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Practical Nursing (LPN)

This diploma program teaches students quality nursing care to clients of all ages and to succeed in the many challenging opportunities available to practical nurses in B.C. The program follows the new provincial curriculum approved by the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of British Columbia (CLPNBC). VCC was the first college in B.C. to be recognized by the CLPNBC and offer this new program. The 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 CLPNBC and provides a learning experience that is integrated, professional, collaborative, and culturally sensitive with an aim to prepare graduates to care for individuals and families at multiple life stages and in a variety of practice settings.

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Program Description Career Prospects Admission Requirements Program Status

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Program Description

This full-time, 16-month diploma program is offered on a full time basis and is divided into four levels. Each level must be successfully completed before the next one can be started. A major emphasis of this program is active student participation. Throughout the program, instructors will encourage students to become increasingly more self-directed and responsible for their own learning. Students are expected to come to class well-prepared for active participation in classroom, nursing lab and clinical activities.

Course guides provide direction of learning in preparation, in course activities and reflection of the content. The instructor acts as facilitator and expert to promote:

• An environment condusive to learning through activities such as guided discussion
• Debate, audio-visual presentation, group activities, skill building exercises
• Simulation exercises

Level one
Provides the foundation for the development of nursing practice and introduces the learner to the healthy adult.

Level two
Explores the older adult and concepts related to ageing and chronic illness in various settings.

Level three
Examines a continuum of care in the community health setting and applies concepts form level one, two and three in the management of stable clients across the lifespan.

Level four
Integrates knowledge from previous levels and examines concepts related to the care of the medical/surgical client.

Each level is supported by a Consolidated Practice Experience (CPE), which reinforceslearning that has taken place within each level. Eligibility to enter the Consolidated Practice Experience at the end of each level is dependent upon the successful completion of all of the other courses within that level.

A final practice experience or preceptorship prepares the learner for the role and expectations of the graduate.

Start Length Credential Campus Part or Full‑time January, September 16 months or longer depending on schedule Diploma Broadway Full-time

Career Prospects

This program prepares graduates to provide nursing care in partnership with other health care professionals. Graduates are able to care for selected clients chosen on the basis of acuity and complexity, for example in medical, surgical or rehabilitation wards of acute care hospitals. They also are employed in the long-term care settings, group homes, public schools, special care units (e.g., Alzheimer units) and home care. In more remote parts of the province, LPN's may work in all parts of the hospital including pediatrics and maternity.

Graduates of the program are eligible to write the Canadian Practical Nursing Registration Exams (CPNRE) and to apply for licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse in British Columbia. Graduates will be able to care for selected clients chosen on the basis of acuity and complexity in a variety of settings.

Information about graduate outcomes

Admission Requirements

General

VCC welcomes applications from Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

As Vancouver Community College is a post-secondary institution committed to educating adult learners, applicants should be 18 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school.

Please note that you must submit official transcripts and educational documents to support your application; unfortunately, we cannot accept photocopies or fax versions.

Program Specific

1. Grade 12 graduation or GED equivilent.
2. Human anatomy and physiology NURS 1602 with a minimum grade B- or equivalent. Please note: BIOL 12 with a C grade is required for entry into NURS 1602.
3. Proof of English Language Proficiency, which includes a Canadian Language Benchmark of Listening 8, Speaking 8, Reading 8, and Writing 7.
4. Successful completion the VCC health sciences math assessment
5. Criminal Record Search required in accordance to the Criminal Records Review Act. All individuals who work with vulnerable adults and/or children must complete a Criminal Records Check through the Ministry of Justice. Access the criminal record PDF form to complete the review request. The form with payment (no personal cheques), should be sent directly to the Solicitor General’s Office. The form will ask for the organization name: Vancouver Community College and the organization contact name - Niki Scarfo, Registrar's Office, ID Number 937836 for Dental, BScN, Tutoring ESOL programs and Kathy Andreatta, Registrar's Office, ID Number 113043 for all other VCC programs. Ensure you use your legal name and that you have applied at VCC under the same name.
6. All requests for transfer credits or course exemptions for all courses in the program must be submitted with application to the program. Download a Request for Transfer Credit PDF form.

Upon acceptance students must show:

1. Current CPR certificate (basic life support Level C) including: adult/child/baby CPR – one rescuer, adult/child CPR –two rescuer, adult/child/baby – choking. CPR certificates other than CPR Level C must be accompanied by documentation indicating the certificate includes the above. Please note: CPR certification expires one year from the date of issue. Current status is required for all clinical and practicum experiences.
2. Proof of a negative TB skin test. If the skin test is positive, proof of a negative TB chest X-Ray is required.
3. TB screening and immunization record must be completed. Immunizations in the following are strongly recommended: Diphtheria/Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Mumps, and Rubella, Hepatitis B, Influenza (required on an annual basis), Chicken Pox. Clinical facilities may decline individual students if unable to provide proof of immunizations or satisfactory serum titers and TB screening.
4. Regulations stipulate that a properly fitted respiratory mask must be used when providing care to patients with suspected, known, or probable cases of acute respiratory infections. The respiratory mask must be a N95 respirator that is individually fitted by a trained and certified person. This individual mask fitting should be done just prior to beginning your program and is good for one year and must be performed annually. The original certificate must be presented to your program during the first week of classes. Please view the online list of approved fit test service providers .

Recommended characteristics

• Excellent command of oral and written English
• A caring attitude and sincere interest in people of all ages who require all levels of care, including individuals who are mentally or physically challenged, experiencing life-threatening situations, confused or requiring rehabilitation
• Good manual dexterity
• Any supportive courses in human biology, psychology, sociology, First Aid or previous work experience or education would be an asset
• Good computer skills including working knowledge of word processing, email and Internet searches
• A basic foundation in mathematical calculations of decimals, fractions and metric conversions
• Flexibility to adjust to early morning and evening practicum shifts, to a variety of clinical settings and locations within Metro Vancouver

Program Status

Accepting applications For 2013 intakes

VCC is accepting applications from international students.

Apply to this Program

Seats are offered to applicants who have met all admission requirements on a first-qualified, first-served basis.

The first step, apply early. Students who have officially applied and met all admission requirements are sent a letter of acceptance approximately four to five months in advance of the next available start date. A first payment is required to reserve a space in the program.

If you have a resident care certificate and have been employed as an RCA in a care facility for at least six months, you may wish to apply to the access to practical nursing program.

Online     Fax     In Person If you're ready and know the program you want, apply now. Download and complete the (PDF) application form and fax to 604.871.7458. Visit us at one of our campus locations.

After you apply, you can check your to see if all of the requirements have been met or to update contact information. Please use the temporary login ID and Personal Identification Number (PIN) that you used to complete your original online application.

Fees and Other Costs

Application Fee Tuition Fee $30.00 $12,954.00

Other Costs

Cost Type Details College initiative fee $144.78 Student union fee $99.24 Student union health plan fee $209.06 Student union dental plan fee $199.14 U-Pass $510 Other costs Textbooks, supplies, uniforms: $1,800 Lab Kit $510.00

Additional Information

Approximately two months prior to program completion, students are eligible to apply for a sitting of the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration exam. Licensing is required before being able to work as a LPN in B.C. Cost for interim license and exam is approximately $650.

Note: The College of Licensed Practical Nurses of British Columbia asks each licensure applicant about criminal offences. If you have ever been convicted of a criminal offence (other than a minor traffic violation) you should consider whether your application for licensure would be accepted. Licensing is mandatory in B.C.

Health Requirements:

Please review Important Health Requirements for VCC health sciences students.

Courses