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Practical Nurse Diploma

Practical Nurse Diploma-students and instructor in a classroom setting
Credential
Diploma
Duration

2 years

Location
Main Campus
The Program

This program delivered over two academic years prepares the graduate to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) following graduation and successful completion of the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam. As a LPN, the graduate will provide nursing care in a variety of health care settings, such as hospitals, the community and other health care agencies.

Program Content

Year 1

  • NURS 215 Anatomy
  • NURS 230 Human Physiology and Pathophysiology I
  • PN 278 Leadership 
  • PN 252 Nursing Foundations I
  • PN 253 Health Promotion I
  • PN 276 Foundations for Success in Nursing
  • PN 259 Nursing Foundations II
  • PN 260 Health Promotion II
  • PN 277 Pharmacology 
  • NURS 231 Human Physiology and Pathophysiology II
  • ENG 219 Essay Composition and Critical Reading
  • One 3 credit Liberal Arts/Arts/Humanities/Science or Social Science Elective
  • PN 263 Practical Experience: Residential Care

Year 2

  • INTP 201 Interprofessional Leadership
  • PN 265 Nursing Foundations III
  • PN 266 Health Promotion III
  • PN 267 Pharmacology III
  • PN 268 Practical Experience III: Acute Care
  • PN 269 Professional Leadership IV
  • PN 270 Nursing Foundations IV
  • PN 271 Health Promotion IV
  • PN 275 Practical Experience V: Comprehensive Practicum

Note: Students who withdraw or fail a clinical course in the Practical Nurse program (PN 263, PN 268, and PN 275) will be required to complete INTP 303 prior to the next attempt of the clinical course.

Visit RDP’s Course Catalogue/Timetable to read detailed course descriptions.

    Admission Requirements

    In order to be admitted to the program the student must meet the following academic requirements:

    • 60% in ELA 30-1
    • 60% in Biology 30
    • 50% in Math 30-1 or 30-2 OR 60% in Math 30 Applied or 20-1 OR 70% in Math 20-2

    Note: Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency in addition to the program admission requirements.

    Note: Practical Nurse applicants will be offered Conditional Admission on a competitive basis, based on GPA ranking. 

    The GPA calculation for Conditional Admission will be calculated according to one of the following:

    • 15 high school credits from those courses required for admission.  If any of the specified courses are in progress at the transcript submission deadline, the 20-level in the subject will be used.
    • 18 post-secondary credits including all credits from the most-recently completed term plus the best grades from the next most recent term.
    • Applicants with fewer than 18 post-secondary credits will have their GPA calculated using all post-secondary credits plus credits from the most recently completed High School semester using the best grade(s) from the courses required for admission. 

    Note: Post-secondary credits will be used in the Conditional Admission GPA calculation before High School credits, regardless of when the post-secondary credits were earned.  Post-secondary credits do NOT include High School equivalents completed at a post-secondary institution (i.e. Academic upgrading high school equivalents completed at RDP).

    Note:  The Fall (September) term transcript deadline for the initial GPA calculation is March 1.  The Winter (January) term transcript deadline for the initial GPA calculation is July 2.

    Note: Indigenous applicants to the Practical Nurse program, go to Program Admission Features below for more information.

    Note:  Health Sciences workers are responsible to attain and maintain required health and safety certifications and maintain recommended immunization standards. As a student of a Health Sciences program you also are required to meet these standards of practice. These Health and Safety Requirements do not need to be submitted as part of your application. You are encouraged to become familiar with the requirements as soon as possible to ensure completion prior to program start and before the first day of classes. Once you have been accepted into your program please start submitting these Health and Safety Requirements.  See full information at Health & Safety Requirements .

    Recognition of Prior Learning/Experience

    Nursing courses from other programs will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for prior learning. Students who are transferring into the program or students who have been out of the clinical area for an extended period of time may be required to pass a competency screen prior to admission to the program.

    Other Requirements

    Immunization to be completed prior to program start date.

    In addition to the above requirements the student must provide evidence of current CPR certification at the Health Care Provider Level. You must re-certify each year.

    Note: Applicants are required to have either a MAC or a PC laptop that meet the following specifications:Laptop requirements:

    Apple Laptop
    Minimum requirement
    MacBook Air with 1.6 GHz dual-core Intel i5 processor, 128 Gb storage solid state, 4 Gb memory
    Web camera (built in or as peripheral)
    Microphone

    Windows Laptop
    Minimum requirement
    Laptop with 2.6 GHz dual-core Intel i5 processor, 128 Gb storage, 4 Gb memory and Windows 10 operating system
    Web camera (built in or as peripheral)
    Microphone

    Software
    Latest version of Adobe Flash
    Google Chrome browser
    Microsoft Word *

    Other
    USB memory stick (Flash drive)

    * Microsoft Word is used for several purposes. Students can either purchase and install the Microsoft Word application, or install the free software client to use a Red Deer Polytechnic virtual desktop with the full Microsoft Office Suite of applications.

    Note: While not an admission requirement for the program, applicants are advised that they will be required to provide a Police Information Check (also called a Criminal Record Check) including a Vulnerable Sector Check to most agencies where they will be placed for practicum experiences. The existence of police information or a Criminal Record may prohibit practicum placement, program completion, and professional licensure and therefore affect future employment prospects. It is the decision of each practicum agency to accept or reject a student for placement based on the results of the police information check.

    Note: Students with Study Permits that are admitted to a program that has a practicum or clinical placement in childcare, primary/secondary school teaching or health service field occupations must complete their Medical Authorization as required by Citizenship and Immigration Canada one month prior to the start of classes.

    Note: Practicum Travel - While every effort is made to consider student preferences for practicum location due to practicum availability students may be required to travel to locations outside of their preferences in the province of Alberta to complete the practicum requirements. (Please note practicum refers to either clinical or preceptorship courses)

    Continuation Requirements

    Continuation Requirements

    Students who withdraw or fail a clinical course in the Practical Nurse program (PN 263, PN 268, PN 272 and PN 275) will be required to complete INTP 303 prior to the next attempt of the clinical course.

    Graduation Requirements

    You must pass all required courses and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

    Related Careers
    • Licensed Practical Nurse
    • Crisis Counsellor
    • Health Educator
    • Surgical Nurse
    • Critical Care Nurse
    Program Admission Features

    The Practical Nurse Diploma program at Red Deer Polytechnic recognizes the need to facilitate access to post-secondary education for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners.  In order to facilitate greater participation of Indigenous learners the Practical Nurse program has designated two seats per campus for applicants who are Status Indian/First Nations, Non-status Indian/First Nations, Metis or Inuit.  Should no Indigenous applicants apply and meet the admission requirements for the designated seats, they will be released after June 1st  for the Fall (September) term and October 1st for the Winter (January) term of each year to qualified applicants on the waitlist if one exists for the program.

    In accordance with the Constitution Act, 1982, Part II, Section 35(2) the applicant must meet the definition of Indigenous as an Indian, Inuit, or Métis person of Canada, or a person who is accepted by one of the Indigenous peoples of Canada as a member of their community.

    Indigenous applicants must meet the admission requirements for the program as outlined in the Academic Calendar and qualify for a designated seat by:

    • Self-identifying as an Indigenous applicant on the Application for Admission.
    • Providing proof of Indigenous ancestry.

    Proof of Indigenous ancestry (one of the following):

    • Certified copy of a Status or Treaty card, Metis membership card, Nunavut Trust Certificate card, roll number or any other proof accepted by Inuit communities.
    • Proof that an ancestor’s name has been entered in: the Indian Register according to the Indian Act, band list of an individual band or the Inuit roll.
    • Written confirmation of Indigenous ancestry from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada.
    • Statutory Declaration by an applicant attesting to Indigenous ancestry with supporting documentation.

    Other forms of proof may also be considered at the discretion of the Registrar.