Skip to main page content

Training & Career Advancement

Personal Support Worker to Practical Nursing Pathway

The Personal Support Worker to Practical Nursing Pathway is a bridging program and consists of tailored courses designed to provide flexible learning options for working Personal Support Workers interested in bridging their education to gain admission to a Practical Nursing Ontario College Diploma program.

Nurse student practising on dummy patient.

Interested Personal Support Workers should:

  1. Review the Eligibility Requirements for this pathway program.
  2. Once finished all 6 pathway courses, apply to the PSPN program through ontariocolleges.ca.
  3. Graduates of the approved Practical Nursing programs are eligible to apply to the College of Nurses of Ontario to write the registration exam to practice in Ontario as a Registered Practical Nurse.

Embark on a rewarding career with abundant job prospects. The development of these courses was made possible by the Ontario government's Nursing Program Transformation in Ontario Colleges initiative.

Pathway Eligibility

Individuals who are working as Personal Support Workers and want to pursue the Practical Nursing Ontario College Diploma program should consider completing this pathway program.

This pathway can be completed by Personal Support Workers with the following criteria:

  • Completion of a Personal Support Worker program in Ontario that meets the Ontario Ministry of Colleges & Universities program standards with a 65% overall average
  • Worked as a Personal Support Worker in Ontario within the last five years
  • Complete the FREEM-9030 Introduction to the PSW to Practical Nursing Pathway course

PSW to Practical Nursing Pathway Courses

Before you register, complete the Introduction to the PSW to Practical Nursing Pathway (FREEM-9030) course.

Pathway Courses

14 Weeks $410.02 Online Credit

This course supports an understanding of how the integrity of the human body, in the biological sense, influences health. The content focuses on the anatomical structure and physiological function of all body systems. Throughout the course the learner will examine how the body systems individually and collectively contribute to the maintenance of homeostasis, and thus optimal health of the overall system.

Prerequisite(s):

Start Date

Credit

In this course, you will identify nursing concepts and theories optimal for nursing care. You will explain the nursing metaparadigm and theoretical principles of nursing science. You will apply the nursing process to identify and plan holistic (client-centred) nursing care for clients with a variety of health conditions, with consideration to health promotion, health education, and the determinants of health. You will identify dimensions of human needs with an emphasis on the significance of self-responsibility, cultural diversity, and individuality.

Prerequisite(s):

Please contact us to find out when the next start date will be.

Credit

In this course, you will discover the role and evolution of the professional practical nurse. You will explore concepts of professionalism. You will describe legal and ethical standards by using practice standards and guidelines from the College of Nurses of Ontario to gain insight into professional roles and responsibilities. You will apply theoretical models of learning that support critical thinking while interacting with clients and that use specific strategies, such as learning, teaching, facilitating, and promoting change.

Prerequisite(s):

Please contact us to find out when the next start date will be.

14 Weeks $410.02 Online Credit

In this course students will demonstrate proficiency in mathematical calculations as they apply to the nursing clinical practice setting. Students will examine principles of medication administration, Medical Terminology and Abbreviations; Understanding Medication Orders and Analyzing Labels; Dosage Calculation; Safety and Practice; Oral Medications; Parenteral Medications; Reconstitution of Medication to Solutions; Intravenous Solutions and Equipment; Intravenous Calculations; Heparin and Insulin; Pediatrics

Prerequisite(s):

Start Date

14 Weeks $497.10 Online Credit

This course will develop your foundational understanding and skill of a normal health assessment and physical examination of the healthy adult client. You will explore common abnormal findings in physical examination and develop knowledge and skill related to holistic, inclusive, and culturally safe health assessment and physical examination approach. You will demonstrate, document, and communicate a complete holistic and comprehensive head to toe assessment of the healthy adult client. This course includes theoretical and virtual lab components.

Prerequisite(s):

Start Date

7 Weeks $279.40 Online Credit

In this course, you will examine the transition in role from Personal Support Worker (PSW) to Registered Practical Nurse (RPN). This course will include a simulation bootcamp to assist in the identification of the transition in scope from PSW to RPN. Throughout the theory in this course, you will examine from various lenses the change in role from PSW to RPN. This will include an examination of scope of practice, nursing process, communication and documentation as well as critical thinking, decision-making and clinical judgment. Through the identification of your current scope you will be able to clearly see the transition required in your continued studies to become an RPN."

Prerequisite(s):

Start Date

Applying to Practical Nursing Program

Administration at a hospital

Program Delivery

Following the bridging courses, the Lambton College PSPN program is a full-time program delivered in-person. Admission timelines will be subject to availability of space in the program.

Completion Time frame

Please be aware that you must apply to the PSPN full-time program within three years of starting your first pathway course.

Admission Requirements

To apply for admission to PSPN after completing the pathway courses, students must meet the following requirements:

  • Complete all courses in the Personal Support Worker to Practical Nursing Pathway
  • Achieve a minimum grade of 80% in PSPN-1023 Math for Practical Nurses
  • Achieve a minimum grade of 60% in the other five pathway courses

Program Delivery

Following the bridging courses, the Lambton College PSPN program is a full-time program delivered in-person. Admission timelines will be subject to availability of space in the program.

Application Process

Those interested in this pathway will apply through ontariocolleges.ca using program code PSPN. The first intake of this pathway will be Winter 2025. Applicants need to declare their post-secondary education, including proof of enrolment in or completion of the six pathway courses.