Bridging/Upgrading Nursing Programs

As an internationally educated nurse, you may need to complete additional study to meet the program or practice requirements of registration.

Bridging programs for internationally educated applicants

Bridging programs for internationally educated nurses are designed to help nurses who have completed their nursing education outside Canada meet registration requirements.

These programs:

• require you to have applied for CNO registration, been assessed and have received a letter of direction that recommends what steps you should take to meet the requirements;
• are generally designed for applicants who were educated as Registered Nurses in another country;
• provide an opportunity for college-educated applicants to enter a university nursing program in Canada;
• give you the opportunity to gain evidence of safe practice; and
• may provide an alternative for international applicants who do not meet the baccalaureate requirement for RN registration to qualify for writing the RPN examination.

Examination Review Courses

Designed to assist the applicant in preparing for the national registration examination to become an RN or an RPN. Through classroom theory and discussions, study guides, and multiple choice and short answer practice examinations, students review the areas of nursing throughout the life span.

Upgrading Programs

Some Ontario community colleges provide continuing education opportunities for nurses to update their nursing education if they have not practised for a number of years. These programs are limited, but they may be available to internationally educated applicants who need to update their practice to meet the evidence of safe practice requirement of registration. If you need to update your evidence of safe practice, and cannot register in a bridging program designed specifically for internationally educated applicants, contact the Continuing Education department of an Ontario community college near you to enquire about upgrading programs.

Registered Nurse Upgrading Programs to meet the evidence of safe practice requirement

This program will help you to adapt and integrate effectively into Ontario's changing health care system. The courses emphasize ethics and professional issues, current and technological practices, skills mastery and health assessment strategies. Adult medical-surgical nursing is the framework for the upgrading program. You will learn to apply theoretical knowledge in a clinical setting with the guidance and direction of a clinical instructor.

Registered Practical Nurse Upgrading Programs to meet the evidence of safe practice requirement

This program will help practical nurses adapt and integrate effectively into Ontario's changing health care system. The courses emphasize ethics and professional issues, skills mastery and health assessment strategies, focus on biological and psychosocial principles through classroom and laboratory activities, as well as current approaches to hospital and community care. Clinical experience provides the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge with the guidance and direction of a clinical instructor.

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1. Acceptable RN or RPN programs
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