Sheridan’s Practical Nursing diploma program equips you with the skills you need to enter the growing field of nursing. Upon graduation from the four-semester program, you'll be ready to write the national certification exam and upon successful completion, be registered as a practical nurse by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO).
Fast-tracking is available as the program is offered on a continuous schedule and all four semesters can be completed within a 16 month period.
Your Practical Nursing training teaches you everything you need to know to begin your career, including how to:
- Assist and educate clients with nutrition, elimination, medication, safety, ambulation and hygiene
- Chart patients' progress and assess their conditions
- Care for wounds, change dressings and give medication
- Guide patients on their return to health
- Care for patients as disease progresses and through palliative stages
The Practical Nursing Program is delivered by highly qualified master's-credentialed RNs who have extensive specialized experience in maternity care, emergency response, mental health, medical/surgical intervention and long-term care facilitation. All are excellent educators.
Some courses offer an online component and require one week in class and one week out of class with independent online assignments. Approximately 25% of your courses are lab courses held in our state-of-the-art clinic complete with simulation mannequins that can be programmed to display various symptoms by computers with medical software applications. Digital cameras and other clinical teaching supports provide innovative alternatives to traditional methods of instruction.
Domestic and International Practica Opportunities
As a Practical Nursing student, you'll be provided with extensive experiential learning in your 360-hour practicum during your final semester in the program. Every effort is made to arrange this pre-grad within a 150 km radius of the campus. An exciting alternative can be pursued on a global front if you choose to apply for an international placement in Central America and/or South America, Asia, Europe or Africa or in the Canadian north.
Additional Costs
You should expect to spend approximately $550 to cover textbooks and additional miscellaneous costs.
The Practical Nursing Program is located at the Davis Campus in Brampton, Ontario.
Sheridan on your résumé means excellence to employers. When you complete your Practical Nursing diploma program at Sheridan, you'll be ready to join a multidisciplinary health care team in any setting where nursing is practiced. These include:
- Primary, secondary and tertiary care hospitals
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Long-term care facilities
- Community agencies
- Independent practices
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Medical equipment companies
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent, including these required courses:
- One English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or ENG4U)
plus
- One Mathematics, Grade 12 (C or U) with a minimum of 70%
- Biology, Grade 11 (C or U)
- Chemistry, Grade 12 (C or U) or Chemistry, Grade 11 (U)
or
Mature student status. (See "Admissions" section for details.)
Applicants who do not possess the necessary admission requirements (or equivalency) are encouraged to consider our General Arts and Science (GAS) - Health Profile Program which will provide the necessary preparation to apply to this program. However, completion of the GAS - Health Profile Program does not guarantee admission to the Practical Nursing Program in a subsequent year.
APPLICANT SELECTION
Eligible applicants will be selected on the basis of their previous academic achievement (the average of their six highest senior-level credits, including required courses).
Applicants will be required to complete pre-admission testing to demonstrate proficiency.
Applicants who do not meet the admission requirements for this program will be assessed and advised individually and may be considered for other, related programs.
CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK AND IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS
Sheridan field placement agencies require a police record check for vulnerable sector persons and a current acceptable record of immunization. Students will be required to provide this documentation directly to their field placement prior to the start of the placement and at their own expense. Students who cannot meet these requirements may have limited field placement opportunities. A blank immunization form can be found at http://healthforms.sheridancollege.ca
PREPARATION FOR APPLICATION
Prior to commencing the practicum, and at individual expense, students must obtain a certification in CPR Level C and Standard First Aid for adults, children and infants.
For Your Information
Before undertaking this program, you should be aware that under the provisions of the Regulated Health Profession and Nursing Acts, to qualify to write the RPN registration exams, you must:
- Be a Canadian citizen, or a permanent resident of Canada or be authorized under the Immigration Act
*Course duration for September starts is two academic years. Course duration for January and May starts is 16 months continuous.
| CODE |
TITLE |
CREDITS |
| |
|
|
| TERM 1 |
|
|
| NURS 17013 |
The Self and The Profession
|
3 |
| NURS 19469 |
Fundamentals of Practical Nursing |
3 |
| HEAL13672 |
Lab 1 |
3 |
SCIE 15288
|
Human Anatomy and Physiology for Nurses 1
|
3 |
| COMM 19999 |
Essential Communication Skills |
3 |
MATH 16532
|
Pharmacy Math
|
3 |
| |
|
|
| Total: |
|
18 |
| |
|
|
| TERM 2 |
|
|
NURS 14178
|
Nursing Care 1
|
3 |
HEAL 20036
|
Health Assessment
|
3 |
NURS 27721
|
Nursing Clinical 2
|
6
|
PHAR 15288
|
Pharmacology for Nurses 1
|
3 |
SCIE 20049
|
Human Anatomy and Physiology for Nurses 2
|
3 |
| GNED |
General Education Elective
|
3 |
| NURS 10082 |
Lab 2
|
3
|
| Total: |
|
24 |
| |
|
|
| TERM 3 |
|
|
NURS 24998
|
Issues and Trends |
3 |
NURS 20009
|
Nursing Care 2
|
3 |
PHAR 37900
|
Pharmacology for Nurses 2
|
3 |
NURS 24717
|
Nursing Clinical 3
|
6
|
| GNED |
General Education Elective |
3 |
| NURS 28263 |
Lab 3 |
3 |
| Total: |
|
21 |
| |
|
|
| TERM 4 |
|
|
NURS 23921
|
The Realities of Practice
|
2
|
NURS 26367
|
Family Care Nursing
|
2
|
NURS 21323
|
Mental Health Nursing
|
2
|
NURS 20172
|
Lab 4
|
1
|
| GNED |
General Education Elective
|
3
|
NURS 20065
|
Pre-graduate Clinical
|
10
|
| NURS 25142 |
Nursing Clinical 4 |
4 |
| Total: |
|
24 |
Note: Courses subject to change.