Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) to BScN Bridging Program

Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) to 
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) 
Bridging Program

On campus in North Bay, Full-time, 3-year

If you already have a RPN diploma and are registered, or currently undergoing the registration process through the College of Nurses of Ontario, Nipissing offers a 3-year RPN to BScN Bridging Program. The program is offered on the North Bay campus on a full-time basis, where students complete a semester of bridging courses and then integrate fully into year two of the four year on-campus program.​​​

Important documents

Students are responsible for all associated costs and expenses incurred for application to or while enrolled within any Nursing program.

These may include, but are not limited to, the following: BCLS-HCP CPR certification, criminal reference check/vulnerable sector screening clearance, mask-fit testing, required lab/practicum equipment and/or supplies, licensure preparatory requirements, transportation to and from any theoretical and/or practicum course placement, etc.

Nursing Mentor Program

If you are a first-year nursing student in our on campus programs, you can join a mentoring program that will pair you with an upper-year nursing student. The mentorship program, facilitated by the Nipissing University Nursing Society, gives you access to support and resources. Peers share their experiences with each other and become involved in a variety of extracurricular activities both on- and off-campus. Additional academic support can be accessed through the Office of Student Development and Services.

Nipissing University Nursing Society

The Nipissing University Nursing Society (NUNS) is comprised of a group of nursing student representatives that organize fun social activities as well as provide students with support for academic needs. NUNS is made up of a President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Class Representatives, and Volunteers. Each of the members in the society are elected by the nursing students. Some events that NUNS facilitate include: activities that support professional development, co-mentorship among students in all years, opportunities for social interaction, encouragement for students to get involved and contribute to the local community, nursing clothing and lab kit orders, first year orientations, annual nursing Christmas formal, and a variety of fundraising events.

Facilities

Interprofessional Simulation Centre

The Interprofessional Simulation Centre offers an immersive and interactive learning environment designed to replicate a variety of real-life situations, procedures, and environments and features four rooms with life-like manikins that can recreate a variety of professional situations for both emergency and procedural training to enhance competency in practice. Using immersive projection technology, two dedicated spaces can be transformed into healthcare settings such as a clinic or hospital and can mimic any home, school, post-secondary institution or community setting, including disaster scenarios, large group gatherings and crime scenes. Students navigate the immersive environment using interactive touch points and 360-cameras. The space can be staged to represent cases, assist with training social workers and home visitors, mimic occupational-therapy and physiotherapy visits and will soon include a life-like home apartment setting that can simulate a client’s home visit and assessment.

Interprofessional Simulation Centre Virtual Tour ❯

Academic Support Services

Our goal is to support your academic and personal development. Look for assistance with accessibility services, learning style assessments, writing skills, writing formats, study strategies, time management, note-taking skills, academic resources, group seminars, peer support, career development activities, and more. Learn More...

Financial Support Services

Achieve your goals on time and on budget. We’ll help you fund your education through scholarships, awards, bursaries, government assistance, and work study programs. Learn More...

Scholarships, awards and bursaries for students in Nursing program

Ontario Learn and Stay Grant

Funded by the Government of Ontario, this grant will cover the cost of tuition, textbooks, and other direct educational costs for students who commit to work in North Bay for a certain term after graduation. Learn More...

Internationalize your Degree

If you want to experience a year or a semester at one of our partner schools across the globe, we have support services and programs to help you get there. If you want to assist International students with adjusting to life in Canada, we’ll connect you. Check out your options...

Personal Counselling Services

Our registered counsellors offer free, year-round personal counselling services, specialized therapeutic groups, referral services and a host of wellness, educational and awareness events to all full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students. Learn More...

Residences

Our top-rated residences will make you feel right at home. You will make fast friends with your residence community. Our student leaders, Residence Dons, and award winning residence staff give tutorials on everything from the basics of laundry and cooking to making connections within the community. Learn More...

Leadership and Community Engagement

If you are eager to get involved beyond the classroom, take part in the annual Undergraduate Research Conference, which gives you the opportunity to present your work to peers, professors, and family members. You may also have opportunity to work as a Research Assistant to help a professor conduct research and gain valuable experience at the same time.

Record of Student Development

Your experience at Nipissing University is more than just the time spent learning great things in lectures, labs, and seminars. It’s also about the activities you are involved in outside of the classroom, the causes you champion to make change on campus, the clubs you organize, the awards you receive, the workshops you participate in, the volunteering you do, and all the learning that occurs outside of the classroom. 

The Record of Student Development (RSD) is Nipissing University's way of recognizing that learning is happening everywhere on campus. It is a formal record, otherwise known as a co-curricular transcript, where you can include workshops, volunteer experiences, awards, activities, and on campus employment experiences that you participate in throughout your degree. 

Each RSD Approved activity in our database is linked to competency areas employers are looking for such as:    

  • Critical Thinking 
  • Leadership  
  • Digital Literacy  
  • Equity and Diversity 
  • Emotional and Interpersonal Intelligence 
  • & more!  

To see the full list of competencies and get started building your Record of Student Development go to: rsd.nipissingu.ca

Nipissing University Student Union (NUSU)

Students attending Nipissing University in North Bay and long distance students are members of the Nipissing University Student Union. Our organization strives to represent students democratically, provide a communication framework, and lobby for legislative change on issues that affect students.

Athletics

Exercise and healthy competition always help to clear the mind.

INTRAMURAL SPORTS

Nipissing’s Athletics Department offers a wide range of intramural activities to keep you on your game

LAKERS CLUB SPORTS

Club sports are available to all Nipissing students and are both recreational and competitive.

VARSITY SPORTS

Go Lakers! Our varsity athletes always bring their “A” game. Get your friends together and come out to cheer on your favourite teams.

STUDENT ATHLETICS CENTRE

Whether you are a gym enthusiast or a weekend warrior, Nipissing has just what you need.

Associate Dean

Administration

Full-time Faculty

Staff

After graduation, you will be eligible to write the national licensing exam. Upon successful licensure, you will enter a rewarding profession of endless opportunity within health care.

Graduates of the Nipissing University School of Nursing commence their nursing careers within local, national and international health care delivery environments. Many excel in their careers to become leaders in nursing and health care organizations.

Nipissing takes pride in knowing that, as a graduate of the nursing program, you will be equipped with the required nursing knowledge, skills, and competencies that you will need to meet your goals. You will be well positioned to work within the many domains of nursing such as public health, community and hospital nursing, health education, and case management. You may also consider future directions in academic or research institutions, furthering your education with graduate studies, or starting your career in today’s complex health care system, research-related jobs,or administration. Whatever career path you choose, Nipissing will have prepared you for a rewarding and challenging experience

Nipissing University’s programs in the School of Nursing are approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario.
Our programs are also accredited by the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing.
The School of Nursing is proud to be designated by the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario as a Best Practice Spotlight Organization.