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Practical Nursing Program

Sprott Shaw College is one of the largest providers of Practical Nursing training in BC

The Practical Nursing Program equips students with the knowledge, judgment, and skills to provide safe, competent, and ethical care.

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) provide nursing services to patients and their families in a variety of hospital, community, residential, and home care environments in collaboration with doctors, physicians, registered nurses, and registered practical nurses.

Practical Nursing Program Learning Objectives

The Sprott Shaw College (SSC) Practical Nursing Program curriculum is based on the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) Standards of Practice Framework. These include the Scope of Practice Standards, Professional Standards, and the Practice Standards as set out by BCCNM.

On completion of this program graduates will:

  • Apply the Entry to Practice Competencies for Licensed Practical Nurses to provide safe, competent 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
  • 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 an evidence-informed practice
  • Make practice decisions that are client-specific and consider client acuity, complexity, variability, and available resources
  • Use critical thinking, clinical judgment and knowledge of assessment to plan, implement, and evaluate the agreed-upon care of plan
  • 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 own values, biases and assumptions and the influence of these on interactions with clients and other members of the health care team

Why Take The Practical Nursing Program At Sprott Shaw?

  • Licensing exam preparation and study guides for the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration (CPNRE) exam at no additional charge 
  • Career and professional development success courses to help create a career development marketing plan, learn the cardinal rules of professionalism, and identify the target markets and employment resources for the nursing industry 
  • Preparation and orientation courses to teach you how to find credible research, write papers, create proper citation formats including APA, and study effectively for exams
  • Prerequisite certificates including First-Aid Basic Life Support (BLS), FoodSafe, and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NVCI)  
  • All-inclusive program costs where what you see is what you pay. Our costs include registration fees, assessment fees, tuition, textbooks, supplies, course materials, uniforms, certificates, graduation fees, clinical and practicum fees, and much more
  • Access to dedicated Employment Services Specialists (ESS) who can help you with resume and cover letter writing, interview skills, and the overall job search after graduation
  • Multiple start dates so you can start your education when you want to without the wait
  • Preceptorship, clinical, and practicum opportunities with health authorities across BC including Provincial Health Services Authority, Vancouver Coastal Health, Fraser Health Authority, Island Health, Northern Health, and Interior Health Authority

Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree

Practical Nursing program students are eligible to apply for Athabasca University’s Bachelor of Nursing (Post-LPN) program.

At Athabasca University, successful candidates will receive the opportunity to complete all of the non-nursing, required, support, and option theory courses for their Bachelor of Nursing through distance education.

As students continue to work in their field, they can complete their baccalaureate nursing theory courses through a flexible learning environment. Graduates of this program are eligible to write the National Council Licensure Examination – Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) and become registered nurses (RNs).

Where Are Sprott Shaw Graduates Working?

In addition to health authorities across the province, our Practical Nursing program graduates are working at recognized hospitals like Vancouver General Hospital, Surrey Memorial Hospital, Chilliwack General Hospital, Kelowna General Hospital, Victoria General Hospital, and more.

Practical Nursing program students have received acute, complex care, and long-term experiences at various recognized organizations including BC Cancer Agency, North Shore Hospice, Correctional Health Services, Good Samaritan Society, and Revera Living Incorporated where they have been placed in one of 175 homes and residencies across Canada.  


  • sprott shaw college practical nursing students learning in practical nursing lab
  • sprott shaw college practical nursing students learning in practical nursing lab
  • sprott shaw college practical nursing students learning in practical nursing lab
  • sprott shaw college practical nursing students learning in practical nursing lab
  • sprott shaw college practical nursing students learning in practical nursing lab
  • sprott shaw college practical nursing students learning in practical nursing lab
  • sprott shaw college practical nursing students learning in practical nursing lab
  • sprott shaw college practical nursing students learning in practical nursing lab
  • sprott shaw college practical nursing students learning in practical nursing lab

Diploma Program

Total Program Hours:
2005 Hours
Full-Time Program Length:
75 Weeks
(Includes holidays and professional days)
Program content is subject to change.

Contact an Admissions Advisor for More Information Today!

Contact Us Today!

Our advisors are happy to answer any questions.

Career Opportunities

Care Aide
Practical Nurse
Admission Requirements:
  • Grade 12 graduation, or equivalent (General Education Development, Adult Basic Education), or mature student status (Age 19 and one year out of school)
  • All transcripts must be “true certified copies” or originals

Applicants must successfully complete the admissions interview, a Coordinator/Director interview and meet the requirements as set by the BCCNM.

Proof of meeting English Language and Math Requirements:

  • English 12 with a minimum grade of 65% OR English 12 First Peoples with a minimum grade of 65% OR English for Healthcare with a minimum grade of 76%

OR Equivalent

  • Math 11 Foundations with a minimum grade of 60% OR SSC

Math for Healthcare with a minimum grade of 64% OR

Equivalent

  • BC Curriculum Anatomy and Physiology 12 (formerly known as Biology 12) with a minimum grade of 60% OR SSC Biology Basics with a minimum grade of 60% OR Equivalent

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) International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – Academic Version, Canadian English Language Benchmarks Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN).

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. These requirements can be satisfied through 3 years of full-time, face-to-face secondary or post-secondary education 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 3-year calculation. Those not meeting this requirement must achieve scores identified in one of the two tests listed below:

IELTS (Academic) with minimum scores of:

  • Speaking: 7.0
  • Listening: 7.5
  • Reading: 6.5
  • Writing: 7.0
  • Overall band score: 7.0

CELBAN with minimum scores of:

  • Speaking: 8.0
  • Listening: 10.0
  • Reading: 8.0
  • Writing: 7.0

Applicants for this program must also have:

  • Portfolio containing: English Essay, Resume, Two letters of Reference
  • Physicians Waiver
  • Criminal Record Check (Solicitor General Level)
  • Provide evidence of clear TB testing prior to acceptance (all must be done no more than three months before the start of the program)
  • Provide evidence of up-to-date Immunizations: Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Polio, Chicken Pox, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Hepatitis B
  • Influenza and others as required by clinical sites
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

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

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.

Other Specifications:

Basic word processing and computer skills are required; a caring attitude and a sincere interest in the well-being of people are essential; foundational courses in Mathematics, Biology, Psychology and Sociology are an asset; flexible and adaptable work/life schedule to accommodate for clinical experience shift work; healthcare related work/volunteer experience strongly recommended.

Has the following required skills and abilities described in Becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse in Canada Requisite

Skills and Abilities:
• Cognitive skills that demonstrate thinking capacity.
• Communication ability to express and receive written, verbal and non-verbal language, and the ability to interact with others in a respectful and professional manner.
• Ability to create positive relationships.
• Ability to conduct oneself in a professional manner.
• Ability to accurately perceive using sight, hearing, smell and touch to provide safe care and actively participate in nursing activities.
• Ability to physically participate in providing safe client care and educational activities.
• Ability to provide safe client care in commonly encountered and unavoidable environmental factors

Links:
* Practical Nursing Program was reviewed and approved by the registrar of the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training.

Students can expect to complete one to three hours of homework per day.

Contact an Admissions Advisor for More Information Today!

Contact Us Today!

Our advisors are happy to answer any questions.

Courses List

This 75 week Diploma program requires the student to complete the following courses.

  • GE123 Career and Professional Development (Comp/Inc)
    • Create a Career Development Marketing Plan
    • Apply aspects of professionalism
    • Specialty program coverage in this shortened version
    • Identify target markets and employment resources
  • PN100 Program Preparation
  • PN1000 Orientation
  • PN1001 Professional Practice 1
  • PN1002 Professional Communication 1
  • PN1003 Variations in Health 1
  • PN1004 Health Promotion 1
  • PN1005 Pharmacology 1
  • PN1006 Integrated Nursing Practice 1
  • PN1007 Consolidated Practice Experience 1 (Clinical)
  • PN105 Human Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Terminology

  • PN2001 Professional Practice 2
  • PN2002 Professional Communications 2
  • PN2003 Variations in Health 2
  • PN2004 Health Promotion 2
  • PN2005 Pharmacology 2
  • PN2006 Integrated Nursing Practice 2
  • PN2007 Consolidated Practice Experience 2 (Clinical)

  • PN3001 Professional Practice 3
  • PN3002 Professional Communications 3
  • PN3003 Variations in Health 3
  • PN3004 Health Promotion 3
  • PN3006 Integrated Nursing Practice 3
  • PN3007 Consolidated Practice Experience 3 (Clinical)

  • PN4001 Professional Practice 4
  • PN4002 Professional Communications 4
  • PN4003 Variations in Health 4
  • PN4004 Health Promotion 4
  • PN4006 Integrated Nursing Practice 4
  • PN4007 Consolidated Practice Experience 4 (Clinical)

  • PN5000 Transition to Preceptorship
  • PN5001 Preceptorship
  • PN5002 Exam Preparation

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Our advisors are happy to answer any questions.

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