The Personal Support Worker to Practical Nurse Pathway provides flexible study options for working PSWs to continue their studies toward qualifying to practice in Ontario as a Registered Practical Nurse.
Admission Requirements
You are eligible if you meet ALL the following criteria, including:
- Have Canadian citizenship or Canadian permanent resident status or appropriate authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) that permits an individual to engage in the practice of nursing in Ontario.
- Graduated with a 65 percent cumulative average from a PSW program in Ontario that meets the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities program standards (includes PSW programs offered by the public colleges, private career colleges, and district school boards in Ontario)
- AND have worked as a PSW in Ontario within the past five years on at least a part-time or casual basis.
Students who successfully complete the 6 required Pathways courses are eligible to apply to the 2nd Semester entry of the Practical Nursing program.
For important, detailed information, including the BEGIN tuition program, please go to: https://ontariolearn.com/pswtopn/.
ONT 280 - Anatomy and Physiology
ONT 278 - Nursing Theory Bridge
ONT 281 - Nursing Professionalism
ONT 290 - Math for Practical Nurses
ONT 279 - Health Assessment
ONT 282 - Transition to Practical Nursing Theory
These courses are available online, without live scheduled meetings, allowing you the flexibility you need.
- Students are responsible for ensuring they understand and meet the admissions requirements for this pathway.
- Grade 11 or 12 Chemistry is highly recommended prior to application to the 2nd semester entry to the Practical Nursing program. An equivalent course, ACE Chemistry, is available free of charge through ACE Distance. For more information, email aceonline@stclaircollege.ca.
Disclaimer: Please note that this pathway is only for Personal Support Workers (PSWs) in Ontario who wish to enroll in a Practical Nursing (PN) program that will prepare them to qualify as a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) in Ontario. Admission to a receiving college may be subject to some conditions, including the start date of Semester 2 and the availability of spaces at your chosen college. Before applying to a receiving college, please contact their Admissions office to confirm their admission policies for this pathway.
If you do not meet the admission requirements for this program, please visit the program page to learn more about the Practical Nursing program at St. Clair College.