Centennial College

At Centennial College, nursing programs are offered in four distinct sections that are geared towards various applicants. These sections are: diploma programs, degree programs, certificate programs and graduate certificate programs. Depending on an applicant’s previous educational background and career goals, one of these programs will be best suited for him or her. One thing, however, that all of Centennial College’s nursing programs have in common is the fact that they recognize that today nurses do a lot more than just offer bedside care. Instead, these professionals assess, plan, implement and evaluate care.

In the diploma program section are options such as Practical Nursing - Flex and Practical Nursing for Internationally Educated Nurses. The first is facilitated in a six semester, maximum three-days-per-week format to allow students the flexibility they need to meet personal and other commitments while offering a curriculum based on the College of Nurses of Ontario practice standards and guidelines. Meanwhile, the nursing program for Internationally Educated Nurses is completed in three semesters, which includes 15 weeks of consolidation experience. The program focuses on assisting students to develop their knowledge, critical thinking, communication, research and leadership skills, and to apply these skills in acute healthcare settings.

In the degree nursing programs category is Nursing (BScN). It is offered in partnership with Ryerson University, Centennial College and George Brown College. Students complete their first two years at Centennial and the final two years at Ryerson. Faculty is from both college and university. The curriculum has five themes: primary healthcare/ health promotion; reflective practice/critical thinking; meaningful relationships/ caring/ communication; political/ social justice; and personal/professional development.

Certificate nursing programs are actually indirectly involved in nursing practice. They are Health Foundations (an academic pathway for English-as-a-Second-Language students who wish to continue post-secondary education into college health programs in which English fluency is a professional requirement for safe practice); and Personal Support Worker (training gives students the flexibility to adapt to a variety of settings, such as in the home, schools, community residential facilities, nursing homes or chronic care facilities).

Lastly, three Centennial College nursing programs fall under the Graduate Certificate program category. RPN Bridging to University is an academic pathway offered to assist registered practical nurses (RPNS) bridge to BScN in approximately three year and RPN Bridging to University – Flexible offers the same credential as the non-flexible option and covers topics such as ethics and professional practice, health assessment, skill mastery and caring for clients with acute and chronic illness and provides the foundation for nursing practice. Finally, there is the Bridging to University Nursing for Internationally Educated Nurses program, which is exactly the same as the previously mentioned Graduate Certificate programs with full support of the needs of adult and English-as-a-second-language students.