Diploma Practical Nursing (Waterloo)
Practical Nursing is a career-focused program where the student will gain the knowledge, skills and experience required to become a member of the nursing profession and health-care team. The foundational knowledge for practical nursing is based on scientific theory from nursing, the physical and psychosocial sciences and humanities. Person-centred care is learned in context through real-life experiences and career-related work-integrated learning (WIL) experiences. Seniors care is given special attention to meet the needs of an aging population.
Regulatory Obligations:
The Nursing Act
The Nursing Act requires that all graduate practical nurses wishing to work in Ontario must be registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario. The Nursing Act also states graduates must not have been convicted of a criminal offence or an offence under the Narcotic Control Act (Canada) or the Food and Drugs Act (Canada). In addition, the Nursing Act identifies a number of other abilities and requirements that must be met in order to practice nursing in the province of Ontario.
The College of Nurses of Ontario
Graduate practical nurses wishing to register with the College of Nurses of Ontario must sign a declaration of their status regarding: citizenship; permanent residence; immigration; convictions of a criminal offence under the Narcotic Control Act/Food and Drug Act; involvement with respect to professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity in Ontario in another health profession; any mental or physical disorder, which makes it desirable in the public interest that the person not practice nursing. These conditions also apply throughout the program. In preparation to pursuing a nursing career, we encourage all prospective nursing students to carefully consider the requisite skills and abilities for nursing practice in Ontario outlined by the College of Nurses of Ontario.
The Practical Nursing diploma program at Conestoga is currently approved (Category 1) by the College of Nurses of Ontario. Current graduates from this program are eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Practical Nurse in Ontario.
Note:
- This is a highly competitive program. Apply by February 1 (for September), July 15 (for January). Please read the Oversubscribed Programs information on our Admission Information web page.
Students living outside of Ontario are not eligible for oversubscribed programs.
- Admission requirements for this program may be met by completing a Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Certificates and Diplomas Program.
- International students interested in studying in the Practical Nursing program are required to successfully complete the Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Certificates and Diplomas. Direct entry into the Practical Nursing program is not available. Admission to Practical Nursing after completion of the Pre-Health Pathway program is not guaranteed.
Program details
Program contacts
- Karen Singleton
- ksingleton@conestogac.on.ca
Academic school
Health & Life Sciences
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Tuition & fees
Tuition and fee details for the 2023-2024 year are listed below. Books and supplies are additional. Tuition and fee details for terms starting September 2024 and later will be available Spring 2024.
1 Term
Canadian
International
Canadian fee details
| Description | Winter 2024 |
|---|---|
| Full-time Program Tuition | $1685.00 |
| Administration Fee | $25.00 |
| Capital Development Fee | $81.77 |
| CSI Health Plan Fee | $201.00 |
| CSI Advocacy Fee | $8.00 |
| CSI Association Fee | $102.00 |
| CSI Legal Protection | $20.10 |
| eText Fee | $968.00 |
| Graduation/Alumni Services Fee | $20.00 |
| ONE Card Fee | $7.50 |
| Recreation/Athletics Fee | $70.50 |
| Student Services | $86.00 |
| Technology Enhancement Fee | $110.00 |
| Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Documentation Fee | $112.00 |
| CSI - Student Frosh Kit Fee (optional) | $70.00 |
| CSI Event Fee and Campus Life (optional) | $30.00 |
| CSI Student Clubs and Societies (optional) | $4.00 |
| Sustainability Fee (optional) | $5.00 |
| Term Total | $3605.87 |
Returning student tuition & fees
View all Canadian tuition & fee details for all levels
View all International tuition & fee details for all levels
International fee details
| Description | Winter 2024 |
|---|---|
| International Program Tuition | $7748.00 |
| Administration Fee | $25.00 |
| Capital Development Fee | $81.77 |
| CSI Health Plan Fee | $201.00 |
| CSI Advocacy Fee | $8.00 |
| CSI Association Fee | $102.00 |
| CSI International Health Fee | $355.10 |
| CSI Legal Protection | $20.10 |
| eText Fee | $968.00 |
| Graduation/Alumni Services Fee | $20.00 |
| ISR | $375.00 |
| ONE Card Fee | $7.50 |
| Recreation/Athletics Fee | $70.50 |
| Student Services | $86.00 |
| Technology Enhancement Fee | $110.00 |
| Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Documentation Fee | $112.00 |
| CSI - Student Frosh Kit Fee (optional) | $70.00 |
| CSI Event Fee and Campus Life (optional) | $30.00 |
| CSI Student Clubs and Societies (optional) | $4.00 |
| Sustainability Fee (optional) | $5.00 |
| Term Total | $10398.97 |
Returning student tuition & fees
View all Canadian tuition & fee details for all levels
View all International tuition & fee details for all levels
Program device & software requirements
This program requires you to have a device that meets certain specifications. For most students, this cost is in addition to the tuition & fees listed above.
view device requirementsFinancial assistance
Awards & scholarships
Student Financial Services awarded more than 400 awards, scholarships and bursaries last year.
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Delivery sequence - January 2024 - Kitchener – Doon
| FALL | WINTER | SPRING |
|---|---|---|
| Class | Break | |
| Class | Class | Break |
| Class |