RPN Refresher
Certificate of Accomplishment | RRD1
Program Length: 7 to 8 months (28 to 32 weeks)
Program Overview
The RPN Refresher is a CNO approved program for Registered Practical Nurses (RPN) and Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) who have been out of practice for three or more years and/or have competency gaps in their education. The program is offered in a condensed format, consisting of four theoretical courses, RPNR 011, 012, 013, 014, delivered online and one laboratory course, RPNR 010, delivered in person at Humber College’s North Campus.
Benefits
- Customized curriculum to meet the requirements outlined by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO)
- Cover English proficiency requirement
- Cover competency gaps in your education
- Up to date practice standards and guidelines
- Prepare for the REx-PN regulatory exam
- Learn from skilled and experienced health professionals and advisors
- Learn in state of the art Learning Labs
- Placement opportunities that will further your learning, provide hands on experience and help you get job ready
Placements
After the successful completion of the theory and laboratory portions of the program, students will be eligible for clinical practice. The program offers a 400-hour clinical practicum as required by the CNO, with a supplementary 200-hour clinical practicum if needed. Please note that the supplementary 200-hour clinical practicum comes with an additional fee of $581.20.
Clinical placements are arranged with Humber College’s partner institutions across the Greater Toronto Area and are completed on a full-time basis as dictated by the assigned preceptor's schedule. Please note that clinical placements are based on availability.
Additional information on clinical placements and clearance requirements.
Jump Start your Career
- 100% of our graduates feel better prepared and confident in joining the RPN workforce.
- Humber Career Services
Admission Requirements:
- Registered Practical Nurse (RPN)
- Internationally Educated Nurse (IEN) with RPN designation
- Evidence of Practice letter from the CNO (if applicable)
- Competency Assessment Form from the CNO (if applicable)
- Canadian Citizenship or PR status
- Individuals with a study permit that is valid for the duration of the program (minimum 9 months)
Fees
This program, including the 400-hour clinical practicum has a total cost of approximately $4,662.00 and includes:
- $3,164.00 - Courses and lab kit
- $425.00 - Textbooks (online resources - link will be provided)
- $44.99 - Uniform scrubs (purchased at Humber’s North Campus bookstore)
- $1,078.00 - Clinical practicum
- $40 Clearance Processing plus $40 Mask Fit (if applicable)
How to apply
To apply to this certificate program, please select Next Steps below
Next StepsCurriculum
Quick-Look Availability Scheduler
Use the Quick-Look Availability Scheduler to see available courses in a calendar view and plan towards achieving your certificate.
Loading...| Course Name | 2026/2027 Academic Year | 2027/2028 Academic Year | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar |
| RPNR 010: Preparation for Field Clinical Nursing Practice | |||||||||||||||
| RPNR 011: Fostering Client Health and Wellness | |||||||||||||||
| RPNR 012: Orientation to Nursing Practice in Ontario | |||||||||||||||
| RPNR 013: Acute Physical and Mental Health Challenges Across the Lifespan | |||||||||||||||
| RPNR 014: Chronic Physical and Mental Health Challenges Across the Lifespan | |||||||||||||||
| RPNR 040: Field Clinical Nursing Practice of 400 Hours | |||||||||||||||
Compulsory Courses
In a simulated practice environment students engage in learning opportunities to build professional identity and use problem solving and decision-making skills; work as an effective team member; build caring environments, develop therapeutic relationships and use communication skills. With guidance, students move toward self-directed proficiency in the nursing process. Students work collaboratively to assess, plan, meet, evaluate, and document clients’ health care needs and health outcomes using a theory based approach and relevant evidence, standards, and guidelines. In this course students are required to utilize the Elsevier online Jarvis Health Assessment and Potter and Perry Nursing Skills Online (NSO) to access resources and complete online student evaluations. Each week, students complete pre-lecture learning activities to adequately prepare for active learning. Teaching methodologies include online resources, class demonstrations, hands-on practice, role play, clinical simulations, and teacher and peer feedback activities.
This course is delivered In-person with scheduled synchronous sessions (Sundays, 9 am - 2 pm). Learners are required to attend live classes on the assigned day and time.
This theoretical course explores the many factors that shape the health and wellness of individual clients, families and communities. The determinants of health are discussed and relevant evidence, commissioned reports and healthcare policies are analyzed. Key aspects of the growth and development theories are reviewed in the context of effective health promotion and injury prevention programs for clients across the lifespan. Students study the concepts of family-centred care, cultural competence and advanced communication techniques to develop a practice approach that is congruent within the client’s needs and goals, ways of living and expected outcomes of care. Respect for the uniqueness and rights of each client are fundamental principles that are threaded throughout each topic in this course. Extended time and attention is given to developing holistic nursing care strategies specific to that of the older adult. This course is part of the RPN - Refresher program. Registration to the RPNR program must be approved by program advisor before enrolling in this course.
This course is delivered online with scheduled synchronous sessions (Tuesdays, 9 am - 12 pm). Learners are required to attend live classes on the assigned day and time.
This theoretical course focuses on the nursing profession in Ontario and the roles and responsibilities of the Registered Practical Nurse. Students learn about the Canadian Healthcare system and relevant legislation as it applies to nursing in Ontario. The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) Practice Standards and Guidelines, as well as salient legal and ethical principles, are explored in great detail to facilitate the development of the knowledge, critical thinking skills, and professional behaviours required to practice as a competent and autonomous professional. Students will research different nursing theories to identify the framework(s) that is congruent with their own unique perspective of nursing practice. This nursing theory and associated frameworks will guide them during their field clinical nursing practice. Leadership theories, styles, and approaches to public service and protection are also discussed. This course utilizes complex professional and client case scenarios and requires students to apply a problem based approach to learning. Students will develop skills at finding evidence and reviewing literature for salient concepts. A learning community will be created by which all students present their perspectives in a group discussion format on a wide variety of topics and support their discussion with valid and credible sources.
This course is delivered online with scheduled synchronous sessions (Tuesdays, 1 pm - 4 pm). Learners are required to attend live classes on the assigned day and time.
The course builds on the students’ pre-existing knowledge of the nursing process, holistic nursing care within the interprofessional health care team, and biological and social sciences theory. Students use critical thinking and problem solving to achieve a theoretical understanding of nursing and collaborative care strategies that address clients’ needs when faced with an acute physical or mental health challenge. This is a course that relies heavily on concepts and principles of quality care that translate to a variety of practice circumstances. Acute health challenges that have been documented to have the greatest prevalence in Ontario and risk for societal health and wellness, such as Brain Attack or Diabetes, have been selected as the focal points to study these concepts and principles. Primary and Secondary prevention associated with acute illness and injury are also discussed each class.
This course is delivered online with scheduled synchronous sessions (Tuesdays, 9 am - 12 pm). Learners are required to attend live classes on the assigned day and time.
The course builds on the students’ pre-existing knowledge of the nursing process, holistic nursing care within the interprofessional health care team and biological and social sciences theory. Students use critical thinking and problem solving to achieve a theoretical understanding of nursing and collaborative care strategies that address clients’ needs when faced with a chronic physical or mental health challenge. This is a course that relies heavily on concepts and principles of quality care that translate to a variety of practice circumstances. Chronic health challenges that have been documented to have the greatest prevalence in Ontario and risk for societal health and wellness, such as Brain Attack or Diabetes, have been selected as the focal points to study these concepts and principles. Tertiary prevention associated with chronic illness are also discussed each class.
This course is delivered online with scheduled synchronous sessions (Tuesdays, 1 pm - 4 pm). Learners are required to attend live classes on the assigned day and time.
In the clinical practice environment students engage in learning opportunities to build professional identity and use problem solving and decision-making skills; work as an effective team member; build caring environments, develop therapeutic relationships and use communication skills. With faculty, nursing, and inter-professional healthcare provider guidance, students move toward self-directed proficiency in providing quality client care. Students work collaboratively to assess, plan, meet, evaluate, and document clients’ health care needs and health outcomes using a theory based approach and relevant evidence, standards, and guidelines. In this course students are required to apply knowledge of all pre-requisite courses with competency required in quality assurance and reflective practice. Kouzes & Posner’s Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership, and nursing theories and frameworks will be analyzed by the student to foster their own professional development. Teaching methodologies include clinical practicum, online resources, and healthcare provider, teacher, and peer feedback activities.
This course is delivered as a placement. Scheduling, location, and hours vary based on placement requirements.
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Virtual Orientation
For program start date: Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Orientation date: Monday, May 5, 2025
Orientation time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
The link to the orientation session will be sent to your email in late April.
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Contact Us
Humber Continuous Professional Learning
Health Sciences & Wellness
647-577-5334
nursingrefresher@humber.ca
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