Practical Nursing
Diploma
Program Code: 07041
Campus: North, Humber Heights
Length: 4 semesters
Turn your passion for helping others into an in-demand profession with Humber’s Practical Nursing (RPN) program. Our program provides you with the confidence, clinical expertise and hands-on experience preparing you take on the challenges and rewards of a career in health care. You’ll graduate ready to write the registration exam and start careers in hospitals, long-term care and community health settings across Ontario.
The program is now offered at three locations - North Campus, Lakeshore Campus and the new Humber Heights Living Classroom. Whether you’re starting your health-care journey or building on your existing skills, Humber gives you the flexibility to study where it suits you best.
At Humber, you’ll learn in an environment that sets you apart. We’re the only English-speaking college in Ontario where nursing students train with an on-campus cadaver lab — a one-of-a-kind opportunity to deepen your understanding of human anatomy. You’ll also gain experience in state-of-the-art bioscience and anatomy labs, advanced simulation facilities and real-world clinical placements with leading health-care organizations throughout the Greater Toronto Area.
North Campus
During the program, practical nursing students will participate in approximately 1,000 hours of unpaid mandatory professional practicums. Practicums occur in each semester of the program, giving you valuable hands-on experience. All professional practicums take place in diverse settings and are arranged and communicated with students by the faculty.
Mandatory professional practicums provide students with the opportunity to integrate nursing skills and knowledge in a supervised setting. Practicum experiences will cover a broad range of settings including community agencies, schools, long-term care facilities and hospitals. Humber has relationships with many agencies and helps you to develop, establish and maintain the required standards for academic success.
In Semester 1, students learn and practise important nursing skills in Humber’s simulation learning lab. In Semester 2, practicums occur in long-term care settings. Throughout the program's first year, students also participate in a unique community-service learning practicum in a variety of community settings. Semester 3 practicum takes place in rehabilitation, complex or acute-care settings. Each of the practicum placements in Semesters 1, 2 and 3 are supervised directly by one of Humber’s experts in clinical education. Clinical simulation activities are also a component of Semesters 2 and 3. In Semester 4, you will complete a preceptored pre-graduate practicum. During this final practicum, students work one-on-one alongside a practising registered practical nurse in a particular setting.
Humber Heights
During the program, practical nursing students will participate in approximately 1,000 hours of unpaid mandatory professional practicums. Practicums occur in each semester of the program, giving you valuable hands-on experience.
Mandatory professional practicums provide students with the opportunity to integrate nursing skills and knowledge in a supervised setting. Practicum experiences will be centred around the Village of Humber Heights facility. Humber has established the Living Classroom with Humber Heights to assist students in developing, establishing and maintaining the required standards for academic success.
In Semester 1, students learn and practise important nursing skills in Humber’s Living Classroom simulation learning labs at Humber Heights. In Semester 2, practicums occur in the long-term care units at Humber Heights. At the end of the program's first year, students also participate in a unique community practicum supporting the residents of Humber Heights and their families. Semester 3 practicum takes place in the more complex side of the Humber Heights facility. Each of the practicum placements in Semesters 2 and 3 are supervised directly by one of Humber’s experts in clinical education. Clinical simulation activities at Humber’s Living Classroom simulation learning labs at Humber Height are also a component of Semesters 2 and 3. In Semester 4, you will complete a preceptored pre-graduate practicum. During this final practicum, students work one-on-one alongside a practising registered practical nurse at Humber Heights.
Visit Future Students > Work-Integrated Learning > to learn more about your WIL power and other success stories.
Also take time to explore the digital Faculty of Health Sciences & Wellness Student Handbook to learn foundational WIL concepts, plus requirements specific to this program.
Courses
Admission Requirements
Admission selection is based on the following 3 requirements:
- .
Academic
To be eligible for admission, you must possess the following:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent including these required courses:
- Grade 12 English (ENG4C or ENG4U or equivalent)
- Grade 12 Mathematics (MAP4C, MCT4C, MDM4U, MCB4U, MGA4U, MCV4U or MHF4U or equivalent)
- Grade 11 or Grade 12 Biology (SBI3C, SBI3U or SBI4U or equivalent)
- Grade 11 or Grade 12 Chemistry (SCH3U, SCH4C or SCH4U or equivalent)
or
or
- College or university transfer status
Mature Applicants
Diplomas and Certificates
An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or other postsecondary school, and will be 19 or older as of the first day of classes. Humber will invite you for testing to demonstrate that you meet all listed course requirements.
Degrees
An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or attended postsecondary studies, and will be 21 or older as of the first day of classes. Mature applicants for degree programs will be required to meet course requirements at the U/M level or equivalent.
College Transfer Applicants
Diplomas and Certificates
An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility.
Degrees
An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants must have an overall minimum grade point average (GPA) of 65 per cent in the program. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.
University Transfer Applicants
Diplomas and Certificates
An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility.
Degrees
An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent including these required courses:
- .
English Language Proficiency
All applicants whose first language is not English must meet Humber’s English Language Proficiency Policy.
- .
International Credit Evaluation
Canadian citizens or permanent residents with international education are required to provide a credential evaluation. Note, for international High school education course by course evaluations, ICAS must be used. For international post-secondary education, a WES evaluation must be provided. In situations where you expect to apply for transfer credit, it is recommended that a course by course WES evaluation is completed.
How to Apply
Applications are made through ontariocolleges.ca. See program page for details.
International Academic Equivalency
Admission equivalencies for Humber depend on your country of study. Please see admission requirements on the program page to enter your location.
Post-Admission Requirements
Once you have been accepted, and have confirmed your offer, you may need to complete a further set of requirements related to your program (Post-Admission Requirements).
Placement Requirements
The pre-requisite requirements must be fulfilled before the commencement of your first placement. Participation in placements will not be allowed if not all the pre-requisite requirements are met. Due to the variety of venues and possible changes in legislation, the requirements are subject to change. Please use the following link to find detailed information about your program’s placement pre-requisite requirements.
College of Nurses of Ontario
Graduates wishing to be registered will be asked by the College of Nurses of Ontario to sign a declaration of their status regarding:
- citizenship/permanent residence/immigration
- any conviction of a criminal offence or an offence under the Narcotic Control Act or the Food and Drug Act
- being a subject of proceedings with respect to professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity in Ontario in another health profession or in another jurisdiction in nursing or 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 will also apply throughout your program.
Fees
The 2025/2026 fee for two semesters was:
- domestic: $6,772.79
- international: $18,857.31
Fees are subject to change.
Domestic Fees by Semester
| Semester 1 | 2021-22 Fees |
| Tuition | $1,351.41 |
| Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $474.72 |
| Compulsory Student Union Fee | $88.60 |
| IGNITE Health and Dental Insurance Fee | $116.65 |
| Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $0.00 |
| Program Ancillary Fee | $2,632.06 |
| Co-op/Placement | $0.00 |
| Total | $4,663.44 |
| Semester 2 | 2021-22 Fees |
| Tuition | $1,351.41 |
| Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $474.72 |
| Compulsory Student Union Fee | $88.60 |
| IGNITE Health and Dental Insurance Fee | $116.65 |
| Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $0.00 |
| Program Ancillary Fee | $77.97 |
| Co-op/Placement | $0.00 |
| Total | $2,109.35 |
| Semester 3 | 2021-22 Fees |
| Tuition | $1,351.41 |
| Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $474.72 |
| Compulsory Student Union Fee | $88.60 |
| IGNITE Health and Dental Insurance Fee | $116.65 |
| Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $0.00 |
| Program Ancillary Fee | $40.00 |
| Co-op/Placement | $0.00 |
| Total | $2,071.38 |
| Semester 4 | 2021-22 Fees |
| Tuition | $1,351.41 |
| Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $474.72 |
| Compulsory Student Union Fee | $88.60 |
| IGNITE Health and Dental Insurance Fee | $116.65 |
| Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $0.00 |
| Program Ancillary Fee | $248.60 |
| Co-op/Placement | $0.00 |
| Total | $2,279.98 |
International Fees by Semester
| Semester 1 | 2021-22 Fees |
| Tuition | $7,393.67 |
| Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $474.72 |
| Compulsory Student Union Fee | $88.60 |
| IGNITE Health and Dental Insurance Fee | $116.65 |
| Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $0.00 |
| Program Ancillary Fee | $2,632.06 |
| Co-op/Placement | $0.00 |
| Total | $10,705.70 |
| Semester 2 | 2021-22 Fees |
| Tuition | $7,393.67 |
| Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $474.72 |
| Compulsory Student Union Fee | $88.60 |
| IGNITE Health and Dental Insurance Fee | $116.65 |
| Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $0.00 |
| Program Ancillary Fee | $77.97 |
| Co-op/Placement | $0.00 |
| Total | $8,151.61 |
| Semester 3 | 2021-22 Fees |
| Tuition | $7,393.67 |
| Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $474.72 |
| Compulsory Student Union Fee | $88.60 |
| IGNITE Health and Dental Insurance Fee | $116.65 |
| Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $0.00 |
| Program Ancillary Fee | $40.00 |
| Co-op/Placement | $0.00 |
| Total | $8,113.64 |
| Semester 4 | 2021-22 Fees |
| Tuition | $7,393.67 |
| Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $474.72 |
| Compulsory Student Union Fee | $88.60 |
| IGNITE Health and Dental Insurance Fee | $116.65 |
| Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $0.00 |
| Program Ancillary Fee | $248.60 |
| Co-op/Placement | $0.00 |
| Total | $8,322.24 |
*Plus Mandatory Health Insurance fee once per academic year: Fall start - $420 Winter start - $280 Summer start - $140
Equipment & Device Requirements
Semester 1
| Details and Specifications | Minimum Specifications | Recommended Specifications |
| Processor | Intel i5-8300H (PC) 4-core or higher 64bit (Mac) |
Intel i5-8300H (PC) 4-core or higher 64bit (Mac) |
| OS | Windows 10 (PC) OS 10.15 (Mac) |
Windows 10 (PC) OS 10.15 (Mac) |
| Memory | 8GB of RAM | 8GB of RAM |
| Storage | 256GB | 256GB |
| Monitor | Laptop | Laptop |
| Other | Built-in microphone and webcam, Software: Adobe creative and Microsoft office Suite | Built-in microphone and webcam, Software: Adobe creative and Microsoft office Suite |
Additional Costs
Approximately $1,900 - Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid and CPR – HCP; A.S.I.S.T. course; Vulnerable Sector Screen; ; required immunizations; transportation and parking (varies based on location of placement and semester)
Pathways
Humber offers a number of transfer options and pathway opportunities. Visit humber.ca/transferoptions or refer to the program page.
Contact Information
Tamiza Kassam, program co-ordinator
Faculty of Health & Life Sciences
Admissions Questions
Domestic Students
416-675-5000
Please fill out the Humber Contact Form
International Students
Contact the International Centre
international.humber.ca/contact
1-416-675-5067
Every attempt is made to ensure that information contained on this website is current and accurate. Humber reserves the right to correct any error or omission, modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable or campus location at any time without prior notice or liability to users or any other Person.
Select information only is included in this printable PDF. For complete program details, refer to humber.ca/programs.
Print/Download Date: November 25, 2025