Diploma in Practical Nursing at Camosun College

Practical Nurses care for clients at all life stages across the continuum of care. Prepare yourself for a career that provides safe, knowledgeable & professional nursing care within a variety of health care settings.

Knowledgeable

In the Practical Nursing Program you will study from the same body of nursing knowledge as registered nurses (RNs) and registered psychiatric nurses (RPNs) with a more focused approach in foundational knowledge, critical thinking, and clinical judgment appropriate to the role of a practical nurse. This program will provide you with the knowledge, skills, judgment, and abilities to contribute in all phases of care from prevention to acute treatment and management, to long term and palliative care.

Competent

Practical nurses integrate knowledge, skills, behaviours, attitudes, critical thinking and clinical judgment expected of an entry-level practical nurse to provide safe, competent, and ethical care. Working in collaboration with other health care team members, you will provide direct nursing care and in acute care hospitals as well as complex care and community care settings.

After graduation

After successful completion of the program you will be eligible to write the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE) to apply for licensure to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in British Columbia.

Professional

Practical nurses are health care professionals who care for a wide range of clients at all stages of life. As a professional nurse, you will work within your own scope of practice, standards of practice and code of ethics.  Practical nurses are frontline nurses involved in the assessment, planning implementation and evaluation of nursing care and are a valuable member of the health care team.

This full time diploma program provide will provide you with the knowledge, skills, judgements and attitudes required to practice as a practical nurse within a variety of health care settings. The program will prepare you to care for individuals and families at multiple life stages in acute, complex, and community care settings. Graduates of the program are eligible to write the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE) to apply for licensure to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in British Columbia.