Practical Nursing (2011/12) - Current Academic Year

A Two Year Ontario College Diploma Program
Program Code: PNG4
Campus Code: LC (LC - London)
September Admission
Academic Calendars available at www.fanshawec.ca/academicdates
School of Nursing: 519-452-4220 

Program Code: PNG4W
Campus Code: WC (WC - Woodstock)
September Admission
Academic Calendars available at www.fanshawec.ca/academicdates
Woodstock Campus: 519-421-0144

Program Description

Practical Nursing is a five level (62 week) program leading to an Ontario College Diploma in Practical Nursing. 

The program emphasizes the changing role of the Practical Nurse in the health care community and will prepare you for a career in which you will function as an important member of the health care team. Clinical practice is integrated throughout the program providing experience in long term care, acute care, and community settings. The program provides the knowledge, skill, and experience to work with individuals, families, groups and communities in a variety of settings. Graduates qualify to write the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination and if successful, become eligible for membership with the College of Nurses of Ontario as a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN).

University Transfer Credits and Degree Completion

For information concerning the Degree Pathways for this program visit www.fanshawec.ca/degreepathways. 

Applicant Selection Criteria

Where the number of eligible applicants exceeds the available spaces in the program, the Applicant Selection Criteria will be:

1. Preference for Permanent Residents of Ontario.
2. Receipt of Application by February 1st.
3. Achievement in the Admission Requirements.

Note:

• Admission to the Fanshawe College Pre-Health Science program does not guarantee admission in a subsequent year to the Practical Nursing program. Successful completion of the Fanshawe College Pre-Health Science program, however, does enable the student to be given additional consideration when applying for the Practical Nursing program.  The Pre-Health Science program is the preferred designated preparatory program for admission to the Practical Nursing program.
• *Students who are currently registered in the Pre-Health Science program at Fanshawe College or at any Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology must successfully complete their Pre-Health Science Ontario College Certificate with a minimum 3.0 GPA by April 30, 2011 and meet the academic pre-requisite courses and grades for the Practical Nursing program in order to be eligible for admission consideration in the immediately following academic year to the Practical Nursing program.
• **Students who are currently registered in the General Arts and Science program at Fanshawe College or at any Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology must successfully complete their General Arts and Science Ontario College Certificate with a minimum 3.0 GPA by April 30, 2011 and meet the academic pre-requisite courses and grades for the Practical Nursing program in order to be eligible for admission consideration in the immediately following academic year to the Practical Nursing program.

First Aid/Basic Rescuer Certificates

Applicants who accept admission to the program will be required to possess a Standard First Aid course certificate (either St. John Ambulance or Canadian Red Cross or equivalent) and a Basic Rescuer course certificate - Basic Life Support (BLS) for Health Care Providers (C) in accordance with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada Canadian Guidelines for CPR, VALID FOR THE DURATION OF THE PROGRAM.  Note:  CPR certification expires after one year regardless of certifying body.  First Aid certification usually is valid for two or three years, depending on the certifying organization.  If either expires during the program, the student must renew and provide documentation to the Program Co-ordinator within one month from the time of expiration.  Failure to do so will result in removal from the clinical/field component of the program of study and progression to the next level may be denied.

Evidence of Good Health

Applicants who accept admission to the program must possess good health and must present written evidence of this as a condition of registration. This will include a medical review, complete immunization and T.B. test (and a Chest X-ray if the T.B. test is positive).

Pre-Clinical/Placement Condition

An essential component of your education will be experiential learning through clinical or field practice relevant to your chosen profession.  In order to ensure high standards and quality educational offerings which will permit students maximum opportunities to achieve learning objectives, Fanshawe College reserves the right to place students in an agency or combination of agencies it determines to be appropriate.  While every effort is made to maximize use of local agencies, there is sometimes a need to place students outside of the area for some programs or portions of programs.  Accordingly, an offer of admission to this program is subject to the condition that the student must be prepared for the possibility of assignment to experiential learning outside of the area, and for the possibility of having to relocate, at the student's own expense, for all or a portion of this experience.  Students are responsible for all costs associated with clinical/field placement (including volunteer hours).

Police Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening

As a condition of admission to this program, students will be required to have a Police Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening, including a check of the Pardoned Sexual Offenders Database, prior to the first day of class.  The College does not review or use this information, however, the College must ensure that students who are admitted to the program are prepared to meet an important and standard condition for placement.  Most agencies will require students to produce the results of a recent screening.  This documentation must be valid for the duration of the program.  Applicants should be aware that certain criminal convictions for which pardons have not been received may or may not permit placement in these agencies.  In the latter cases, program completion will not be possible.  Further information concerning this admission condition will be available in early May at http://www.fanshawec.ca/registration.    Any questions regarding the Police Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening may be directed to the Academic Manager of the School of Nursing of the College.

Other Information

• Due to the academic and clinical rigor required in the Practical Nursing program, applicants applying directly to this program from secondary school, without additional post-secondary education, are encouraged to consider applying to the Pre-Health Science program.  The Pre-Health Science program is an excellent preparatory program for those considering a career as a health care professional.
• Eligibility for registration in Ontario in any regulated health discipline requires the candidate to provide information regarding any criminal offence or physical/mental condition which may affect practice.
• Terms are normally 15 weeks unless otherwise stated under Campus Codes and Intakes and at www.fanshawec.ca/academicdates.