Practical Nursing Diploma

Admission Requirements

1. Grade 12 graduation, or equivalent.
2. Minimum C in Foundations of Math 11 or Pre-calculus 11 or NIC MAT 053  or MAT 055  or successful assessment testing.
3. Minimum C+ in English Studies 12 or Provincial English 12 or English First Peoples 12 or ENG 096  or ENG 098  or in both ESL 092  and ESL 095  or successful assessment testing
4. Minimum C in Anatomy and Physiology 12 or Biology 12 or NIC BIO 060  completed within 10 years.
5. Minimum C+ in BIO - 159 Human Anatomy & Physiology Fr Prac Nurs , completed within 10 years, or equivalent. Students will be required to register in and successfully complete BIO 159  by specified dates.
6. Declaration of English Language Competency Requirements for Practical Nursing form signed and dated.
7. Requisite Skills and Abilities and Program Bulletin signed and dated. These documents provide prospective students with information that may be helpful in deciding if the program is suited to them. Prospective students who have questions or concerns should contact an educational advisor.

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Indigenous Priority Admissions

North Island College is dedicated to improving its ability to meet the educational needs of Indigenous students. NIC’s Indigenization Plan, “Working Together” outlines our commitment to Indigenization, reconciliation and decolonization.  To further advance these goals, North Island College has reserved seating and priority admissions in many of our program for students of Indigenous ancestry. 

Applicants will be considered on a first-applied, first-qualified basis for all programs with the exception of Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree, where a selective admission process will be used.

To be considered for a priority admission seat, Indigenous students must:

• Self-identify as an Indigenous person
• Complete the Indigenous Priority Admission Request for a Reserved Seat form
• Meet NIC’s general admission requirements, and/or specific program requirements

Before Classes Begin

1. Submit a Criminal Record Check permission form so that the college can get your criminal record check done. This form will be sent to you when you are offered a seat in the program.
2. Hold a current CPR certification (BLS CPR - FAC 019) or equivalent and have completed a Workplace Hazardous Material Information System (WHMIS) course. Students are required to electronically submit a photocopy of these certificates to the faculty after the first day of classes. It is the responsibility of the students to maintain their CPR certification (BLS CPR - FAC 019) throughout the program.
3. Submit a completed immunization form. This form will be sent to students when they are offered a seat in the program.  This immunization form should be validated by the public health nurse at your local health unit. Students are required to electronically submit a photocopy of the form to the faculty after the first day of classes. 
4. Attend a group information session. This mandatory session is designed to assist students in making an informed decision about pursuing a career as a licensed practical nurse. An invitation will be sent with details regarding the date and time of the information session.
5. Students are required to have a FIT test done prior to their fourth clinical rotation.

Course Requirements

Completion Requirements

The Practical Nursing student must achieve a minimum of C in each course (except pharmacology)*, maintain a cumulative grade point average of C+ (2.33 GPA), and pass each nursing practice experience.  Students who miss more than 10% of a practice experience may be asked to repeat the course.

*In pharmacology courses, students must achieve a 100% on the math portion and an 80% average on the theory portion.

• It is an expectation of the Practical Nursing program that students demonstrate responsible, accountable behaviour in terms of maintaining a pattern of regular attendance, and establishing effective working relationships with student colleagues and faculty.
• Students are required to adhere to the BCCNM Standards of Practice for LPNs. Failure to adhere to these standards may result in the student being required to leave the program.
• If a student is unsuccessful in the Practical Nursing Program, they have one opportunity to re-enter the program.  If a student is unsuccessful in the program a second time, they can only re-enter by going through the admission process and beginning at term one.
• Re-entering the program is dependent on an available seat. Students who fail a required course may be asked to complete a learning assessment and/or skills or written exam prior to being considered for re-admission.
• Students have a maximum of 5 years to complete the program.
• These regulations are important to the profession to ensure that graduates have the required skills and knowledge and are therefore deemed safe to practice.