Click here to see where the Practical Nurse diploma program is offered this year.
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.
Year 1
Year 2
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.
In order to be admitted to the program the student must meet the following academic requirements:
Note: Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency in addition to the program admission requirements.
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 these requirements. See full information at Health & Safety Requirements .
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.
CAC Locations and Part-time Study | Contact Academic Advising for more information.
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
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.
You must pass all required courses and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
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:
Proof of Indigenous ancestry (one of the following):
Other forms of proof may also be considered at the discretion of the Registrar.