Practical Nursing (PSW to PN Bridging Stream)

The Practical Nursing (PSW to PN Bridging Stream) program at Mohawk College offers a unique opportunity for Personal Support Workers (PSWs) to advance their careers and earn a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) diploma. This hybrid program, designed for study-life balance, combines online theory courses with in-person lab sessions and professional practice placements. Online theory is complemented by mandatory in-person midterm and final exams, while lab-based courses include weekly 2-hour on-campus sessions.

Clinical placements are integral to the program, with shifts scheduled during the week or on weekends, and increase in intensity across the semesters. In Semester 1, students complete two 7-hour shifts per week, progressing to 12-hour shifts in Semesters 2 and 3, and a full 40-hour work week during Semester 4. The program equips students with the skills to assess clients, plan and deliver safe, evidence-informed nursing care, and work collaboratively with health care teams. Graduates are prepared to take the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) exam and practice in a variety of health care settings.

Admission Requirements

• Personal Support Worker Certificate program from an Ontario community college, a private college, career college, or local board of education or an equivalent program.
• English proficiency for applicants where English is not their first language.

What You’ll Learn

• Communicate therapeutically with clients and collaborate effectively with healthcare teams.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments of clients across the lifespan using a holistic approach.
• Plan and deliver safe, competent nursing care based on evidence-informed practices.
• Apply clinical judgment in selecting and performing nursing interventions that promote health, prevent disease, and support rehabilitation or palliation.
• Evaluate the outcomes of nursing interventions and modify care plans as necessary.
• Practice in a professional, ethical manner, adhering to relevant legislation and regulatory standards in diverse healthcare settings.