Practical Nursing - 715

Ontario College Diploma
Two years
OSAP Checkmark OSAP Eligible
Become a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) and pursue an exciting health care career that offers diverse opportunities.

Program Highlights

  • Collaborative learning environment where you and your peers will experience simulated and real-life opportunities in state-of-the-art labs.
  • Online theory classes, with onsite midterms and finals, to support study-life balance.
  • Complete the program in 16 consecutive months and have a variety of academic pathways for further education and training.

The Practical Nurse Program at Mohawk College is approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario. Current graduates from this program are eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Practical Nurse in Ontario. 

 

What you'll learn

  • Interact with faculty members who provide structure and act as facilitators through consultation, assisting with group collaborative activities and providing feedback.
  • Acquire the professional knowledge, skills, accountability and responsibility for nursing practice through curriculum that is grounded in the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) RPN Entry-to-Practice Competencies.

Program Length

16 calendar months (continuous over 4 semesters)


Discover the Institute for Applied Health Sciences at McMaster

The Institute for Applied Health Sciences (IAHS) is located in West Hamilton on the McMaster campus. The IAHS campus is where the majority (but not all) of our health programs are taught. Learn more about the IAHS:

Join us at Open House from April 6 - April 11

Come and explore our campuses, meet with faculty and staff and learn about the many student services and supports available to Mohawk students to help you succeed.
 

Register today!


We're here to help

We’re here for you to support applications and admissions by providing online and virtual service.

 

Applied and have questions?
The admissions team is available to help, you can contact them via Admissions or by phone at 1-844-767-6871.

 

Haven’t applied and need help?
Contact us or phone 905-575-2460.


Program delivery

Learn about program delivery terms.

 

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Admission

Equal Consideration Fall:  February 1
Equal Consideration Winter:  June 1
Equal Consideration Spring: October 1


Academic Requirements

  • OSSD or equivalent (Mohawk Academic Upgrading, GED) including:

    • Grade 12 English, C or U or equivalent
    • Grade 11 or 12 Mathematics, C, M or U level (M or U recommended)
    • 2 Grade 11 or 12 Sciences, C or U level in biology, chemistry, or physics
  • 85% - 88% recommended cumulative average in the required courses to be competitive

Language Requirements for Internationally Educated Students:

  • See below for accepted equivalents for Grade 12 English: 
    • Successful completion of GAS-EAP (478) Program Level 8
    • TOEFL minimum score of 560 (83 Internet based)
    • or IELTS Academic minimum score of 6.5 overall with no band less than 6.0
    • CAEL 70, no sub-test band score less than 60
    • PTE Academic 60 overall with a minimum score of 60 in Writing and Speaking 

Options are available for mature applicants.

Don't have the necessary requirements?

Tuition and Fees

2023 - 2024 Domestic Tuition and Fees

DescriptionSemester 1Semester 2Semester 3
Compulsory Ancillary Fees$864.60$758.46$605.12
Co-op FeesN/AN/AN/A
Compulsory Program Fees$350.30$113.00$86.00
Domestic Tuition$1,661.81$1,661.81$1,661.81
Total Domestic Charges Per Semester$2,876.71$2,533.27$2,352.93
Total 1st Year Fees$7,762.91

Above fees based on full-time September program start date. Contact Student Services to confirm fees for other start dates or semesters.


2023 - 2024 International Tuition and Fees

DescriptionSemester 1Semester 2Semester 3
Total Tuition & Ancillary Fee$8,875.00$8,875.00$8,875.00
Co-op FeesN/AN/AN/A
Program Compulsory Fees$350.30$113.00$86.00
International Tax Recovery$450.00$375.00$375.00
Total International Per Semester$9,675.30$9,363.00$9,336.00
Total 1st Year Fees$28,374.30

If you pay by wire transfer, please note your bank might charge you a fee to transfer money. Make sure your transfer includes the Mohawk payment and the wire transfer fee. This applies to each wire transfer payment you make.

Additional Information

Financial Assistance

When it comes to paying for your education, investing in your future can be more affordable than you think. A Mohawk education is one of the most cost-effective means of acquiring the skills and knowledge you need to have a prosperous and rewarding career. 

As you start on your chosen career path, it's important to have a realistic set of expectations regarding the expenses associated with attending college. In addition to your tuition fees, you will also need to budget for books, supplies, housing, and other related living expenses. You may be able to supplement your income and savings with scholarships, bursaries, or loans. It pays to do some research into what types of financial assistance you may qualify for.

Available Financial Assistance Resources:

Apply for Awards:

By submitting a Scholarships and Bursaries Application every semester, students have access to over $3 million in Mohawk College scholarships, bursaries and Ministry-partnered funding to help meet their financial needs.

Financial Literacy and Money Coaching:

Whether saving for school, sticking to a budget, or planning for a major purchase, financial literacy affects us all. That's why Mo' Money is committed to helping our students improve their money skills and become more confident with their money.

Course Overview & Descriptions

Click on the course title for a course description.

Experiential Learning

How you'll gain skills

  • Apply concepts from nursing and related disciplines to your experiences in the classroom, laboratory and clinical placement.
  • Through simulation using both high-tech equipment and standardized patients.
  • Foster social responsibility and leadership through a Service Learning opportunity.

Pre-clinical requirements

All accepted applicants are required to complete certain requirements prior to clinical placement and are responsible for the associated costs. Details about pre-placement requirements will be emailed to you once you accept your offer of admission.

To be eligible for field/clinical placement, you must not have been convicted of any offence for which you have not been pardoned.

Professional Practice placements

Clinical placements may occur at locations that are not accessible by public transit. Students should expect to either have access to a car or the ability to supply their own transportation when attending clinical placements in our catchment area that includes Hamilton, Brantford, Halton, Niagara, Norfolk, Haldimand, Dunnville, Peel, Wellington, and surrounding areas.

Placements are assigned using randomization software based on placement options and students indicating preferences. Unfortunately, not everyone gets placed where they want as it is not logistically possible. We do not move students after the randomization process has been completed.  

Students are responsible for their own travel and costs to clinical placements.

Students who miss the first 2 weeks of clinical placement (for any reason) will be removed from placement and the co-requisite courses.  There are mandatory onboarding sessions during weeks 1 and 2 of clinical placement that cannot be rescheduled if missed.

For more information regarding the Practical Nursing clinical placement, please contact the diana.powell [at] mohawkcollege.ca (clinical placement specialist).

Successful completion of Professional Practice

Successful completion of Professional Practice clinical placement is a requirement for graduation from the Practical Nursing program. Professional Practice is an academic requirement across all semesters of the program. Agencies that provide placement opportunities require you to have a clear Police Records Check for Service with the Vulnerable Sector (PRCSVS). As such, to be eligible for placement, you must submit proof of a clear PRCSVS, which will be retained on your departmental file and used only for purposes related to your placement.

If you register in the program without a clear PRCSVS, and, as a result, are unable to participate in placement, you will not be able to progress in the program. A Clear PRCVS, completed within last 6 months and valid for full upcoming semester is required.

Preclearance requirements:

Please note that all requirements below must be valid for the full upcoming semester in order to start your clinical placement.

  • Clear PRCVS, completed within last 6 months and valid for full upcoming semester
  • Immunizations - Tdap, Varicella, Hep B, MMR
  • Tuberculin skin test
  • Flu (Recommended, mandatory in some clinical settings)
  • COVID-19 Vaccine (third vaccination dose mandatory in some clinical settings)
  • Standard first aid and CPR-Level BLS/HCP
  • Mask fit
  • WSIB Consent Links 
  • Fire safety
  • WHMIS
  • AODA
  • Workplace violence and workplace harassment
  • Worker health and safety awareness in 4 Steps - BILL 18
  • Student consent and waiver for clinical placements

To learn more, please visit the Centre for Experiential Learning. 

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes, often referred to as ‘Program Standards', set out the essential learning that a student must achieve before being deemed ready to graduate.

In many cases these program learning outcomes were developed by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) in consultation with employers and educators who are experts in the program field. To ensure the outcomes remain current and in line with industry needs, we invite our employers, graduates working in the field and current students to re-examine and update them during regular, ongoing program review focus groups.

Career Opportunities

Your future career options

  • Registered Practical Nurse

Where you could work includes:

  • Hospitals, Physicians’ Offices, Retirement Homes, Community Agencies, and Long-Term Care Homes
  • Research and Policy, Occupational Health
  • Business and Industry: Corrections/Forensics, Laser and Cosmetic Clinics, Pharmaceuticals for Health Care Products
  • Foot Care, and Private Duty Nurse

Opportunities for grads

  • Upon graduation and successful completion of the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) licensing exams, you will become a member of this regulated profession.
  • Membership with the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (RPNAO).

Educational Pathways

 

Pathways to Mohawk 

If you've successfully taken a course at another post-secondary institution, you may be able to earn course exemptions toward your credential here at Mohawk.
 

Pathways within Mohawk

If you have successfully completed one of the following programs at Mohawk, you may be eligible to receive transfer credit in this program. *

We offer a diverse range of programs to further your studies within Mohawk following completion of this program. * 

Once registered with the CNO, numerous certifications can be obtained through Mohawk Continuing Education (CE) including pediatric, perioperative and mental health nursing, as well as applied footcare management.

This Pathways map shows how the identified program can lead to future program choices within Mohawk.


Pathways beyond Mohawk

See ontransfer.ca for additional opportunities at other colleges or universities in Ontario.

Search the Mohawk Transfer Database for opportunities outside of Ontario.

Additional Information

  • In preparation to pursue a nursing career, we encourage all prospective nursing students to carefully consider the requisite skills and abilities for nursing practice in Ontario outlined by the College of Nurses of Ontario
  • The waitlist for SNP is integrated with the IAHS campus waitlist
  • Effective January 2005, the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) requires all applicants for registration or reinstatement from within Canada to provide a recent Police Criminal Record Check (PCRC) as part of the registration process
  • Good working knowledge of computers including Microsoft Office applications recommended
  • This program may require students to bring their own mobile computer devices (BYOD) to classes
  • The Practical Nursing program is not offered on a part-time basis
  • Is Nursing For You? (Opens PDF, 176 kb)

Technical requirements for courses in the PN Program

Minimum technical and software requirements for Online Learning courses.

Computer and Internet Connection:
You will need regular access to a computer with an internet connection. High speed broadband access (LAN, Cable or DSL) is highly recommended for the optimal learning experience. Some courses have more advanced system requirements.


Software:
Individual courses may have additional software requirements. This may include video or audio playing software or a specific software application.

  • Most courses require word processing software.
  • In some instances, it may be necessary for some users to upgrade their Flash or Java versions.

The following items are also be required for some courses:

  • Speakers/Headphones.
  • Web Camera and Microphone.

pncoordinator [at] mohawkcollege.ca (Contact the Program Coordinators)

  • hazel.santos [at] mohawkcollege.ca (Hazel Santos) - Academic Coordinator 
  • jennifer.stockdale [at] mohawkcollege.ca (Jennifer Stockdale) - Academic Coordinator
  • wendy.pomponio [at] mohawkcollege.ca (Wendy Pomponio) - Academic Coordinator
  • holly.cowan [at] mohawkcollege.ca (Holly Cowan) - Lab Coordinator
  • michelle.murray4 [at] mohawkcollege.ca (Michelle Murray) - Lab Coordinator
  • maria.riva [at] mohawkcollege.ca (Maria Riva) - Professional Practice Coordinator
  • nicole.day [at] mohawkcollege.ca (Nicole Day) - Professional Practice Coordinator

Faculty

Contact us

Domestic Canadian Students

Contact Student Recruitment
Haven’t applied yet and have questions?
Contact our Student Recruitment team for information on programs, how to apply, and more.

Contact Admissions
Contact our Admissions advisors for help with your application.
Contact Admissions
Phone: 1-844-767-6871

International Students

Contact International Student Recruitment
Contact our International Student Recruitment team for information on programs, how to apply, and student life.
Contact International
Email: intl.representatives@mohawkcollege.ca
Phone: 1-905-575-2254
Toll free phone numbers:
For general questions: 1-888-Mohawk9 (1-888-664-2959)
North China: 10-800-714-2521
South China: 10-800-140-2541
Brazil: 0800-022-7408
Philippines: 180011102544

Contact International Admissions
Contact our Admissions advisors for help with your application.
Contact International Admissions
Phone: 1-905-575-2254

*Not all programs are international eligible. Please see our programs available for international students.

Accessible Learning Services

Are you a student with a confirmed or suspected disability? Visit our Accessible Learning Services website to discover how we can help you.

Canadian Domestic Students

Institute for Applied Health Sciences at McMaster (IH)
May 2024
Waitlist
Sep 2024
Open
Jan 2025
Open
May 2025
Open
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