Practical Nurse
Apply now for the full-time, September 2012 intake.
- Two-year diploma
- Fall and winter starts
- Full-time, part-time, and distance delivery
- Downtown Edmonton campus, Wetaskiwin campus, and Camrose campus
- Graduates in high demand
Program Overview
This program prepares you to become a professional practical nurse educated to give high-quality care to clients in a variety of health-care settings. You may take the program full-time or on a part-time basis in the evenings or through distance education.
It is recommended that students not work at outside jobs during the full-time PN program.
Applicants are requested to review the requirements listed below and assess their ability to fulfill the demands of the occupation of practical nurse.
As a practical nurse, you must be able to:
- Work shifts and weekends
- Be on your feet for extended periods of time
- Use your knees, back, and arms to move clients who have minimal body strength
- Function effectively in stressful situations
- Perform all skills independently
PN Full-Time Delivery
- Instructor-led classroom and lab-based learning (Hours may be between 8 AM and 8 PM.)
- Instructor-led and preceptor-led clinical practice courses in Edmonton and surrounding area (Hours may be between 6 AM and 10:30 PM and may include weekends.)
PN Evening Part-Time Delivery
- Self-paced study plus weekly evening instructor-facilitated sessions for theory and lab courses
- Instructor- and preceptor-led clinical practices in Edmonton or surrounding areas on weekends (Friday to Sunday)
- Final clinical practice is full-time and may include weekends and shift work
- You must complete ANPH 1001 and ANPH 1002 prior to program admission. These courses are not part of the Evening Part-Time program.
PN Distance Education Part-Time Delivery
- Self-paced study (theory course work that you may complete in your own home)
- Courses will start on the first calendar day of the month with course registration completed by the 10th day of the previous month.
- Open lab workshops offered in Edmonton; all lab skills assessments are completed in Edmonton
- Instructors available for help by contact through email or by telephone
- Instructor-led clinical practice in Edmonton or surrounding areas
- Final clinical practice is preceptored and may be arranged in or close to your own community.
- Each course must be completed within specified timelines.
- Course print materials, DVDs demonstrating nursing skills, and skills practice kits are available.
Practical Nurse for Health Care Aides
- Distance education or evening part-time
This program prepares the individual who has acquired a Health Care Aide certificate to become a professional practical nurse educated to give high-quality care to clients in a variety of health-care settings. Students are eligible to challenge three designated courses once they have been accepted into the program: HEED 1000, NCOM 1000 and NFDN 1002.
Career Potential
You will be eligible for jobs in acute care hospitals, continuing care centres, community care settings, client homes, clinics, or doctors' offices. Graduates of the Practical Nurse program have an excellent employment rate.
Transferability
Diploma program graduates are eligible for transfer credit and may qualify for admission into the following post-secondary programs:
NorQuest College
- Advanced Education in Orthopaedics for LPNs
Athabasca University
- Post-LPN Bachelor of Nursing
Grant MacEwan University
- Bachelor of Applied Human Service Administration
- Post-basic operating room program for LPNs
NAIT
- Bachelor of Technology in Technology Management
Thompson Rivers University (Kamloops, BC)
- Bachelor of Health Sciences
- Bachelor of General Studies
Admission Requirements (2011-2012)
- High school diploma*
- 60% in English Language Arts 30-1 or 70% in English Language Arts 30-2 or equivalent
- 60% in Biology 30 or equivalent
- 50% in Pure Mathematics 20 or 60% in Applied Mathematics 20 or equivalent (Grade of 60% in NorQuest's Math 1007)
- Clear criminal record check; must include a vulnerable sector check (More than one criminal record check may be necessary during the length of your program, in accordance with work placement requirements.) Note: Internet (on-line) criminal record checks are NOT accepted by the College. Please contact your local law enforcement agency directly to obtain an official criminal record check.
- Copies of records for any immunizations that you have received in the past
*Mature students (age 19+) must meet all requirements except for the high school diploma.
Practical Nurse Evening Part-Time applicants only:
- All admission requirements noted
- C- (60%) in ANPH 1001 (Anatomy and Physiology I) and ANPH 1002 (Anatomy and Physiology II)
Practical Nurse for Health Care Aides applicants only:
- All admission requirements noted
- Graduate of an Alberta Provincial Standard Health Care Aide program or equivalent
- Confirmation of Employment Hours form completed and submitted
Note: ENGL 2550, ANPH 1001, ANPH 1002, SOCI 1000, and PSYC 1060 can be taken as general studies courses at NorQuest College. You will receive advanced standing in the Practical Nurse program upon successful completion of these courses.
Clinical Requirements
The following are not required for admission purposes, but will be required before you attend the first clinical practice.
- CPR - Basic Life Support for Health-Care Providers certificate recognized by the Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation
- WHMIS certificate
- Up-to-date immunization record (including hepatitis B, which may be completed within the program)
- Clear criminal record check must include vulnerable sector check (More than one criminal record check may be necessary during the length of your program in accordance with work placement requirements.) Note: Internet (online) criminal record checks are NOT accepted by the College. Please contact your local law enforcement agency directly to obtain an official criminal record check.
- XHLT 1023 - Human Blood-Borne Pathogen Exposure. Students are subject to an additional fee when they register for this non-credit course. A certificate will be awarded upon completion.
English Language Proficiency
If English is your second language, you must provide proof of English language proficiency (ELP) prior to admission. ELP must have been completed within two years prior to application to the program. Acceptable evidence of ELP may be one of the following:
- CLBA, with a score of 8 and no skill score below 8
- TOEFL Internet-based test score 84, with no section score below 21
- IELTS Academic 6.0, with no band scores below 6.0
- CAEL 60, with no subtest below 60
- CELBAN overall score of 8, with the listening band no lower than 8
Note: Meeting the English language proficiency requirement does NOT exempt the applicant from meeting the English academic course work required for admission to this program.
Prep for Practical Nurse Admission Route
Students may choose an alternative admission route to this program by successfully completing the Prep for Practical Nurse program.
Provisional Admission
An applicant may be granted provisional admission to this program. A student who has provisional admission must satisfy certain conditions within the first year of enrolment and by the date specified in the offer of admission. Conditions will be stipulated in the admission letter. Access to courses, activities, and practicum experiences may be limited until all provisional requirements are met.
Admission Requirements (2012-2013)
- High school diploma*
- 60% in English Language Arts 30-1 or 70% in English Language Arts 30-2 or equivalent
- 60% in Biology 30 or equivalent
- 50% in Mathematics 20-1 (Pure Mathematics 20) or 60% in Mathematics 20-2 (Applied Mathematics 20) or equivalent (Grade of 60% in NorQuest's Math 1007)
- Copies of records of any immunizations that you have received in the past
*Mature students (age 19+) must meet all requirements except for the high school diploma.
Practical Nurse Evening Part-Time and Distance Education Part-Time applicants only:
- All admission requirements noted
- C- (60%) in ANPH 1001 (Anatomy and Physiology I) and ANPH 1002 (Anatomy and Physiology II)
Practical Nurse for Health Care Aides applicants only:
- All admission requirements noted
- Graduate of an Alberta Provincial Standard Health Care Aide program or equivalent
- Confirmation of Employment Hours form completed and submitted
Note: ENGL 2550, ANPH 1001, ANPH 1002, SOCI 1000, and PSYC 1060 can be taken as general studies courses at NorQuest College. You will receive advanced standing in the Practical Nurse program upon successful completion of these courses.
Clinical Requirements
The following are not required for admission purposes, but will be required before you attend the first clinical practice:
- CPR - Basic Life Support for Health-Care Providers certificate recognized by the Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation
- WHMIS certificate
- Up-to-date immunization record (including hepatitis B)
- Clear criminal record check; must include vulnerable sector check (More than one criminal record check may be necessary during the length of your program, in accordance with practicum requirements.) Note: Internet (online) criminal record checks are NOT accepted by the College. Please contact your local law enforcement agency directly to obtain an official criminal record check. The existence of a criminal record may prevent clinical placement, program completion, and professional licensure and therefore may affect employment prospects. Prospective students who have a criminal record should discuss the matter with the Program Chair prior to applying for admission.
- XHLT 1023 - Human Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure. Students are subject to an additional fee at the time of registration to this non-credit course. A certificate will be awarded upon completion.
English Language Proficiency
If English is your second language, you must provide proof of English language proficiency (ELP) prior to admission. ELP must have been completed within two years prior to application to the program. Acceptable evidence of ELP may be one of the following:
- CLBA, with a score of 8 and no skill score below 8
- TOEFL Internet-based test score 84, with no section score below 21
- IELTS Academic 6.0, with no band scores below 6.0
- CAEL 60, with no subtest below 60
- CELBAN overall score of 8, Listening band must be 8
Note: Meeting the English language proficiency requirement does NOT exempt the applicant from meeting the English academic course work required for admission to this program.
Prep for Practical Nurse Admission Route
Students may choose an alternative admission route to this program by successfully completing the Prep for Practical Nurse program.
Provisional Admission
An applicant may be granted provisional admission to this program. A student who has provisional admission must satisfy certain conditions within the first year of enrolment and by the date specified in the offer of admission. Conditions will be stipulated in the admission letter. Access to courses, activities, and practicum experiences may be limited until all provisional requirements are met.
Progression
A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 is required to be considered in good academic standing and to graduate with a diploma in Practical Nursing.
Credential
After successfully completing this program, graduates will be awarded a NorQuest Practical Nurse diploma.
Honours Criteria
- Overall grade point average (GPA) greater than or equal to 3.7
- The student must not have failed or repeated any courses.
Tuition and Fees
Please refer to our Tuition and Fees page for the 2011/12 tuition and fees schedule.
Program Outline (2011/12)
- Students beginning the program in Fall 2011 will follow the course/term structure listed below. Those beginning the program in Winter 2012 will follow the course/term structure listed on the next page.
Practical Nurse Fall 2011 Start
Year 1
| Course Code |
Course Title |
Credits |
| Term 1 |
16 weeks |
|
| ANPH 1001 |
Anatomy and Physiology I |
3.0 |
| ANPH 1002 |
Anatomy and Physiology II |
3.0 |
| ENGL 2550 |
Introduction to Composition |
3.0 |
| HEED 1000 |
Health Education:
Individual Health
and Wellness |
3.0 |
| HEAS 1000 |
Health Assessment |
4.0 |
| NCOM 1000 |
Communications for Nursing |
3.0 |
| NFDN 1001 |
Nursing Foundations I:
Introduction
to Nursing |
4.0 |
| |
Term 1 Total |
23.0 |
| Term 2 |
16 weeks |
|
| PATH 1000 |
Pathophysiology for
Health-Care Professions |
3.0 |
| PHAR 1000 |
Basic Pharmacotherapeutics |
3.0 |
| NFDN 1002 |
Nursing Foundations II: Basic Nursing |
7.0 |
| NFDN 2003 |
Nursing Foundations III:
Medical-Surgical Nursing |
9.0 |
| |
Term 2 Total |
22.0 |
| Term 3 |
8 weeks |
|
| NPRT 1001 |
Nursing Practice I: Continuing Care
Practice |
5.0 |
| PSYC 1060 |
Psychology for Health-Care Professions |
3.0 |
| |
Term 3 Total |
8.0 |
| |
Year 1 Total |
53.0 |
Year 2
| Course Code |
Course Title |
Credits |
| Term 4 |
16 weeks |
|
| NFDN 2004 |
Nursing Foundations IV: Family Nursing
1 |
3.0 |
| NFDN 2005 |
Nursing Foundations V: Family Nursing
2 |
3.0 |
| SOCI 1000 |
Introduction to the Study of Society |
3.0 |
| NPRT 2101 |
Nursing Practice II:
Acute Care Practice
– Medicine |
4.0 |
| NPRT 2102 |
Nursing Practice II: Acute Care Practice
– Surgery |
4.0 |
| |
Term 4 Total |
17.0 |
| Term 5 |
16 weeks |
|
| NFDN 2006 |
Nursing Foundations VI:
Community Nursing |
3.0 |
| NFDN 2007 |
Nursing Foundations VII:
Mental Health
Nursing |
3.0 |
| NFDN 2008 |
Nursing Foundations VIII:
Transition
to Graduate Nursing |
3.0 |
| NPRT 2003 |
Nursing Practice III: Focused Practice |
3.0 |
| NPRT 2004 |
Nursing Practice IV:
Comprehensive
Practice |
4.0 |
| |
Term 5 Total |
16.0 |
| |
Year 2 Total |
33.0 |
| |
Program Total |
86.0 |
Practical Nurse Winter 2012 Start
Year 1
| Course Code |
Course Title |
Credits |
| Term 1 |
16 weeks |
|
| ANPH 1001 |
Anatomy and Physiology I |
3.0 |
| ANPH 1002 |
Anatomy and Physiology II |
3.0 |
| ENGL 2550 |
Introduction to Composition |
3.0 |
| HEED 1000 |
Health Education:
Individual Health
and Wellness |
3.0 |
| HEAS 1000 |
Health Assessment |
4.0 |
| NCOM 1000 |
Communications for Nursing |
3.0 |
| NFDN 1001 |
Nursing Foundations I:
Introduction
to Nursing |
4.0 |
| |
Term 1 Total |
23.0 |
| Term 2 |
8 weeks |
|
| PHAR 1000 |
Basic Pharmacotherapeutics |
3.0 |
| NFDN 1002 |
Nursing Foundations II: Basic Nursing |
7.0 |
| |
Term 2 Total |
10.0 |
| Term 3 |
16 weeks |
|
| NPRT 1001 |
Nursing Practice I:
Continuing Care
Practice |
5.0 |
| PATH 1000 |
Pathophysiology for
Health-Care Professions |
3.0 |
| PSYC 1060 |
Psychology for Health-Care Professions |
3.0 |
| NFDN 2003 |
Nursing Foundations III:
Medical-Surgical Nursing |
9.0 |
| |
Term 3 Total |
20.0 |
| |
Year 1 Total |
53.0 |
Year 2
| Course Code |
Course Title |
Credits |
| Term 4 |
16 weeks |
|
| NFDN 2004 |
Nursing Foundations IV: Family Nursing
1 |
3.0 |
| NFDN 2005 |
Nursing Foundations V: Family Nursing
2 |
3.0 |
| SOCI 1000 |
Introduction to the Study of Society |
3.0 |
| NPRT 2101 |
Nursing Practice II:
Acute Care Practice
– Medicine |
4.0 |
| NPRT 2102 |
Nursing Practice II: Acute Care Practice
– Surgery |
4.0 |
| |
Term 4 Total |
17.0 |
| Term 5 |
16 weeks |
|
| NFDN 2006 |
Nursing Foundations VI:
Community Nursing |
3.0 |
| NFDN 2007 |
Nursing Foundations VII:
Mental Health
Nursing |
3.0 |
| NFDN 2008 |
Nursing Foundations VIII:
Transition
to Graduate Nursing |
3.0 |
| NPRT 2003 |
Nursing Practice III: Focused Practice |
3.0 |
| NPRT 2004 |
Nursing Practice IV:
Comprehensive
Practice |
4.0 |
| |
Term 5 Total |
16.0 |
| |
Year 2 Total |
33.0 |
| |
Program Total |
86.0 |
Last updated:
December 5, 2011
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