Bridging to University Nursing for Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs)

Program Overview

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The Bridging to University Nursing program is a two-semester graduate certificate designed for registered practical nurses (RPNs) seeking to transition to a degree in nursing. It provides a solid foundation in nursing practice, emphasizing cultural awareness, ethics, health assessment, pharmacology, and caring for clients with acute and chronic illness. Graduates are prepared for a career in nursing, with a focus on caring for individuals, groups, and communities in acute care settings.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

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Overview:

The Bridging to University Nursing program is a two-semester graduate certificate program that prepares registered practical nurses (RPNs) to transition to a degree in nursing. It aims to provide a solid foundation for nursing practice and the transition from PN to RN by emphasizing cultural awareness, ethics and professional practice, health assessment, pharmacology, skill mastery, nursing leadership, research, and caring for clients with acute and chronic illness.

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Objectives:

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

• Utilize scholarly communication, collaboration, and relational skills in various healthcare settings to ensure and enhance the professionalism of practice.
• Incorporate information, communication technologies, and digital tools to support nursing practice that meets evidence-informed, organizational, ethical, regulatory, and legislative requirements.
• Examine the language, process, and goal of research and the implications of research findings on clinical practice at a foundational level
• Engage in self-inquiry, relational inquiry, and critical reflection to develop strategies and practice self-care as a healthcare provider.
• Utilize professional development resources and supervision to increase professional capacity, mentoring, learning, and leadership skills.
• Develop the capacity to work with all individuals, families, and groups, including those that identify with Indigenous, Black, and racialized communities, as well as members of the 2S/LGBTQIA+ and communities with disabilities, by identifying systemic inequities and barriers, integrating practices such as trauma-informed care, and respecting the inherent rights to self-determine.
• Demonstrate advanced clinical practice as an RPN transitioning to an RN utilizing theoretical knowledge, critical reasoning, clinical judgment, and problem-solving skills in the provision of care to individuals, families, groups, and communities with acute/complex/unpredictable care outcomes.
• Participate as part of an interprofessional healthcare team, making appropriate use of resources while building strategic partnerships using the Three-Factor Framework for decision-making.
• Provide safe, therapeutic, ethical, compassionate, and culturally responsive nursing care that meets the current College of Nurses of Ontario Professional Standards for Registered Nurses

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Outline:

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Program Content:

The program covers a wide range of nursing topics, including:

• Cultural awareness
• Ethics and professional practice
• Health assessment
• Pharmacology
• Skill mastery
• Nursing leadership
• Research
However, it is mentioned that the program will offer opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge in clinical settings under the direction, facilitation, and guidance of faculty. However, it is mentioned that the program will implement an updated curriculum that includes approximately 30-50% of the courses in the full-time stream offered online/virtually, synchronously, and asynchronously.

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Careers:

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Potential Career Paths:

Upon completion of the program, graduates may apply to a post-diploma PN to BScN Program (e.g., at Toronto Metropolitan University).

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Opportunities:

The program prepares graduates for a career in nursing, with a focus on caring for individuals, groups, and communities in acute care settings.

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Outcomes:

The program does not guarantee admission to university. Graduates are encouraged to review appropriate admission requirements to university and to know that applications remain competitive.