# Becoming a nurse assistant

**URL:** <https://discourse.settlement.org/t/becoming-a-nurse-assistant/14618>\
**Category:** Professions and Trades\
**Created:** [September 11, 2026, 12:40pm UTC](https://discourse.settlement.org/t/becoming-a-nurse-assistant/14618 "2026-09-11T12:40:20Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![syssy](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/discourse.settlement.org/syssy/32/77_2.png) [@syssy](https://discourse.settlement.org/u/syssy)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2026, 12:40pm UTC](https://discourse.settlement.org/t/becoming-a-nurse-assistant/14618/1 "2026-09-11T12:40:20Z")

</div>

Hello,

How do I become a nurse assistant in Canada?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![SettlementOrgMod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@SettlementOrgMod](https://discourse.settlement.org/u/SettlementOrgMod)\
**Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 2:01pm UTC](https://discourse.settlement.org/t/becoming-a-nurse-assistant/14618/2 "2026-09-14T14:01:53Z")

</div>

Hi,

To become a nurse in Ontario, you need to complete an approved nursing education program and register with the **[College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO)](https://www.cno.org/)**.

There are two main nursing roles:

- **Registered Practical Nurse (RPN):** Complete a Practical Nursing diploma program, usually offered at an Ontario college.
- **Registered Nurse (RN):** Complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Bachelor of Nursing degree, offered by a university or through a college or university program.
- Other jobs related : Personal Support Worker, Health Care Aide or Nurse Aide

You can find some helpful information here :

- [Careers in long-term care | ontario.ca](https://www.ontario.ca/page/careers-long-term-care)
- [Registered Nurse (R.N.) in Ontario | Labour Market Facts and Figures - Job Bank](https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/summary-occupation/993/ON)
- [Licensed Practical Nurse (L.P.N.) in Ontario | Labour Market Facts and Figures - Job Bank](https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/summary-occupation/4383/ON)
- [Personal Support Worker – Nursing Care in Ontario | Job description - Job Bank](https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/occupation/296747/ON)

If you have already completed nursing education outside Canada, you can find helpful information in our [Settlement.Org](http://Settlement.Org) article, ["How do I get my license as an internationally educated health professional?](https://settlement.org/ontario/employment/professions-and-trades/regulated/how-do-i-get-my-nurse-or-doctor-s-license-as-an-internationally-educated-professional/)"

We hope this information is helpful.

Your [Settlement.Org](http://Settlement.Org) Team