Practical Nurse

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.

We recommend that you complete ANPH 1001 (Anatomy and Physiology I) and ANPH 1002 (Anatomy and Physiology II) before starting the program.

Applicants to either Evening Part-Time or Distance Education Part-Time programs must complete ANPH 1001 and ANPH 1002 prior to program admission.

It is recommended that students do not work during the first semester of the full-time PN program.

Practical Nurse for Health Care Aides

• Distance education or evening part-time
• Entrance requirements provide advanced standing in program

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. You may take the program full-time, or on a part-time basis in the evenings or through distance education.

Practical Nurse Program Delivery Options

Full-Time

• Instructor-led classroom-based learning
• Instructor-led and preceptor-led clinical practice courses

Evening Part-Time

• Self-paced study plus weekly evening instructor-facilitated seminars for theory and lab courses
• Instructor- and preceptor-led clinical practices in Edmonton on weekends
• Final clinical practice is full-time.
• Must complete ANPH 1001 and ANPH 1002 prior to program admission. These courses are not part of the Evening Part-Time program.

Distance Education Part-Time

• Self-paced study (theory course work that you may complete in your own home)
• Workshops in Edmonton to practise nursing skills
• Contact instructors for help by telephone or email
• Instructor-led clinical practice in Edmonton
• Final clinical practice is preceptored and full-time and may be arranged outside of Edmonton.
• You have up to three years from the official start date to complete the program.
• You will take one course at a time. Each course must be completed within specified timelines.
• You will be able to purchase course print materials, videos demonstrating nursing skills, and skill practice kits to work on the courses at home.
• You will have access to interactive online learning materials and activities.
• You must complete ANPH 1001 and ANPH 1002 prior to program admission. These courses are not part of the Distance Education Part-Time program.

Career Potential

You will be eligible for jobs in acute care hospitals, continuing care centres, community care settings, client homes, clinics, or doctors’ offices. LPNs earn approximately $20 to $27 per hour. Graduates of the Practical Nurse program have a 100% employment rate.

Transferability

Further education options are available to LPNs. Your Practical Nurse diploma will qualify you for admission into these programs:

• Advanced Education in Orthopaedics for LPNs at NorQuest College
• Post-basic operating room program for LPNs at MacEwan College
• Post-LPN Bachelor of Nursing Degree program at Athabasca University
• Bachelor of Applied Human Service Administration program at Grant MacEwan University

Admission Requirements

• High school diploma
• 60% in English 30-1 or 70% in English 30-2 or equivalency
• 60% in Biology 30 or equivalency
• 50% in Pure Math 20 or 60% in Applied Math 20 or equivalency
• 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.)
• Up-to-date immunization record including hepatitis B (may be completed within the program)
• Health status questionnaire completed and submitted
• Must have the physical and mental abilities required for lab and clinical practice courses
• 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
• ANPH 1001 Anatomy and Physiology I.
• ANPH 1002 Anatomy and Physiology II.

Practical Nurse for Health Care Aides applicants only:

• Graduate of an Alberta public college Health Care Aide program or equivalent
• ENGL 2550 (Introduction to Composition)
• ANPH 1001 (Anatomy and Physiology I) and ANPH 1002 (Anatomy and Physiology II)
• SOCI 1000 (Introduction to the Study of Society)
• PSYC 1060 (Psychology for Health-Care Professions)
• 50% in Pure Math 20 or 60% in Applied Math 20 or equivalency
• 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.)
• Up-to-date immunization record including hepatitis B (may be completed within the program)
• Health status questionnaire completed and submitted
• Must have the physical and mental abilities required for lab and clinical practice courses

Note: ENGL 2550, ANPH 1001, ANPH 1002, SOCI 1000, and PSYC 1060 can be taken as general studies courses at NorQuest College; no admission requirements are necessary. 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 (Level C) recognized by the Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation
• WHMIS certificate

English Language Proficiency

If English is your second language, you must provide proof of English language proficiency (ELP) prior to admission. Acceptable evidence of ELP may be one of the following:

1. CLBA with an average score of 8 (with no skill score below 7)
2. TOEFL Internet-based test score 84 (no section score below 21)
3. IELTS 6.0 (no band scores below 6.0)
4. CAEL 60 (no subtest below 60)

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. Provisional admission may be offered only to applicants who have a clear security clearance.

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

• Cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 3.7 (A-)
• The student must not have failed or repeated any courses.
• The student must not have had a learning improvement plan.

Tuition and Fees

2009/2010 Tuition and Fees (pdf)

Funding Your Education

Students in this program may be eligible for Alberta government funding including costs for tuition, books, and living expenses.

Program Outline (2009/10)

The sequence of courses may change.

Year 1

Year 2

Practical Nurse Program with an Aboriginal Focus

Students in the Practical Nurse Program with an Aboriginal Focus will take the following courses in addition to the standard courses in the Practical Nurse program.

Last updated: December 14, 2009