Key Details
Program Start Dates
January 2025
May 2025
September 2025
January 2026
Please visit Ontario College Application Service to learn more about start dates.
Credential
Ontario College Diploma
Program Duration
4 Semesters / 2 YearsProgram Contacts
Program Coordinator / Professor
Program Overview
Funnel your passion for helping others into a nursing career
Prepare for a career as a registered practical nurse (RPN) with a combination of hands-on training and a strong foundation in nursing theory. Cambrian’s program is approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario (cno.org). Graduates from this program are eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Practical Nurse in Ontario. Our program features smaller class sizes and practical learning in Cambrian’s high-tech nursing labs.
You’ll advance your skills and gain real-world experience by working alongside health care professionals, with over 700 clinical hours in diverse placements in the community. Upon graduation, you can apply to write the CNO registration exam and are eligible to apply to become a registered practical nurse in Ontario.
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.
Program Highlights
Program highlights
- Capped enrolment
- Hands-on training in high-tech nursing labs
- Clinical placements in various settings
- Grads can apply to write the CNO registration exam and apply to become an RPN in Ontario
- Free tuition and funding supplies for eligible Ontario residents through the Learn and Stay Grant
Admissions
Admission requirements
For graduates of the new curriculum (OSS): Ontario Secondary School Diploma (30 credits) or equivalent or mature student status, including:
- Any grade 12 English (C) or (U)
- Any grade 11 (U) or (C) or grade 12 biology (U)
- Any grade 11 (U) or grade 12 chemistry (C) or (U)
- Any grade 11 (C), (U) or (M) or grade 12 mathematics (C) or (U)
Please note: A minimum combined overall average of 70% is required in the prerequisite courses listed above
Note: Cambrian College’s Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees (PHPG) program is the designated preferred preparatory program for admission to Cambrian College’s limited enrolment Health Sciences programs. Limited enrolment programs are identified within the detailed program descriptions. The minimum GPA and grades required for successful admission will be determined by the quality and quantity of the applicant pool.
International Student Admissions
Are you an international student? Learn more about additional requirements.
Learn moreAdditional admission requirements
- Current Basic Cardiac Life Support Certificate Level (HCP) Health Care Provider (must be renewed annually)
- Current Standard First Aid certificate (must be current for entire program)
- Mask testing (for N-95 mask)
- Criminal record check
- WHMIS certification
- Proof of immunization status at registration for the following:
- Two-step TB test
- Immunizations: measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, polio
- Current tetanus – diphtheria vaccination
- Current influenza immunization (when available for season)
- Hepatitis B vaccination
- If born after 1970, must have two measles vaccinations
- Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended but not required
- COVID-19
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.
Recommendations
- Computer competency in relevant software
Academic Upgrading
Are you missing admission requirements? Strengthen your academic skills for free at your own pace through Academic Upgrading!
Program delivery
Program delivery
2024-2025
Winter term start
- Semester 1: Winter 2025
- Semester 2: Spring 2025
- Semester 3: Winter 2026
- Semester 4: Spring 2026
Spring term start
- Semester 1: Spring 2025
- Semester 2: Fall 2025
- Semester 3: Winter 2026
- Semester 4: Spring 2026
2025-2026
Fall term start
- Semester 1: Fall 2025
- Semester 2: Winter 2026
- Semester 3: Fall 2026
- Semester 4: Winter 2027
Winter term start
- Semester 1: Winter 2026
- Semester 2: Spring 2026
- Semester 3: Winter 2027
- Semester 4: Spring 2027
Program of Study
Program of study for 2025-26 Academic Year
Semester 1 | Credits | |
---|---|---|
PND 1001 | Technical Concepts Health Care | 3 |
PND 1105 | Human Relations | 3 |
PND 1015 | Nursing Practice I | 3 |
PND 1003 | Nursing Theory I | 3 |
PND 1004 | Professional Growth I | 3 |
PND 1000 | Health Assessment | 4 |
BIO 1035 | Anatomy and Physiology for Practical Nursing | 3 |
Credits | 22 | |
Semester 2 | ||
PND 1212 | Health Promotion Throughout the Lifespan | 3 |
PND 1213 | Nursing Practice II | 4 |
PND 1008 | Pharmacology I | 3 |
PND 1214 | Clinical Practicum I | 6 |
PTH 1210 | Pathophysiology for Practical Nursing I | 3 |
PND 1215 | Nursing Theory II | 3 |
One General Education Course. 1 | 3 | |
Credits | 25 | |
Semester 3 | ||
PND 1315 | Nursing Practice III | 4 |
PTH 1310 | Pathophysiology for Practical Nursing II | 3 |
PND 1316 | Nursing Theory III | 3 |
PND 1317 | Clinical Practicum II | 6 |
PND 1011 | Pharmacology II | 3 |
ENG 1121 | Research & Writing/Health Sciences | 3 |
One General Education Course. 1 | 3 | |
Credits | 25 | |
Semester 4 | ||
PND 2325 | Professional Growth II | 3 |
IND 1062 | Indigenous Perspectives on Care | 3 |
PND 1410 | Nursing Practice IV | 4 |
PND 1412 | Clinical Consolidation | 12 |
One General Education Course. 1 | 3 | |
Credits | 25 | |
Total Credits | 97 |
- 1
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For more information regarding General Education courses, click here.
Fees
Tuition Cost
Important Notice
Fees presented are estimates based on projections for future academic year(s) of study. Actual fees charged may differ from what is published here. A full detailed listing of all fees is available in myCambrian and updated annually no later than May 1 for the following academic year. Students in Academic Upgrading are responsible for any fees listed on their invoice each term.
Tuition and ancillary fees
Please see our fees page for the breakdown of tuition and mandatory ancillary fees by program and semester for both domestic and international students.
Books and supplies
Books and supplies may be required at the course level over and above what is estimated above. Please consult your professor/instructor for further information.
College may be more affordable than you think!
Have you said, “school can wait another year”? Don’t sacrifice your future any longer – you can do it!
Whether it’s fear, financial reasons, or something else that is impacting your decision to start school, we’re here to listen to you and help in any way we can!
Work-integrated learning (WIL)
Take your education beyond the classroom!
Cambrian programs blend academic learning, hands-on training, and community involvement opportunities to help you achieve your ultimate goal – your dream career. You’ll have the opportunity to apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios within and outside of the classroom through work-integrated learning. Whether it be a capstone project, co-op, practicum, preceptorship component, or placement, you’ll benefit from a practical, job-related experience before you graduate.
Learn more about previous opportunities in this program and more!
Health Sciences North – This placement offered students the opportunity to gain practical work experience where they used clinical knowledge and skills to apply the nursing process through the experience of providing safe, effective, and quality care to clients and their families.
Extendicare York – In this placement, students applied communication techniques to elicit comprehensive health histories, developed interviewing skills, formulated initial nursing plans using the nursing process, and performed physical examinations to evaluate health status.
Field of Study
School of Nursing
Do you have the compassionate nature and critical thinking skills needed to excel in the field of nursing? Cambrian offers a wide range of programs that provide you with the bedrock to succeed as a nursing professional, from basic training as a personal support worker to mastering the talents of an exceptionally qualified registered nurse with a BScN degree.
Program specific pathways
Graduates from this program (or equivalent) could be eligible for advanced standing in the Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and receive direct entry into year three. Students looking to take advantage of this pathway, must complete the PN to RN Bridge program prior to requesting admission to the Nursing degree program.
Career Outcomes
Need a career coach?
Explore how this program can lead to a great career! Cambrian’s Career Coach platform is a user-friendly, online tool that provides up-to-date and comprehensive labour market data to help you explore career options, salary expectations for the Greater Sudbury region, and more!
See where you'll be learning!
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
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.
Bring your own device (BYOD)
Cambrian College has implemented a BYOD principle to both enrich the student learning experience in and out of the classroom and to ensure flexibility!
Ready to take the first step?
Start gaining the highest level of skills at Cambrian now – and you’ll be ready to take advantage of the many career opportunities waiting for you just around the corner. The future is yours!
Have Questions? We are here to help.
If you have any questions about programs, funding, OSAP, deadlines, student services, or anything else, reach out to our support team and we are happy to help!