Practical Nurse

For information: 644-6300 or

To register: 644-6000

• Two-year diploma
• Fall and winter starts
• Full-time, part-time, distance
• Edmonton, Wetaskiwin, and Camrose
• Graduates in high demand

Program Overview

This program prepares you to become a professional practical nurse educated to give high-quality care to clients in a variety of health-care settings. You may take the program full-time, or on a part-time basis in the evenings or through distance education.

We recommend that you complete ANPH 1001 (Anatomy and Physiology I) and ANPH 1002 (Anatomy and Physiology II) before starting the program.

It is recommended that students do not work during the first semester.

Full-Time

Instructor led classroom-based learning

Instructor and preceptor led clinical practice courses

Part-Time

• You have up to three years from the official start date to complete the program.
• You will take one course at a time. Each course must be completed within specified timelines.
• You will be able to purchase course print materials, videos demonstrating nursing skills, and skill practice kits to work on the courses at home.
• You will have access to interactive online learning materials and activities.

Evening Part-Time

• Self-paced study plus weekly evening instructor facilitated seminars for theory and lab courses
• Instructor and preceptor led clinical practices in Edmonton on weekends
• Final clinical practice is full-time.

Distance Education Part-Time

• Self-paced study (Course work may be completed in your own home.)
• Workshops in Edmonton to practise nursing skills
• Contact instructors for help by telephone or email
• Instructor led clinical practice
• Participate in clinical practice in Edmonton or in your local community if a cohort group has been established and if you are a registered student in that cohort group.
• Final clinical practice is preceptored and full-time.
• Click here for individual course costs

Career Potential

You will be eligible for jobs in acute care hospitals, continuing care centres, community care settings, client homes, clinics, or doctors’ offices. LPNs earn approximately $19 to $24 per hour. Graduates of the Practical Nurse program have a 100% employment rate.

Transferability

Further education options are available to LPNs. Your Practical Nurse diploma will qualify you for admission into these programs:

• Advanced Education in Orthopaedics for LPNs at NorQuest College
• Post-basic operating room program for LPNs at Grant MacEwan University
• Post-LPN Bachelor of Nursing Degree program at Athabasca University
• Bachelor of Applied Human Service Administration Program at Grant MacEwan University

Admission Requirements

• High school diploma
• 60% in English 30-1 or 70% in English 30-2 or equivalencies
• 60% in Biology 30 or equivalencies
• 50% in Pure Math 20 or 60% in Applied Math 20 or equivalencies
• Clear criminal record check (More than one criminal record check may be necessary during the length of your program, in accordance with work placement requirements.)
• Up-to-date immunization record including hepatitis B
• Health status questionnaire completed and submitted
• Must have the physical and mental abilities required for lab and clinical practice courses
• Mature students (age 19+) must meet all requirements except for the Grade 12 diploma.

Clinical Requirements

The following are not required for admission purposes, but will be required before attending the first clinical practicum:

• Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers course (BLS) recognized by the Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation
• WHMIS Certificate

English Language Proficiency

You must provide proof of English language proficiency (ELP) prior to admission if English is your second language. Acceptable evidence of ELP may be one of the following:

• CLBA with an average score of 8 (with no skill score below 7)
• TOEFL Internet-based Test score 84 (no section score below 21)
• IELTS 6.0 (no band scores below 6.0)
• CAEL 60 (no subtest below 60)

Prep for Practical Nurse Admission Route

Students may choose an alternative admission route to this program by successfully completing the Prep for Practical Nurse program. Please see page 60 for the requirements of this program.

Provisional Admission

Provisional admission may be assigned to an applicant who has been offered admission to a program. The offer of admission is provisional, based on completion of specified conditions that must be satisfied within the first year of enrolment and by the date specified in the offer. Access to courses, activities, and/or field placement or clinical studies may be limited until all provisional requirements are met. Provisional admission may be offered only to applicants who have a clear security clearance. Conditions will be stipulated in an admission letter.

Progression

A minimum GPA (grade point average) of 2.0 is required to be considered in good academic standing and to graduate with a diploma in Practical Nursing.

Credential

After successfully completing this program, graduates will be awarded a NorQuest Practical Nurse diploma.

Honours Criteria

• Overall GPA of 3.7
• Student has not failed or repeated any courses.
• Student has not had a learning improvement plan.
• Tuition and Fees

Funding Your Education

Students in this program may be eligible for Alberta government funding including costs for tuition, books, and living expenses.

Tuition and Fees

Click here for 2008/2009 Tuition and Fees

Program Outline (2008/09)

Year 1 - 38 weeks

Year 2 - 30 weeks

Last updated: October 30, 2009