Practical Nurse Diploma
Program Office: 403.320.3211 • practicalnurse@lethbridgecollege.ca
Centre for Health and Wellness Placement Office: 403.320.3202 Ext. 5380
Inject Meaning into Your Future
Bring your compassion and desire to care for others into a vital role as a practical nurse. Our Practical Nurse program offers in-depth, quality academic programming and innovative practicums to provide you with the skills and knowledge necessary to begin your career working to the full scope of practice as identified by the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta.
In the classroom, you’ll learn nursing theory from experienced instructors and receive hands-on training during simulated practice experiences. You’ll learn to use the critical thinking skills necessary to ensure the care you provide to the public is safe, competent and ethical. And you’ll get real-world experience during work-integrated learning placements that prepare you to enter the nursing profession.
Health Care Aide Pathway
The Health Care Aide pathway is designed to recognize prior learning of individuals who have successfully completed a recognized Health Care Aide certificate program. Applicants will be granted prior learning credit for PNG-1146 and PNG-1147 based on the following requirements:
- Successful completion of a recognized Alberta provincial standard Health Care Aide certificate program within the last five (5) years; or
- Have documented evidence of a minimum of 1000 hours working as a paid Health Care Aide within the last two (2) years in a health care facility.
Note: Applicants must still meet admission and competitive academic requirements.
Your Investment
Program fees will vary. To view fee information, click here and select your program.
Graduation
To be eligible to graduate, students must attain a minimum grade point average of 2.3 in all PNG (nursing) courses.
All "PNG" specific courses within the Practical Nurse diploma MUST be completed within 5 years of the first PNG course taken. However, the support courses (i.e. SOC, PSY) have a 10 year completion date.
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, students are awarded a Practical Nurse diploma.
Graduates are eligible for licensure through the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta upon payment of a fee and successfully passing the Canadian Practical Nursing Registration Exam
New applicants are accepted into this program for the Fall (September) term only.
General Admissions Requirements
All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Lethbridge College programs, as indicated in the Admission section of this calendar.
Academic Requirements
In addition to meeting the general admission requirements indicated in the Admission section of this calendar, applicants to this program must also satisfy the following specific course requirements (or equivalencies):
• 60 percent minimum in English Language Arts (ELA) 30-1 or 70 percent in ELA 30-2;
• 60 percent minimum in Math 20-1 or a higher level Math;
• 60 percent minimum in Biology 30 or C- in BIO-1160 (Anatomy and Physiology I) at Lethbridge College, or equivalent.
Note: Admission is competitive and is based on a point system for percentages in Biology, Math and English. More points will be awarded for higher grades and for the higher levels of Math and English (i.e. 30-1). The points are then cumulative to determine placement for competitive entry.
English Language Proficiency Requirements for Practical Nurse Program
In addition to the academic requirements, if English is not your first language, English Language Proficiency (ELP) must be demonstrated within the last two (2) years prior to the application. Acceptable evidence of ELP may be one of the following:
- IELTS Academic with a minimum band score of 6.5 in speaking, 6.5 in listening, 6.0 in reading, and 6.5 in writing
- TOEFL Internet-based test score with a minimum score of 22 in speaking, 23 in listening, 21 in reading, and 25 in writing
- Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of three (3) years of full-time secondary education at a school where English was the principal language of instruction
- Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of one (1) year of full-time post-secondary education at a school where English was the principal language of instruction
Note: Meeting the English Language Proficiency requirement does NOT exempt the applicant from meeting the English academic admission requirement for entry to this program.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| Term I | ||
| BIO-1156 | Wellness and Health Issues | 3 |
| BIO-1160 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 |
| COM-1162 | Interpersonal Relationships and Communications | 3 |
| ENG-1150 | Composition | 3 |
| PNG-1145 | Health and the Practical Nurse (Theory I) | 3 |
| PNG-1146 | Basic Nursing Skills (PN Practice I) | 3 |
| PNG-1147 | Practical Nursing Clinical I | 1.5 |
| Credits | 19.5 | |
| Term II | ||
| BIO-1161 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
| PNG-1148 | Health and Individuals (PN Theory II) | 3 |
| PNG-1149 | Intermediate Nursing Skills (Practice II) | 3 |
| PNG-1154 | Practical Nursing Clinical II | 3 |
| PNG-1159 | Pharmacology | 3 |
| PNG-1167 | Health Assessment | 3 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Term I | ||
| PNG-2251 | Health and Illness (PN Theory III) | 3 |
| PNG-2252 | Senior Nursing Skills (PN Practice III) | 3 |
| PNG-2253 | Practical Nursing Clinical III | 3 |
| PNG-2254 | Mental Health Nursing | 3 |
| PNG-2256 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| PSY-1170 | Human Development Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Term II | ||
| PNG-2255 | Professional Growth | 3 |
| PNG-2257 | Health and Families (PN Theory IV) | 3 |
| PNG-2259 | Practical Nursing Clinical IV | 6 |
| PNG-2260 | Full Scope of Practice Skills (Pr. IV) | 3 |
| PNG-2267 | Community Nursing | 3 |
| SOC-1167 | Sociology of Aging | 3 |
| Credits | 21 | |
| Term III | ||
| PNG-2277 | Comprehensive Practicum | 6 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 82.5 | |
General Requirements
All specialized courses in one term must be successfully completed to advance to the next term’s specialty courses.
To remain in good standing, students must attain a minimum term GPA of 2.3 in all nursing related courses.
A final minimum grade of C is required in all PNG (nursing) courses to pass the course. A student who receives a grade of C- or lower must repeat the course prior to proceeding in the program.
Students who have a gap in Practical Nursing studies must provide 4 months written notice to the Program Chair prior to the term they desire to continue in or return to for completion.
Students required to repeat any PNG (nursing) course, must meet with the Program Chair to discuss a progress plan.
Students who are unsuccessful in passing any course must successfully complete COL-1130 Achieving College Success (3 credits) .
Important Notes
- Students seeking Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR) should contact the Program Chair immediately upon accepted admission to the program to allow sufficient time for assessment.
- Students receive a program handbook upon acceptance into the program outlining the program’s policies and expectations. It is very important for learners to review and understand these requirements.
- Students are encouraged to complete the following non-nursing courses prior to the first term of the program:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO-1156 | Wellness and Health Issues | 3 |
| BIO-1160 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 |
| BIO-1161 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
| COM-1162 | Interpersonal Relationships and Communications | 3 |
| ENG-1150 | Composition | 3 |
| PSY-1170 | Human Development Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| SOC-1167 | Sociology of Aging | 3 |
Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Pre-Placement Requirements
This program has a required Work-Integrated Learning Pre-Placement Requirements (WIL) component. The College dictates the legal terms and conditions governing the WIL.
Students must meet and maintain certain requirements to participate in the WIL setting as determined by programs, practice agencies and/or legislated by government bodies. These may include health (e.g. immunizations, screening tests, etc.), privacy and security (e.g. police information check, IT access, etc.), and OH&S requirements (e.g. CPR certification, Fire Safety, WHMIS, Mask Fit-testing, etc.).
Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) coverage - WIL placement agencies and employers usually require WCB coverage on behalf of the student. Students enrolled in post-secondary institutions in Alberta are deemed to be employees of the Province of Alberta and, as such, provided WCB coverage. In certain instances for students outside of Alberta, WCB coverage may not be provided (e.g. non-Alberta residents taking a course solely through distance learning with a WIL placement outside of Alberta). These students are advised to contact the program prior to application.
Students with disabilities who may require accommodations must schedule an appointment with Accessibility Services at Lethbridge College preferably upon acceptance to the program and no later than the Add/Drop deadline to identify potential impacts of their disabilities in the WIL setting. As part of this process, it may be necessary to collaborate with WIL supervisors to determine appropriate accommodations that do not compromise the health and safety of clients, essential placement requirements, or mandatory licensing processes. Failure to consult with Accessibility Services in a timely fashion may compromise the student's WIL placement and opportunities for success in the WIL setting.
In order to participate in a WIL, a student may be required to complete a Police Information Check or other type of Security Clearance to the satisfaction of Lethbridge College and the WIL organization. Completion of a WIL does not guarantee employment with a WIL organization. Many disciplines are provincially or otherwise regulated (e.g. health professions under Alberta's Health Professions Act); such regulation is beyond Lethbridge College's control. Completion of a WIL and graduation from a certain program do not guarantee one's licensure or admission into a regulatory body. Prospective students are encouraged to consult with a representative of the relevant regulatory body if they have concerns.
WIL sites may include Lethbridge, surrounding rural communities, and may extend beyond these boundaries depending on WIL site availability and approvals. WIL’s may include day, evening, and/or weekend schedules. Students will be expected to travel to assigned sites and will be responsible for arranging travel and any associated costs.
Thompson Rivers University
Graduates of Lethbridge College's Practical Nurse diploma are eligible to receive up to 57 credits towards the Bachelor of Health Science, or up to 60 credits towards the Bachelor of General Studies at Thompson Rivers University. For more information, students should contact Academic Advising at Thompson Rivers University or visit their website.
University of Lethbridge
Graduates of Lethbridge College's Practical Nurse diploma, with a GPA of 3.00 or higher, are eligible for admission into the post-diploma Bachelor of Health Science (Public Health) at the University of Lethbridge. Once admitted, students will be third-year degree level students at the University of Lethbridge in its Faculty of Health Sciences in all respects. For more information, please see an Academic Advisor at the University of Lethbridge or visit their website.
Upon successful completion of your diploma and passing the Canadian Practical Nursing Registration Exam, career opportunities exist in a variety of health care settings such as acute care, long-term care, and community agencies.
Practical Nurses are part of an inter-professional collaborative health care team and play a primary role in providing safe, competent and ethical care to the public.