Diploma in Practical Nursing for Internationally Educated Nurses is a diploma in Nursing programme taught at Durham College in Oshawa, Canada. The programme runs for 5 semesters, delivered on campus. Teaching is in English. Tuition is CAD 4,064 per year for local students.
At a glance
Degree:Diploma
Field:Nursing
Duration: 5 semesters
Delivery: On Campus
Language: English
Local tuition: CAD 4,064 / year
Information for the 2027/28 academic year · Last reviewed September 2026 ·
Program details
Overview
The Practical Nursing program option for internationally educated nurses is designed for applicants with nursing credentials from outside of Canada. It has been designed as a means to apply your nursing academic knowledge and skills from colleges and universities in other countries into the Ontario health care system. Successful graduates, who become registered practical nurses (RPNs), will combine knowledge, skills and good judgment to provide safe, competent, ethical nursing care to meet the needs of all patients throughout the continuum of care.
Requirements
Admission Requirements: For internationally educated nurses. Applicants are first assessed by the National Nursing Assessment Service, then must supply a letter of direction from the College of Nurses of Ontario identifying their learning gaps and what they still need in order to sit the registration exam for practical nurses. That CNO letter must also show nursing practice, or completion of nursing education, no more than 10 years ago. The program coordinator interviews each applicant as part of the process, and a transcript and resume may be requested.
Application Details
Start Date:Three intakes a year - September, January and May. Current cycle class starts: 8 September 2026, 11 January 2027 and 3 May 2027.
Application Deadline:Domestic (apply at ontariocolleges.ca): equal-consideration date 1 February 2026 for September 2026 entry, 1 October 2026 for January 2027 entry and 1 February 2027 for May 2027 entry - Durham's standing rule is 1 February for a September start, 1 October for a January start and 1 February for a May start. Applications completed after the equal-consideration date are still accepted and assessed while seats remain. International: apply through Durham College's own international application, not ontariocolleges.ca; Durham publishes no general international closing date and directs applicants to the Intakes and Availability table on the program page.
