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 BCCNP.

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 SSC Communications 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 Nursing Professionals (BCCNP) and be successful in one of the following: (subject to change, consistent with BCCNP requirements) International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – Academic Version, Canadian English Language Benchmarks Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN). English as a Second/Additional Language:

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:

Note: CPR Level C, Standard First Aid, Foodsafe and WHMIS will be completed during the program.

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 CLPNBC.

(Students may be required to have a refresher of CPR Level C, Standard First Aid, prior to beginning Level 4.)

Note: Successful graduation of this program does not guarantee a license to practice. Such license is issued by the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of BC (CLPNBC) after successful completion of the mandatory national examination.

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; must be able to cope with the emotional aspects of working with the sick, injured and terminally ill. Has the following required skills and abilities described in Becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse in Canada Requisite Skills and Abilities (2013):

• 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.

Where are our graduates working?

Sprott Shaw College graduates are working across the province in all Health Authorities including Vancouver Coastal, Fraser Health, Island Health, Northern and Interior Health Authorities. Our graduates are working in hospitals like Vancouver General, Surrey Memorial, Chilliwack Hospital, Kelowna General, Penticton, Regional Interior, Victoria General and more. We have graduates working in complex care facilities operated by the health authorities and privately managed care facilities. We also have graduates working in the largest private nursing care companies in BC like Nurse Next Door, Bayshore Home Health and AdvoCare Health Services. If for are any reason you need assistance finding employment after graduation, we offer Employment Services for life at each of our 16 campuses.

Links:

• Becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse in Canada: Requisite Skills and Abilities document
  https://clpnbc.org/Documents/Practice-Support-Documents/IJLPN-RSA-Final.aspx
• Professional Standards
  https://www.clpnbc.org/Documents/Practice-Support-Documents/Professional-Standards-of-Practice-for-Licensed-Pr.aspx
• Entry to Practice Competencies for Licensed Practical Nurses (2013)
  https://www.clpnbc.org/Documents/About-CLPNBC/Bylaws/Bylaw-Amendments/Entry-to-Practice-Competencies-(EPTC)-LPNs.aspx
• Scope of Practice: Standards, Limits and Conditions
  https://www.clpnbc.org/Documents/Practice-Support-Documents/Scope-of-Practice-ONLINE.aspx
• Practice Standards
  https://www.clpnbc.org/Practice-Support-Learning/Practice-Standards