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Main Programs and Courses Health Care Programs Practical Nursing

Practical Nursing

Please check with the campus of your choice for program availability.

What is a LPN?

 

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) are among the second largest nursing group in Canada. LPNs combine healthcare knowledge, skills, and judgement to treat a variety of health conditions, prevent illnesses, and assist patients in achieving optimal levels of health and wellness.

 

As a valued member of the healthcare team, LPNs are primarily responsible for frontline healthcare delivery in hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes. Under the supervision of physicians and registered nurses, LPNs are able to provide patient assessment and care, including the administration of medications, preparation and assistance for surgeries, education on nutrition and self-care, and health promotion.

 

Practical Nursing Program in BC

 

Vancouver Career College’s Practical Nursing program combines a wealth of knowledge and training to aid you in becoming a successful LPN. Study pharmacology, health promotion, variants in health, and assist clients in acute care and palliative care settings.

 

Before you graduate, and under the supervision of a fully-qualified LPN or RN, complete a number of clinical placements and discover the skills needed to work in residential care and community facilities.

 

Industry-Standard Training

 

Students who graduate from Vancouver Career College’s Practical Nursing program are eligible to write the REx-PN, which is required to practice as a LPN in British Columbia and Canada. This program meets the requirements of British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) competencies and standards.

 

 

Admission Requirements

 

  • Grade 12 graduation, or equivalent (General Educational Development, Adult Basic Education), or mature student status (19 years old at the start of class)
  • Math 11 Foundations with a minimum grade of 60% or equivalent
  • English 12 with a minimum grade of 65% or English First Peoples 12 with a minimum grade of 65% or equivalent
  • Anatomy and Physiology 12 with a minimum of grade 60% or equivalent
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology for Practical Nurses with a minimum of 65% or equivalent
  • English Language Proficiency Requirements

 

Administrative Requirements for Admissions:

  • Criminal record check in accordance with the Criminal Records Review Act and the Ministry of Justice process for educational institutions
  • Interview and Acceptance of Suitability completed by the PN Program Coordinator or a Designate
  • Signed PN Statement of Understanding
  • Signed HSPnet Student Consent Form

 

Note: When considering international documentation, the college may require verification from an international credential evaluation service report (e.g. ICES). This cost would be borne by the student.

English Language Proficiency Requirements for Admissions:

  • Three years of full-time secondary or post-secondary education at an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction, and/or English is one of the country’s official languages

 

NOTES:

  • English as a Second Language/Additional Language courses do not qualify for consideration in the three-year calculation
  • Online courses do not qualify when considering English Language Proficiency

 

Or International English Language Testing System – Academic Version (IELTS) with a minimum score of:

  • Speaking 7.0
  • Listening 7.5
  • Reading 6.5
  • Writing 7.0
  • Overall Band Score 7.0

 

Or, Canadian English Language Benchmarks Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN) with minimum scores of: 

  • Speaking 8.0
  • Listening 10.0
  • Reading 8.0
  • Writing 7.0

 

Prior to beginning CL101 Consolidated Practice Experience I:

  • Proof of Immunizations as outlined in the Practice Education Guidelines
  • Proof of Negative TB Skin test or chest X-ray

 

NOTE:

  • Failure to complete any of these requirements before the beginning of CL101 Consolidated Practice Experience I could result in termination from the program.
  • Students should begin the process of obtaining Immunizations, TB Tests prior to beginning the program.
     

This program is recognized by the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).

 

Students who graduate from the Practical Nursing program are eligible to write the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE), which is required to practise as a licensed practical nurse in Canada. Learn how to apply for for initial licensed practical nurse registration in British Columbia. Please visit www.bccnm.ca.

 

This program has been approved by the registrar of the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training.


This program is 75 weeks in length.
  • Acute Care Hospitals     
  • Long-Term Care Settings     
  • Group Homes     
  • Public Schools     
  • Alzheimer Units     
  • Home Care

Hear from Practical Nursing grads

With smaller class sizes, Vancouver Career College students get more individual instruction.

Program Courses
BC-NSG-COM401 / Professional Communications IV
The focus of this course will be on the advancement of professional communication within the acute care setting across the lifespan. The practice of collaboration with healthcare team members and clients will be further developed.
BC-NSG-PRD100 / Academic Success Strategies
This course is designed to inform learners about the knowledge, skills, behaviours and expectations that are required to succeed in the Provincial Practical Nursing program. Emphasis is on study skills, time management. A math boot camp for two days introduces the learners to the use of the College Interactive Math Portal.
BC-NSG-COM301 / Professional Communication III
This course focuses on specific professional communication skills used with clients and care providers across the lifespan requiring care in the community.
BC-NSG-COM201 / Professional Communication II
This course provides the learner with an opportunity to develop professional communication skills with the older adult, and clients requiring end of life care. Inter-professional communication is further developed.
BC-NSG-COM101 / Professional Communication I
This course provides learners with the foundational knowledge for caring and professional communication in nursing. It uses an experiential and self-reflective approach to develop self-awareness and interpersonal communication skills in the context of safe, competent, and collaborative nursing practice. Communication theory, the nurse-client relationship, therapeutic communication, cross-cultural communication, and effective teamwork will be covered.
BC-NSG-FD301 / Professional Practice III
This course integrates the concepts from previous professional practice courses and introduces the learner to practice in the community. The role of the practical nurse as leader is emphasized in interactions with clients, families and other healthcare providers.
BC-NSG-FD201 / Professional Practice II
This course examines the legislation influencing PN practice with clients experiencing chronic illness and those in residential care settings. Specific professional issues such as responsibility, accountability, ethical practice, and leadership relevant to the PN role in residential care will be explored. Critical thinking and decision making specific to the care of the chronically ill and inter-professional practice will also be addressed and the principles and actions of medications, the rationale for medication use and expected results. This course emphasizes critical thinking and nursing principles to assess the need for, and response to medications.
BC-NSG-FD401 / Professional Practice IV
This course is intended to prepare the learner for the role of the practical nurse in managing clients with acute presentation of illness. Legislation influencing PN practice, specific professional practice issues and ethical practice pertinent to PN practice in acute care environments will be explored. Practice issues that occur across the lifespan will be considered. Collaborative practice with other healthcare team members and specifically the working partnership with RN’s in the acute care setting will be explored.
BC-NSG-PHAR201 / Pharmacology II
Knowledge gained from Pharmacology I and other courses in Term I is combined with this course to increase learners understanding of application of pharmaco-therapeutics on illness across the lifespan. Emphasis will be on drug classification, drug interaction, and drug resistance. Complementary, indigenous and herbal preparations will also be covered.
BC-NSG-FD101 / Professional Practice I
This theory course provides an introduction to the profession of practical nursing. Legislation that informs PN practice within British Columbia will be introduced. The history of nursing and specifically, the evolution of practical nursing within the Canadian healthcare system will be discussed. The philosophy and foundational concepts of the provincial Practical Nursing program are explored.
BC-ILMNG-401 / Variations in Health IV
This course will increase the learners understanding of patho-physiology as it relates to acute disease and illness for clients across the lifespan. The focus is on the care of the client experiencing acute illness including, nursing interventions and treatment options. Acute disease and illness often occurs in individuals with existing chronic illnesses – the implications of these complexities will be addressed. Cultural diversity in healing practices will be explored as well as evidenced informed research and practice.
BC-ILMNG-301 / Variations in Health III
This course focuses on the continuum of care and the development of knowledge related to health challenges managed in the community setting. Patho-physiology and nursing management of clients requiring home healthcare, rehabilitation, and supportive services such as community living and disabilities will be explored. Cultural diversity in healing approaches will be explored as well as the incorporation of evidence informed research and practice.
BC-NSG-HP401 / Health Promotion IV
This course focuses on health promotion for the client experiencing an acute exacerbation of chronic illness or an acute episode of illness. Relevant health promoting strategies during hospitalization may improve or help maintain their health status after discharge. Learners will focus on preparing clients for discharge, through teaching and learning of health promoting strategies.
BC-NSG-HP201 / Health Promotion II
This course focuses on health promotion as it relates to the aging process. Health promotion activities are aimed at supporting clients in maintaining their health. The concepts of health promotion, physical and mental wellness, normal aging changes and continued independence are examined.
BC-NSG-HP301 / Health Promotion III
This course is focused on health promotion as it relates to the continuum of care across the lifespan. Health promotion in the context of mental illness, physical and developmental disabilities and Maternal/Child health is highlighted. Normal growth and development from conception to middle adulthood is addressed.
BC-NSG-PHAR101 / Pharamacology I
This introductory course examines the principles of pharmacology required to administer medications in a safe and professional manner. Medication administration requires the application of the nursing process for clinical decision-making. Various routes of medication administration are introduced and complementary, indigenous, alternative remedies, and poly-pharmacy across the lifespan are also explored.
BC-NSG-SKC301 / Integrated Nursing Practice III
This practical course builds on the theory and practice from Terms I and II. Through classroom, laboratory, simulation, and other practice experiences, learners will continue to develop and practice comprehensive nursing assessment, planning and develop knowledge and interventions for clients experiencing multiple health challenges.
BC-ILMNG-101 / Variations in Health I
This introductory course provides the learner with the foundations of disease and illness across the lifespan. Learners will gain an understanding of pathophysiological alterations of body systems. Nursing management of disease and illness across the lifespan with an emphasis on interventions and treatment is also discussed. Cultural diversity in healing practices will be explored as well as the incorporation of evidenced informed practice.
BC-NSG-SKC401 / Integrated Nursing Practice IV
This practical course emphasizes the development of nursing skills aimed at promoting health and healing with individuals experiencing acute health challenges across the lifespan. Classroom, laboratory, simulation, and integrated practice experiences will help learners build on theory and practice from Terms I, II, and III to integrate new knowledge and skills relevant to the acute care setting.
BC-ILMNG-201 / Variations in Health II
This course will increase the learners understanding of patho-physiology as it relates to the aging process and selected chronic illness. The main focus of this course is on the care of the older adult experiencing health challenges. Cultural diversity in healing practices will be explored as well as evidence informed research and practice.
BC-NSG-SKC201 / Integrated Nursing Practice II
This practical course builds on the foundation of Term I and emphasizes the development of clinical decision making, nursing assessments, and interventions to promote the health of older adults. Classroom, laboratory, simulation, and other practice experiences will help learners to integrate theory from Term I and II courses to provide safe, competent, and ethical nursing care with older adults. This course introduces you to e-portfolio philosophy and software. Create and maintain an e-portfolio that emphasizes your personal, educational, and career goals.
BC-NSG-CL301 / Consolidated Practice Experience III
This clinical experience will introduce learners to community practice and an opportunity to apply and adapt knowledge gained in Terms I, II, and III within a continuum of care for clients across the lifespan. Students may gain experience through simulation and in a variety of community and residential care agencies and settings. These hours may be offered as CPE III or integrated into the Integrated Nursing Practice III course as practice hours.
BC-NSG-CL501 / Transition to Preceptorship
This course will prepare the learner for the final practice experience. A combination of faculty led simulation experiences and self directed learning will provide the learner with increased competence and confidence in their final practice experience.
BC-NSG-HP101 / Health Promotion I
Health promotion by definition includes: health enhancement, health protection, disease prevention, health restoration/recovery, care, and support. Health promotion is the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health. It moves beyond a focus on individual behaviour towards a wide range of social and environmental interventions. (World Health Organization, 2010). This course introduces the learner to the concepts of health promotion, discusses the determinants of health, health inequities and develops a beginning knowledge of normal growth and development.
BC-NSG-CL201 / Consolidated Practice Experience II
This clinical experience provides students with the opportunity to integrate theory from Term I and II courses into practice. Students will practice with aging clients and/or those with chronic illness in residential care settings. Medication administration, nursing care, organization, comprehensive health assessment, wound care and introduction to leadership are emphasized in this course.
BC-NSG-CL401 / Consolidated Practice Experience IV
This clinical experience provides learners with the opportunity to integrate theory from all semesters into the role of the practical nurse in the acute care setting and other clinical areas as appropriate. Learners will focus on clients with exacerbations of chronic illness and/or acute illness across the lifespan and will consolidate knowledge and skills such as: post operative care, surgical wound management, IV therapy, focused assessment, and clinical decision-making in acute care settings.
BC-NSG-SKC101 / Integrated Nursing Practice I
This course emphasizes the art and science of nursing, focusing on the development of basic nursing care and assessment. Learners will apply nursing knowledge through the practice of clinical decision making, nursing assessment skills, and nursing interventions aimed at the promotion of health, independence, and comfort. Classroom, laboratory, simulation, and other practice experiences will assist learners to integrate theory from other Term I courses.
BC-NSG-CL601 / Preceptorship
This final practice experience provides an opportunity for the learner to demonstrate integration and consolidation of knowledge, skills and abilities within the realities of the workplace, and become practice ready. This faculty monitored experience may occur through a variety of practice experience models, including the preceptorship model, under the immediate supervision of a single, fully qualified and experienced LPN or RN or RPN and/or within the context of a collaborative learning environment as a participating team member.
BC-NSG-CL101 / Consolidated Practice Experience I
This first clinical experience provides the learner with an opportunity to integrate theory from Term I coursework into practice. Learners will gain experience in various settings with a focus on the healthy client. Learning the role of the practical nurse, personal care skills, organization of care, focused assessment, beginning medication administration and professional communication are emphasized in this course.
BC-NSG-CL405A / Review, Practicum Prep and Job Search Seminar
Review, Practicum Prep and Job Search Seminar
BC-NSG-CL405B / Academic Review, Flex Days, and CPNRE Prep
Academic Review, Flex Days, and CPNRE Prep
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