Nursing Transformation: RPN to BScN Pathway

Introduction

Disclaimer: Please note that these courses are only available for Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario who want to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in Ontario. If you are interested in general Nursing education, please visit this page.

The Nursing Transformation Registered Practical Nursing (RPN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) Pathway is a new, flexible online bridge approved by the College of Nurses (CNO). The pathway consists of a series of courses available for Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) who are interested in completing a BScN program at a participating Ontario college. The pathway will allow eligible graduates of a CNO-approved Practical Nursing diploma program to earn credits towards the degree on their own schedule.

Students must be accepted into the pathway by a designated receiving college* prior to registering for the pathway courses. Those who successfully complete the pathway courses will be eligible to apply to enter semester 5 (Year 3) of that college’s eight-semester (4-year) degree program.

Graduates of an approved BScN program will be eligible to apply to CNO to write the registration exam to qualify for practice as an RN.

If you have any general questions about the Nursing Transformation RPN-BScN pathway or need support navigating the process, please sent an email to the Nursing Transformation Career Readiness Service at info@nursingpathways.ca.

*a designated receiving college is a college that has received approval from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities of Ontario and the CNO to offer the pathway as a bridge into semester 5 (year 3) of the receiving college’s four-year BScN program.

How do I apply for this pathway?

To apply or to learn more about the application process, please visit: https://www.ontariocolleges.ca/en/pathways-to-nursing/nursing-upgrade-rpn-bscn

Eligibility

1. Am I eligible to take the RPN to BScN pathway courses?

The RPN to BScN pathway courses are available to RPNs who meet all of the following:

      • Have Canadian citizenship or Canadian permanent resident status or appropriate authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) that permits an individual to engage in the practice of nursing in Ontario.
      • Graduated from a two-year Practical Nursing diploma program approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario with a 65 percent or higher cumulative program GPA.
      • Be a Registered Practical Nurses in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario.
      • And have worked as an RPN in Ontario within the past five years on at least a part-time or casual basis.

If you do not meet these criteria and are interested in exploring options for becoming a registered nurse, please contact an Ontario college offering a baccalaureate Nursing degree program.

2. How many courses are in the pathway?

The RPN to BScN pathway consists of six courses, four of which are full courses and two of which are half courses:

  • Scholarly Writing
  • Nursing Informatics
  • Health Assessment
  • Transition to the Role of RN
  • Microbiology (1/2 course)
  • Biochemistry & Pathophysiology (1/2 course)

In addition, students must complete a short in-person skills session after completing the online courses. Further information on the skills session will be provided once a student is accepted into the pathway.

3. Do I have to enrol full-time in the RPN to BScN pathway courses?

Although you must be accepted into the pathway by a designated receiving college to be eligible to complete the courses, the pathway courses do not need to be completed on a full-time basis. They are available for course-by-course registration on a part-time, ongoing basis. The courses are asynchronous, which means you can learn on your own schedule, within a two-year timeframe for successfully completing all courses. You may access and complete the coursework at any time while meeting the weekly deadlines in each course.

4. Are all the courses online?

Six courses are offered online, asynchronously on an ongoing basis. After you complete the six courses, your designated receiving college will coordinate your participation in the practical skills session. Please consult the Admissions department of your receiving college for further details.

Note: Students who have successfully completed the pathway and are admitted into the BScN program by a receiving college are expected to attend full-time, in-person unless otherwise directed by their receiving college

5. Do I have to take all the courses in the pathway?

Most students will be required to complete all the courses. It is possible that you will receive Advanced Standing for additional courses based on your prior education or prior experiential learning (PLAR). If you plan to seek advanced standing for courses that are not included in the pathway, please consult with a representative from the Admissions Department of your chosen receiving college.

Although you do not need to complete all the courses in a particular order, it is recommended that you complete the Transition to the role of RN course last.

6. Is entry into a BScN program automatic after completing all the pathway courses?

Those who successfully complete the pathway courses will be eligible to apply for admission directly into semester 5 (Year 3) of a 4-year, (8 semester) BScN program at their receiving college for key courses of the BScN degree program.

Note: Admission to a receiving college may be a competitive selection process and subject to some conditions, including the start date of semester 5. If a student’s circumstances have changed they are to contact their college

7. How do I register for a course within the RPN to BScN pathway?

If you are admitted to the RPN to BScN pathway, your receiving college will provide you with information on how to register for courses.

If you have general questions about the Nursing Transformation RPN-BScN pathway, or need support with navigating the process, please send an email to the Nursing Transformation Career Readiness Service at info@nursingpathways.ca

8. Will I receive a credential for completing these courses?

There is no certificate for the completion of the RPN to BScN pathway. The pathway courses allow you to obtain course credits toward a baccalaureate degree in Nursing. When applying to enter into semester 5 of the BScN program at your participating college, you will need to contact your chosen receiving college to ensure that they have an updated record of your successful completion (and registration) of pathway courses. Your receiving college will provide further instructions about the completion of the onsite skills session and entry into semester 5 of the degree program.

Upon successful completion of all the requirements of the BScN program, graduates will receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

9. Are online courses self-paced, and will I have to be online at specific times?

Every course will have a schedule to follow. As the theory courses are available 24/7 and course schedules have week-to-week timelines, coursework may be completed at any time within the week.

10. Will I have access to support if I need help with my online course?

Yes. For academic questions, your course facilitator should be your first contact. Once you register for a course, you will receive information regarding the key contacts for technical support.

11. Is there funding available to cover the cost of these pathway courses?

RPNs enroled in the RPN to BScN pathway may be eligible for tuition reimbursement through the Bridging Educational Grant in Nursing (BEGIN) program offered by the Registered Practical Nurses Association, also known as WeRPN.

Further information about the BEGIN program can be found on the WeRPN website

12. Is the pathway available in French?

The RPN-BScN Nursing Transformation pathway will be available in French in 2025. This website will be updated as more information becomes available.

13. Are there other resources available to help me prepare for the pathway courses?

Yes, public colleges offer upgrading courses and resources to Ontario residents 19 years of age or older. To discover more about the course offerings that can assist you in preparing for the RPN-BScN pathway, please contact info@cscau.com