Diploma [Practical Nursing] From Conestoga College

• Diploma in Practical Nursing at Conestoga College allows students to complete this program in 2 Years.
• Students are required to successfully complete two language electives (in one language) in order to graduate.
• Practical Nursing is a career-focused program where the student will gain the knowledge, skills, and experience required to become a member of the nursing profession and health-care team.
• The foundational knowledge for practical nursing is based on scientific theory from nursing, the physical and psychosocial sciences and humanities. 
• The Nursing Act also states graduates must not have been convicted of a criminal offence or an offence under the Narcotic Control Act (Canada) or the Food and Drugs Act (Canada).
• Graduate practical nurses wishing to register with the College of Nurses of Ontario must sign a declaration of their status regarding: citizenship; permanent residence; immigration; convictions of a criminal offence under the Narcotic Control Act/Food and Drug Act; involvement with respect to professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity in Ontario in another health profession; any mental or physical disorder, which makes it desirable in the public interest that the person not practice nursing. These conditions also apply throughout the program.

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Program requirements

• Mandatory work-integrated learning (WIL) document requirements must be completed by students prior to student field/clinical WIL experiences. Successful WIL completion is required for students to progress to program completion. To qualify for field/clinical WIL learning experiences, students must present the following at the start of the program in accordance with pre-admission information provided by the College:
  • A complete immunization record including MMR, polio, Tdap, varicella, COVID-19 and hepatitis B. Seasonal flu vaccination is required during flu season (October – March).
  • TB Testing: Evidence of current 2-step or previous 2-step + current 1-step if more than one year has passed since 2-step testing.
  • Standard First Aid and CPR – BLS level (must be completed in Canada)
  • An annual Police Check for Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) to be completed in Canada. Police Checks must be clear of any unpardoned criminal offences. An unclear criminal record may result in the inability to participate in WIL experiences which will jeopardize progress in the program. Acceptance for WIL is at the discretion of the agency; some agencies may request students to provide a VSS completed within six months of WIL start date. Students with criminal records are advised to meet with the program chair for academic counselling to determine program suitability.
• Students are responsible for costs associated with respirator fit testing required for WIL experiences.
• Applicants are advised that a latex-free environment in the College or clinical setting is NOT guaranteed.
• Travel within the program: Students are responsible for arranging their own travel to and from assigned learning settings external to the College and for covering any costs incurred. The location of these learning sites could be anywhere within a one hour's drive of the Doon campus.
• Applicants should display integrity, reliability, maturity, self-direction, self-discipline, determination, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, poise and leadership attributes.
• Applicants are advised that the program uses self-directed/independent and online study in the delivery of some courses and portions of other courses throughout the program.

Program outcomes

1. Communicate therapeutically with clients and members of the health care team.
2. Assess clients across the life span, in a systematic and holistic manner.
3. Plan safe and competent nursing care, based upon a thorough analysis of available data and evidence-informed practice guidelines.
4. Select and perform nursing interventions using clinical judgment, in collaboration with the client and, where appropriate, the health care team, that promote health and well-being, prevent disease and injury, maintain and/or restore health, promote rehabilitation, and/or provide palliation.
5. Evaluate the outcomes resulting from all interventions in the nurse-client interaction and modify the plan of care as required.
6. Act equitably and justly with clients and members of the health care team.
7. Adapt to a variety of health care settings, using different leadership skills and styles as appropriate to each setting.
8. Contribute to creating a healthy and safe work environment in a variety of health care settings.
9. Practise in a self-regulated, professional and ethical manner, complying with relevant legislation and with the standards of both the regulatory body and the practice setting to provide safe and competent client care.

• Students who successfully complete the program are eligible to write the National Registration examination for registration by the College of Nurses of Ontario as a Registered Practical Nurse.
• Graduates find employment in nursing homes, acute and chronic care hospitals, residential homes for the older adult, and other community health-care settings
• On average, 88% of graduates from the last three years found employment within six months of graduation.