RN, RPN AND LPN REQUIREMENTS IN CANADA
In Canada, nursing is a profession that includes 3 regulated nursing groups: Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)*, or Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN).
The title “nurse” can only be used by those professionals who are licensed or registered by the nursing regulatory body, college or association in one of the Canadian provinces where they intend to work.
Each province and territory has its own regulations. This allows them to protect public health and safety. It also ensures that nurses meet the required standards.
There is no national registration/licensure process for nurses in Canada. Each province has its own regulatory body and assessment process.
* referred to as Registered Practical Nurse in Ontario
Registered Nurse (RN)
RNs usually complete a four year post-secondary university nursing program to become a generalist registered nurse. The program contains theory and clinical instruction in medical and surgical nursing. It includes in-depth study of concepts, such as:
- humanities;
- nursing theory;
- physical and biological sciences;
- primary health;
- professional ethics;
- social and behavioural sciences and;
- therapeutic relationships.
The program prepares the RN to give direct care and to take on the role of coordinating care for individuals, families, groups, communities and populations in a variety of health care setting and with a variety of health professionals. Clinical instruction prepares the RN to take a leadership role when the care requirements become more complex.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)* or Registered Practical Nurse in Ontario
LPNs complete a post-secondary nursing program at the college level that is usually takes two years. The program for generalist LPNs contains nursing theory and clinical instruction in both medical and surgical nursing. Their education is based on nursing theory, and they study:
- physical and biological sciences;
- professional ethics;
- psychology and;
- therapeutic relationships.
LPNs provide and coordinate care for individuals, families, and groups in a variety of settings and with a variety of health professionals. They can work with clients of varying complexity, recognizing when consultation and collaboration with other health professionals is required.
Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN)
RPNs complete a 2 ½ to 4 year psychiatric nursing education program at a college or university. The program contains theory and clinical instruction in psychiatric and general nursing. It offers in-depth study in:
- behavioural and social sciences;
- biological and physical sciences;
- general nursing;
- humanities;
- professional ethics;
- psychiatric nursing theory and interventions;
- theory and clinical hours**
- therapeutic relationships
RPNs provide care for clients with complex psychosocial, mental health and physical needs. They coordinate care for individuals, families, groups, communities and populations in a variety of health care settings, with a variety of health care professionals.
** defined in the Guidelines for Education Assessment of Internationally Educated Psychiatric Nurses.
NOTE: RPNs are regulated to practise only in four Canadian provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba – and in the Yukon Territory.
Conclusion
After reviewing these requirements for nursing careers in Canada, you may be eligible to apply for registration/licensure as an RN, LPN or RPN. For registration/licensure in any of the three nursing groups, you may require further education and/or assessment of your nursing knowledge.
To apply for registration/ licensure, click here.
At Bay College we offer the following programs: (8 months) Full Time
- International Nursing Review Program with Clinical Placement
- NCLEX – RN Exam Prep Program with Clinical Placement
- NACC Personal Support Worker (PSW) Program with Clinical Placement
- NACC Early Childhood Assistant (ECA) Program with Clinical Placement
- Professional English - Healthcare Providers with Clinical Placement
ADMISSIONS PROCESS
Bay College’s designated learning institution number (DLI#) is O136148508342.
Bay College of Health, Business and Technology is authorized by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to accept and enroll international students.
Contact us by emailing Admissions@BayC.ca or calling us at 1- 416-800-8281 to talk to one of our counselors.
Admission requirements
- You must be at least 18 years old to attend Bay College.
- Complete our International Student Application Contact Form online (on this webpage) or by completing the downloadable form or Application Forms from your agency.
- For some programs, you need to pass the admissions test (Wonderlic test). You will need to find a proctor who can administer the said test by providing the proctor’s full name, business address, phone number, email and photo ID. The proctor can either be a teacher, guidance counsellor, engineer, lawyer, doctor or nurse. Depending on the program that you are applying for, there may also be additional entrance requirements. Please see more information on the program-specific entrance requirements.
- Once accepted into a program, a student registration contract must be completed. A registration deposit of 25% of total tuition fee must accompany your contract. All payments must be made in Canadian Dollars. Included in the 25% is a non-refundable $500.00 administration fee if the application is cancelled or the visa is denied. For the processing of your contract, payment can be made in any of the following methods: (a) by sending a certified demand draft payable to Bay College of Health, Business and Technology; (b) by providing a credit card; or (c) by bank or wire transfer. Payments made through bank or wire transfer should include an additional $20 to cover the bank transfer fee.
- The balance of the fees must be paid on the first day of classes.
If your study visa/permit is declined, or you cancel the process, the registration deposit, other than the administration fee ($500.00) will be fully refunded. Refunds are processed within 25 business days from receipt of the refusal letter from the Canadian visa office.
After the processing of your student registration contract, a Letter of Acceptance will be issued.
To download the application, please go to www.BayC.ca
For bank transfers, kindly transmit payments to (Bank transfers must include an additional $20.00 transfer fee):
Account Name: Bay College of Health, Business and Technology
Bank Code: 004
Bank Name: TD Canada Trust
Bank Address: 5400 Yonge St., North York, Ontario, Canada M2N 5R5
Account Number: 233 5241338
Transit Number: 02332
SWIFT Code: TDOMCATTTOR
By Mail:
Bay College of Health, Business and Technology
1110 Sheppard Ave., East
Suite 208
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M2K 2W2
By Email:
For Refund related query:
Email: Admissions@BayC.ca
In Canada, the health care industry is currently experiencing a major shortage of health care professionals. In the nursing profession alone, there is an immediate demand for Registered Nurses (RNs). If you are an internationally trained nurse and are currently in Canada, you may contact the nursing licensing body of the province or territory that you wish to work in to request an application package. Once you have been assessed by the nursing licensing body and are eligible to write the nursing licensing examination, you may decide to enroll into the Canadian Nclex-RN / RPN Exam Preparation Program.
International Student Application Contact Form online
(We will guide you step by step through the application process)
Register for RN/ Nursing Review class:
[contact-form-7 id="2856" title="International Student"]