Canadian Student applying to the Practical Nursing Programs?

Pipnurse · Dec 11, 2014

To apply to Ontario colleges you need to apply through The Application Service for Ontario's Public Colleges | ontariocolleges.ca, I believe the fee is $85 to apply to 5 college programs. Most colleges you will have opportunities to complete the additional certifications throughout your program, some are provided (in my case maskfit), some are at an additional cost. The requirement is that you have those qualifications when you graduate, or in some cases prior to clinical experience. The biggest thing when applying is ensuring you have the prerequisite courses and no criminal record. Having helped out at the hospital will really help you when you go to get a job too :) they LOVE volunteer experience.

Hope that helps.

wellthatsnice · Dec 12, 2014

Hello wellthatsnice!
To apply to Ontario colleges you need to apply through The Application Service for Ontario's Public Colleges | ontariocolleges.ca, I believe the fee is $85 to apply to 5 college programs. Most colleges you will have opportunities to complete the additional certifications throughout your program, some are provided (in my case maskfit), some are at an additional cost. The requirement is that you have those qualifications when you graduate, or in some cases prior to clinical experience. The biggest thing when applying is ensuring you have the prerequisite courses and no criminal record. Having helped out at the hospital will really help you when you go to get a job too :) they LOVE volunteer experience.
Hope that helps.

Thank you so much for your reply! You've just took so much weights from my shoulders. :)

loriangel14, RN · Dec 13, 2014

You will need the mask fit testing and first aid plus all the shots required before you start the program.

Pipnurse · Dec 13, 2014

Oh, perhaps the requirments are different for different schools? I attended Loyalist College in Belleville Ontario starting in '12. As we were not in a clinical setting until the second semester they helped organise our first aid so everyone attended the same group, after we had started our studies... but prior to attending our first clinical rotation. Also, I agree get your shots early, especially the 2 step TB test, they take some time to complete. Our mask fit testing was actually done in a lab class and was included in our lab fees.

I guess if you want to be sure contact the school you are interested in. I have always found staff very helpful and supportive. Never hurts to ask to be 100% sure :)

Pipnurse · Dec 13, 2014

Also, it might be helpful for you to read the CNO's document Requisite Skills and Abilities for Nursing Practice in Ontario

Get used to reading documents from the CNO... you'll be doing a lot of it lol