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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 6 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.

    Important Notice: Applications Currently Closed for PWPN Program

    Please note that applications for the PSW to PN Bridge (PWPN) program are currently closed. We encourage prospective students to check back periodically for updates on future application openings. For more information on the PWPN bridge please reach out to 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.

    Additional admission requirements

    • Current Basic Cardiac Life Support Certificate Level (HCP) Health Care Provider (must be renewed annually)
    • Current Standard First Aid Certificate (must be current for the entire program)
    • Mask testing (for N-95 mask)
    • Criminal record check
    • WHMIS certification Proof of immunization status at registration for the following:
    • Two-step TB test
    • Immunizations: Measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, polio
    • Current tetanus–diphtheria vaccination
    • Current influenza immunization (when available for the season)
    • Hepatitis B vaccination
    • If born after 1970, must have 2 measles vaccinations
    • Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended but not required

    Important Notice

    Please note: Criminal record check, influenza immunization, TB skin test, WHMIS and Basic Cardiac Life Support certificates MUST be renewed on an annual basis – there is a fee required for these renewals. Proof of previous varicella infection (chickenpox) must be supplied if not immunized for this disease

    Minimum technology requirements

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