Expand your registered nursing role to include medication prescribing
The Ontario government announced in January 2024 that they will allow registered nurses to prescribe medications, after meeting specific requirements, for certain conditions such as contraception, immunizations, smoking cessation, and topical wound care in a variety of settings, including long-term care residences and retirement homes.
In consultation with stakeholders and using evidence from other jurisdictions to align with legislation, this program was developed to meet the needs of Ontarians in a safe, efficient way.
Cambrian College is part of a group of seven Ontario colleges delivering this program across southeastern and northwestern Ontario. Indigenous and bilingual ways of knowing and learning were considered in the development of the program to ensure that the needs of all communities served can be met. The online program delivery model ensures access for nurses across all of Ontario. Please register for the program with the college that is in closest proximity to your preferred clinical placement location.
Program highlights
- Courses will be delivered online over a 14-week semester. You will have one year to complete the two theory courses and one clinical placement (150 hours)
- College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) approved
Admission requirements
To be eligible for this program, you must:
- Be a registered nurse with current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO)
- Have two years of full-time work experience in nursing (3,900 hours or equivalent)
- Have Canadian citizenship or Canadian permanent resident status or appropriate authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) that permits you to engage in the practice of nursing in Ontario
- You will have one calendar year to complete the two theory courses and one clinical practicum course (150 hours)
Program of study for the 2025-26 Academic Year
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| NUR 5001 | Advanced Care Assessment | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| NUR 5002 | Adv Pharmacology RN Prescriber | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| NUR 5003 | Clinical Practicum | 4 |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 10 | |
Program delivery
2024-2025
Winter term start
Semester 1: Winter 2025
Semester 2: Spring 2025
Semester 3: Fall 2025
Spring term start
Semester 1: Spring 2025
Semester 2: Fall 2025
Semester 3: Winter 2026
2025-2026
Fall term start
Semester 1: Fall 2025
Semester 2: Winter 2026
Semester 3: Spring 2026
Winter term start
Semester 1: Winter 2026
Semester 2: Spring 2026
Semester 3: Fall 2026
Spring term start
Semester 1: Spring 2026
Semester 2: Fall 2026
Semester 3: Winter 2027
Career opportunities
Registered nurse working in a variety of settings including long-term care homes and retirement homes.
Please note: Cambrian College strives to ensure the accuracy of the information on this website. Please note that the academic curriculum is continually reviewed and revised to ensure that Cambrian's programs and courses remain relevant. The College reserves the right to cancel or make changes to any course or program, fee, procedure, or campus location at any time.
