Full-time Programs
PNUR - Practical Nursing
Program Entry
SEPTEMBER
Program Length
Two-year Ontario College Diploma
| Contact: | E-mail: |
|---|---|
| Gail Orr | gorr@loyalistc.on.ca |
On This Page
Highlights
- Enjoy personal and financial rewards in a challenging career as a Practical Nurse (RPN).
- Learn hands-on in Loyalist’s interactive, state-of-the-art Sim Lab.
- Practice in small clinical groups with intensive, personal instruction.
- Gain widely varied experience before graduation with clinical placements in medicine, surgery, community agencies, long-term care facilities, pediatrics, obstetrics, psychiatry and continuing complex care.
- Loyalist graduates have historically scored above the provincial and national averages in all categories of the Practical Nurse Registration Exam.
View our Human Simulation Laboratory.
Career Opportunities
Registered Practical Nurses are integral members of the health care team, consulting on complex care issues. They independently provide a full range of
nursing care to clients within their scope of practice.
RPNs provide patient care in:
- hospitals, including post-surgical, maternity, pediatric, geriatric, cardiovascular, oncology (cancer), and psychiatric wards
- rehabilitation centres
- doctors’ offices
- community agencies
- long-term care facilities
- retirement homes, with opportunities for leadership positions
Registered Practical Nurses also promote community health and disease prevention through:
- public health units
- schools
- workplace wellness programs
- family planning and baby wellness clinics
Program Description
During the intensive, two-year program, students will:
- receive a combination of classroom theory, lab work and clinical practice
- learn to assess client health throughout the lifespan
- plan, implement and evaluate appropriate nursing care
Hands-on learning and personal attention are emphasized throughout the program:
- small clinical groups learn under the personal supervision of an experienced faculty member, who guides their practice throughout each semester
- in every semester, students work with hi-fidelity human clinical simulators in Loyalist’s cutting-edge Sim Lab
- realistic, interactive practice scenarios allow students to develop confidence in their skills before performing them in the workplace
Get more clinical practice before graduation:
- varied clinical experience includes medical, surgical, psychiatric, obstetrical, pediatric and continuing complex care nursing units
- rotations in hospitals, community agencies and long term care facilities
- each student works one-on-one with a Registered Practical Nurse during an 11-week clinical consolidation in the final semester
- intensive experience prepares students for independent practice in a “pre-grad” clinical placement
Graduates are prepared to write the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination and become registered by the College of Nurses of Ontario. Over the past several years, Loyalist graduates have been successful on their first writing of the exam, scoring at or above the national and provincial averages in
all categories.
Approximate Cost
Tuition: $2,688 (two semesters)
Books and Supplies: $1,500 (two semesters)
Travel and parking expenses may be incurred during clinical placements
Admission Requirements
(a) Required academic preparation –
- OSSD/OSSGD or equivalent with Grade 12 English and mathematics, Grade 11 or 12 biology, and one of chemistry or physics at the (C) or (U) level. Applicants must have a minimum average of 65% in each of English, mathematics, biology, and chemistry or physics
OR
- mature applicant
(b) Health: Applicants who accept admission to the program are required to provide confirmation of good health and immunization against certain communicable diseases. Written evidence of these requirements is a condition of registration and placement in clinical practice agencies.
(c) Admission from Pre-Health: Applicants who have successfully completed the Loyalist College Pre-Health Science Certificate will be eligible for admission.
(d) Math Skills: Prior to Semester Two, students must demonstrate competency in fundamental mathematical operations.
(e) C.P.R. and First Aid: Prior to entering the pre-graduate session, students are required to show proof of current CPR certification – Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS), Level C, Basic Rescuer, as well as a Standard First Aid Course.
(f) Other: Personal Support Workers, Health Care Aides and Home Support Workers with recent experience may be eligible for partial laboratory exemptions in Semester One.
(g) Course Challenge Opportunities: Applicants with relevant educational and/or employment experience are eligible to challenge selected courses.
(h) Criminal Record Check: In order to participate in most clinical placements, students will be required to complete a clean criminal record check by their local police service.
NOTE: To become a Registered Practical Nurse in the province of Ontario, a recent Canadian Police Information Centre Criminal Record Synopsis (CPIC) is required.
Loyalist / University Transfer
Graduates who wish to pursue a B.Sc.N. in Nursing are eligible for admission to Year One of the Loyalist/Brock collaborative degree program. Applicants must
have successfully completed the diploma in Practical Nursing with a minimum overall average of 70%. Course exemptions will be considered on an individual
basis. For more information on university transfer, please click here.
Curriculum
First Year - Semester One (15 Weeks)
COMM 1015 Workplace Communication
Focuses on the development of skills required to obtain, understand and convey information. Skills included: effective use of library and internet resources, spelling, grammar, sentence and paragraph structures, punctuation, vocabulary, report, letter and scholarly writing.
PNUR 1000 Professional Roles 101
Students will be introduced to college-life and the role of the Practical Nursing Student. , Health promotion, including teaching/learning principles and effective communication, are discussed. The concept of caring, therapeutic relationships and the role of the College of Nurses of Ontario will be discussed.
PNUR 1001 Growth & Development
The principles and determinants of development are discussed. Included are the application of developmental theories related to physical, psychological, social, cognitive, moral and spiritual changes throughout the lifespan.
PNUR 1003 Bioscience
Includes a detailed examination of the structure and function of the human body. Principles of microbiology are also included.
PNUR 1004 Practical Nursing Theory 101
An introduction to the nursing process is included as a tool for delivery of effective nursing care. The principles and procedures related to selected psychomotor skills are introduced as preparation for lab and clinical practice.
PNUR 1005 Practical Nursing Practice: Lab 101
This course is designed to teach the beginning practical nursing student, in a simulated, long term care, and community setting, the skills necessary to promote health, provide basic care, and communicate with adult clients.
First Year - Semester Two (20 Weeks)
PHAR 1002 Pharmacology
Includes the theory necessary to administer medications safely: pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, legal aspects and selected drug classifications are covered.
PNUR 1002 Heath Assessment Throughout the Lifespan
Methods of physiological and psychosocial assessment throughout the lifespan are studied, as well as, interview skills to obtain a health history. Documentation of assessment data is also included.
PNUR 1007 Professional Roles 201
Focuses on the ethical and professional standards and legal requirements for professional practice for the practical nurse.
PNUR 1011 Practical Nursing Practice: Lab 201
Introduces the student, in a simulated setting, to selected skills required for promoting health and preventing/managing illness. Principles of medication administration are included.
PNUR 1015 Practical Nursing Theory 201
Provides the theory to enable students to provide nursing care for clients experiencing common health conditions. Pathology, diagnostic tests, therapeutics and nursing interventions are presented. Nursing care is explored using the nursing process. Theory and simulation for the related cognitive and psychomotor skills are included.
PNUR 1016 Practical Nursing Practice: Clinical 201
Provides clinical practice in the delivery of nursing care to stable individuals, older adults, and their families experiencing common health conditions. Practice settings are inpatient hospital units and nursing homes. Administration of medication will be included.
Second Year - Semester Three (15 Weeks)
PNUR 2000 Professional Issues & Trends
Focuses change, and advocacy and how these concepts impact on the trends and issues facing the practical nursing profession. Health care policy is included.
PNUR 2002 Practical Nursing Theory 301
Provides the theory to enable students to provide nursing care for clients and their families experiencing surgical intervention. Pathology, diagnostic tests, therapeutics and nursing interventions related to the surgical experience are included. Nursing care is explored using the nursing process. Theory and simulation for the related cognitive and psychomotor skills are included.
PNUR 2003 Practical Nursing Theory 302
Provides the theory to enable students to provide nursing care for childbearing clients and families, as well as, the nursing care for children experiencing illness. Family theory is included. Nursing care is explored using the nursing process. Theory and simulation for the related cognitive and psychomotor skills are included.
PNUR 2004 Practical Nursing Practice: Lab 301
Provides the opportunity, in a simulated setting, to practice skills learned in theory for the client and family experiencing surgical intervention, child bearing and common childhood illnesses. Intravenous therapy will be included.
PNUR 2005 Practical Nursing Practice: Clinical 301
Provides practice experience related to the client and family experiencing surgical intervention. Nursing care is explored using the nursing process. Practice settings include inpatient hospital settings, including day surgery.
PNUR 2006 Practical Nursing Practice: Clinical 302
Provides practice experience related to the care of the childbearing client and family, as well as, the child experiencing illness. Nursing care is explored using the nursing process.Practice settings include inpatient hospital settings and supportive community agencies.
SOCI 2004 Sociology
Examines key concepts regarding society, socialization, diversity, analysis of family, and social change.
Second Year - Semester Four (18 Weeks)
PNUR 2001 Evidence-Based Practice (Research)
Focuses on research, the research process, process of critiquing research, and the relevance of research to the practical nursing profession. Basic statistical terminology and interpretation of statistical data are included.
PNUR 2007 Professional Worklife
Provides the theoretical bases to assume a role as a professional graduate practical nurse. Concepts related to leadership theory, conflict resolution, and career planning are included.
PNUR 2008 Practical Nursing Theory 401
Provides the theory to enable students to provide nursing care to individuals and their families, in their homes, who are experiencing common health conditions. Theory and simulation for the related cognitive and psychomotor skills are included. The role of community nursing agencies will be included.
PNUR 2009 Practical Nursing Practice: Clinical 401
Provides practice experience related to the nursing care of clients experiencing common health conditions. Nursing care is explored using the nursing process. The application of leadership principles will be included. Practice settings include complex continuing care in-patient units.
PNUR 2012 Practical Nursing Theory 402
Provides the theory to enable students to provide nursing care for clients and their families experiencing an alteration in psychosocial functioning. An exploration of common problems, etiology, diagnostic tests, therapeutics and nursing interventions are included. Theory and simulation for the related cognitive and psychomotor skills are included. The role of community supports is included.
PNUR 2013 Practical Nursing Practice: Clinical 402
Provides practice experience related to the client and family experiencing an alteration in psychosocial functioning. Nursing care is explored using the nursing process. Practice settings include inpatient hospital settings, as well as, supportive community agencies.
Pre-Grad: 8 weeks (May-June)
PNUR 1010 Practical Nursing Theory 203
Provides the theory to enable students to provide nursing care for older adults and their families. Pathology, diagnostic tests, therapeutics and nursing interventions are included. Cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's Disease, and the role of the caregiver will be presented. Theory for the related cognitive and psychomotor skill is included.
PNUR 1011 Practical Nursing Practice: Lab 201
Introduces the student, in a simulated setting, to selected skills required for promoting health and preventing/managing illness. Principles of medication administration are included.
