Practical Nurse Diploma (Alternative Delivery for Rural Students)
The four-semester (17-month) alternative delivery Practical Nurse Diploma program is designed for students who live outside of Calgary. The program serves the areas of Airdrie, Canmore, and High River. There is an intake every January, so that the least amount of driving occurs during winter road conditions.
The program is designed to minimize the amount of time spent commuting for both students and instructors. The program delivery includes a combination of courses offered at the downtown Calgary campus and online. All labs must be attended at the Calgary campus, and learners are expected to commute to clinicals and practicums at various locations.
Since many of the courses are offered online, learners must be prepared for self-directed independent learning.
A Bow Valley College Practical Nurse Diploma program prepares graduates to provide high-quality nursing care in the areas of medical, surgical, pediatric, maternity, mental health, and geriatric care. Licensed Practical Nurses in Alberta use critical thinking to interpret assessments, implement a variety of treatments, and provide professional, comprehensive care.
Upon successful completion of the Practical Nurse Diploma Program and the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE), graduates will be eligible for licensure with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA).
Note: When applying to this program through Apply Alberta, apply to the Practical Nurse Diploma Program and select "Airdrie" as the campus location.
Clinical Experience
Students will be required to travel to various locations in order to complete their clinical and practicum placements. Every effort is made to accommodate students in clinical placements within the time frame of the program, however in rare instances there may be a delay in program completion until a clinical placement can be arranged. Clinical shifts may include evenings, nights, and/or weekends.International Students
If you would like to apply to Bow Valley College as an International Student, please contact the International Education department for assistance arranging your study permit.Tuition
Please refer to the Program Tuition Fee Chart for an estimate of the cost of completing a Practical Nurse Diploma. When creating a budget, students should consider tuition, additional fees, lab kits, textbooks, and police information check fees. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for advice on financing a Bow Valley College education.Courses in Program
Semester 1 - Winter (16 weeks)- Anatomy and Physiology (ANPH 150)
- Health Education: Personal Health and Wellness (HEDU 150)*
- Interpersonal Relationships and Communication Skills (COMM 180)*
- Human Growth and Development Across the Lifespan (PSYC 151)*
- Introduction to Sociology (SOCI 150)
- English Composition (ENGL 150)*
- Clinical Experience Continuing Care: Basic (HHC0137)
- Nursing Theory I: Basics (PRNR 160)*
- Nursing Science Lab I: Basics (PRNR 190)
- Applied Pharmacology (PRNR 154)
- Pathophysiology (PRNR 163)
- Nursing Science Lab II: Intermediate (PRNR 198)
- Adult Health Assessment (PRNR 158)
- Clinical Experience Continuing Care: Intermediate (HHC0138)
- Community Nursing (PRNR 155)*
- Mental Health Nursing (PSYC 152)*
- Nursing Theory II: Intermediate (PRNR 164)*
- Nursing Theory III: Advanced (PRNR 162)*
- Nursing Science Lab III: Advanced (PRNR 189)
- Clinical Experience: Acute Care (PRNR 194)
- Maternity Nursing (PRNR 156)*
- Pediatric Nursing (PRNR 157)*
- Transition to Graduate Nursing (PRNR 181)*
- Pre-Grad Practicum I: Community and Focus (PRNR 199 - 4 weeks)
- Pre-Grad Practicum II: Comprehensive (PRNR 197 - 5 weeks)
Admission requirements
Academic Requirements
- Minimum final mark of 60% in English 30-1 or 70% in English 30-2 or equivalent
- Credit in Math 20 Pure or a minimum final mark of 60% in Math 20 Applied or equivalent
- Minimum final mark of 60% in Biology 30 or a minimum final mark of 60% in Anatomy and Physiology (ANPH 150)† at Bow Valley College or equivalent
- Please see the English Language Proficiency Requirements page for details.
- A current Police Information Check (PIC) with a vulnerable sector search must be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the first day of classes in order for a student to maintain their seat in the program. The existence of a criminal record may postpone or prevent clinical placement or professional licensure. Updated PICs must be submitted every 6 months. International and out-of-province students should obtain their PICs in their home country or province prior to arriving in Alberta.
Students who do not meet the following requirements before the first day of clinical will not be allowed to participate in clinical placements under any circumstances:
- CPR Healthcare Provider Level Certificate must be updated every 12 months.
- Immunization Requirements are good for the duration of the program. Detailed instructions will be provided to successful applicants in their acceptance package.
Transferability
Graduates of this program may be accepted into:- Athabasca University - Post LPN Bachelor of Nursing Program
- Thompson Rivers University Open Learning Division - Bachelor of Health Science (57 credits) and Bachelor of General Studies (60 credits)
- University of Calgary - Graduates of two-year BVC diploma programs will be awarded up to 5 full course junior open options
Some transfer credit is available from:
- Grant MacEwan University
- Medicine Hat College
- Mount Royal University
- Prairie College of Applied Arts and Technology
- Red Deer College
- Athabasca University
- Aurora College
- College of the Rockies
- Columbia College
- Lethbridge College
- NorQuest College
- University of Calgary
- Portage College
- Red River College
- Keyano College
- Lambton College
BOW VALLEY COLLEGE
North (Main) Campus:
332 - 6 Avenue SE
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2G 4S6
1-403-410-1400
