To practice in Ontario as a Registered Practical Nurse, you must successfully obtain and maintain your registration certificate through the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination.
Practical Nursing (PND)
Duration
5 Semesters (2 Years)Credential Awarded
Ontario College Diploma Info :
Important - campus update:
To enhance the student experience, all academic programs currently offered at Yorkgate Campus will be moved as of the Fall 2024 Term.
Yorkgate Campus will remain open for the Summer 2024 Term. The program will move to Newnham Campus as of the Fall 2024 Term.
Program and course delivery
This program is offered in Seneca's hybrid delivery format with some courses available in Seneca's flexible delivery format. Some coursework is online and some must be completed in person. Students will need to come on campus to complete in-person learning requirements. For courses offered in the flexible delivery format, professors use innovative learning spaces and technology to teach students in a classroom or lab and broadcast in real time to students attending remotely. In flexible courses, students have the choice of coming on campus or learning online.
About the Program
In this two-year diploma program, you will be working with experienced faculty to gain the knowledge, skills and judgment required for competent clinical nursing practice. You will study anatomy, physiology, English, as well as psychology which will prepare you to write the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination. In addition, you will participate in a variety of learning modalities, online interactive learning, collaborative group learning, simulation experiences and direct nursing care in a variety of healthcare settings.
The Practical Nursing program at Seneca is approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario. Current graduates from this program are eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Practical Nurse in Ontario.
Seneca Nanji Foundation School of Nursing
Explore the hands-on labs and classrooms where Seneca Nanji Foundation School of Nursing students gain practical skills for in-demand careers.
Program Availability
Learn more: Seneca’s program delivery options and how courses in this program will be delivered each term.
| Start in | Location | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 2025 | King | Closed |
| Jan. 2025 | Newnham | Closed |
| May 2025 | King | Open |
| Sept. 2025 | King | Open |
| Jan. 2026 | King | Open |
| Jan. 2026 | Newnham | Open |
| Start in | Location | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | King | Open |
| Sept. 2025 | King | Open |
| Sept. 2025 | Newnham | Open |
| Jan. 2026 | King | Open |
| Jan. 2026 | Newnham | Open |
International students: review Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility before choosing program and course delivery.
Please note that availability is subject to change and a seat is not guaranteed.
Your Career
As a result of regulations arising out of the Nursing Act 1991, applicants for registration in Ontario must not have:
- Convicted of a criminal offence or an offence under the Narcotic Control Act (Canada) or the Food and Drugs Act (Canada)
- Any physical or mental condition/illness that may affect ability to practice
Applicants who do not meet the requirements will be reviewed by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) to determine if registration will be granted.
Successful Ontario registrants are eligible for registration throughout Canada (French required in Quebec).
Affiliations/Associations
You will also qualify to become a member of the following affiliations and associations:
- College of Nurses of Ontario
- Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario
Student Works and Experiences
Honouring nurses during National Nursing Week
Doris Benavides, a single mother of two, worked full-time as a lab technician while pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse.
Seneca Polytechnic helped her get there in record time.
Elevating the Voices of Canadian Nurses
Seneca Grad, Birgit Uwaila Umaigba came in at #1 on Chatelaine Magazine’s 2022 Dorris Anderson Award recipients list. Read about how she leveraged interviews and social media activism to become one of the strongest advocates for Canadian Nurses during the pandemic.