Practical Nurse Diploma

Courses

Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements

Fall 2027 Intake and Onwards

For applications to the Fall 2027 intake (September start), you must meet the following requirements:

• The following courses, each with a grade of “C+” or higher:
  • English Studies 12, or English First Peoples 12, or ENGL 050, or ENGL 051, or equivalent 
  • Foundations of Mathematics 11, or MATH 043, or  
  • BIO 130 (minimum “65%“) or equivalent.
    Please note BIO 050 or Anatomy and Physiology 12 is required for registration in BIO 130.

English Language Proficiency requirements

Candidates whose first language is not English must meet the English requirements and provide proof of English language proficiency through one of the following:

• Three years of full-time, face-to-face secondary or post-secondary education at an accredited institution where English is the medium of instruction and is also one of the country’s official languages. English as a Second Language/Additional Language courses are not included in this three-year calculation, OR
• Academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with minimum scores of:
  • Listening 7.5
  • Reading 6.5
  • Writing 7.0         
  • Speaking 7.0
  • Overall Band Score 7.0 OR
• Canadian English Language Benchmarks Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN) with minimum scores of:
  • Listening 10.0
  • Speaking: 8.0
  • Reading: 8.0
  • Writing: 7.0 

Need help meeting these requirements? Check out our  options.

Five seats are reserved for qualified self-identified Canadian Aboriginal applicants until a institutionally recognized date of release.

Limited admission

If there is room in the program, you will be accepted once you have met all the admission requirements. This is called “first qualified, first accepted.” If you qualify after the program is full, you will be put on a wait list.

Self-identified Canadian Aboriginal applicants meeting the admission requirements will be given priority for 20% of seats in the program until the institutionally recognized release date.

Program Requirement

Completed acceptance package must be submitted by date indicated in the package. Incomplete certifications or documentation will prevent students from entering the clinical practice placements. Practicum is required for graduation. Documents and certificates required are:

• Proof of current immunization status as outlined by the BC Centre for Disease Control and as outlined in the Practice Education guidelines.
• TB screening: Negative TB skin test or negative chest x-ray.
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Level C, or Basic Life Support (BLS). CPR online course must include face-to-face practice components. CPR certification must be maintained for duration of program.
• FIT tested for a N95 respirator
• Self-report on Suitability and Health
• Criminal Record Check (RCMP criminal record checks are not accepted)

Students must complete a provincial Schedule B criminal record search because there is a practicum component involving work with vulnerable people. A search which identifies relevant criminal convictions may prevent students from registering for practicum.

Note 1: All costs associated with certifications, courses and/or documentation requirements are the student’s responsibility.

Note 2: May be required to travel for practicum placements.

Program Recommendations

• Chemistry 11, or CHEM 045, or  
• MEDT 100 (Medical Terminology) or  

These courses will help students in the program have a robust understanding of some of the concepts pertaining to disease processes, compensatory mechanisms of the body, and pharmacological concepts covered in the first four terms of the program. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to complete these courses prior to entering the program.

Invest in your future

• Year 1: $8,181
• Year 2: $4,565
• Additional costs for this program (nursing kits): $300
  

These costs are an estimate. Student fees vary by campus. Check the  for more information. 

Supplies for this program can be purchased from the bookstore.