Northern College is a member of the Northern Partners in Practical Nursing Education (NPPNE). As one of the seven colleges in the consortium, Northern College delivers the current diploma program standards that meet the requirements of the national PN registration examination.

Note: Revisions may be made to the program format and curriculum as a result of the College’s collaboration within the Northern Partners in Practical Nursing Education (NPPNE).

Northern’s Practical Nursing program holds as its philosophy a set of beliefs and values based on five key concepts: the client, health, caring, nursing, and the role that teaching and learning play in enabling individuals and their families and groups to achieve health outcomes. These concepts are derived from the scope of practice described in the Nursing Act 1991 and are interrelated, interdependent and integrated throughout the curriculum.

Registered Practical Nurses work with individuals, families and groups (autonomously or in consultation with nursing and other team members) to plan, implement, and evaluate outcomes-based nursing care, services and programs that promote health and rehabilitation, prevent injury and disease, maintain and restore health, and provide palliation.

Employment Opportunities

Graduates of this program may find employment opportunities in practice settings, such as: acute care centers (hospitals), community agencies, industry, prisons, business, mental health services, clinics, medical centers, long-term care agencies and nursing homes, traveling health agencies.

Admission Requirements

Note: This program is oversubscribed and receives more than enough qualified applicants to fill the seats available. Applicants accepted into oversubscribed programs confirm their offer and pay their fees early to reserve a place in the program.

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
Grade 12 English (C, M, U)
Grade 11 or 12 Biology (C, M, U)
Grade 11 or 12 Chemistry (C, M, U)
Grade 11 Math (C, M, U)
Minimum overall average of 60% (average of all pre-requisite courses combined) Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office (word processing, spreadsheets), web search engines and e-mail systems is required. Students may assess whether or not they meet the computer proficiency expectations for this program by taking the free online assessment at www.northernc.on.ca/admissions/tool.html.

Or equivalent.

Or mature student status (an applicant who does 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). Mature students must undergo academic testing prior to admission into a program and must demonstrate equivalency with admission requirements. Call the Admissions Office at 705-235-7222 for more details.

Note: Northern College does not offer academic testing for the Science equivalencies.

Graduates of Northern’s two-semester Pre-Health program will be accepted into the Practical Nursing program.

Other Requirements for Admission to Clinical

• Physician’s medical report as per guide supplied by the College
• Proof of current immunization*, including Hepatitis B; 2-step Mantoux (with follow-up chest x-ray if the Mantoux test is positive), flu vaccine.
• Current Basic Cardiac Life Support Certificate (C.P.R. – C with HCP content) Standard First Aid Certificate (or equivalent)
• WHMIS Certificate (may be obtained at a minimal cost through the College)
• A recent criminal reference check – Ontario Education Services Corporation (OESC) - (within 3 months) is required prior to the start of classes in September.***

* Note: 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 required for graduation from the program.

* Note: 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 required for graduation from the program.

**Note: CPR re-certification, criminal reference checks and immunization updates are required annually and must be completed prior to the start of classes each fall for students to be able to participate in required clinical placements.

***Note: To be eligible for participation in clinical practice, students must not have been convicted of any criminal offence for which that person has not been pardoned. An unpardoned criminal record will result in inability to participate in clinical practice courses and will prevent the student from graduating.

Note: Any costs for these tests/certifications 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 practicum placements. Mask fit testing will be provided by the College prior to clinical practice. Upon successful completion of all courses outlined in the program of study, the student is eligible to write the examination for Registered Practical Nurse credentialing as set out by the College of Nurses of Ontario. Students will be informed of the cost of this examination and it is their responsibility to pay this fee by the designated dates. Beginning in 2009, a pre-registration exam predictor test will be administered to fourth-semester students two months prior to graduation. The cost of the predictor test will be 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) 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.

Note: A criminal record may impede your ability to write the National Registration Exams required for nursing employment in Canada.

Program of Studies

Semester I
BI1003 Anatomy and Physiology I
CM1913-B Communications I
PN1003 Nursing Theory I
PN1004 Nursing Practice I
PN1013 Professional Growth I
PS1163 Developmental Psychology
PN1033 Human Relationships
Elective (3 credits)/p>

Semester II
BI2013 Anatomy and Physiology II
CM2913-B Communications II
PN2004 Nursing Theory II
PN2012 Nursing Practice II
PN2023 Health Assessment
PS1004 Introduction to Psychology

Semester III
PN1014 Pathophysiology I
PN1022 Pharmacology I
PN2002 Professional Growth II
PN3003 Nursing Theory III
PN3016 Nursing Practice III

Semester IV
PN2013 Pathophysiology II
PN2022 Pharmacology II
PN4004 Nursing Theory IV
PN4016 Nursing Practice IV
PN5010 Nursing Practice V

For program information:
Porcupine Campus
Mireille Walsh
Program Coordinator
705-235-3211 ext. 2285
walshm@northern.on.ca

Kirkland Lake and Haileybury campuses
Kathy Whelan
Program Coordinator
705-567-9291 ext. 737
whelank@northern.on.ca