Re-enter the health-care field as a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN)
RPN Refresher
Explore theoretical study and clinical practice so you can dive back into the nursing profession with confidence. Meet College of Nurses on Ontario (CNO) requirements.
Program information
Program description
These series of courses are for Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) who have been out of practice for three or more years. The courses are customized to meet the needs outlined by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), including clinical hours, in order for RPNs to meet current CNO registration requirements.
The RPN Refresher Series is developed based on the CNO’s professional standards and competencies for RPN practice. Completion of the series varies in length depending on the courses/components required as per individual course mapping by the faculty advisor. The refresher series is comprised of comprehensive, accelerated courses with theory/clinical lab work delivered in blended classroom and on-line formats which incorporate self-directed study to support classroom/lab work. Case-based seminars and multiple learning methodologies are used in a group setting to achieve course learning outcomes. The series provides the knowledge, skill, and experience to work with individuals, families, groups and communities in a variety of settings. The series also has an additional clinical practice component which satisfies the 200 or 400 clinical practice hours required by the CNO. Clinical placements are arranged by Georgian College’s Placement Office with their partner institutions across Simcoe County and Muskoka. Completion of a clinical preparedness permit is required prior to doing a clinical placement. Reliable transportation is required for attending clinical placement.
What are the admission requirements for the RPN Refresher program?
Must have a CNO license number as a RPN, either active or inactive.
Registration in this series of courses is restricted to RPNs. Eligible nurses must meet with the faculty advisor for course mapping and determining what courses to enroll in.
What courses are included in the RPN Refresher program?
Course offerings and equivalents
Currently available courses are linked below. Please email the faculty advisor for personalized course mapping.
Courses in the RPN Refresher Series focus on:
- Health Assessment, Skills Lab Preparation, Pharmacology, Acute Health Challenges, Chronic Health Challenges, Community Nursing, Professional Issues, Clinical Practice I – 200 hours, Clinical Practice II – 200 hours
How do I apply to the RPN Refresher program?
Register on a course-by-course basis, paying as you go
Part-time students do not go through an application process for this program. To register for courses, you’ll need a Georgian College student number and declare your major. Declaring a major allows you to take all courses under that major.
- Request a student number via the online form
- Declare your major by emailing registrar@georgiancollege.ca or calling 705.722.1511
- From the course listing, select the course(s) you want to register for
- Add the course(s) to your cart and proceed to checkout and submit payment
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Finance and fees
As a part-time student, you may be eligible for OSAP funding, depending on the number of courses you take per semester.
For more information about OSAP, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, visit the OSAP/financial aid webpage.
As a part-time student, you can take one to three courses per semester, paying on a course-by-course basis.
For course fee information, select a course from the course information section of this page.
Online learning
These courses are offered through OntarioLearn. Visit the OntarioLearn webpage to learn more.
OntarioLearn courses are set up as equivalents to the Georgian courses. You can choose to take the ODE courses or the Georgian courses.
When a Georgian course isn’t available to be delivered online, we’ve listed an OntarioLearn course in the delivery schedule. The majority of the Georgian courses have ODE equivalents set up. You can choose to take either course.
Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)
Previous postsecondary education: If you’ve completed courses, or some or all of a program, at another accredited postsecondary institution, you may be able to transfer all or some of your courses into a related program at Georgian.
Relevant work or life experience: If you have relevant work and/or life experience that relates to your program(s) of interest at Georgian, Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is an academic credit option.
To learn more about transfer credit and PLAR, visit the Credit for Prior Learning webpage.