Practical Nursing

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet all of the pre-requisites listed below, meet their financial obligations to the college at registration, and acknowledge their understanding of SSC’s policies and procedures provided in the Student Handbook, prior to starting classes.

NOTE: Students are provided with a detailed list of books, e-resources, workshop/lab supplies, and lab/tool kits that are included in the program’s fees and will have the opportunity to opt in or out of purchasing from Sprott Shaw College or any other specific source any of these items at the time of registration.

ADMISSION INTERVIEW(S)

* Complete admissions interview
* Complete interview with Coordinator/Director

EDUCATION LEVEL (one of the following)

* Grade 12 or equivalent (GED, Adult Basic Education) with evidence of a ‘true certified copy’ or original transcript
* Mature student status (age 19 and one year out of high school)

LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY POLICY

All programs at Sprott Shaw College (SSC) are conducted in English. Therefore, proficiency in the English language is a requirement for enrollment. This can be demonstrated by evidence of:

A) completion of 3 years of full-time secondary (Grades 8-12) or post-secondary education in English in a country where English is the language of instruction, or validation of both language of instruction and credential level is provided by WES, ICES or IQAS

Countries where English is the language of instruction:

American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Saint Helena, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, United States Virgin Islands, Zambia, & Zimbabwe.

OR

B) by achieving a recognized standardized language test/assessment at an overall level equivalent. (See English Requirements below)

ENGLISH EQUIVALENTS FOR STUDENTS WHO CANNOT DEMONSTRATE 3 YEARS ENGLISH specifically for this program (one of the following)

As English is the language of study in BC, students must meet English language proficiency at an appropriate level to be accepted into the provincial PN program.

Applicants with English as a Second/Additional Language must meet the language requirements set by the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) and be successful in one of the following (subject to change, consistent with BCCNM requirements).

* Three years of full-time, face-to-face secondary or post-secondary instruction at an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction and is also one of the country’s official languages. English as a second language/additional language courses are not included in this three-year calculation. Those not meeting this requirement must achieve scores identified in one of the two tests listed below:

IELTS Academic (minimum scores)

* Speaking: 7.0
* Listening: 7.0
* Reading: 6.5
* Writing: 6.5
* OVERALL BAND SCORE: 7.0 (scores valid for two years)

CELBAN (minimum scores)

• Speaking: 8.0
• Listening: 9.0
• Reading: 8.0
• Writing: 7.0

ENGLISH REQUIREMENT (one of the following)

* English 12 (min. grade 65%)
* English 12 First Peoples (min. grade 65%)
* SSC English for Healthcare (min. grade 76%)

MATH REQUIREMENT (one of the following)

* Math 11 Foundations (min. grade 60%)
* SSC Math for Healthcare (min. grade 64%)

BIOLOGY REQUIREMENT (one of the following)

* BC Curriculum Anatomy and Physiology 12 (formerly known as Biology 12) (min. grade 60%)
* BC Curriculum Biology 12 (min. grade 60%)
* SSC Biology Basics (min. grade 60%)

HEALTH REQUIREMENT (one of the following)

* Completed SSC Health Declaration form
* Physician’s waiver

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

* Meet the requirements as set by the BCCNM
* Portfolio containing an English essay and resume
* The Criminal Records Review Program (CRRP) screens people who work with children or vulnerable adults, (proof of application for a CRC)
* Two letters of reference – one personal (cannot be a relative) and one professional (employer, coach, teacher, etc.). Each letter must include the following information:
* Date letter was written
* Full name of person providing the reference
* Reference contact information: phone number and e-mail
* Evidence of full COVID-19 vaccinations
* Students must provide evidence of a negative TB result OR proof of a scheduled TB appointment within 4 weeks of their program start date

Practice Education Requirements

* The Criminal Records Review Program (CRRP) screens people who work with children or vulnerable adults, students must provide the college with a cleared CRC prior to the Practice Education start date.
* Provide proof of negative TB results
* Provide evidence of up-to-date Immunizations: Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Polio, Chicken Pox, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Hepatitis B, Pertussis
* Influenza vaccinations (and others), as required by clinical sites
* Adhere to the requirements of the BC Practice Education Guidelines

Diploma Requirements

Graduation from this program is based on: A passing grade in all theory courses; successful completion of all practice experiences, including demonstration of mastery of all the clinical competencies; each student must attain the entry level competencies for an LPN in BC as set by the BCCNM.

Note: Standard First Aid And CPR-C OR Basic Life Support, FoodSafe and WHMIS will be completed during the program.

Note: Successful graduation of this program does not guarantee a license to practice. Such license is issued by the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) after successful completion of the mandatory national examination. For more information on this process please visit: http://www.bccnm.ca

Students can expect to complete 1 – 4 hours of homework per day.

Students may be required to work 12-hour shifts during the clinical and / or preceptorship.

Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from clinical / preceptorship sites.

Clinical / Preceptorship are conducted over 7.5 to 12 hours per day to meet required hours as set out by BCCNM.

Clinical / Preceptorship sites are subject to availability.

Clinical / Preceptorship sites may require more current and/or additional CRC (for instance: RCMP) and TB testing (to be done at student’s expense), or other requirements to be completed prior to starting.