Practical Nurse

The two-year Practical Nursing diploma program taken face-to-face at the Cranbrook campus is designed to help prepare graduates to give qualified professional care to individuals and families in a variety of settings. Graduates are eligible to apply to write REx-PN exams for licensure as Practical Nurses.

Within this curriculum, caring is viewed as a core concept. Practical Nurses foster client empowerment in care planning and decision making, and are cognizant of their unique biological, psychosocial, spiritual, cultural and environmental complexity. Practical Nurses care for clients across the lifespan, providing safe, knowledgeable and integrated care through critical thinking and clinical judgment.

In order to meet requirements for clinical practica, students may have to travel to regional areas in the East Kootenay.

Upon completion of your second year, you will be eligible to write the Regulatory Exam – Practical Nurse. You are then able to apply to be registered with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) in order to become licensed as a Practical Nurse.

Practical Nursing Diploma Program Completion Requirements

View admission requirements, program completion requirements and individual course information.

Note: The information for this program is currently set to display information for the 2026/27 academic year. To view other years, choose from the sort feature from the “select calendar” drop-down.

View or download the pdf version of the official program outline

Once you are admitted and begin the program, you must complete Human Anatomy and Physiology for Practical Nurses (PPNP 101) with a minimum grade of 65% before being permitted to progress in to Variations in Health 1, Health Promotion 1, Pharmacology 1, Integrated Nursing Practice 1 and Consolidated Nursing Practice 1.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

• All international student applicants to the PN program are required to provide proof of meeting English Language Proficiency, those not meeting this requirement must achieve scores identified in one of the following:
  1. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic with minimum scores of:
     • Speaking: 7.0
     • Listening: 7.5
     • Reading: 6.5
     • Writing: 7.0
     • Overall Band Score: 7.0
  2. Canadian English Language Benchmarks Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN) with minimum scores of:
     • Speaking: 8.0
     • Listening: 10.0
     • Reading: 8.0
     • Writing: 7.0
• It is the applicant’s responsibility to arrange for assessment through Student Services or an Education Advisor at the College.

Additional Admission Requirements:

• Practical Nursing Requisite Skills and Abilities Declaration
• Complete a criminal record check through the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General Criminal Records Review Program*
• Notice of Collection, Use and Disclosure Agreement

Practicum Requirements

• BCCDC Immunizations for BC Health Care Workers
• Annual influenza immunization
• COVID-19 vaccination
• Negative TB testing results, must be completed no earlier than 8 months before the beginning of the PN Program

*Details of practicum requirements will be included in your admissions package.

Practicum Information

Where possible, students will complete their requirements for practicum in their own communities. If they are not able to complete practicum requirements in their own communities, students must be prepared to travel elsewhere, and will be responsible for their own transportation as well as any travel and living expenses.    

_{*Practicum based learning is an essential component of this program. A criminal record may reduce an applicant’s access to the program and/or to required practicum opportunities. Applicants disclosing a criminal record are guided to explore other options. Depending on the nature of the offense, options may include applying for a pardon. Any associated cost is the responsibility of the student.}

For the 2026/27 academic year (2026/SU, 2026/FA, 2027/WI, 2027/SP)

Year 1

Year 2

_{*Tuition and Fees for domestic students are estimates and are subject to change. Depending on course electives there may be additional lab fees. Tuition and Fees do not include textbook costs or supplies. Tuition fees include student technology fees, student activity fees, and alumni fees. For more information, visit: Tuition and Fees.}

Additional Costs:

Travel within the Program

Practice experiences are essential in the Practical Nursing program. It may not be possible to arrange practice experiences in the location and at the time preferred by students. Students must arrange their own transportation. Travel and accommodation arrangements and costs associated with practice experiences are the responsibility of the student.

Computer

In the Practical Nursing program, teaching and learning strategies incorporate the use of technology through various platforms such as online learning and communication. Students must have access to a computer in order to engage in this learning.

Books and Supplies

In addition to tuition and other fees, students can expect to purchase books and supplies. Visit our bookstore for textbook information and costs.

For the 2025/26 academic year (2025/SU, 2025/FA, 2026/WI, 2026/SP)

Year 1

Year 2

Additional Costs:

Travel within the Program

Practice experiences are essential in the Practical Nursing program. It may not be possible to arrange practice experiences in the location and at the time preferred by students. Students must arrange their own transportation. Travel and accommodation arrangements and costs associated with practice experiences are the responsibility of the student.

Computer

In the Practical Nursing program, teaching and learning strategies incorporate the use of technology through various platforms such as online learning and communication. Students must have access to a computer in order to engage in this learning.

Books and Supplies

In addition to tuition and other fees, students can expect to purchase books and supplies. Visit our bookstore for textbook information and costs.

Our rapidly growing population will require more health services, ensuring a need for Licensed Practical Nurses.

With further education and/or experience, additional opportunities may include:

• Operating room technicians
• Specializing in:
  • Emergency care
  • Intensive care
  • Maternity
  • Pediatrics
  • Community Health

Gain insights into job expectations, career prospects, salary, and additional information through WorkBC.

Loan Forgiveness for Practical Nursing student graduates staying in BC and working in an under serviced community:

Graduates from eligible schools in nursing (including practical nursing, nurse practitioners, registered psychiatric nurses and registered nurses) will have all outstanding BC Student Loan debt forgiven at a rate of 20 percent per year of practice in an underserved community.  They must agree to fill a vacancy at a publicly funded facility in a full-time, part-time or casual-on-call capacity.

Students in Nursing programs are eligible for up to a $2,000 bursary if they apply for a BC student loan.  They will automatically be assessed when they apply. This is based on financial need.

For more information on loan forgiveness visit the StudentAid BC website.