Credential
Area Of Interest
Duration
Program Code
Location
Frequently Asked Questions
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The application is available through the Ontario Colleges (OCAS) portal. You will be directed to the OCAS account creation page. After creating a new account or signing in to an existing one, you can select the Practical Nursing program using program code 0649. Please ensure you select the correct Practical Nursing program, as other Practical Nursing programs are offered at other times in the year. Transcripts are sent automatically from Ontario Secondary Schools and can also be emailed directly to [email protected]. Once all sections are completed, applicants can pay the $150 fee and submit their application.
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March 7
Since the program begins March 10, all applications must be submitted by March 7, 2025, at 11:59 P.M. After this date, the application form will close, and available program seats will be filled. Any remaining seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible applicants.
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A non-refundable $150 fee is required when applying through OCAS (you can also apply for 2 other programs with this application)
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Please visit our Admission Requirements page for a complete list of program prerequisites and alternative pathways.
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Before starting clinical placements, students must ensure all clinical requirements are submitted. These include current immunizations, a clear criminal record check with a vulnerable sector search, up-to-date CPR (BLS Level), Standard First Aid, WHMIS certification, and N95 mask fit testing. A detailed list of these requirements, along with instructions on how to fulfill them, will be made available to you after you have received an Offer of Admission to the program.
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After your OCAS application has been processed and you meet the program requirements, you will receive an email notifying you of the offer, along with an offer letter in your OCAS account. To confirm your acceptance into the PN program, you must officially accept the offer through your OCAS account.
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No.
Currently, the program is available only to domestic students.
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As a permanent resident, you are classified as a domestic student at Confederation College, which makes you eligible for the Practical Nursing program.
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Yes, all students must demonstrate strong skills in English writing, comprehension, and speaking to succeed in their studies, workplace components, and future careers. Please refer to the English Proficiency Requirement page for information on the requirements and testing.
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The Practical Nursing Funded Fast Track Program is 16 months in length, structured over four semesters, with each semester lasting fourteen weeks. As it is a condensed program, there will only be a one-week break between semesters.
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The new, expanded Practical Nursing program is offered in Thunder Bay, Dryden, Kenora, Fort Frances, Longlac, Marathon.
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A specific number of seats are allocated to each regional campus as follows:
- Thunder Bay: 8 seats
- Dryden: 8 seats
- Kenora: 8 seats
- Fort Frances: 8 seats
- Longlac: 9 seats
- Marathon: 9 seats
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Yes, you are allowed to apply to more than one regional campus location for the Practical Nursing program. Ensure you select each location as a separate program option.
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The Practical Nursing program is offered on a full-time, in-person basis only.
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As this is a condensed program, there is only a one-week break between semesters
The program spans four semesters, with tentative dates as follows:
Semester 1: March 2025 – June 2025]
Semester 2: June 2025 – October 2025
Semester 3: October 2025 – January 2026
Semester 4: February 2026– May 2026
Students will graduate in June and will be invited to participate in the Confederation College Spring Convocation ceremony.
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The Practical Nursing Program offers hands-on clinical experience, a diverse skill set, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by helping others in their time of need. It prepares you for immediate entry into the workforce while also laying a solid foundation for those interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) degree.
Please find more details about courses and clinical placements for each semester. -
Clinical placements start in the second semester and continue through the third and fourth semesters. Placements and labs will be located in the same region as the regional campus you attend, though some travel may be required.
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Confederation College collaborates with local organizations and clinics to host Practical Nursing students for their clinical placements. Clinical placement locations will be arranged and assigned to you.
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Transportation to clinical locations is not provided by the College. However, those required to travel will receive a $500 travel stipend to assist with transportation expenses.
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Confederation College has received provincial funding to cover all program fees for students in this specific Practical Nursing cohort, including tuition, uniforms, supplies, and textbooks. Admitted students are not required to make any payments and will automatically be awarded the grant.
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Unlike the Learn and Stay Grant, the provincial grant for the Practical Nursing program does not require recipients to work in the region where they studied after graduation. There is no obligation to remain in a specific area once the program is finished.
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Admitted students will automatically receive the government grant and can also apply for OSAP. If eligible, OSAP funding can help cover residential costs and other expenses. The current OSAP application will open at the end of April or early in May. Students are required to reapply for OSAP each year in order to continue receiving funding.
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Students who do not complete the program or decide to withdraw are not required to repay the grant funds received during their enrollment. You can leave the program without financial penalties, but you will forfeit your place in the program.
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Upon graduation, you will receive an Ontario College Diploma in Practical Nursing.
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Yes, graduates must complete the Nursing Registration Exam to be licensed. The Practical Nursing Program at Confederation College is approved (Category 1) by the College of Nurses of Ontario. Graduates are eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Practical Nurse in Ontario and to write the Regulatory Examination Practical Nurse (REX-PN).
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As a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN), you can work in various healthcare environments, such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, mental health centers, home care, rehabilitation facilities, private practices, and public health organizations. Your responsibilities may differ based on the region or province you work in and the particular healthcare setting.
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This program will provide graduates with the ability to be a Registered Practical Nurse. The main difference between a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) and a Registered Nurse (RN) is their education and scope of practice. RPNs complete a college diploma program and provide direct care under the supervision of RNs or physicians. RNs, on the other hand, complete a university degree and have a broader scope of practice, including the ability to assess, diagnose, and manage patient care independently.
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Yes, Practical Nursing graduates may qualify for advanced standing to transition into a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program, depending on the university or college. Bridge programs allow Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) to build on their existing education and complete the BScN more quickly. Admission requirements, such as GPA, experience, and prerequisites, vary by institution.
