Practical Nursing is a career-focused program where the student will gain the knowledge, skills and experience required to become a member of the nursing profession and health-care team. The foundational knowledge for practical nursing is based on scientific theory from nursing, the physical and psychosocial sciences and humanities. Person-centred care is learned in context through real-life experiences and career-related work-integrated learning (WIL) experiences. Seniors care is given special attention to meet the needs of an aging population.
Regulatory obligations:
The Nursing Act
The Nursing Act requires that all graduate practical nurses wishing to work in Ontario must be registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario. The Nursing Act also states graduates must not have been convicted of a criminal offence or an offence under the Narcotic Control Act (Canada) or the Food and Drugs Act (Canada). In addition, the Nursing Act identifies a number of other
abilities and requirements that must be met in order to practice nursing in the province of Ontario.
The College of Nurses of Ontario
Graduate practical nurses wishing to register with the College of Nurses of Ontario must sign a declaration of their status regarding: citizenship; permanent residence; immigration; convictions of a criminal offence under the Narcotic Control Act/Food and Drug Act; involvement with respect to professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity in Ontario in another health profession; any mental or physical disorder, which makes it desirable in the public interest that the person not practice nursing. These conditions also apply throughout the program. In preparation to pursuing a nursing career, we encourage all prospective nursing students to carefully consider the
requisite skills and abilities for nursing practice in Ontario outlined by the College of Nurses of Ontario.
The Practical Nursing diploma program at Conestoga is currently approved (Category 1) by the
College of Nurses of Ontario. Current graduates from this program are eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Practical Nurse in Ontario.
Students who successfully complete the program are eligible to write the National Registration examination for registration by the College of Nurses of Ontario as a Registered Practical Nurse. Graduates find employment in nursing homes, acute and chronic care hospitals, residential homes for the older adult, and other community health-care settings.
On average, 88% of graduates from the last three years (2017 to 2019) found employment within six months of graduation.
For more details on related occupations, job market information and career opportunities, see the Government of Canada website:
https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/home