Registered Nurse Diagnosing & Prescribing
Certificate of Accomplishment | RNDP1
Program Overview
The Registered Nurse Diagnosing and Prescribing certificate program is designed for registered nurses (RNs) seeking to advance their knowledge and scope of practice in patient diagnostics and prescription writing. This certification guides learners through the theory of prescribing specific certain medications, patient assessments and follow-ups as set out by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). From December 2025 through the end of March 2026, this program is fully funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and at no cost to learners.
Upon successful completion of the two theoretical courses, students will proceed to the 8-hour, instructor-led In-Person Simulation.
Academic Partnership
As of December 2023, the new Registered Nurse Diagnosing & Prescribing at Humber Polytechnic is approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). RNs who successfully complete Council approved RN-prescribing education will have this information added to their registrant profile on CNO’s public Registration, Find a Nurse, to communicate their authority to prescribe medications and communicate diagnoses for the purpose of prescribing specified in the RN Prescribing Drug List.
Admission Requirements
- Registered Nurse (RN) in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) – CNO number and active unrestricted status is required.
- Recent employment in a healthcare setting, with a total of 1000 hours calculated. Essential that RN conducts assessment and nursing intervention during these hours.
Documentation Requirements
- Current Resume
- CNO Entitled to Practice Confirmation
Fees
- Fully Funded — No Tuition Costs to You
- For a limited time the Registered Nurse Diagnosing and Prescribing Certificate is currently tuition-free thanks to funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health
Update: The February 2026 intake for this program is now full.
How to Apply
To apply to this certificate program, please select Next Steps below:
How to Register
Once your application is Approved, please select the Register button below:
Curriculum
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 |
| RNDP 101: RN Prescribing in Ontario: Accountabilities, Standards, and Competencies | |||||||||||||||
| RNDP 102: Integration of Evidence: Health Assessment, Pharmacology, and Client Education | |||||||||||||||
| RNDP 103: In-Person Simulation | |||||||||||||||
Compulsory Courses
Learners will build upon previous knowledge, skills and judgement from College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) practice standards and incorporate the legal and ethical responsibilities of prescribing. Through self-directed learning, learners will demonstrate an understanding of the limitations of prescribing and how to build collaborative relationships with client and other health-care providers.
This course is delivered online and includes both synchronous and asynchronous components. Learners may be required to attend scheduled online sessions on set days; however, sessions are typically recorded and can be viewed later. Additional coursework is completed independently, allowing for flexibility.
Learners will build on previous knowledge from RNDP 101 and professional practice to engage in meaningful simulations to understand the multiple facets of registered nurses (RN) prescribing. With a simulation component along with asynchronous activities, learners will review physical assessments, interviewing skills to collaborate with patients and follow up methods to ensure a positive outcome for the client. In addition, along with prescription writing fundamentals, RN’s will review pharmacology for the specific medications outlined by the CNO (College of Nurses of Ontario), along with evidence-based algorithms to guide decision making. Learners will then end with reviewing consultation strategies with other health-care providers when the scope of practice has been reached. This course is delivered online and includes both synchronous and asynchronous components. Learners may be required to attend scheduled online sessions on set days; however, sessions are typically recorded and can be viewed later. Additional coursework is completed independently, allowing for flexibility. Virtual simulations will be scheduled with instructors during the course.
Students enrolled in this course are required to complete a supervised, in-person clinical simulation. The in-person clinical simulation will take place one day for 8 hours scheduled with the instructor during the course. This hands-on experience is designed to help students deepen their understanding of the prescribing process and enhance their practical skills.
Please note: RNs with the authority to prescribe can only do so in practice settings or facilities where RN prescribing is authorized by law and permitted by the employer. The Public Hospitals Act does not permit RNs to prescribe medications in hospital settings.
Employers are responsible for determining the roles and responsibilities of their employees, including determining whether nurses can perform certain activities and procedures in the practice setting. RNs are expected to consult with their employers to confirm that prescribing is permitted in the practice setting.
Processing your request, please wait...