Diploma in Practical Nursing

UFV’s 19-month Practical Nursing program prepares you to work as a LPN in a variety of health care settings within hospitals, residential care facilities, and the community. The program is comprised of four semesters followed by a preceptorship experience. Program courses are delivered in a variety of formats such as group work, multi-media approaches, lecture, lab simulation, and skill mastery. Once you graduate, you are eligible to write the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE). Upon successful completion, you can be employed as a licensed practical nurse (LPN).

B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent (GED or ABE provincial diploma) with:
Completion of Anatomy and Physiology 12, Biology 12 or equivalent (BIO 093), or BIO 111 with a minimum grade of C+ within five years prior to enrolment.
One of the following with a minimum grade of C: Principles of Mathematics 11, Foundations of Mathematics 11, Pre-calculus 11, or MATH 085.
English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 (see Note), ENGL 081, or ENGL 091 with a minimum grade of C+, or ENGL 099 or CMNS 099 (discontinued) with a minimum grade of C, or completion of any other course or test score with grades that meet the prerequisites for ENGL 105.
Note: Students may also present English 12, English Literature 12, English 12 First Peoples, AP English, IB English A (standard level or higher level), or out-of-province equivalent.

Completion of a Practical Nursing Human Anatomy and Physiology course (PNUR 147 or equivalent) with a minimum grade of C+ within five years prior to enrolment.
Note: Courses equivalent to the Practical Nursing Human Anatomy and Physiology course (PNUR 147) are available from other public post-secondary institutions. Please check with the School of Health Studies to ensure the course is transferable.

Successful completion of ELS University Bridge Level Speaking/Listening and Writing courses may be required for applicants for whom English is not a first language.
Volunteer experience in a health care setting or employment in a health care field. Volunteer experience will consist of a minimum of 30 hours of volunteer work with adults or children in an acute care, long-term care, or community health care agency. Applicants will be asked to submit a written reference that reflects the length and nature of the volunteer experience or employment in a health care field.
Current Standard First Aid certificate at time of application.
Basic Rescuer Level C certificate (included in the Standard First Aid certificate). Currency must be maintained throughout the program.
Successful completion of a security clearance check. Criminal record check forms will be included with letter of notification of acceptance to the program.
A health assessment indicating fitness to practice. The assessment must be completed within 12 months prior to enrolment. Health questionnaire forms will be included with the letter of notification regarding an information session. Completed forms must be brought to the information session or interview.
Completion of an immunization program prior to the program start date. Immunization forms will be included with the letter of acceptance. Proof of immunization must be received by the date specified.
Attendance at an information session in preparation for entry into the program. Application essay questions will be written at this time.
Interview with a faculty member to assess the following:
Basic knowledge of the field,
Time management skills,
Communication skills: ability to listen and articulate ideas,
Financial resources and support systems, and
Personal and work commitments in relation to assuming the demands of an applied academic program of studies.
Valid driver's licence (learner's licence not acceptable): Students are responsible for providing their own transportation to class, labs, and clinical agencies throughout the Fraser Health Authority.
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) IBT score of 88 with no section below 20, or paper-based score of 570 with a TWE (essay) score of 4.5 or higher.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Academic format score of at least 6.5., with no band score less than 6.0.
MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery) score of at least 85.
CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language) score of at least 70.