Practical Nurse Program
Get the Real-World Skills to Become a Practical Nurse in British Columbia
Becoming a Practical Nurse is a rewarding and inspiring career path, ideal for individuals who thrive in fast-paced environments, enjoy working with people and are interested in a career that contributes to the comfort and well-being of others.
The philosophy of this Practical Nursing Training Program is based on our commitment to hands-on training and to creating ready-to-work graduates. By immersing trainees in a real-life working environment, our programs better prepare you for the transition from classroom to workplace. Upon successful completion of this program, you’ll possess the knowledge, skills, behaviors, and sound clinical judgments that will enable you to be successful in a variety of medical settings.
Why Upskilling is Essential in Today’s Job Market
Like many Canadians, you may be concerned about the rising cost of living and the need to find ways to increase your income potential. If you’re looking to stay ahead of the curve, training to obtain new qualifications could be a great solution.
Discovery Community College is dedicated to offering convenient, supportive, and affordable career training. With a range of funding options available, there has never been a better time to invest in upskilling. Contact us today to learn how we can help you get ahead in today’s job market.
Practical Nurse
22-Month Diploma | $58,240 median annual salary*
- Expected Job Openings in BC (2022-2032): 4,760**
- Occupations include Licensed Practical Nurse, Operating Room Technician, Registered Nursing Assistant
*https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/wages-occupation/4383/BC visited on September 21, 2021. Salary source for licensed practical nurses in British Columbia with lowest 10% earning $50,419 to the highest 10% of workers earning $64,792.
**https://www.workbc.ca/career-profiles/licensed-practical-nurses visited on May 24, 2023.
Becoming a Qualified Practical Nurse
If you’re looking for a rewarding and fulfilling career, look no further than a career in practical nursing. At Discovery Community College, we’re proud of our history of trainee success, including our 96% job placement rate.
During this program, you will learn:
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Variations in Health
- Health Promotion
- Pharmacology
- Integrated Nursing Practice
- And more!
There has never been more funding for career training than there is right now. A variety of funding opportunities may be available to you, including WorkBC, Student Aid BC, and employment grants. An experienced Financial Aid Representative is available to answer any questions you may have, can assist with potential funding applications and help you discover the best options for your specific needs.
Is a Career as a Practical Nurse Right for You? Take the Discovery College "Healthcare Professional Career Training Readiness Quiz"
This fun, online quiz takes 3 minutes to complete and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for. Get your Practical Nurse career training readiness score now >>
Professional Licensing
Upon successful completion of this program, you will be fully prepared for the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam. Upon successfully passing this exam you will earn the title of Licensed Practical Nurse and will be able to add the letters LPN after your name. These credentials, coupled with the direct-to-patient, on-the-job experience you’ll gain during your time at Discovery, will make you a highly attractive candidate to potential employers.
With career-focused training and dedicated support from Discovery Community College, you could be working in a rewarding Practical Nursing career in less than 2 years.
Practical Nurse Program
Level I – Nursing Practice Foundations Development
- CPR C (6 hours)
- Human Anatomy and Physiology (72 hours)
- Professional Practice 1 (28 hours)
- Professional Communication 1 (36 hours)
- Variations in Health 1 (40 hours)
- Health Promotion 1 (32 hours)
- Pharmacology 1 (32 hours)
- Integrated Nursing Practice 1 (136 hours)
- Consolidated Practice Experience 1 (90 hours)
Level II – Aging and Chronic Illness
- Professional Practice 2 (20 hours)
- Professional Communication 2 (32 hours)
- Variations in Health 2 (48 hours)
- Health Promotion 2 (32 hours)
- Integrated Nursing Practice 2 (180 hours)
- Consolidated Practice Experience 2 (120 hours)
Level III – Management of Stable Clients Across Lifespan
- Professional Practice 3 (20 hours)
- Professional Communication 3 (20 hours)
- Variations in Health 3 (48 hours)
- Health Promotion 3 (36 hours)
- Integrated Nursing Practice 3 (140 hours)
- Consolidated Practice Experience 3 (68 hours)
Level IV – Acute Presentations or Exacerbation of Chronic Illness
- Professional Practice 4 (20 hours)
- Professional Communication 4 (20 hours)
- Variations in Health 4 (52 hours)
- Health Promotion 4 (24 hours)
- Integrated Nursing Practice 4 (180 hours)
- Consolidated Practice Experience 4 (200 hours)
Transition to Final Practice Experience (32 hours)
Final Practice Experience (180 hours)
Practical Nurse Program
The Provincial Practical Nursing Program (PPNP) is designed to provide ready-to-work graduates 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).
Upon successful completion of the program, you will possess the competencies to successfully complete the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE). After passing the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam, ready-to-work graduates of this program find themselves highly employable in one of the fastest-growing areas in the health care system.
Locations:
Program length: 94 weeks (approx. 22 months), 1996 hours.
Includes 478 hours of consolidated practice experience with 212 hours of final practice experience at various regional health sites.
Class Delivery: On campus with online learning options for theory courses.
“I was able to practice skills in the classroom due to the small class size and found employment right out of graduation.”
– Lee Smith, Practical Nurse Access Graduate
This Program Includes:
You’ll feel confident making the transition from learner to Nursing professional after gaining so much hands-on experience in a real healthcare setting. You’ll receive:
- Six hundred and ninety hours of practice training – including, practicum experience, clinical experience, and preceptorship.
- Acute care clinical experience takes place in a hospital, the Residential Care Clinical takes place in a residential or multi-level care facility plus practicum placements take place in a variety of appropriate healthcare settings.
The Practical Nursing curriculum provides a learning experience that is integrated, professional, collaborative, and culturally sensitive with an aim to prepare you to care for individuals (and by extension, families of individuals) at multiple life stages and in a variety of practice settings.
High Placement Rate
Discovery College has a 96% job placement rate.** That is because we assess employment gaps within the community and then tailors the programs around that, giving you the exact skills that employers are looking for to fill their vacant positions.
Convenient Learning Options
At Discovery Community College, you don’t have to put your life on hold to start career training. We offer accessible learning including on-campus, online and blended on-campus and online learning options.
Many of our learners are raising families and some continue to work while training. We will help you choose a schedule that works for you.
Almost 35 Years of Success
Discovery Community College has been training learners just like you for successful careers for almost 35 years. Our college is a well-respected institution, who has formed alliances with numerous community partners. We are also registered with and designated by the Private Training Institutions Branch of British Columbia, formally PPSEC, since 1996.
Is a Rewarding Career in Practical Nursing Right For You?
If you’re interested in learning more about Practical Nursing and exploring whether this might be the career path for you, fill out the form on this page to receive more information.
Our friendly and knowledgeable Admissions Representatives are happy to answer any questions you have and can help with everything from courses to financial aid.
To speak with an Admissions Advisor right away, give us a call at 1-877-315-5241.