) with a minimum mark of 75%
- Grade 11 or 12 Physics or Chemistry, C or U, or equivalent, or Grade 11 or 12 Science (SNC3M or SNC4M), OR Conestoga College Preparatory Chemistry (SCIE1030)
- For more information on preparatory programs, visit Academic Upgrading.
Note re: admission requirements
- Higher averages and work experience are often required for admission due to competition for available spaces in the program.
- It is recommended that Biology be completed within five years prior to the start date of the program. If you do not have the Math, English or Science requirements, please contact Admissions at Admissions@conestogac.on.ca for additional information.
- Graduate Certificate (Excluding TESL) and Exception Diploma Programs
- Standard Language Requirements:
1. IELTS overall band of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0
2. TOEFL iBT 88
3. CAEL 70, no sub-test band score less than 60
4. PTE Academic 58
3. CAEL 70, no sub-test band score less than 60
4. PTE Academic 58
Compulsory Courses
Successfully complete 17 courses
- INDS2000 Indigenous Ways of Knowing
- COMM1085 College Reading & Writing Skills
- OHS1320 Safety in the Workplace
- PNUR1195 Human Physiology
- PNUR1153 Introduction to Pharmacotherapeutics 1
- PNUR1157 Professional Nursing 1
- PNUR1175 Information and Communication Technologies
- PNUR1200 Campus Clinical 2
- PNUR1220 Nursing Lab 2
- PNUR1228 Nursing Concepts 2
- PNUR1243 Pathophysiology and Pharmacotherapeutics 2
- CON0101 Conestoga 101
- PNUR1128 Nursing Concepts 1: Assessment
- PNUR1180 Nursing Lab and Practice 1
- PNUR1257 Professional Nursing 2
- FPLT1220 Field Placement 1 (Practical Nursing)
- PNUR1165 Adult Development and Aging
Note: Check with the institution regarding start/end dates, prices, and delivery method. These may vary according to program, section, and/or semester.
Related Courses
- College Reading & Writing Skills
- Conestoga 101
- Safety in the Workplace
- Indigenous Ways of Knowing
- Human Physiology
- Introduction to Pharmacotherapeutics 1
- Professional Nursing 1
- Information and Communication Technologies
- Nursing Concepts 2
- Pathophysiology and Pharmacotherapeutics 2
- Nursing Concepts 1: Assessment
- Nursing Lab and Practice 1
- Professional Nursing 2
- Field Placement 1 (Practical Nursing)
- Adult Development and Aging
Overview
- Institution: Conestoga College
- Program type: Diplôme
- Language: English
- Program Code: 2077
- Delivery Method: Apprentissage mixte/hybride
Disclaimer:
Check with the institution regarding start/end dates, prices, and delivery method. These may vary according to program, section, and/or semester.
Check with the institution regarding start/end dates, prices, and delivery method. These may vary according to program, section, and/or semester.