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.
