Practical Nursing
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Program Overview
Humber’s Practical Nursing program prepares students with the necessary knowledge and skill for an in demand, rewarding career as a registered practical nurse (RPN). Our graduates are prepared to complete the practical nursing registration exam requirements as registered practical nurses in Ontario. Practical nursing positions are possible in long-term care, hospitals and community settings.
The comprehensive curriculum includes nursing theory and practicum experiences as well as a foundation in anatomy, physiology and liberal studies. Humber is the only English-speaking college in Ontario with access to an on-campus cadaver lab for practical nursing students. Combine that with small class sizes, leading-edge simulation labs, bioscience and anatomy labs, and extensive practicum opportunities in a variety of settings across the Greater Toronto Area -- Humber students have the competitive edge.
Work-Integrated Learning
During the program, practical nursing students will participate in 1,030 hours of unpaid mandatory professional practicums. Practicums occur in each semester of the program, giving you valuable hands-on experience. All professional practicums with diverse settings are arranged and communicated with students by the faculty.
Mandatory professional practicums provide students the opportunity to integrate nursing skills and knowledge in a supervised setting. Practicum experiences will be diverse, covering a broad range of settings including community agencies, schools, long-term care facilities and hospitals. Humber has relationships with many agencies and makes every effort to assist you to develop, establish and maintain the required standards for academic success.
In Semester 1, students learn and practise important nursing skills in Humber’s simulation learning lab. Semester 2, practicums occur in long-term care settings. Throughout the program's first year, students also participate in a unique community-service learning (CSL) practicum in a variety of community settings. Semester 3 practicum takes place in rehabilitation, complex or acute-care settings. Each of the practicum placements in Semesters 1, 2 and 3 are supervised directly by one of Humber’s experts in clinical education. Clinical simulation activities at the college campus are also a component of Semesters 2 and 3. In Semester 4, you will complete a preceptored pre-graduate practicum. During this final practicum, students work one-on-one alongside a practising registered practical nurse in the setting.
Professional and Community Partnerships
Students receive practical experience through mandatory professional practicums at agencies across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Humber maintains strong partnerships within the community - and is the preferred choice by many hospitals and facilities due to the outstanding reputation of the Faculty of Health Sciences & Wellness and the nursing programs and their graduates.
Humber’s Practical Nursing program offers a unique Community Service Learning (CSL) requirement as a component of the program. This requirement occurs in community agencies across the Greater Toronto Area. Community service learning provides students an opportunity to give back to the community while learning about social justice and the determinants of health.
An Education in High Demand
The nursing shortage and the government and public focus on accessible and excellent health care has created a strong demand for practical nurses. As a student in the program, you will learn and apply knowledge and skills in practice to support you in this important profession.
What It Takes to Be a Practical Nurse
The practical nurse is an integral part of the health care team, working at the bedside with patients in acute-care, long term care, maternal child, mental health, and community care settings.
The College of Nurses of Ontario is the regulatory body for the discipline of nursing. Read their Fact Sheet titled Requisite Skills and Abilities for nursing practice in Ontario to find out more about the general demands and performance expectations of nurses in Ontario as you consider whether nursing is the right profession for you.
The Humber Advantage
State-of-the-art Facilities
Well-equipped labs feature leading-edge equipment, multiple simulated nursing labs, bioscience and anatomy labs that help students prepare for nursing careers in all health care settings such as providing client care as health care providers, nurse educators and managers.
We Know What It Takes
The practical nurse is an integral part of the health care team, working at the bedside with patients in acute-care, long term care, maternal child, mental health, and community care settings. Emphasis throughout this program is on developing competence in the theory and practice of nursing. Experts in their respective nursing fields, clinical practicum teachers and faculty prepare you for the challenges ahead. Not only are they dedicated to scholarly teaching, but they also offer students real world guidance and expert classroom and practicum instruction drawn from first-hand experience. Class sizes are small, giving you a quality education. Classes are divided into theory and practicum groups to help you develop support systems and networks.
Why Humber?
Humber is a leading-edge facility in every respect. This program has been awarded the highest rating for accreditation - a testament to its excellence. Learn and practice in our bioscience and health science laboratories – which includes clinical simulation labs that provide hands-on learning in a monitored environment. Continuous placement in a range of clinical settings enhances your ability to apply in-classroom education to real-life situations.
Humber Nursing Society
The Humber Nursing Society (HNS) is student-focused and seeks to broaden the education and perspectives of students engaged in Humber’s nursing degree and diploma programs.
The Humber Experience
The Right Fit
Are you a leader who thrives in a collaborative environment? Are you adaptable? Can you think on your feet? If you are interested in working with people experiencing health challenges, you could have an extremely rewarding career in practical nursing ahead of you.
Student Testimonials
What are our students saying about this program? Good things!
Practical Nursing with Hiroko Nakata
Watch the video to find out how Hiroko knew this was the right program for her.
What Can I Expect?
What can you expect in the Humber programs that are exciting and interesting?
You will be part of a very culturally diverse student population. This will help you to increase your awareness of your own culture and the positive aspects of other cultures.
In the first semester of the PN (Practical Nursing) program there are 200 students. While this sounds large, the class sizes are small. There are approximately 50 students per theory section and 8-10 students per practicum group. Within those groups you will develop support systems, networks, and friends to help you.
You will have professors and clinical practicum teachers who are extremely well prepared academically and professionally. All nursing professors and clinical practicum teachers are registered nurses who have worked in the hospital/community settings before their work in post-secondary education. The professors in your non-nursing courses (biology and humanities) are also well-educated and experienced in teaching students.
The goal of all the professors and clinical practicum teachers is to help you succeed in the program; however, your success is a shared responsibility, and you must do your part by attending classes, labs, and practicums, completing assignments on time, and studying for examinations.
The program includes many hours of mandatory professional practicums where you will have the opportunity to practice your newfound skills and knowledge with supervision. It is paced to match the level of knowledge you have gained from the theory courses. Practicum experiences are diverse and cover a broad range of settings like community agencies, long-term care, and hospitals. Humber has relationships with more than 100 agencies and makes every effort to give you the best possible experience in all the areas you could potentially work in after you have graduated.
Being a Practical Nurse
Being a practical nurse means you need to look and act like a professional. Our industry partners share what they look for in an employee and what professionalism means to them.
Math Proficiency
To assist in describing the math proficiency level in this program, view the sample math questions.
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Expert Faculty
You will learn from expert professors with advanced degrees who have had exposure to various nursing experiences in both the field and the classroom. Our clinical practicum teachers are experts in the nursing field, many with advanced degrees, and bring real world experience and knowledge to the practicum setting to support your learning. Our professors and clinical practicum teachers are committed to providing you with practical, hands-on as well as the scientific knowledge necessary to help you achieve the nursing career you want.
Your Career
After successfully writing the College of Nurses Practical Nursing exam, graduates will be able to work in various health-care settings including:
- acute-care hospitals
- clinics and public health units
- community nursing agencies and services
- mental health services
- private practices
- rehabilitation services
- retirement living and long-term care facilities
- schools and childcare centres
Many of our Practical Nursing graduates go on to complete their Bachelor of Science - Nursing degree with Humber, as well as RPN postgraduate advanced-skills education used in specialty disciplines such as surgery, dialysis, cardiology and emergency.
Professional Accreditations & Recognition
College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO)
The program is recognized by The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) as an approved nursing program. Graduates from this program are eligible to register with CNO.
Additional requirements may apply.
Note: The requirements for the additional credential(s) are determined by the granting body, which is independent from the College. Students are encouraged to obtain the specific requirements directly from the granting body before enrolling.
Related Programs
Come to Humber and experience interdisciplinary learning across five Centres of Innovation (COIs)
About the Humber COIsPractical Nursing with Danick Farrales
Watch the video to find out about Danick's most memorable experience during his time at Humber.
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