Our two-year Practical Nursing diploma prepares you for a fulfilling career in healthcare as a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN).
Northern College delivers the current diploma program standards that meet the national Entry to Practice Competencies to prepare graduates for the Regulatory Exam – Practical Nurse (REx-PN).
Develop the skills and experience for a holistic approach to nursing and the capacity to provide care and comfort to patients with varying conditions at all stages of life with our state-of-the-art training facilities and simulation labs.
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This course introduces learners to the normal development, structures and functions of the human body. Learners will examine the physiological components of the human body in order to obtain understanding of how the structures and functions of the body are related.
42 Hours
In this course, students will learn essential skills for success in college and the workplace. This course focuses on developing and strengthening oral and written communication skills, and critical thinking ability. During this course, students will engage in a variety of forms of communication with a focus on upholding the principles of academic integrity. Students will develop the skills necessary to create discipline-specific documents, practice business etiquette and professionalism, and apply critical thinking strategies to practical scenarios. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to plan and draft concise, coherent and well-organized writing assignments that are tailored to specific audiences and purposes.
42 Hours
Improving your knowledge and understanding of the history of the Indigenous peoples of what we now call Canada is an important step to enable Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, organizations, and communities to work together more respectfully. Throughout this course you will have the opportunity to learn, discuss and reflect about many topics that are relevant in the learning journey towards reconciliation.
42 Hours
This course will provide the learner with opportunities to apply concepts and knowledge gained in the classroom environment to clinical practice settings. The emphasis will be on the promotion of health and wellness of individuals throughout the lifespan. The learner will be introduced to various skills required by individuals in selected age groups through simulation, practice in laboratory and a paediatric teaching-learning experience. Students are expected to work independently to gain an understanding of medical terminology and basic mathematical skills.
56 Hours
In this course, students will engage in effective professional relationships with clients and colleagues. With a focus on communication skills, students will learn to: build therapeutic relationships, provide person-centered care, work within an interprofessional team, and manage conflict within the workplace. These skills will be taught with a sensitivity to diversity, values, beliefs, and cultural practices. Stress management techniques will be reviewed to highlight the importance of self-care when working in healthcare.
42 Hours
This course provides an introduction to the profession of nursing. It explores the philosophy of nursing, nursing theories, the evolution of nursing and the role of nurses in today’s society. Learners are introduced to nursing professionalism, Ontario’s regulatory body for nursing, and the importance of reflective practice in nursing. Learners will examine personal learning styles and teaching and learning. Health and nursing informatics are introduced and learners will gain skills in using electronic databases to find scholarly nursing literature. Nursing research is also introduced, and students have the opportunity to analyze nursing research studies and gain an understanding of the relationship between nursing theory, practice and research.
42 Hours
This course will introduce the learner to the theoretical and conceptual frameworks of health and healthy lifestyles. The dimensions of human needs will be explored with an emphasis on the significance of self-responsibility, culture and the change process.
42 Hours
General Education Courses are selected online each semester by the student from a list provided and exposes students to a related area of study outside of their immediate academic discipline. Certain programs have predetermined electives.
42 Hours
A continuation of Anatomy and Physiology I, this course continues with the study of the major body systems, from the nervous system to the reproductive systems. The unifying themes of the interrelationships of body organ system, homeostasis, and the complementary nature of structure and function will provide the basis for understanding the workings of the human body.
42 Hours
This course further explores the concept of health promotion and health protection with well individuals. Learners will gain basic assessment and nursing skills required to care for the individuals in selected age groups. The course will consist of three components: independent learning, laboratory practice and clinical experience within long-term care agencies.
238 Hours
This course will provide the learner with the skills required to conduct a holistic health assessment for a normal healthy individual during all stages of the lifespan. The concepts of wellness, health promotion, health protection, and client teaching will be integrated throughout the course.
42 Hours
This course will focus on health promotion and health protection strategies for selected individuals across the lifespan related to individuals, families, groups and communities. This course will also examine the evolution of Canada’s health care system.
42 Hours
General Education Courses are selected online each semester by the student from a list provided and exposes students to a related area of study outside of their immediate academic discipline. Certain programs have predetermined electives.
42 Hours
The focus of this course is on the pathophysiology of acute episodic and complex health challenges. The student will study the structural and functional changes that occur in the human body, the causes that lead to the challenges and the manifestations that result.
56 Hours
Using the nursing process this course introduces the learner to the concepts of pharmacology as selected drug groups are studied. The course will emphasize the role and responsibilities of the practical nurse in the administration and monitoring of client medications. This course is also designed to allow the learner to apply basic skills to safely calculate drug dosages.
42 Hours
This course will provide the learner with opportunities to examine the role of the practical nurse when caring for individuals with health challenges. The learner will utilize critical thinking skills to plan and implement holistic nursing care. This experience will take place in the laboratory setting and in a variety of medical-surgical areas.
224 Hours
This course will prepare the learner for entry into the workplace through exploration of leadership, conflict resolution and advocacy. Leadership and management roles within health care will be examined. The process of transition from student to nurse will be explored.
42 Hours
This course will focus on assisting the learner to develop an holistic approach to nursing. A variety of approaches to learning will be utilized and critical thinking strategies will be emphasized as the learner explores the care of individuals and families experiencing and/or predisposed to acute health challenges in a variety of life situations. Synthesis of this knowledge will facilitate appropriate Nursing Management of various health challenges.
56 Hours
Continuing from PN1014, this course focuses on episodic and chronic health challenges. The structural and functional changes and the manifestations that result from alterations in the following body systems will be explored: genitourinary, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, integumentary, sensory and mental health.
42 Hours
This course is a continuation of Pharmacology I. More selected drug groups are studied. The focus of this course is still on the role and responsibilities of the practical nurse in the administration and monitoring of client medications. The mathematical skills to safely calculate drug dosages are still required for this course. This course utilizes experiential learning therefore, classroom activities will focus on the interactions, which take place between and among the learners. The facilitator will guide learning in the role of the expert learner as everyone actively participates in learning activities. To positively contribute to the group process you are expected to come prepared for discussion and discovery. This interactive process requires your attendance for all activities.
30 Hours
In this course the learner will continue to develop a holistic approach to nursing. A variety of approaches to learning will be utilized. Drawing upon knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, physical assessment, the therapeutic nurse-client relationship and clinical experience to date, learners will employ critical thinking skills to better understand the clinical manifestations, diagnostic process, nursing assessment and care of clients who are experiencing selected acute and or chronic mental and physical health challenges, includes individuals, families, groups and communities. Synthesis of this knowledge will facilitate appropriate Nursing Management of various health challenges.
40 Hours
This course will provide the learner with opportunities to examine the role of practical nurse when caring for individuals who require supportive, rehabilitative and palliative care. The learner will also be exposed to individuals with mental health challenges. Critical thinking skills will be refined to plan and implement holistic nursing care. This experience will take place in the laboratory setting and in maternity and mental health areas of focus.
190 Hours
This experience will take place in nursing practice settings, which will be selected through a collaborative approach to meet the student’s learning needs. The experience will consist of one eight-week experience either in an acute care setting or a chronic care setting. The focus will be to consolidate learning and to function independently when caring for clients and their families in situations where the number of variables is limited and the outcome tends to be predictable. During this practicum, the student will work with a preceptor. Upon completion, the learner will be ready to graduate as a beginning caring, competent practitioner.
320 Hours
Articulation Agreements
A number of articulation agreements have been negotiated with universities and other institutions across Canada, North America and internationally. These agreements are assessed, revised and updated on a regular basis. Please contact the program coordinator for specific details if you are interested in pursuing such an option.
Canadian Field of Study/CIP Code List
CIP Code: 51.3901
International students: check the Canadian Field of Study/CIP Code List to see if your program is eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
Career Opportunities
Graduates may find employment opportunities in acute/long term care centres (hospitals – may include critical/intensive care, dialysis, emergency, maternity, medical, mental health, oncology, operating room, recovery, rehabilitation/restore, surgical), clinics/ doctors’ offices, community agencies (home care, long-term care agencies), correctional health care, hospice/palliative care, industry, mental health services, occupational health, public health, street nursing, travel nursing, and more.
Explore labour market information for related careers and employment trend data from the Government of Canada Job Bank.
Work Integrated Learning Opportunities
The Practical Nursing program offers students clinical setting learning opportunities in the hospital setting, followed by a Preceptorship period.
Practical Nursing students will experience group clinical placement on medical, surgical, maternity, and mental health. Students may request the area of preference to complete their final consolidation of their learning during the 8-week preceptorship experience.
Or equivalent
Academic prerequisites for this program may be obtained free of charge through Academic Upgrading.
Applicants who do not have a high school diploma or equivalent and will have reached the age of 19 years on or before the start of the program must undergo academic testing and may be required to complete Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR) process to demonstrate equivalency of admission requirements prior to admission into a program.
For more details, please contact the Admissions Office at 705-235-7222 or admissions@northern.on.ca.
In addition to the admission requirements, international students must have proof of English Proficiency and meet the requirements below.
1. Proof of Senior High School Diploma/Certificate with 65% in each equivalents for Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology.
2. English Proficiency (we will require one of the following):
If your country of citizenship has English as its official language, we may accept alternate proof of English Proficiency.
All educational documents must be submitted in English and will be dependent on the country of citizenship.
For more information, please contact admissions@northern.on.ca.
The following requirements must be submitted prior to the start of the semester or by the date specified in order to be eligible to continue in the program.
On admission to the PN program students must complete and submit all mandatory clinical requirements by the due date of August 15th (some exceptions apply for International students). Students are strongly encouraged to ensure that they initiate the completion of all the mandatory clinical requirements by no later than June 1st to ensure that they avoid potential delays with access to CPR/First Aid training opportunities, medical appointments for Immunization/Communicable Disease Testing Requirements and any necessary vaccines, and processing of the Criminal Reference Check with Vulnerable Sector Screen in order to complete all requirements by the due date.
COVID-19 vaccinations are now required, by all placement agencies, for all students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Practical Nursing and Personal Support Worker programs, in order to be permitted to attend clinical hours.
Students who do not comply with the immunization requirements will not be allowed into the practice settings and as such will not be able to complete the Practicum/clinical placement required for graduation from the program. CPR & WHMIS re- certification, criminal reference checks, Mask Fit and immunization updates are required annually and must be completed prior to August 1st for students to be able to participate in the required clinical placements. Any costs for these requirements will be the responsibility of the applicant.
Students are responsible for the cost of appropriate uniforms and equipment (e.g. stethoscope, watch, pen, etc.) required for the clinical area as well as transportation to clinical placements. Mask fit testing will be provided by the College prior to clinical placement. Upon successful completion of all courses outlined in the program of study (including a minimum of 65% in core Nursing courses), the student is eligible to write the registration exam REx-PN as set out by the College of Nurses of Ontario to obtain their nursing licensure.
Students will be informed of the cost of this examination to be paid to the College of Nurses of Ontario, and it is their responsibility to pay this fee by the designated dates. Resources customized to prepare students to write the REx-PN are embedded within the curriculum of the 2nd year courses, and the cost remains the responsibility of the student.
As of January 1, 2005, the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) requires all applicants for registration or reinstatement from within Canada to provide a recent Canadian Police Information Centre Criminal Record Synopsis (CPIC check) and Vulnerable Sector check as part of the registration process. The CPIC check registration requirement enhances public protection by allowing CNO to identify those who have criminal records that could affect their suitability to practice nursing. Students should also review the CNO document “Requisite Skills and Abilities for Nursing Practice in Ontario [PDF, 180 KB]” for information the skills and abilities that must be demonstrated to become a nurse in Ontario. As noted in this document, applicants who have questions about whether or not they have the requisite skills and abilities to be registered as an RN or RPN should contact the CNO to explore the kinds of supports they might require.
Mask Fit Testing
This program requires that students wear a full-face self-contained breathing air (SCBA) mask and an approved N95 particulate respirator during certain learning situations reflective of safe workplace practice and standards. To successfully complete Mask Fit Testing to wear an SCBA mask and N95 mask, students shall present themselves for fit testing free from interference of hair where the respirator seals to the skin or neck. Students are required to be clean-shaven or have no hair where the mask seals to the skin.
The tuition and fees information is typically updated yearly for the upcoming Academic Year in May. The amounts are for the full academic year.
Amounts may be based on last years tuition and fees and are subject to change.
If you are a current student, please refer to your Student Account or see a Student Services Clerk for the most up-to-date information.
Domestic: $3,400.69
International: $16,158.12
Ancillary fees are paid in full for the entire academic year in the first semester.
The Convocation and Official Documentation Fee (GRA) of $100.00 only applies for the first year of each program.
Please see Detailed Ancillary Fees for more information.
| Ancillary Fees by Campus | Domestic | International |
| Haileybury (HL) | $976.50 | $1,589.00 |
| Kirkland Lake (KL) | $909.50 | $1,522.00 |
| Moosonee (JB) | $590.00 | $1,485.00 |
| Timmins (PC) | $945.50 | $1,558.00 |
| Distance (CK, CH, OL) | $772.50 | N/A |
At Northern College, you’re a part of a community.
From your teachers to support staff and administrators, we are all here to help you get an education and make some lasting connections along the way.
Your success is incredibly important to you, so we provide student supports to help you achieve your goals. From study assistance and accessibility services to mental health supports and financial aid, we’ve got you covered.
Each of Northern’s campuses boasts exercise facilities, a gym, cafeteria, study areas and a library – places that you can go to help keep you focused as you work your way through your studies. The communities we call home are incredible places, filled with amazing people and things to do.
Does Northern College sound like a good fit for you?
Here’s how to take your first steps on your new exciting and rewarding career path.