Overview
Become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) with this two-year diploma. The Practical Nursing program at CNC is designed to provide you with opportunities to develop knowledge, skills, attitudes and judgment necessary to assist individuals and families in community, acute and long-term care settings.
As an LPN, you will be a critical member of the professional medical team. You will utilize nursing practices through patient assessments, problem solving, and decision making. You will also counsel and advocate on behalf of patients and families.
Careers
Upon successful completion of a national licensing exam, you will be qualified as an LPN to work in a variety of health care settings:
- Hospitals
- Complex care and long-term care homes
- Rehabilitation centers
- Clinics
- Occupational health units
- Community nursing services and private homes
What you will learn
In this two-year program, you will learn to care for clients across the lifespan, providing safe, knowledgeable and integrated care through critical thinking and clinical judgment.
The program delivery supports a deliberate, client-focused approach with learning occurring through formal and informal study, mentorship, coaching, role modeling and experience. The program utilizes multiple approaches and embraces concept-based, case-based, skills-based and integrated learning experiences in the classroom, lab and clinical sites.
Practical Nurse Diploma Courses
After licensing, graduates can work in health-care settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centres, doctors' offices, clinics, occupational health units, community nursing services and private homes.
Required courses
Required courses
Required courses
Required courses
Required courses
Note: Graduates must be able to demonstrate the required level of English Language proficiency required to be performance ready as a condition of registration and practice in British Columbia.
Locations & Dates
CNC programs have varying lengths and start dates to meet your needs, and are offered across multiple campuses where possible. Don’t see the campus you’re looking for? Check back with us soon as this page is updated throughout the school year.
| START DATE |
CAMPUS |
DELIVERY |
LENGTH |
| Fall 2023 |
Prince George |
In Class |
2 years |
| Fall 2024 |
Prince George |
In Class |
2 years |
Entry Requirements
- High school graduation or equivalent
- The following courses, each with a grade of “C+” or higher:
- English Studies 12, or English First Peoples 12, or ENGL 050, or ENGL 051, or
equivalent
- Foundations of Mathematics 11, or MATH 043, or equivalent
- BIO 130 (minimum “B-“) or equivalent
English Language Proficiency requirements
Candidates whose first language is not
English must meet the English requirements and provide proof of English language
proficiency through one of the following:
- Three years of full-time, face-to-face secondary or post-secondary education
at an accredited institution where English is the medium 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 three-year
calculation, OR
- Academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with
minimum scores of:
- Listening 7.5
- Reading 6.5
- Writing 7.0
- Speaking 7.0
- Overall Band Score 7.0 OR
- Canadian English Language Benchmarks Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN)
with minimum scores of:
- Listening 10.0
- Speaking: 8.0
- Reading: 8.0
- Writing: 7.0
Need help meeting these requirements? Check out our Academic Upgrading options.
Five seats are reserved for qualified self-identified Canadian Aboriginal applicants until a institutionally recognized date of release.
Limited admission
If there is room in the program, you will be accepted once you have met all the admission
requirements. This is called “first qualified, first accepted.” If you qualify after the program is
full, you will be put on a wait list.
Self-identified Canadian Aboriginal applicants meeting the admission requirements will be
given priority for 20% of seats in the program until the institutionally recognized release
date.
Program Requirement
Completed acceptance package must be submitted by date indicated in the package.
Incomplete certifications or documentation will prevent students from entering the clinical
practice placements. Practicum is required for graduation. Documents and certificates
required are:
- Proof of current immunization status as outlined by the BC Centre for Disease
Control and as outlined in the Practice Education guidelines.
- TB screening: Negative TB skin test or negative chest x-ray.
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Level C, or Basic Life Support (BLS). CPR online
course must include face-to-face practice components. CPR certification must be
maintained for duration of program.
- FIT tested for a N95 respirator
- Self-report on Suitability and Health
- Criminal Record Check (RCMP criminal record checks are not accepted)
Students must complete a provincial Schedule B criminal record search because there is a
practicum component involving work with vulnerable people. A search which identifies
relevant criminal convictions may prevent students from registering for practicum.
Note 1: All costs associated with certifications, courses and/or documentation requirements
are the student’s responsibility.
Note 2: May be required to travel for practicum placements.
Program Recommendations
These courses will help students in the program have a robust understanding of some of
the concepts pertaining to disease processes, compensatory mechanisms of the body, and
pharmacological concepts covered in the first four terms of the program. Therefore,
applicants are encouraged to complete these courses prior to entering the program.
Invest in your future
The estimated cost for this program is $12,746.
- Year 1: $8,181
- Year 2: $4,565
These costs are an estimate. Student fees vary by campus. Check the fee schedule for more information.
Books for this program can be purchased from the bookstore.
Paying for college
We're here to help. You can apply for scholarships and bursaries through CNC. We can also help you find loans and other funding. Visit Financial aid to find out how.
Indigenous Recruitment Bursary
As an Indigenous student enrolled in the Practical Nursing Diploma you may be eligible for the Indigenous recruitment bursary. This bursary is awarded to first and second year students for a grand total of up to $10,000 ($5000 per year).
How do I apply?
This bursary does not require an application and will be distributed as a tuition credit.
Do I qualify?
You may qualify for the bursary if you:
- self-identify as First Nations, Metis, or Inuit;
- are a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident;
- do not have your tuition already being paid by a third party (employer, other government programs, etc,);
- have student loans.
Salaries and employment
Looking for a job? Check the student employment opportunities board.