Practical Nursing Program

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.
• For more information on English Language requirements and equivalencies please click here.

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
• 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

Other Requirements:

• Portfolio containing: English Essay, Resume, Two letters of Reference.
• 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, Pertussis.
• Influenza and others as required by clinical sites.
• Must adhere to the requirements of the BC Practice Education Guidelines.
• Cleared Criminal Record Check (Public Safety & Solicitor General Schedule B) – Must be submitted within 3 months of Practicum/Clinical start date.
• Health Declaration.

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.

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.