Practical nursing diploma
Practical Nursing Diploma
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.
How long
16–18 Months (4 Terms)
Cost
$17,105
Schools
7 in BC
🏫Where you can take this: 7 schools
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)
1Grade 11 Preparation
2Grade 12 Graduation
3Admissions & Prerequisites
4Application Process
5Program Curriculum
6Where to Take It
7Licensing & Certification
8Career Destination
For the best view, open the map full screen.
STEP BY STEP
Step by step
The same route as the map, as a list.
1
Step 1 of 8
Grade 11
⏱ 1 School Year- Life Sciences 11. Requirement varies by school (College of New Caledonia, Vancouver Island University, Northern Lights College, and 1 others). Strictest requirement: C.
- Foundations of Math 11. Requirement varies by school (Okanagan College, Vancouver Community College). Strictest requirement: standard completion.
- Math 11 (Foundations, Pre-Calculus, or Workplace) with at least a C
2
Step 2 of 8
Grade 12
⏱ 1 School Year- High school graduation or mature student status
- Anatomy & Physiology 12. Requirement varies by school (Okanagan College, College of New Caledonia, Vancouver Island University, and 4 others). Strictest requirement: C.
- English Studies 12. Requirement varies by school (Okanagan College, Vancouver Island University, Vancouver Community College, and 1 others). Strictest requirement: C.
- Grade 12. Requirement varies by school (College of New Caledonia, Northern Lights College). Strictest requirement: standard completion.
- VCC Health Sciences Math Assessment, 80%
3
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
4
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
5
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
6
Step 6 of 8
Where to take it
⏱ 7 schools in BC- Camosun College — 18 months ($17,105)
- College of New Caledonia — 2 years (Not published)
- Northern Lights College — 2 years (Not published)
- Okanagan College — 2 years (Not published)
- Selkirk College — 2 years (Not published)
- Vancouver Community College — 16 months (Not published)
- Vancouver Island University — 2 years (Not published)
7
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)
8
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.
🌊
Duration18 months
Tuition$17,105
DeliveryIn-Person
“Hands-on clinical rotations on Vancouver Island preparing students for the national REx-PN exam.”
🚜
Duration2 years
TuitionNot published
DeliveryIn-Person
“BCCNM-recognized practical nursing education program based in Prince George serving northern healthcare communities.”
❄️
Duration2 years
TuitionNot published
DeliveryIn-Person
“BCCNM-recognized practical nursing cohort offered at Dawson Creek and Fort St. John campuses.”
🏔️
Duration2 years
TuitionNot published
DeliveryIn-Person
“BCCNM-recognized 70-week practical nursing diploma offered at Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton, and Salmon Arm.”
🌲
Duration2 years
TuitionNot published
DeliveryIn-Person
“BCCNM-recognized 2-year practical nursing diploma based in Castlegar with regional Kootenay clinical placements.”
🩺
Duration16 months
TuitionNot published
DeliveryIn-Person
“BCCNM recognized practical nursing curriculum focusing on bedside care, pharmacology, and long-term care management.”
🐾
Duration2 years
TuitionNot published
DeliveryIn-Person
“BCCNM-recognized 2-year diploma combining hospital simulation laboratories and acute clinical placements on Vancouver Island.”