Practical Nursing
Program Overview
Humber’s Practical Nursing diploma program provides the skills and knowledge needed to become a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN).
Curriculum includes both nursing theory and practice and topics such as anatomy, physiology, ethics, pharmacotherapeutics, patient safety and leadership concepts.
Humber is the only English speaking college in Ontario with access to an on-campus cadaver lab for nursing students. Combine that with small class sizes, leading-edge simulation labs, bioscience and anatomy labs, and extensive clinical work placement opportunities - Humber students have the competitive edge.
Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:
- Communicate therapeutically with clients* and members of the health care team*.
- Assess clients* across the life span, in a systematic and holistic manner.
- Plan safe and competent nursing care, based upon a thorough analysis of available data and evidence-informed practice* guidelines.
- 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.
- Evaluate the outcomes resulting from all interventions in the nurse-client* interaction and modify the plan of care as required.
- Act equitably and justly with clients* and members of the health care team*.
- Adapt to a variety of health care settings, using different leadership skills and styles as appropriate to each setting.
- Contribute to creating a healthy and safe work environment in a variety of health care settings.
- 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.
Work Placement
You will participate in a total of 1,038 hours of unpaid clinical placements in each semester over the course of the program giving you valuable hands-on experience. The faculty has various partnerships and affiliations with clinical agencies. Placements are arranged and communicated with students by the faculty.
Throughout the first year of the program, you will participate in a unique community-service learning placement in a variety of community settings. In Semester 2, you will work in a long-term care setting, while Semester 3 takes place in rehabilitation, complex or acute-care settings. In Semesters 2 and 3, you will also participate in clinical simulation activities. In Semester 4, you will complete a preceptored (one-on-one placement alongside a Registered Practical Nurse) pre-graduate clinical practice.
Professional and Community Partnerships
Humber maintains strong partnerships with many reputable health care agencies and facilities.
What It Takes To Be A Nurse
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 or not nursing is the right profession for you.
The Humber Advantage
State-of-the-art Labs
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.
Clinical Simulation Learning Centre
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, obstetrics, psychiatry and community care settings. Emphasis throughout this program is on developing competence in the theory and practice of nursing. Experts in their respective fields of health care, clinical instructors and faculty prepare you for the challenges ahead. Not only are they dedicated to scholarly teaching, they also offer students real world guidance and expert classroom instruction drawn from first-hand experience. Class sizes are small giving you a quality education. Classes are divided into theory and practical 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.
Our Students
The Humber Nursing Society (HNS) is student-focused and seeks to broaden the education and perspectives of students engaged in Humber’s nursing degree program.
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’re interested in life sciences, therapeutic interaction and enjoy continuous learning you could have a very rewarding career in 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 support you to increase your awareness of your own culture and the positive aspects of the other cultures.
In the first semester of the PN program there are 200 students. While this sounds very large, the class sizes are relatively small. There are approximately 45 students per theory section and 8-10 students per clinical group. Within those groups you will develop support systems, networks, and friends to help you.
You will have professors who are extremely well prepared academically and professionally. All nursing professors 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 is to help you succeed in the program; however your success is a shared responsibility and you must do your part by attending classes and clinical, completing assignments on time, and studying for examinations.
The program includes many hours of clinical/field practice 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. Clinical experiences are diverse and cover a broad range of settings such as 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.
Professionalism in the Workplace
Our industry partners share what they look for in an employee and what professionalism means to them.
Math Proficiency
To assist in describing the level of math proficiency in this program, view the sample math questions. These samples are for the purposes for the Practical Nursing, Paramedic and Pharmacy Technician programs.
Go Abroad
Your Career
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
- homes for the aging and long-term care facilities
- private practices
- psychiatry
- rehabilitation services
- schools and child care 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.
Practical Nursing with Danick Farrales
Watch the video to find out about Danick's most memorable experience during his time at Humber.
Humber Students Benefit from Five Centres of Innovation (COIs)
The Humber Centres of Innovation Network demonstrates our strong commitment to providing an experiential learning environment for students. Students and faculty work with industry partners on real-world challenges to prepare them to become the innovative and strategic problem-solvers of tomorrow. Come to Humber and experience interdisciplinary learning across five COIs.
About the COIsNews Feed
Paramedic Grad Makes a Difference Worldwide
Thu, May 11, 2023
Mark Cameron is a Paramedic alumnus and the co-founder and co-president of …
Two-Eyed Land-Based Play & Co-Learning
Wed, May 10, 2023
The project team explored how a new Early Childhood Education course in Two-Eyed Land-Based Play and Co-Learning.
The Practical Nursing Career Summit
Fri, March 31, 2023
The Practical Nursing Career Summit returned in-person!
No news at this time.
Every attempt is made to ensure that information contained on this website is current and accurate. Humber reserves the right to correct any error or omission, modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable or campus location at any time without prior notice or liability to users or any other Person.
On October 21, 2019, the Provincial Government of Ontario announced the renaming of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU). Both names may appear on this website.
