Option 2: Nursing Transformation RPN to RN Bridging Program Online

Applicants enrolled in the RPN to BScN Bridging courses who wish to apply to BScN advanced standing must apply through ontariocolleges.ca by the February 1st equal consideration date. Applicants must select between 1124 Bachelor of Science in Nursing level 5 entry or 1124 Bachelor of Science in Nursing Hyflex level 5 entry. To select level 5 entry, applicants must declare all their post-secondary education on their OCAS application. 

BScN is a highly competitive program. To be included in the competitive ranking, applications must be complete by providing the following requirements by February 1st. Meeting the minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee admissions to the program. Only applications that are complete will be considered.

In order to enter semester 5 of the BScN program, students will apply through OCAS and will need to:

• Have completed a Practical Nursing program at an Ontario College (programs from other colleges in Canada will be reviewed for equivalency) with a minimum 65% average
• Be a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) with no restrictions
• Have completed a minimum of 1,000 practice hours as a Registered Practical Nurse within the previous 3 years. The minimum 1,000 hours must be completed before you apply to this program.
• Have completed five of the RPN to BScN bridging courses with a minimum 65% final grade in each course
  • Transfer credits will be considered as part of the five completed courses (if you feel that you have credits for transfer, please email pathways@sl.on.ca)
  • Students must complete ALL seven bridging courses before beginning semester 5 of the BScN program

These requirements will need to be supported by the submission of the following documents by the February 1st equal consideration date:

• Letter of employment as an RPN with a minimum of 1,000 hours within the previous 3 years
• Proof of RPN registration with CNO with no restrictions
  • Submit letter of employment and proof of CNO registration
• Official post-secondary transcripts from all current and previous colleges and universities attended (transcripts must be requested through OCAS application)
• Proof of enrolment in current courses

Full Disclosure of any other College or University Education:

• Applicants to the Bachelor of Science - Nursing (Honours) program who are currently attending or have attended any other College or University must disclose and provide their full academic history by providing official transcripts from all colleges and universities they currently and previously attended.
  • Proof of current enrollment is required if currently enrolled at a college or university.
  • Official transcripts and documentation are required for all courses, including those not leading to a completed credential, where credit was not granted, and where academic work was not related to the field of nursing.
  • Failure to disclose previous post-secondary course work is considered academic misconduct under the academic integrity policy and may result in a revoked offer of admission or removal from the program.

• Your most recent post-secondary education must meet a minimum standard (overall average of 70% or a 2.80 GPA) and you must be in good academic standing with your last college or university to be considered for entry.
  • For applicants who receive an offer of admission and a final transcript reveals that the applicant did not meet the minimum standard, the College can revoke their offer of admission.
  • If the applicant becomes a student in the program and a final transcript reveals that the student does not meet the minimum standard, the College can remove the student from the program.

Each bridging course is delivered online through Ontario Learn. None of the Online option courses have an in person or lab component.

It is important to note that if learners do successfully enter the BScN program in semester 5, they will be required to attend classes in person.

After you complete the six courses, we will coordinate your participation in the practical skills session.

All bridging courses offered via OntarioLearn are transferable.

The RPN to BScN pathway courses are available to RPNs who meet all the following:

• 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.
• Be a Registered Practical Nurses in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario. 
• And 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 us at askslc.ca.

Step 1 – Review the eligibility criteria listed below to determine if you meet the admissions requirements.

Step 2 – Apply through OCAS for admission into the Nursing Transformation RPN to BScN pathway. 

Step 3 – Upon acceptance from St. Lawrence College, you will be given instructions on the registration process for the pathway courses. 

Step 4 – Apply to St. Lawrence College for advance standing into the BScN program. If your circumstances have changed, contact us at askslc.ca

Apply to St. Lawrence College Bachelor of Science Nursing (Honours).

The online RPN to BScN pathway consists of six courses, four of which are full courses and two of which are half courses:

• Scholarly Writing
• Nursing Informatics
• Health Assessment
• Transition to the Role of RN
• Microbiology (1/2 course)
• Biochemistry & Pathophysiology (1/2 course)

In addition, students must complete a short in-person skills session after completing the online courses. Further information on the skills session will be provided once a student is accepted into the pathway.

The online pathway courses do not need to be completed full-time. 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, within a two-year timeframe for successfully completing all courses. You may access and complete the coursework at any time while meeting the weekly deadlines for each course.

Six courses are offered online, asynchronously on an ongoing basis. After you complete the six courses, we will coordinate your participation in the practical skills session.

Note: Students who have successfully completed the pathway and are admitted into the BScN program are expected to attend full-time, in-person.

Those who successfully complete the pathway courses can apply for admission directly into semester 5 (Year 3) of a 4-year, (8 semester) BScN program.

Note: Admission is a competitive selection process and subject to some conditions, including the start date of semester 5. If a student’s circumstances have changed contact us at contact us at askslc.ca

Once you are admitted to the RPN to BScN pathway, we will provide you with information on how to register for courses.

There is no certificate for the completion of the RPN to BScN pathway. The pathway courses allow you to obtain course credits toward a baccalaureate degree in Nursing. 

Upon successful completion of all the requirements of the BScN program, graduates will receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

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 enrolled 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 RPN-BScN Nursing Transformation pathway will be available in French in 2025. This website will be updated as more information becomes available.

Upgrading courses and resources are available 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