Practical Nurse

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.

Applicants to either Evening Part-Time or Distance Education Part-Time programs must complete ANPH 1001 and ANPH 1002 prior to program admission.

It is recommended that students not work at outside jobs during the first semester of the full-time PN program.

Practical Nurse Program Delivery Options

PN Full-Time Delivery

• Instructor-led classroom and lab-based learning (Hours may be between 8 AM and 8 PM.)
• Instructor-led and preceptor-led clinical practice courses in Edmonton and surrounding area (Hours may be between 6 AM and 10:30 PM and may include weekends.)

PN Evening Part-Time Delivery

• Self-paced study plus weekly evening instructor-facilitated seminars for theory and lab courses
• Instructor- and preceptor-led clinical practices in Edmonton or surrounding areas on weekends
  (Friday to Sunday)
• Final clinical practice is full-time and may include weekends
• You must complete ANPH 1001 and ANPH 1002 prior to program admission. These courses are not part of the Evening Part-Time program.

Distance Education Part-Time Delivery

• Self-paced study (theory course work that you may complete in your own home)
• Workshops in Edmonton to practise nursing skills
• Instructors available for help by contact through email or by telephone
• Instructor-led clinical practice in Edmonton or surrounding areas
• Final clinical practice is preceptored and full-time and may be arranged outside of Edmonton. • 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.
• Course print materials, DVDs demonstrating nursing skills, and skills practice kits are available.
• You will have access to interactive online learning materials and activities.
• You must complete ANPH 1001 and ANPH 1002 prior to program admission. These courses are not part of the Distance Education Part-Time program.

Practical Nurse with an Aboriginal Focus

This program prepares you to provide high-quality nursing care to clients in a variety of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal health-care settings.

This program of study includes an Aboriginal culture and traditions course that focuses on the historical and traditional lifestyles of the Aboriginal people. This course helps students develop a holistic understanding of Aboriginal clients.

Practical Nurse for Health Care Aides

• Distance education or evening part-time
• Entrance requirements provide advanced standing in program

This program prepares the individual who has acquired a Health Care Aide certificate 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 on a part-time basis in the evenings or through distance education.

Career Potential

You will be eligible for jobs in acute care hospitals, continuing care centres, community care settings, client homes, clinics, or doctors’ offices. Graduates of the Practical Nurse program have an excellent employment rate.

Transferability

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

Diploma graduates are eligible to apply for entry into the Bachelor of Technology in Technology Management degree program at NAIT.

NorQuest is currently negotiating block transfer into the Bachelor of Health Science program and the Bachelor of General Studies program at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, British Columbia. The amount of transferable credit is specific to each program.

Admission Requirements

• High school diploma*
• 60% in English 30-1 or 70% in English 30-2 or equivalent
• 60% in Biology 30 or equivalent (ANPH 1001 and ANPH 1002 will NOT be considered an equivalent)
• 50% in Pure Math 20 or 60% in Applied Math 20 or equivalent
• Clear criminal record check; must include a vulnerable sector check prior to commencement of clinical practice (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
• Health status questionnaire completed and submitted
• Must have the physical and mental abilities required for lab and clinical practice courses

Practical Nurse Evening Part-Time and Distance Education Part-Time applicants only:

• All admission requirements noted
• ANPH 1001 (Anatomy and Physiology I) and ANPH 1002 (Anatomy and Physiology II)

Practical Nurse for Health Care Aides applicants only:

• All admission requirements noted
• Graduate of an Alberta public college Health Care Aide program or equivalent
• ENGL 2550 (Introduction to Composition)
• ANPH 1001 (Anatomy and Physiology I) and ANPH 1002 (Anatomy and Physiology II)
• SOCI 1000 (Introduction to the Study of Society)
• PSYC 1060 (Psychology for Health-Care Professions)
• 50% in Pure Math 20 or 60% in Applied Math 20 or equivalent
• 60% in Biology 30 or equivalent
• 60% in English 30-1 or 70% in English 30-2 or equivalent

Note: ENGL 2550, ANPH 1001, ANPH 1002, SOCI 1000, and PSYC 1060 can be taken as general studies courses at NorQuest College. You will receive advanced standing in the Practical Nurse program upon successful completion of these courses.

Clinical Requirements

The following are not required for admission purposes, but will be required before you attend the first clinical practice.

• CPR - Basic Life Support for Health-Care Providers certificate (Level C) recognized by the Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation
• WHMIS certificate
• Up-to-date immunization record (including hepatitis B, which may be completed within the program)
• Clear criminal record check must include vulnerable sector check (More than one criminal record check may be necessary during the length of your program in accordance with work placement requirements.) Note: Internet (online) criminal record checks are NOT accepted by the College. Please contact your local law enforcement agency directly to obtain an official criminal record check.

English Language Proficiency

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

1. CLBA, with an average score of 8 and no skill score below 7
2. TOEFL Internet-based test score 84, with no section score below 21
3. IELTS 6.0, with no band scores below 6.0
4. CAEL 60, with no subtest below 60

Note: Meeting the English language proficiency requirement does NOT exempt the applicant from meeting the English academic course work required for admission to this program.

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.

Provisional Admission

An applicant may be granted provisional admission to this program. A student who has provisional admission must satisfy certain conditions within the first year of enrolment and by the date specified in the offer of admission. Conditions will be stipulated in the admission letter. Access to courses, activities, and practicum experiences may be limited until all provisional requirements are met. Provisional admission may be offered only to applicants who have a clear security clearance.

Progression

A minimum grade point average (GPA) 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 grade point average (GPA) greater than or equal to 3.7
• The student must not have failed or repeated any courses.

Tuition and Fees

2010–11 Tuition and Fees (pdf)

2010-11 Program and Supplies Fee & Textbook Rental Fee (pdf)

Program Outline (2010/11)

Practical Nurse is offered in the Fall 2010 and Winter 2011 terms. The course/term structure is outlined for both cohorts.

Practical Nurse Program with an Aboriginal Focus

Students in the Practical Nurse Program with an Aboriginal Focus will take the following courses in addition to the standard courses in the Practical Nurse program.

Last updated: August 5, 2010