Practical Nurse
Become a valued member of the health care team as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and build a rewarding career providing patient care and advocacy. Please note: The diploma in practical nursing is a competitive entry program. Meeting minimum published admission averages does not guarantee admission.
LPNs are professional nurses and work within their own scope of practice, standards of practice and code of ethics. As an LPN, you will have the skills and abilities to contribute in all phases of the continuum of care from prevention to acute treatment and management, to long term and palliative care.
Program Learning & Delivery
You will study from a variety of bodies of nursing knowledge with a focus in:
- foundational knowledge,
- critical thinking, and
- clinical judgement to suit the LPNs role of today.
Learning involves a variety of teaching methods, as well as instructor and preceptor supervised clinical experiences. Classes and laboratory experiences are provided on campus
Concept of Caring
MHC's Practical Nurse program utilizes a conceptual framework called the “Concept of Caring”, which provides opportunity for reflection on nursing education and practice. “Caring” is the central concept in which the curriculum is based.
- Practical Nurses apply the nursing process using health assessments that consider physical, social, emotional, cultural and spiritual needs of clients.
- Practical Nurses work with clients, families and other members of the health care team to develop a plan of care that will best meet the client’s needs.
- Practical nurses assist the client with activities of daily living, carryout prescribed procedures and treatments while maintaining a safe and comfortable environment.
Licensing
Practical Nurse graduates are eligible for licensure through the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta upon payment of a fee and successfully passing the national practical nurse examination (Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam or CPNRE).
*Important Program Options/Delivery/Re-entry Information
The Practical Nurse diploma program is offered on-site at both campuses, with the Brooks intake commencing in the fall and the Medicine Hat intake starting in the winter. Please contact the academic advisor for program further information.
Brooks Campus (Primary Site)
*Please be advised this campus is located in the City of Brooks, 100 kilometers west of Medicine Hat.
- Fall Intake (September)
- Offered over two years (five semesters)
- Clinical experiences may require travel to other parts of the region
- Open to domestic and international applications
Medicine Hat Campus (New for 2024)
- Winter Intake (January)
- Offered over 20 months with non-traditional scheduling, students will be expected to attend classes through the summer months and may have evening and weekend classes
- Clinical experiences may require travel to other parts of the region
- Open to domestic applications only
Program Re-entry
A student must indicate his/her intent to re-enter in consultation with the Academic Advisor, and the Program Coordinator. Students who have failed to meet the performance requirements of the program are required to indicate re-entry into the program at predetermined dates. For re-entry into a semester, students must confirm with the Academic Advisor six months prior to returning.
Students who have been away for more than one year, and will be entering into a clinical course, will be required to demonstrate competence in the knowledge and skills required for that clinical experience prior to the beginning of the clinical course
NOTE: Students can only re-enter the PN Program once, and must complete the program, within five (5) years of initial admission. Exceptions may be made in extenuating circumstances with permission of the Dean (or delegate).
High School
- ELA 30-1 (min. 60%)or ELA 30-2 (min. 70%)
- Math 20-1 (min. 60%), or Math 20-2 (min.70%)
- Biology 30 (min. 60%) or Bow Valley College ANAT
1101 (min. 60%)
Mature Student
- ELA 30-1 (min. 60%)or ELA 30-2 (min. 70%)
- Math 20-1 (min. 60%), or Math 20-2 (min.70%)
- Biology 30 (min. 60%) or Bow Valley College ANAT
1101 (min. 60%)
International Student
For the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), students must have an overall band score of 7.0 with no band score less than 7.0.
Pre-Program Requirement:
Immunization Requirements
Documented evidence of minimum immunization requirements must be submitted as outlined in the Practical Nurse orientation package. Practical Nurse students are also encouraged to obtain all Alberta Health Services Immunizations Recommended for Healthcare Workers.
Documented proof of completion must be provided to the Administrative Assistant, School of Health and Community Services, prior to commencement of the program.
Throughout the PN program, students are required to ensure that immunizations are current and must provide proof of updates. Failure to do so may result in students being removed from practice courses until adequate proof has been provided. Please be advised that program requirements are subject to change based on directives from Alberta Health Services and other placement sites.
N-95 Fit Testing
All PN students must be fit tested for a N-95 mask prior to commencement of Clinical. Documented proof of a fit test must be provided to the Administration Assistant, Division of Science and Health prior to commencement of the program. Failure to do may result in students being removed from practice courses until adequate proof has been provided. Fit testing is valid for two years; therefore, students must present proof of a second fit testing at the time of expiration.
Police Information Check
All applicants to the Practical Nurse Program are required to provide a current Police Information Check (PIC), which includes a Criminal Record Check, Vulnerable Sector Search and an Intervention Record Check. To be considered ‘current’, these documents must be completed during the three months prior to admission Without this documentation, admission to the program will be rescinded. Students who are concerned about the presence of a criminal record should contact the PN Coordinator. Students need to keep the original documents for future employment purposes.
Failure to present clear documentation may result in admission being denied/rescinded. After admission and at any time during the program, a student may be required to produce current documentation, the results of which could require their withdrawal from the program. Students are required to inform the Program Coordinator immediately of any change in status of their criminal record.
Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation Certification
All PN students will be required to submit proof of current CPR Certification (valid for a 12-month period from date of course completion) which includes a Health Care Provider component. Students will be responsible for obtaining course training and certification.
International Students
A co-op work permit is required for practicum as well as your student visa. Please contact our International Education and Diversity Office for information (phone 403.504.3615 or visit mhc.ab.ca/InternationalStudents).
Year One
Year One - Semester 1
- BIOL 152 - Anatomy and Physiology for Health Care Professionals
- PRNU 156 - Nursing Theory I & Nursing Science Lab I
- PSYC 153 - Growth and Development for Practical Nurses
- SOCI 201 - Introductory Sociology
- ENGL 2XX - 200-level ENGL
Year One - Semester 2
- PHSL 200 - Pathophysiology
- PRNU 158 - Clinical Experience I - Continuing Care
- PRNU 160 - Adult Health Assessment Theory and Lab
- PRNU 162 - Applied Pharmacology & Medication Admin Lab
- PRNU 166 - Nursing Theory II & Nursing Science Lab II
Year One - Semester 3
- PRNU 168 - Clinical Experience II - Continuing & Acute Care
Year Two
Year Two - Semester 4
- PRNU 200 - Nursing Theory III & Nursing Science Lab III
- PRNU 201 - Maternal & Newborn and Lab
- PRNU 203 - Mental Health and Addiction
- PRNU 204 - Clinical Experience III - Acute Care
- PRNU 205 - Pediatric Nursing
Year Two - Semester 5
- PRNU 208 - Transition to Practical Nursing Graduate
- PRNU 209 - Community Health Theory and Lab
- PRNU 215 - Final Practicum
Licensed practical nurses provide care to patients and clients in a number of settings, including:
- Hospitals
- Continuing care
- Community
- Industry
- Clinics
Practical nurses work as:
- Staff nurses
- Team leaders or charge nurses
Current employment opportunities are active, with Canadian statistics suggesting a shortage of approximately 110,000 nurses (registered and licensed practical nurses) by the end of this decade.
The Practical Nurse program is an intensive program involving full classroom/laboratory days and clinical days. Clinical experiences, in particular, may be scheduled at various hours, including evenings, nights, and weekends and it is expected that students will make accommodation for commitments outside the program to accommodate this scheduling. Students must be prepared to travel for clinical experiences and/or practicum outside of Brooks.
Performance in Clinical and Practicum
Students are expected to observe program policies regarding punctuality, attendance, dress, response to supervision and feedback, and to provide safe, competent nursing care. If your performance is questionable in relation to the delivery of safe patient care and/or to the maintenance of the program standards you may be asked to leave the laboratory or clinical site at anytime. Continued failure to uphold standards related to safe, professional performance will result in dismissal from the program.
Connect Care
Connect Care is an electronic health platform that is a new way of using and sharing health information to improve patient care. Students require Connect Care access for clinical placements. All Connect Care training is mandatory prior to the start of the clinical experience.
Preparation involves completion of Connect Care e-learning modules prior to the Instructor Led Training (ILT) sessions. Students must be available prior to the start of the semester for their ILT. For fall courses, students must be available 10 business days prior to the start of the fall semester for ILT training. Depending on the student’s clinical placements for winter courses, students may require additional ILT in December or January. Students are required to be available in December and January exclusive of dates when the Medicine Hat College is closed. AHS schedules all training and rescheduling of ILT dates is not permitted. Failing to complete any component of the Connect Care training may result in delay or deferral of the course. Attending any clinical site without mandatory training/access is prohibited.
Meet the Faculty at Brooks Campus
Meet the Faculty at Medicine Hat Campus
Credential:
Diploma
Duration:
2 years
Intake:
Fall (Brooks Campus) / Winter (MH Campus)
Campus:
Brooks
Medicine Hat
Apply Today Apply for MHC programs
Talk to an Advisor Book an appointment here
Program Planning Guides Build your schedule
Tuition Fees Find out program costs
Immunization Info For health and community services programs
