Practical Nursing
The Practical Nursing Program is designed to provide learners with the knowledge, skills, judgments and attitudes to perform to the full range of competencies as identified by the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
The program provides a learning experience that is integrated, professional, collaborative and culturally sensitive with an aim to prepare graduates to care for individuals (and by extension, families of individuals) at multiple life stages and in a variety of practice settings.
Upon successful completion of the program, learners will be eligible to write the Regulatory Exam - Practical Nurse (REx-PN).
Apply to CMTN
Visit Apply to CMTN for an Admissions Checklist and to apply online.
Our Educational Advisors are here to help if you have any questions or need guidance along the way.
Dates and locations
Intake | Location |
---|---|
Fall 2024 (October) | Terrace & Prince Rupert - Blended Delivery ( online and in-person) |
Fall 2026 | Terrace & Smithers - Blended Delivery (online and in-person) |
*Please note that the dates are subject to change.
**Students are required to pay student union fees per term.
The program is currently offered through blended delivery. Theory courses are offered online with lab and clinical locations offered in person at one of our campuses. For current upcoming program dates and in-person date requirements, please see the Program Admission Requirements.
The Practical Nursing program currently qualifies for both the Provincial and Federal Loan Forgiveness Programs. For more information:
B.C. loan forgiveness program | StudentAid BC
Minimum computer hardware specifications:
- 4th generation (4000 series) Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 and newer or AMD equivalent (Check your Computer Hardware) (Apple computers from 2013+)
- 4GB of Memory (RAM)
- Intel HD Graphics 3000 or better - Minimum supported screen resolution 1024x768.
- Web Camera & Microphone
- Grade 12 graduation, or equivalent (General Educational Development, Adult Basic Education), or mature student status as defined by the educational institution.
- Math 11 Foundations with a minimum grade of 60% or equivalent.
- or CMTN MATH 046 with a minimum grade of 60% and permission of the Coordinator of the Practical Nurse program.
- English Studies 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 grade of 60% or equivalent.
- Human Anatomy and Physiology for Practical Nurses with a minimum grade of 65% must be achieved before taking Variations in Health I, Health Promotion I, Pharmacology I, Integrated Nursing Practice I and Consolidated Nursing Practice I (CPE I).
The following are to be completed prior to beginning CPE I:
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) as outlined in the Practice Education Guidelines (http://hspcanada.net/docs/PEG/1_6_Orientation_Students.pdf).
- Criminal record check under the terms of the Criminal Records Review Act and the Ministry of Justice process for educational institutions.
- Immunizations as outlined in the Practice Education Guidelines (http://www.hspcanada.net/docs/PEG/1_3_Immunization.pdf).
- Negative TB skin test or chest X-ray.
Those who do not meet the immunization requirements may be prohibited from attending practice education experiences, depending on the particular health authority, practice education site, organization, or agency policy.
English as an Additional Language
As English is the language of study in BC, learners must meet English language proficiency at an appropriate level to be accepted into the provincial Practical Nursing program. These requirements can be satisfied through three years of full-time, face-to-face secondary or post-secondary education at an accredited institution where English is the language 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. Those not meeting this requirement must achieve scores identified in one of the two tests below:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with minimum scores of:
- Speaking: 7.0
- Listening: 7.0
- Reading: 6.5
- Writing: 6.5
- Overall Band Score: 7.0
- Canadian English Language Benchmarks Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN) with minimum scores of:
- Speaking: 8.0
- Listening: 9.0
- Reading: 8.0
- Writing: 7.0
In addition to meeting English language requirements for the Practical Nursing program, graduates must be able to demonstrate a level of proficiency required to be performance ready as a condition for registration and practice in British Columbia. See BCCNM’s website for details.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
LEVEL 1 | ||
PNUR 115 | Professional Practice 1 | 1 |
PNUR 125 | Professional Communication 1 | 1 |
PNUR 135 | Variations in Health 1 | 1.5 |
PNUR 144 | Health Promotion 1 | 1 |
PNUR 165 | Pharmacology 1 | 1 |
PNUR 155 | Integrated Nursing Practice 1 | 4.5 |
PNUR 175 | Consolidated Practice Experience 1 | 3 |
LEVEL 2 | ||
PNUR 117 | Professional Practice 2 | 0.5 |
PNUR 127 | Professional Communications 2 | 1 |
PNUR 137 | Variations in Health 2 | 1.5 |
PNUR 146 | Health Promotion 2 | 1 |
PNUR 167 | Pharmacology 2 | 1 |
PNUR 157 | Integrated Nursing Practice 2 | 6 |
PNUR 177 | Consolidated Practice Experience 2 | 4 |
LEVEL 3 | ||
PNUR 215 | Professional Practice 3 | 0.5 |
PNUR 225 | Professional Communication 3 | 0.5 |
PNUR 235 | Variations in Health 3 | 1.5 |
PNUR 244 | Health Promotion 3 | 1 |
PNUR 245 | Integrated Nursing Practice 3 | 4 |
PNUR 275 | Consolidated Practice Experience 3 | 2 |
LEVEL 4 | ||
PNUR 217 | Professional Practice 4 | 0.5 |
PNUR 227 | Professional Communication 4 | 0.5 |
PNUR 237 | Variations in Health 4 | 1.5 |
PNUR 246 | Health Promotion 4 | 1 |
PNUR 247 | Integrated Nursing Practice 4 | 6 |
PNUR 277 | Consolidated Practice Experience 4 | 6 |
PNUR 287 | Transition to Preceptorship | 1 |
PNUR 297 | Preceptorship | 6 |
Fees | Domestic | International |
---|---|---|
Full-time: | 64.5 Credits | 64.5 Credits |
Tuition: | $11,377.80 | $48,356.30 |
Student Union Fees: | $186.56 | $186.56 |
Mandatory Fees: | $506.33 | $611.07 |
Lab Fees: | $979.44 | $960.33 |
Health and Dental Insurance: | $275.00 | $585.82 |
Tuition Total | $13,346.37 | $53,191.88 |
Additional Costs: | ||
Books: | $2,000.00 | $2,000.00 |
Uniforms and Supplies: | $500.00 | $500.00 |
Total Program Cost: | $15,846.37 | $45,349.85 |
Fees effective August 1, 2023 for the 2023/24 academic year and are estimated based on a full course load.
-
Additional costs are approximate and may vary.
The Coast Mountain Students Union (CMSU) is pleased to offer Extended Health and Dental Insurance to all qualifying members. The plan is mandatory for all students enrolled in 6 or more credits or a trades program of 26 weeks or longer. Some students, including those studying overseas and those with existing extended health coverage, are eligible to opt out. Visit https://cmsu.studenthealthbc.ca/ to learn more about the plan or request to opt out. You will also receive a detailed introductory email no later than 6 weeks after your semester starts. For any inquiries about the plan, please contact the Students’ Union Organiser : Golnoosh Namazi, organiser@mycmsu.ca
Basic Health insurance is mandatory for all international students. Health insurance costs will be charged every term until students provide proof of MSP.
Career opportunities
Upon successful completion of the program and certification exam, Licensed Practical Nurses can work in a variety of settings included, but not limited to the following:
- Hospitals
- Community group homes
- Residential and long term care facilities
- Schools
- Public and private medical clinics
- Home care agencies
- Rehabilitation centres