Skip to main content
Alternate pathways to nursing

PSW to RPN

A hospital room with nurses attending to mannequin patients in beds. Medical equipment is visible in the foreground.

Fast-track to a diploma in nursing!

Are you a PSW who is ready to add nursing credentials to your résumé? If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you can take advantage of this pathway program to build on your health care career by earning your Practical Nursing diploma.

Upon successful completion of seven online pathway courses, you’ll be eligible to apply for advanced entry into semester two of Cambrian’s Practical Nursing program!

Once you enter the Practical Nursing diploma program, you’ll practice clinical skills in our high-tech nursing lab and advance your skills by working alongside health care professionals in the community. As a graduate, you can apply to write the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) certification exam and are eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) in Ontario.

    How to apply

    Every course will have a specific schedule. Since theory courses are available 24/7 and weekly timelines are provided, coursework can be completed at any time within each week. For more information on how to apply email NPTI@cambriancollege.ca

    Admission requirements

    1. You must be a Canadian citizen or have Canadian Permanent Resident status. Please provide proof of permanent resident or refugee status if you are not a Canadian citizen.
    2. You must have graduated with a 65 percent cumulative average from a PSW program in Ontario. Please provide a copy of your transcripts.
    3. You must have worked as a PSW in Ontario within the past five years on at least a part-time or casual basis. Please provide a letter confirming your employment from the employer.

    Pathway courses

    Course CodeCourse Title
    		Anatomy and Physiology
    		Nursing Theory Bridge
    		Nursing Professionalism
    		Math Foundations (required to take first)
    		Math for Practical Nurses (pre-requisite is MTH1008)
    		Health Assessment
    		Transition to Practical Nursing (recommended to complete last)

    Minimum technology requirements

    Success in this program requires that you come equipped with some program-specific technology requirements.