Our Registered Practical Nursing Diploma Completion Program is a bridging program that takes you from a certificate to a diploma while meeting the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) competency guidelines for registered practical nurses (RPN). The unique series of courses can be completed in anywhere from 10 months (in its compressed format) to 36 months. This nursing program emphasizes holistic care, cultural diversity/sensitivity, critical thinking and reflective practice. Courses take a patient-focused, family-centred and interprofessional approach. Current research, adult learning principles, social justice, best practices and lived experience provide the foundation for learning.
Notes
Program Delivery Method:
This program is offered in a flexible format: courses may be offered during the day, on weekends or during the evening and may be available through in-class, online or hybrid deliveries.
Intake Date(s)
September, January and May
Admission Requirement(s)
You must secure formal admission (see How To Apply) before you can register for courses. Admission will only be considered if you meet the following requirements:
- You must be a practicing RPN in good standing with the CNO.
- You must have proof of registration with the CNO.
- You must have a resumé/curriculum vitae (CV) outlining your previous nursing education and practice.
How to Apply
You must complete the Registered Practical Nursing Diploma Completion PDF application form. Your completed application form and the required documents must be sent to Gayle Bradley at gbradley@georgebrown.ca. You will receive an email response within 10 business days (excluding college closures) of the day we receive your application. The required documents must be scanned copies and not photos.
If you are accepted into this program, your letter of acceptance will include a personal academic plan (developed specifically for you) containing the list of courses you will be required to complete. The timeline for completing your courses is individualized based on your specific needs. You may also be eligible for available bursaries/financial assistance, including the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (RPNAO) nursing education initiative. For more information, contact the Continuing Education Nursing department.
Completion Details
You must complete at least one course through distance learning (online delivery). Once you have completed all the requirements of this program, you can request to receive a practical nursing diploma.
Certificate Stream
Core Courses (Thirteen)
One of these must be completed in your first term:
One of these must be completed in your first term:
Completion order for all others only limited by course prerequisites. One of these:
- NURS 1108 Care of the Frail and Complex Older Adult
- NURS 1112 Care of the Frail and Complex Older AdultOnline
One of these:
One of these:
All of these:
One of these:
One of these:
One of these:
- NURS 1080 Introduction to Interprofessional Education and Care
- NURS 1081 Introduction to Interprofessional Education and CareOnline
One of these:
- NURS 1052 Leadership and Advanced Communication
- NURS 1062 Leadership and Advanced CommunicationOnline
All of these:
One of these:
One of these:
Clinical Placements (One)
This must be completed last (after all other core requirements and your Requisite health form):
Elective Courses (Choose One)
Electives may have two versions (delivery options), but only one can be put toward the diploma.
- GSSC 1022 Abnormal PsychologyOnline
- GSCI 1010 Astronomy: Unravelling the Mystery and Science of the UniverseOnline Option
- GSCI 1174 BodyworksOnline Option
- GHUM 1045 Contemporary Canadian IssuesOnline
- GHUM 1002 Critical and Creative Thinking
- GSSC 1157 Developmental PsychologyOnline
- GSSC 1065 Environmental CitizenshipOnline
- GHUM 1080 Film StudiesOnline Option
- GSCI 1019 Health and WellnessOnline Option
- GSCI 1028 Health and WellnessOnline
- GSSC 1016 Human SexualityOnline
- GSSC 1116 Interpersonal PsychologyOnline Option
- GHUM 1048 Introduction to Arts and SciencesOnline
- GSSC 1172 Introduction to Intercultural CommunicationOnline
- GSSC 1133 Introduction to PsychologyOnline Option
- GSCI 1120 NutritionOnline Option
- GSSC 1131 Personal FinanceOnline Option
- GSSC 1156 Psychology IntroductionOnline
- GHUM 1137 Science FictionOnline
- GSSC 1046 Social PsychologyOnline
- GSSC 1118 SociologyOnline Option
- GSSC 1158 Sociology IntroductionOnline
- GHUM 1094 Women in Film: Scandalous SistersOnline
- GHUM 1143 World ReligionsOnline Option
Additional Information
Disclaimer: George Brown College reserves the right to add or delete programs and/or courses and to change campus locations and/or clinical placement sites depending on enrollment numbers and/or the availability of sites. Clinical placement site assignment is entirely within the discretion of the college and is based on availability. You may be required to travel up to 150 km from the college to complete your clinical placement. George Brown College reserves the right to alter program requirements due to legislative changes and/or changes in the requirements of clinical placement providers or the CNO.
Disclaimer: Our GHUM 1077 Cultural Approaches to Health Care and Healing course meets a core course requirement and, therefore, cannot also be used to fulfill an elective course requirement.