The Nursing Transformation: Registered Practical Nursing to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Pathway is a flexible online bridge approved by the College of Nurses (CNO).
This pathway consists of a series of courses available for Registered Practical Nurses who are interested in completing a BScN program at a designated receiving Ontario college*. The pathway enables 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 participating college prior to registering for pathway courses. Those who successfully complete the pathway courses will be eligible to apply to enter semester 5 (Year 3) of a designated receiving 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.
* A designated receiving college is a college that has received approval from the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security and the CNO to offer the pathway as a bridge into semester 5 (year 3) of the four-year BScN program.
Applying for This Pathway
- Step 1 – Review the eligibility criteria listed below to determine if you meet the admissions requirements.
- Step 2 – Through ontariocolleges.ca, apply to one of the following colleges participating in the the Nursing Transformation RPN - BScN pathway admission:
- Cambrian College
- St. Lawrence College
- Step 3 – Upon acceptance in the pathway, the college will reach out to you with instructions on how you can complete the registration process for the pathway courses. NOTE: You are encouraged to complete the pathway within a two-year window.
- Step 4 – Apply for advanced standing into the BScN program at one of the following Nursing Transformation: RPN to BScN pathway receiving colleges:
- Cambrian College
- Confederation College
- Loyalist College
- Seneca Polytechnic
- St. Lawrence College
Additional Information
RPNs who meet all the following criteria are eligible to apply to take the Nursing Transformation: RPN to BScN Pathway courses:
- 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
- Are registered in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario as a Registered Practical Nurse
- 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.
The Nursing Transformation: RPN to BScN pathway consists of six courses, four of which are full courses and two of which are half courses, including:
- Scholarly Writing
- Nursing Informatics
- Health Assessment
- Microbiology (1/2 course)
- Biochemistry & Pathophysiology (1/2 course)
- Transition to the Role of RN (note: the preceding 5 courses are pre-requisites for this course)
In addition, students must complete a short in-person skills session. Further information on the in-person session will be provided once a student is accepted into the pathway.
Although you must be accepted into the pathway by a participating 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. It is recommended that you complete all courses within a two-year timeframe. You may access and complete the coursework at any time while meeting the weekly deadlines in each course.
A total of 6 courses are offered online, asynchronously on an ongoing basis. Your designated receiving college will coordinate your participation in the short in-person 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.
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 any receiving college.
NOTE: The admission process for advanced standing in the BScN program at a receiving college will be competitive and based on your academic performance in the RPN to BScN Bridging Pathway. Admissions will also be subject to some conditions, including the start date of semester 5.
If you are admitted to the RPN to BScN program, the college will provide you with information on how to register for courses.
There is no certificate for the completion of the Nursing Transformation: RPN to BScN pathway. The pathway courses allow you to obtain course credits toward a baccalaureate degree in Nursing.
When applying to semester 5 of the BScN program at one of the designated receiving colleges, you will need to contact the college through which you have completed the pathway 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 an honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Yes. After you successfully complete the pathway (bridging) courses, you may apply to enter Semester 5 (Year 3) at any designated receiving college, depending on each college’s admission criteria and available space.
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.
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.
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.
The Nursing Transformation: RPN-BScN pathway will be available in French in 2026. This website will be updated as more information becomes available.
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.
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