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PSW to Practical Nursing Pathway

Are you a PSW who is ready to add nursing credentials to your résumé? Take advantage of this pathway program to build on your health care career.

Upon successful completion of 6 online pathway courses, you’ll be eligible 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.

Pathway Courses

Before you start your diploma, you’ll have to complete these six courses:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Nursing Theory Bridge
• Nursing Professionalism
• Math for Practical Nurses
• Health Assessment
• Transition to Practical Nursing

Courses are offered fully online through OntarioLearn throughout the year. Visit the OntarioLearn website to view start dates and to register.

Additional Requirements

This program is open to graduates of a personal support worker program who:

  • 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% 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.
Apply now!

What's in it for you?

Career outcomes*

  • Nurse in Ontario hospitals, long-term care residences, or health care agencies.

You can advance your career in less time by earning your nursing diploma in just one year*. *Additional time is required to complete the OntarioLearn pathway courses.

Plan your future

Program starts

January 2024

Learning options

  • Full-Time
  • Part-Time

Minimum technology requirements

  • Regular access to a computer with a reliable Internet connection
  • Web cam 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.

For a full list of how your program will be delivered click here.

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

Cambrian College has implemented a BYOD policy to ensure a rich and flexible learning experience. Learn more about BYOD by clicking here.

System requirements for Assistive Technology

To access the widest range of Assistive Technology (AT), a Windows-based computer is recommended.

  • Recommended OS: Windows 10 or newer
  • Recommended CPU: Intel or AMD multicore processor
  • Recommended RAM: 8 GB
  • Recommended Storage for Assistive Technology: 8 GB of available Hard Drive of Solid State Drive Space (please note this is not the total drive size and refers specifically to available space needed for assistive technology)
  • Recommended Audio: Speakers or Headphones for Text-to-Speech and Microphone for Speech Input

While Apple computers can provide many AT options,  some specialized software may not be available/compatible with this platform.  Please consult with the Glenn Crombie Centre for further details.

Have Questions?

  • Looking for transcript information? Click Here

See a full list of how your program will be delivered.