Practical nursing diploma
Facts checked 7 September 2026
Report a mistake·How we check facts
Part of the route toLicensed Practical Nurse·Diploma
A hands-on college diploma that prepares you for bedside patient care and provincial practical nurse licensing.
Ways to get this paid for
Government money that can cover this course. Check who qualifies before you pay.
Free adult upgrading
FreeGrade 11 and 12 courses and English classes are free at public colleges and school districts. This covers the Grade 11 and 12 prerequisite courses, not the program itself.
Canada Training Credit
Half your tuition back, up to $5,000 in your lifeFederal tax credit. $250 a year builds up from age 26. Claim it on your tax return.
BC Access Grant
Up to $4,000 a yearFor low and middle income students in full-time programs under two years at public schools. Assessed when you apply through StudentAid BC.
THE ROUTE
How this program works, step by step
Grade 11 to the job. Open any step to see what is inside.
The route (8 steps)
For the best view, open the map full screen.
STEP BY STEP
Step by step
The same route as the map, as a list.
Step 1 of 8
Grade 11
⏱ 1 school year- Grade 11 Math
- Foundations of Math 11. Requirement varies by school (Okanagan College, College of New Caledonia, Northern Lights College, and 2 others). Strictest requirement: standard completion.
- Foundations of Math 11 (min C) and Anatomy & Physiology 12 (min C+)
- Math 11 (Foundations, Pre-Calculus, or Workplace) with at least a C
Step 2 of 8
Grade 12
⏱ 1 school year- High school graduation or mature student status
- English Studies 12. Requirement varies by school (Okanagan College, College of New Caledonia, Vancouver Island University, and 4 others). Strictest requirement: C.
- Anatomy & Physiology 12. Requirement varies by school (Okanagan College, College of New Caledonia, Vancouver Island University, and 4 others). Strictest requirement: C.
- Grade 12. Requirement varies by school (College of New Caledonia, Northern Lights College). Strictest requirement: standard completion.
Step 3 of 8
What you need to get in
- Valid Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR certificate
- Clear Criminal Record Check through the BC Criminal Records Review Program
- Standard First Aid with CPR-C / BLS and Criminal Record Check
- CPR-C / BLS certification
- Clean Criminal Record Check under the BC Criminal Record Review Act
- VCC Health Sciences Math Assessment, 80%
Step 4 of 8
How to apply
- Apply through EducationPlannerBC or the college website (Vancouver Community College or Camosun)
- Applications typically open 11 months prior to intake start dates
- Submit official transcripts confirming completion of prerequisite courses
- Complete college English diagnostic assessment if educated outside Canada
Step 5 of 8
Practical nursing diploma
⏱ 16–18 months (4 Terms)- 16 to 18 months (4 consecutive terms) of full-time cohort training
- Nursing foundations, pharmacology, health assessment, and surgical nursing
- Over 600 hours of clinical practice in hospitals, long-term care homes, and community centers
- Final consolidated clinical preceptorship working directly with an assigned nurse
Step 6 of 8
Where to take it
⏱ 7 schools in BC- Camosun College — 18 months (About $17,100)
- College of New Caledonia — 2 years (About $12,700 for the whole program)
- Northern Lights College — 2 years (About $4,900 per year)
- Okanagan College — 2 years (About $13,700 to $13,900)
- Selkirk College — 2 years (About $7,300 per year)
- Vancouver Community College — 16 months (About $17,100 for the whole program)
- Vancouver Island University — 2 years (About $8,400 per year)
Step 7 of 8
Exams and registration after
- Regulatory Exam for Practical Nurses (REx-PN)
- Practicing licence registration with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM)
Step 8 of 8
Leads to: Licensed Practical Nurse
- Explore Licensed Practical Nurse wages, job outlook, and career pathways
SCHOOLS
Where you can take this(7 schools)
Compare tuitions, campus locations, and delivery formats across approved institutions in British Columbia.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 6 September 2026.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.