FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions for Practical Nursing

What is the Learn and Stay Grant?

The Ontario government has announced that students who enroll in select healthcare programs will be eligible for free tuition through the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant. To be eligible, you must successfully apply and enroll in the program and be a resident of Ontario who is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person.

This is a limited initiative, but eligible Practical Nursing students who enroll in the Practical Nursing program at the Pembroke Campus for the Fall 2024 and Winter 2025 intake can take advantage of the grant.

You can learn more about the Learn and Stay Grant here.

What documents do students need to submit to the College to complete their clinical field placements?

All Practical Nursing students must submit several documents – See the Clinical Replacement Requirements page for more information.

  • Proof of a clear Police Records Check for Service in the Vulnerable Sector (PRCSVS)
  • Immunization Records, 2-step TB testing & Immunity Blood Work

Do I have to have a clear criminal records check to be eligible to complete my clinical field placement?

Yes. Health care is a vulnerable sector and therefore all applicants to the Practical Nursing program are required to provide the college with a clear criminal record check at the beginning of the semester. Without a clear criminal records check, students will not be able to participate in clinical placements and will not be able to graduate from the program. SEE THE CLINICAL PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS for more information.

How do students obtain the CPR Certification required for the program?

A current Standard First Aid and CPR Level “C” certificate are required by your second week of classes. Algonquin College in Pembroke is offering some First Aid/CPR-C training courses.

Why does the college require applicants to write the Algonquin College Health Program Admissions Test (AC-HPAT)?

The AC-HPAT is intended to assist the college with its admission of Practical Nursing applicants. In addition, to have the academic requirements for the program (English, Math, Biology and Chemistry), this test helps to assess the applicants’ problem-solving and analytical skills. Since these are key attributes of being a Registered Practical Nursing, the results of this test are considered in the admission of applicants to the program.

What types of materials do I need to purchase outside of my textbooks in preparation for the fall semester?

You are required to purchase a nursing lab kit. This can be purchased through the College Connections store online at the following cost:

Will I get a choice in where I complete my clinical placements?

Not necessarily. While students are allowed to make requests for their placements, the College cannot guarantee that these requests will be met. The College works with its local health-care partners to provide clinical learning experiences, but there is a limit on how many students can be placed with some health-care organizations.

Can I receive advanced standing for my Practical Nursing education should I want to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree?

Yes. There is a bridging program available to Practical Nursing graduates that allows them to receive advanced standing in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program; however, this bridging program is not available at the Pembroke Campus. Seats are limited in the program, and students must still have the pre-admission requirements for the BScN program.

Once I have completed the Practical Nursing program do I have to complete the Nursing Registration Exam?

Yes. The Nursing Registration Exam is overseen by The College of Nurses of Ontario (the College) is the regulatory body for nursing in Ontario. Its mission is to regulate nursing in the public interest. The College sets the requirements for becoming a nurse in Ontario and the standards of practice that must be met to maintain that designation. Only a person with a valid Certificate of Registration from the College can practice as a nurse in Ontario and use the protected titles nurse Registered Practical Nurse (RPN). In four of the past five years, our Practical Nursing graduates have had a 100% pass rate on their provincial nursing exams through the College of Nurses. Source: see page 22 of the most recent Provincial Exam Results.