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Diploma in Practical Nurse for Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) (Fast-Track)

Centennial College

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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At Centennial College in Toronto, Canada, Diploma in Practical Nurse for Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) (Fast-Track) is offered as a diploma in Medicine & Health programme. The programme runs for 2 semesters, delivered on campus. Teaching is in English. Tuition for international students is CAD 18,005 per year (CAD 3,351 per year for local students).

At a glance

Degree: Diploma
Field: Medicine & Health
Duration: 2 semesters
Delivery: On Campus
Language: English
Local tuition: CAD 3,351 / year
International tuition: CAD 18,005 / year

Information for the 2027/28 academic year · Last reviewed September 2026 ·

Program details

Overview

You may also be interested in these other options: Practical Nursing (In-Class) Practical Nursing (Flexible) The Practical Nursing for Internationally-Educated Nurses program is designed as an academic pathway to transfer skills and nursing knowledge to a Canadian setting. The Practical Nursing for Internationally-Educated Nurses courses in this college diploma program will meet the needs of: Internationally-educated nurses interested in working as registered practical nurses (RPNs) in Canada; RPNs who hold a certificate and wish to upgrade to an Ontario college diploma; RPNs who have been out of practice for 10 years or less and need a refresher program. The offering's curriculum is in accordance with the College of Nurses of Ontario's Professional Standards and National Entry-to-Practice Competencies for Registered Practical Nurses. It will focus on assisting you in developing your knowledge and critical thinking, communication, teaching and learning, professionalism, advocacy, research, and leadership and ethical-decision making skills — and applying these skills in health care settings. Taking three consecutive semesters to complete, including 14 weeks of consolidation experience, the School of Community and Health Studies program will consider your needs so that you may complete your diploma studies within one year. The diploma resulting from this Practical Nursing for Internationally-Educated Nurses program may enable you to continue your academic studies at the baccalaureate level. For example, RPNs with a diploma in practical nursing (with a minimum 3.0 GPA and no failures or repeated courses on their transcripts) may continue their studies at Centennial's Bridging to University Nursing program and, upon completion of this program, can apply to Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)'s post-degree completion program to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Practical Nursing for Internationally-Educated Nurses is only offered on a full-time basis. Those interested in taking it on part time will need to speak to the program coordinator. Notes The Practical Nurse diploma for IENs at Centennial College is currently approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario. Current graduates from this program are eligible to apply for registration as RPNs in Ontario. For further information regarding this CNO approval process, please visit Become a Nurse. For more information or questions, please contact Natashia Deer, Chair of Nursing Programs at [email protected].

Requirements

Admission Requirements: A fast-track route for nurses educated abroad, and for Canadian-prepared registered practical nurses, toward Ontario practical-nurse registration; 1 year over 3 semesters at Morningside Campus. Centennial requires a completed post-secondary certificate in practical nursing, together with a letter from the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) setting out the courses or program you need before the practical nurse registration examination; where no CNO assessment letter exists, a course-by-course or comprehensive assessment from World Education Services or International Credential Assessment Services is required instead. Canadian-prepared RPNs must hold a current CNO certificate of registration. Nursing practice or nursing education must fall within the last ten years. An interview with the program coordinator is required before you submit an application, and transcripts and a resume may be reviewed. English is evidenced through Centennial's English Admission Test at the COMM 160/161 level with a listening score of at least 90. Placement clearances apply: a police check with vulnerable sector screening within six months, immunisation documentation, CPR at Healthcare Provider level renewed annually, standard first aid, and mask fit testing. Centennial lists this program as available to domestic applicants only.

Application Details

Start Date: January
Application Deadline: Centennial publishes no application deadline for this program; what follows is the Ontario college cycle that governs it. Domestic applicants apply through ontariocolleges.ca: for a program starting in Fall 2027 the equal-consideration date is 1 February 2027, and applications arriving after it are still assessed, but first-come first-served while places remain. Across the Ontario college system the application opened on 26 September 2026, offers may be issued from 1 November 2026, and an offer must be accepted by 1 May 2027. One $150 fee covers up to five program choices. International applicants apply directly to Centennial through its own international application process and are assessed on a rolling basis across the Fall, Winter and Summer intakes; the college publishes no fixed international closing date. These are institution-wide dates; this programme publishes no deadline of its own.

About Centennial College

Type: College
Campus setting: Urban
Founded: 1966
Students: 34,000
Programs: 187
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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Frequently asked questions

What degree does Diploma in Practical Nurse for Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) (Fast-Track) award?

Centennial College awards a Diploma in the field of Medicine & Health on completion of this programme.

How long does Diploma in Practical Nurse for Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) (Fast-Track) take?

The programme runs for 2 semesters.

How much does Diploma in Practical Nurse for Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) (Fast-Track) cost?

Tuition for international students is CAD 18,005 per year (CAD 3,351 per year for local students).

Can Diploma in Practical Nurse for Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) (Fast-Track) be studied online?

No — the programme is taught on campus at Centennial College.

What language is Diploma in Practical Nurse for Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) (Fast-Track) taught in?

The programme is taught in English.

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