Practical Nurse

With our aging and growing population, Health Care Assistants are in demand. This 27-week program covers the knowledge, skills and abilities you require in order to provide personal care to others. With 12 weeks of supervised practical experience, you will have the opportunity to put the theory you have learned into practice and gain the skills you need to for a successful career.

The HCA program is offered in a blended synchronous/asynchronous format, theory courses are delivered online (synchronously) and laboratory and practical courses are delivered face-to-face; students are required to attend all instructional activities at the scheduled times.

In September of your second year, you will be eligible to write the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination. 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.

Why Consider a Practical Nursing Career?

• Our aging and growing population will require more health services, ensuring a need for LPNs
• The annual provincial (BC) median salary for Licensed Practical Nurses is $54,226.00
• According to Work BC, there is expected to be over 4000 job openings for LPNs in the next 10 years, with just over half being the result of retirements.

Practical Nursing Diploma Requirements:

Level 1

* Note: Students must pass PPNP 101 to continue in Level 1 of the program.

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

View official program outline.

Note: In order to meet requirements for clinical practica, students may have to travel to areas outside Cranbrook. Students are responsible for their own transportation and living costs.

Level 1

Level 1 consists of 15 weeks of classroom/lab instruction in Cranbrook and a 3 week Consolidated Practice Experience.

Note:  PPNP 101 must be successfully completed (minimum grade of 65%) for the student to continue in level 1 of the program.

Level 2

Level 2 consists of 12 weeks of classroom/lab instruction in Cranbrook and a 4 week Consolidated Practice Experience 2.

Level 3

Level 3 consists of 10 weeks classroom, lab instruction and practicum work in Cranbrook including Consolidated Practice Experience 3.

Level 4

Level 4 consists of 10 weeks classroom and lab instruction, 7 weeks Consolidated Practice Experience, and 7 weeks Preceptorship.

Academic Requirements:

• Secondary school graduation or equivalent
• Minimum 65% in either English 12, English Studies 12, English First Peoples 12, ENGL 090, or equivalent
• Minimum 60% in either Principles of Math 11, Foundations of Math 11, MATH 080, Pre-Calculus 11, or equivalent
• Minimum 60% in either Biology 12, BIOL 090, Anatomy and Physiology 12, or equivalent
• Human Anatomy and Physiology for Practical Nurses with a minimum grade of 65% must be achieved before taking Variations in Health 1, Health Promotion 1, Pharmacology 1, Integrated Nursing Practice 1 and Consolidated Practice 1

Notes for Admission and Progression:

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

• Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to achieve the following scores in one of the two tests below:
  1. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 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.

Non-Academic 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*
• FOIPP Voluntary Self-Disclosure

Practicum Requirements:

• CPR for Health Care Providers BLS or HCP or equivalent, to be kept current for the duration of the program. Acceptable CPR courses must include a face-to-face component and may be combined with a first aid course
• BCCDC Immunizations for BC Health Care Workers
• Annual influenza immunization
• Negative TB testing results

_{*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 offence, options may include applying for a pardon. Any associated cost is the responsibility of the student.}

Tuition and Fees:

_{*These prices are for domestic students and may not be 100% accurate. However, these estimates will give you an adequate idea of tuition and fees for our programs. These prices do not include textbook costs. All prices are subject to change. Tuition fees include an alumni fee, student activity fees, and a student technology fee. In certain cases a materials and supply fee may also be included. For more information, visit: Tuition and Fees.}

Tuition and Fees for International Students:

_{*These prices are for international students and may not be 100% accurate. However, these estimates will give you an adequate idea of tuition and fees for our programs. These prices do not include textbook costs. All prices are subject to change. Tuition fees include an alumni fee, student activity fees, and a student technology fee. In certain cases a materials and supply fee may also be included. For more information, visit: Tuition and Fees.}

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 at www.studentaidbc.ca