Program Overview
This full-time program prepares graduates to provide nursing care in partnership with other health care professionals. Graduates will be able to care for selected clients chosen on the basis of acuity and complexity in a variety of settings.
Please note: It is intended that this Access to Practical Nursing curriculum (revised 2nd edition 2017) is used in conjunction with the Practical Nursing Provincial Curriculum (revised 2nd edition 2017). The first level, Level A, of the Access to PN Curriculum was adapted from the Practical Nursing Provincial Curriculum (rev. 2nd edition 2017) with the pre-requisite requirement of work experience as a health care assistant. Levels 3 and 4 are the same as courses in the Practical Nursing Provincial Curriculum (2011, rev. 2017).
An in-depth comparison of the Health Care Assistant Provincial Curriculum (2008) and the Practical Nursing Provincial Curriculum (2017), along with the identification of curriculum gaps resulting from this comparison has led to the development of this Access curriculum. The other levels are the same as courses in the Practical Nursing Provincial Curriculum (2017).
Licensed Practical Nurses in BC provide nursing services to patients and their families across the lifespan in a variety of hospital, community, long-term care and home care environments working as an integral part of the health team in collaboration with Physicians, RNs and RPNs. LPNs practice nursing using their knowledge, skills, judgment, critical thinking and problem solving to provide safe, competent and ethical care. Comprehensive patient assessments serve as the basis for developing individual nursing care plans.
As a Practical Nurse and valued member of the primary healthcare team, you are qualified to:
- Provide nursing care in the acute, geriatric and home care settings
- Assess and monitor patients in various healthcare settings
- Assist clients with activities of daily living such as personal care
- Administer medication to patients and monitor their effectiveness
- Document assessments and report progress
- Perform examinations in consultation with doctors, registered nurses and therapists
- Educate patients and family regarding health-related issues
- Advocate for clients
- Assist in rehabilitation activities
- Be a team leader and assign care to unregulated care providers
Career Opportunities
- Licensed Practical Nurse
- Health Care Aid
Learning Objectives
METHODS OF EVALUATION
Methods of evaluation vary amongst the courses in the program. Please see the individual course outlines on how students are evaluated for each course.
The Sprott Shaw College (SSC) Practical Nursing Program Access Program curriculum is based on the current 2012 Access Practical Nursing Program Provincial Curriculum (APNPPC) Guide and Supplement 2nd Edition Revised 2017. These include the Requisite Skills and Abilities, the Entry Level Competencies, and the Standards of Practice set out by BCCNM.
On completion of this program, graduates will:
- Apply the Entry Level Competencies for Licensed Practical Nurses to provide safe, competent, culturally safe and ethical nursing care to clients across the lifespan.
- Practice within current legislation, Scope of Practice Standards, Practice Standards, and Professional Standards for Licensed Practical Nurses and BCCNM.
- Value and engage in continuous learning to maintain and enhance competence.
- Practice in collaboration with other members of the health care team to meet the collective needs of their clients.
- Participate in interprofessional problem-solving and decision-making processes.
- Advocate for and facilitate change reflecting evidence-informed practice.
- Make practice decisions that are client specific and consider client acuity, complexity, variability, and available resources.
- Use critical thinking, clinical judgement and knowledge of assessment to plan, implement, and evaluate the agreed upon plan of care.
- Develop a collaborative relationship with clients by connecting, sharing, and exploring with them in a caring environment.
- Provide culturally safe, person-centered care across the lifespan that recognizes and respects the uniqueness of each individual and is sensitive to cultural safety and diversity.
- Provide leadership, direction, assignment and supervision of unregulated care providers as appropriate.
- Identify one’s own values, biases and assumptions and the influence of these on interactions with clients and other members of the health care team.
Methods of Evaluation
Methods of evaluation vary amongst the courses in the program. Please see the individual course outlines on how students are evaluated for each course.
Program Details
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
Students must submit the following to the college prior to the interview with Coordinator/Director:
* Portfolio containing an English essay and resume
* 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
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)
IELTS (Academic) with a minimum score of:
• Speaking: 7.0
• Listening: 7.0
• Reading: 6.5
• Writing: 6.5
• Overall band score: 7.0
CELBAN with minimum scores of:
• 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%)
* SSC Biology Basics (min. grade 60%)
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY REQUIREMENT (one of the following)
* Human Anatomy and Physiology for Practical Nurses (min. grade 65%)
* SSC PN105 Human Anatomy & Physiology (min. grade 65%)
HEALTH REQUIREMENT (one of the following)
* Completed SSC Health Declaration form
* Physician’s waiver
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
* Meet the requirements as set by the BCCNM
* The Criminal Records Review Program (CRRP) screens people who work with children or vulnerable adults, (proof of application for a CRC)
* 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
* FoodSafe Level 1
* Standard First Aid and CPR-C OR Basic Life Support certification must be valid for the duration of the program
* Proof of successful completion of a Health Care Assistant (HCA) or Resident Care Attendant (RCA) or a combined Home Support/Resident Care Attendant (HS/RCA) they may be admitted to the access semester of the Practical Nursing program
* 600 hours of work experience, within the last two years, in a care facility where care is provided to a group of clients. Work experience must be verified by an official employer letter. Individualized home care experience is not acceptable
This full-time diploma program was initiated in response to the need for recognizing past education, training and work experience of applicants to the Practical Nursing program. If applicants have achieved certification in the following programs:
Health Care Assistant (HCA) or Resident Care Attendant (RCA) or a combined Home Support/Resident Care Attendant (HS/RCA) they may be admitted to the access semester of the Practical Nursing program
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
* Students must be in good standing with the applicable regulatory body or registry.
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: 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
Clinical / Preceptorship may include any shifts other than day shift (i.e. evenings — 3 to 11 pm or nights — 11 pm to 7 am and possible weekends).
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.
Students can expect to complete 1 – 4 hours of homework per day.
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