College Diploma - Practical Nursing

The Practical Nursing diploma is a two-year program leading toward registration as a Registered Practical Nurse in Ontario.

Coursework covers anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology and safe medication administration, health assessment and clinical skills, nursing care across the lifespan, medical-surgical nursing, mental health and gerontological nursing, maternal and child health, infection prevention and control, and professional practice and ethics, with clinical placements in hospitals, long-term care and community settings.

The RPN scope in Ontario is substantial, and long-term care and home care are in severe staffing shortage. RPN also bridges: several Ontario universities offer RPN-to-BScN pathways with credit for this diploma. Note the campus difference: Practical Nursing at Newnham requires IELTS 6.0, while the same program at King requires 6.5 — if your English score is between the two, the campus you choose matters.

Placement requires a police vulnerable sector check and, in most settings, immunisation records and CPR certification. Students who cannot clear these cannot be placed, so arrange them early.

This leads toward a regulated profession in Ontario. Graduating is not the same as being licensed: registration with the relevant Ontario college and a certification examination follow graduation. Confirm the current pathway for internationally educated applicants before you apply.

Newnham is Seneca’s largest campus, on Finch Avenue East in North York, with its own residence, library, athletic centre and specialised technical labs. It sits on the TTC network with subway connections, and carries the bulk of Seneca’s business, technology and engineering catalogue — which means the widest range of student clubs, services and peers of any Seneca site.

Seneca Polytechnic — formerly Seneca College — is one of Ontario’s largest public colleges and a Designated Learning Institution. Newnham is its biggest campus, on Finch Avenue East in North York, and carries the bulk of Seneca’s business, technology, engineering technology, aviation and applied science catalogue. It has its own residence, a large library and athletic centre, and sits on the TTC network with connections to the subway.

Its field maps to CIP 51.3901 (Licensed practical nursing). Important: this is a college credential rather than a degree, so it is not exempt from the November 2024 PGWP field-of-study restriction — eligibility depends on this CIP field appearing on IRCC’s eligible list when you apply. Seneca publishes a PGWP-eligible program list; check it, and confirm with an Apply Study Visa counsellor before committing. IRCC makes the final decision.