Access to Practical Nursing Diploma

About this programme

The Access to Practical Nursing (APN) program is designed to build on the Health Care Assistant Certificate (HCA). Students who complete or hold an HCA certificate* may complete the APN program in 16 months rather than the direct entry Practical Nursing (PN) program which is 22 months. The APN program prepares graduates to provide professional nursing care to individuals and families in a range of settings. Graduates of the program can apply to write the Regulatory Exam – Practical Nurse (REx-PN) for licensure as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). LPNs are hired in the community, continuing care and acute care hospital settings. The NLC APN program meets or exceeds all of the Provincial education competencies required for Licensed Practical Nurse graduates. The APN program enables students to begin their health career education at NLC by completing a Health Care Assistant Certificate in 33-36 weeks. HCA graduates are required to obtain 600 hours of work experience as HCAs before bridging into the APN program, where after an additional 16 months of study they will graduate with their diploma in practical nursing. * Resident Care Attendants (RCA) or those with a combination of Home Support/Resident Care Attendant (HS/RCA) may also be recognized. Those entering with an education other than from a BC public post-secondary institution (HCA; RCA or HS/RCA Certificate) will need to provide active registration with the BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry and will be assessed on a case by case basis.