Occupational Therapist & Physiotherapy Assistant Program Offers Field Experience

Being a nurse is no longer just about being able to offer bedside care. Today, nurses have many responsibilities — from working in operating rooms, to guiding patients with nutritional advice and providing long-term care. In fact, there are so many nursing positions to be filled in Canada that a major shortage is being predicted. According to the Canadian Nurses Association, the shortage could mean that from 59,000 to 113,000 nurses will be needed.

Attending one of Centennial College's Nursing programs will provide you with the education and practical experience you need in order to enter the field with appropriate knowledge and confidence. No matter what study option you choose, you must learn about ecology, biology, anatomy and physiology. The training in these areas varies in length and helps you to achieve different titles such as Registered Nurse, Registered Practical Nurse, Nurse Practitioner and Licensed Practical Nurse. When applying Centennial College's informational programs, you should begin by reviewing the admission requirements on Centennial College's Nursing programs individual web pages.

One popular option is the Nursing (BScN) program, which takes eight semesters to complete and results in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. This option includes students attending both college and university level courses at Centennial College, George Brown College and Ryerson University.

There are also other nursing programs at Centennial College that see students making their way into university courses via a bridging option. One is the two-semester Bridging to University Nursing undertaking, which is designed for Registered Practical Nurses who want to obtain a BScN in about three years. It combines theoretical knowledge with clinical setting courses that emphasize ethics, professional practice, health assessment and more. The second bridging option sees an added semester and is called Bridging to University Nursing (Flexible). This college nursing program guarantees a more flexible approach. The final bridging program is Bridging to University Nursing — IEN, which is designed as a transition point for nurses who have obtained an education abroad.

Internationally educated nurses don't just have to bridge to university, if they are looking for a college career they also have the option of attending the Practical Nursing Fast-track Bridging Program for Internationally-Educated Nurses. It is three semesters and includes 15 weeks of consolidation experience. It serves as an academic pathway to meet the needs of internationally-educated nurses who are interested in working as Registered Practical Nurses in Canada. In addition RPNs who hold a certificate but wish to upgrade to an Ontario College Diploma or RPNs who have been out of practice for 10 years or less and need a refresher course should attend.

If on the other hand, you have a Canadian college diploma the PR – Perioperative Nursing program, which is 400 hours and results in an Ontario College Graduate Certificate, may be for you. It prepares you to work in an operating room setting.

The most common area of this field is Practical Nursing, which is covered by the college's similar Practical Nursing and Practical Nursing (Flexible) programs. The Practical Nursing program focuses on the newest skills in the field, with students having access to well-equipped labs and professionals. At the end of training, students obtain their Ontario College Diploma and are ready to care for more stable patients. The curriculum for the Practical Nursing (Flexible) program is the same, but it is offered in a six semester, three-day-per-week format.