Practical Nursing

Algonquin College’s Practical Nursing Ontario College Diploma program prepares students to become skilled and compassionate healthcare professionals ready to meet the diverse needs of patients across the lifespan. Through a balanced combination of classroom learning, lab practice, and applied clinical experience, students develop core competencies in assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing care. The program emphasizes evidence-informed practice, critical thinking, and therapeutic communication while fostering professional, ethical, and equitable care within a team-based healthcare environment.

Students gain valuable hands-on experience in Algonquin’s state-of-the-art Simulation Lab, where realistic patient-care scenarios help build confidence before clinical placements in hospitals, long-term care homes, and community settings. Graduates leave the program prepared to adapt to a variety of healthcare environments, contribute to safe and healthy workplaces, and engage in socially responsible nursing practice. Upon completion, they are equipped with the knowledge and skills required to write the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE) and become licensed with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) as Registered Practical Nurses.

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent.

What You’ll Learn

• Core nursing skills, including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient care across the lifespan.
• Therapeutic communication and teamwork within diverse healthcare settings.
• Safe, evidence-informed interventions and clinical decision-making in hospitals, long-term care, and community environments.
• Professional, ethical, and socially responsible nursing practices, including preparation for licensure with the College of Nurses of Ontario.