ObjectivesAccess to Practical Nursing CertificateThe Access to Practical Nursing certificate program prepares graduates for the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of BC registration exams.
Practical experienceThere are practical courses associated with this program.
Entry requirementsDesigned mainly for Home Support/Resident Care Attendants, students will upgrade their knowledge and skills to become Practical Nurses through a combination of classroom study, nursing arts labs and practical nursing experiences.
Academic titleAccess to Practical Nursing Certificate
Course descriptionFirst Term Course Credits
Required: 13.25
NURS 100 Professional Growth 1 1.00
NURS 101 Health A 1.00
NURS 102 Healing A 2.00
NURS 103 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2.25
NURS 104 Pharmacology A 1.50
NURS 105 Nursing Arts A 4.50
NURS 106 Human Relations A 1.00
Credits 13.25
Second Term Course Credits
Required: 4.00
NURS 102 Healing A Continued
NURS 104 Pharmacology A Continued
NURS 105 Nursing Arts A Continued
NURS 107 Practicum A 4.00
Credits 4.00
Third Term Course Credits
Required: 9.50
NURS 107 Practicum A Continued
NURS 110 Professional Growth 2 1.00
NURS 111 Health B Acute/Chronic Care 1.00
NURS 112 Healing B 2.00
NURS 115 Nursing Arts B 5.50
Credits 9.50
Fourth Term Course Credits
Required: 10.00
NURS 111 Health B Acute/Chronic Care Continued
NURS 112 Healing B Continued
NURS 115 Nursing Arts B Continued
NURS 117 Practicum B 5.00
NURS 120 Preceptorship 5.00
Credits 10.00
Fifth Term Course Credits
Required: 0.00
NURS 120 Preceptorship Continued
Credits 0.00
Total Program Credits 36.75
NURS 100 Professional Growth 1
1.00 credit (3,0,0) hrs 07 wks
Students will be able to articulate the evolution and position of practical nursing as a health profession within the health care system. Students will examine the legal, ethical and philosophical bases for practice and the Licensed Practical Nurses role in an interdisciplinary team. Delegation and assignment as it relates to a nursing role will be discussed. The course will explore reflective writing, nursing practice and critical thinking skills.
NURS 101 Health A
1.00 credit (3,0,0) hrs 07 wks
Students will be able to describe the concepts of health and health promotion across the lifespan. This course is viewed through the context of the Canadian society and health is seen as a holistic process on which our daily choices have a significant impact. Health promotion of the individual within the family and the community will be explored.
NURS 102 Healing A
2.00 credits (3.82,0,0) hrs 11 wks
Students will be able to explain the experience of healing for people of all ages with chronic challenges and/or disabilities. They will integrate theory and concepts of normal anatomy and physiology and health as they relate to healing.
NURS 103 Human Anatomy and Physiology
2.25 credits (5.1,0,0) hrs 10 wks
Students will be able to describe common health terminology. They will be able to explain the anatomy and physiology of the body systems and relate this knowledge to the role of the Licensed Practical Nurse.
NURS 104 Pharmacology A
1.50 credits (3.67,0,0) hrs 09 wks
Students will have acquired the pharmacology knowledge and skills required for a Licensed Practical Nurse necessary for practice. Supervised lab experiences provide opportunities to apply principles of basic pharmacology and safe medication administration for commonly used medications. The various routes of enteral, percutaneous, subcutaneous and intramuscular routes of administration are examined.
NURS 105 Nursing Arts A
4.50 credits (1.94,6.06,0) hrs 17 wks
Students will be able to demonstrate competencies used in the promotion of health when caring for the older adult. Building on the knowledge and skills acquired in the HSRCA program, clients are viewed from a holistic perspective based on nursing process. Nursing laboratory practice components will assist in promoting the integration of theory to practice.
NURS 106 Human Relations A
1.00 credit (3,0,0) hrs 07 wks
Students will be able to demonstrate the importance of effective communication and leadership skills with co-workers in continuing care settings and with members of health care teams.
NURS 107 Practicum A
4.00 credits (0,0,30) hrs 04 wks
Prerequisite: NURS 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105 and 106
By the end of this supervised clinical experience, students will be able to integrate theory into practice in caring for the older adult in diverse care settings. This practicum will provide the students with practical experience to enhance clinical knowledge and promote insights and awareness when caring for selected clients in the community and diverse gerontological care settings.
NURS 110 Professional Growth 2
1.00 credit (3,0,0) hrs 06 wks
Prerequisite: NURS 107
This course will examine the role of the Licensed Practical Nurse and will explore the role as an advocate and partner. Issues such as Standards of Practice and professional and union affiliations in practical nursing will be discussed. The importance of being an effective team member, change theory and lifelong learning will be examined.
NURS 111 Health B Acute/Chronic Care
1.00 credit (3.43,0,0) hrs 07 wks
Prerequisite: NURS 107
This course focuses on issues relating to health promotion with an acute care perspective, for individuals across the lifespan. Health promotion programs and teaching/learning strategies appropriate for acute care will be examined. Collaboration between various health professionals required in order to assist client transitions to and from acute care will be explored. Community resources appropriate for clients discharged from acute care will be investigated. The role of the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in supporting and assisting clients experiencing family violence and/or substance abuse will also be examined.
NURS 112 Healing B
2.00 credits (4.38,0,0) hrs 13 wks
Prerequisite: NURS 107
By the end of this course the student will be able to explain the promotion of healing for individuals across the lifespan in acute care with acute and chronic diseases. The Practical Nurse must be able to acquire the skills and knowledge to understand the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations and the appropriate nursing interventions to plan and deliver care for clients.
NURS 115 Nursing Arts B
5.50 credits (1.67,6.67,0) hrs 18 wks
Prerequisite: NURS 107
This course focuses on the acquisition of nursing skills for assisting in the promotion of health and healing when caring for individuals who require acute nursing interventions. Building on the theory and practice from the previous term, the focus of this course will be on performing accurate, comprehensive nursing assessments and using the nursing process to determine care for clients across the lifespan who require acute care. Opportunities for client teaching and learning will be explored. The laboratory and hospital settings will provide the opportunity for integration of theory into practice.
NURS 117 Practicum B
5.00 credits (0,0,26.2) hrs 05 wks
Prerequisite: NURS 110, 111, 112 and 115
This clinical course will prepare the student to integrate theory into practice. Students will provide nursing care to clients in an acute care hospital. These clients are challenged with specific health problems and are in relatively stable condition. This experience will provide the student the opportunity to gain experience in organizing care for a group of clients. Experiential learning gained through clinical placements will assist in skills and knowledge acquisition and will enhance professional practice.
NURS 120 Preceptorship
5.00 credits (0,0,28.8) hrs 05 wks
Prerequisite: NURS 117 is a prerequisite or co-requisite
This preceptorship course will prepare the students to transition from the role of student to the role of the graduate practical nurse. The preceptorship is the last semester of the Practical Nursing Program. Upon successful completion of the preceptorship, the student will be eligible to write the Practical Nurse licensing exam. During the preceptorship, the student and preceptor will work closely together. The preceptor guides and supports the student in gaining further insights, awareness and knowledge through the realities of the work setting. The student will be oriented into the role as a graduate practical nurse and health care team member.