RPN to BScN (online)
Level up your nursing career by earning your Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree!
If you are a fully licensed, practicing Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) in Ontario, you have the opportunity to complete the bridge within two years and then earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) degree by coming on campus for two additional years!
Our series of courses provide you with the credits you need to be eligible to apply to Cambrian’s competitive BScN program that can open up new career options and position you as a health care leader in hospitals, long-term care settings, community agencies, and more.
The Nursing Program Transformation Initiative (NPTI) Registered Practical Nursing (RPN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) Pathway is a series of six online courses, run through OntarioLearn, designed to help RPNs complete a BScN program at a participating Ontario college.
Online bridging courses (NURB)
If you are a graduate of an approved Practical Nursing diploma program, this online bridge, approved by the College of Nurses (CNO) will allow you to earn credits towards the BScN degree at your own pace, over a period of up to 2 years.
Please note
When you accept a seat in the program, you also accept to go to any of the program’s affiliated clinical sites and you should expect that you may have to relocate. Your placement location may be different from your preference and should expect that you may have to relocate for your preceptorship placement. Clinical placements can take place on weekdays or weekends and may be an 8 or 12 hour day and/or afternoon shifts.
All related clinical placement expenses, such as travel, parking, and accommodation, are the responsibility of the student.
Pathway courses
The pathway comprises of six online courses and one in-person nursing skills refresher course, which is scheduled for two days (16 hours) on-site and involves assessments based on two pass/fail grading checklists. Further details regarding the skills refresher course will be provided soon.
| Course Code | Course Title | |
|---|---|---|
| Scholarly Writing | ||
| Nursing Informatics | ||
| Health Assessment | ||
| Microbiology | ||
| Biochemistry and Pathophysiology | ||
| Transition to the Role of RN | ||
| Nursing Skills Refresher Course (16 hours over 2-8 hour days) |
How to apply
Admission to the online bridging courses is available to practicing RPNs through OCAS using the code NURB. Please visit the OCAS website for the most up-to-date details about available start dates.
Admission requirements
- Have Canadian citizenship, Canadian permanent resident status, or appropriate authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) that allows you to practice nursing in Ontario.
- Graduate of a two-year Practical Nursing diploma program approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario with a cumulative program GPA of 65 percent or higher.
- Are a fully licensed Registered Practical Nurse in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario.
- Have worked as an RPN in Ontario within the past five years on at least a part-time or casual basis.
Clinical admission requirements
- AODA Training
- Worker Health and Safety Awareness in 4 Steps
- Current Basic Cardiac Life Support Certificate – Level (HCP) Health Care Provider (must be renewed annually)
- Current Standard First Aid Certificate (valid for 3 years)
- N95 Mask testing (valid for 2 years)
- Criminal record check with Vulnerable Sector Check (annual requirement)
- WHMIS certification (annual requirement)
Proof of immunization status at registration for the following:
- Two-step TB test (subsequent 1-step required annually)
- Immunizations: Measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, polio
- Current tetanus–diphtheria vaccination
- Pertussis (adult dose on or after eighteenth birthday)
- Current influenza immunization (when available for the season)
- Hepatitis B vaccination or proof of immunity
- Up-to-date COVID-19 immunization
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.
Minimum technology requirements
- Regular access to a computer with a reliable Internet connection
- Webcam and headset
- Personal computer
- Windows 8, 8.1, or 10 operating system
- Web browser: Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer 10 or higher
- Apple Mac
- OS X operating system
- Web browser: Firefox or Safari
For assistance with the Ontario Learn platform please visit – https://www.ontariolearn.com/helpcenter
Year 3 of Cambrian’s Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing (NU5N)
Successful completion of the pathway courses (NURB) will make you eligible to apply to enter semester 5 (Year 3) of Cambrian’s 8-semester (4-year) degree program (in-person and on-campus). Graduates of an approved BScN program will be eligible to apply to the CNO to take the registration exam to qualify as a Registered Nurse (RN).
Important Notice
Please note: Admission into Cambrian’s BScN program is limited and highly competitive, and completing the pathway courses does not guarantee admission.
Program highlights
- Limited enrolment
- Online bridging courses prepare you for entry in the third year of Cambrian’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program
- Experience-based learning approach where you’ll apply concepts to real patients and situations through case studies, training in high-tech nursing simulation lab, and clinical placements
- Opportunity to work with members of other health care disciplines through on- and off-site experiences
- Focus on diversity and inclusion to provide culturally sensitive care to Indigenous communities and special populations
- Preliminary approval from College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO)
How to apply
Admission to semester 5 (Year 3) of Cambrian’s 8-semester (4-year) degree program is available through OCAS using the code NU5N for those who have completed the online NURB/NURT bridge at any point in the past 2 years. Please visit the OCAS website for the most up-to-date details about available start dates.
Program of study (Term 5 - Fall)
| Course Code | Course Title | Pre-requisite |
|---|---|---|
| Maternal, Child and Pediatrics | ||
| Family-Centred Nursing | ||
| Acute Illness Clinical II | ||
| Mental Health Concepts I | ||
| Ethics Professional Practice | ||
| Nursing Research |
Program of study (Term 6 - Winter)
| Course Code | Course Title | Pre-requisite |
|---|---|---|
| Public Health and Community | ||
| Mental Health Concepts II | NUR 3507 | |
| Community-MH Integrated Experience | NUR 3506, NUR 3507 | |
| Integrated Pharmacology | ||
| Numeracy & Statistics | ||
| Critical Thinking & Inquiry | ENG 1107 | |
| Upper-level Degree Breadth Elective |
Program of study (Term 7 - Fall)
| Course Code | Course Title | Pre-requisite |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing Leadership | ||
| Acute Illness Clinical III | NUR 3610 | |
| Inter-Professionalism | ||
| Health Policy and Global Health | ||
| Upper-level Degree Breadth Elective |
Program of study (Term 8 - Winter)
| Course Code | Course Title | Pre-requisite |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated Nursing Theory | NUR 3510, NUR 4701, NUR 4706, NUR 4708, NUR 4709 | |
| Integrated Practicum | NUR 3510, NUR 4701, NUR 4706, NUR 4708, NUR 4709 | |
Books and supplies
Books and supplies may be required at the course level over and above the estimated program fees. Please consult your professor/instructor and course outlines for further information.
Minimum technology requirements
Success in this program requires that you come equipped with some program-specific technology requirements.
Minimum technology requirements
- Regular access to a computer with a reliable Internet connection
- Webcam and headset
- Personal computer
- Windows 8, 8.1, or 10 operating system
- Web browser: Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer 10 or higher
- Apple Mac
- OS X operating system
- Web browser: Firefox or Safari
You’ll be accessing industry-standard software as part of your program. Your program coordinator and IT will set you up with access on your computer or within our campus labs. If you have any questions about these technology requirements, please email info@cambriancollege.ca or call (705) 566-8101, ext. 7303.
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