Practical Nursing Diploma

Purpose

This full time sixteen (16) month diploma program is designed to provide learners with the knowledge, skills, judgments and attitudes to perform to the full range of competencies as identified by the British Columbia College of Nurses & Midwives (BCCNM). The program provides a learning experience that is integrated, professional, collaborative, and culturally sensitive with an aim to prepare graduates to care for individuals (and by extension, families of individuals) at multiple life stages and in a variety of practice settings in partnership with other health care professionals. Consistent with the BCCNM Scope of Practice Standards for LPNs (2020) the focus for beginner's practice is "promotion, maintenance and restoration of health, with a focus on clients with stable or predictable states of health"(p.3).

Upon successful completion of the VCC PN Diploma, learners will possess the competencies to complete the Canadian Practical Nursing Registration Exam (REx-PN) and to apply for licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse in British Columbia. Licensing is required before being able to work as an LPN in BC.

Duration

The Practical Nursing Diploma is sixteen (16) months in length. Students must complete the diploma within three (3) years from the initial start date to the completion date.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

1. Apply the Entry Level Competencies for Licensed Practical Nurses (2020) to provide safe, competent, culturally safe and ethical care.

2. Practice within relevant legislation, BCCNM Standards of Practice for LPNs Framework: Scope of Practice Standards; Professional Standards; and Practice Standards (2020) as set out by the Health Professions Act of British Columbia and the British Columbia College of Nurses & Midwives (BCCNM).

3. Value and engage in continuous learning to maintain and enhance competence.

4. Practice in collaboration with other members of the health care team to meet the collective needs of their clients.

5. Participate in interprofessional problem solving and decision making processes.

6. Advocate for and facilitate change reflecting evidence-informed practice.

7. Make practice decisions that are client specific and consider client acuity, complexity, variability, and available resources.

8. Use critical thinking, clinical judgment and knowledge of assessment to plan, implement, and evaluate the agreed upon plan of care.

9. Develop a collaborative relationship with clients by connecting, sharing and exploring with them in a caring environment.

10. Provide culturally safe, person-centered care across the lifespan that recognizes and respects the uniqueness of each individual and is sensitive to cultural safety, cultural humility and diversity.

11. Provide leadership, direction, assignment, and supervision of unregulated care providers as appropriate.

12. Identify one’s own values, biases, and assumptions on interactions with clients and other members of the health care team.

Admission Requirements

NB: Core minimum standards for admission requirements, including English as an Additional Language standard have been established by the Provincial Practical Nursing Program Curriculum. VCC admission requirements for this program are in addition to those provincial expectations. All of these requirements must be met.

BC Grade 12 or equivalent
English Studies 12 with a minimum 'B' grade, or equivalent
Foundations of Math 11 with a minimum 'C' grade, or equivalent
VCC Health Sciences Math Assessment with 80% or completion of Math for Health Sciences (Math 1054) with 80%
Anatomy and Physiology 12 with a minimum 'C' grade, or equivalent (human biology required)
BIOL 1602 Human Anatomy and Physiology with a minimum grade of 68% or equivalent within the last 3 years
English Language Proficiency as specified for the Practical Nursing or Access to Practical Nursing programs: https://www.vcc.ca/applying/registration-services/english-language-proficiency-requirements/health-sciences/practical-nursingaccess-to-practical-nursing/

Internationally Trained Nurses:

Students with transcripts from outside of Canada may be required to submit a comprehensive evaluation form from an educational credential assessment service provider.

Upon Acceptance into the program:

Criminal Record Check (CRC):

Students in this program are required to complete a CRC. The CRC must be completed according to VCC's Criminal Record Check instructions. Students whose CRC results indicate they pose a risk to vulnerable populations will not be able to complete the requirements of the program (e.g. practicums) or graduate.

Current CPR Level C (CPR):

– CPR Level C includes the following:

Adult/Child/Baby CPR – one rescuer
Adult/Child CPR –two rescuer
Adult/Child/Baby – choking

CPR certificates other than CPR Level C must be accompanied by documentation indicating the certificate includes the above. Please note that in Health Care your CPR expires one year from the date of issue. Current status is required for all clinical and practicum experiences.

TB skin test:

Submission of a recent negative TB skin test. If the skin test is positive, proof of a negative TB chest x-ray is required.

Immunization Record:

VCC School of Health Sciences Immunization Record must be completed.

Immunizations in the following are strongly recommended:

Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis
Polio
Measles, Mumps & Rubella
Varicella (Chicken pox)
Hepatitis B
Influenza
COVID-19

Clinical facilities may decline individual students for their placement if a student is unable to provide proof of immunizations or satisfactory serum titers and TB screening.

N95 mask:

Regulations stipulate that a properly fitted respiratory mask must be used when providing care to patients with suspected, known, or probable cases of acute respiratory infections. The respiratory mask must be a N95 respirator that is individually fitted by a trained and certified person. This individual mask fitting should be done just prior to beginning your program and is good for one year and must be performed annually. The original certificate must be presented to your program during the first week of classes.

Program Requirements

Plan of Study Grid
Term One		Credits
NURS 1001	Professional Communication 1	1
NURS 1002	Professional Practice 1	1
NURS 1003	Health Promotion 1	1
NURS 1004	Variations in Health 1	1.5
NURS 1005	Pharmacology 1	1
NURS 1006	Integrated Nursing Practice 1	4.5
NURS 1007	Consolidated Practice 1	3
	Credits	13
Term Two
NURS 2001	Professional Communication 2	1
NURS 2002	Professional Practice 2	1
NURS 2003	Health Promotion 2	1
NURS 2004	Variations in Health 2	1.5
NURS 2005	Pharmacology 2	1
NURS 2006	Integrated Nursing Practice 2	6
NURS 2007	Consolidated Practice 2	4
	Credits	15.5
Term Three
NURS 3001	Professional Communication 3	1
NURS 3002	Professional Practice 3	1
NURS 3003	Health Promotion 3	1
NURS 3004	Variations in Health 3	1.5
NURS 3005	Integrated Nursing Practice 3	4
NURS 3006	Consolidated Practice 3	2
	Credits	10.5
Term Four
NURS 4001	Professional Communication 4	1
NURS 4002	Professional Practice 4	1
NURS 4003	Health Promotion 4	1
NURS 4004	Variations in Health 4	2
NURS 4005	Integrated Nursing Practice 4	6
NURS 4006	Consolidated Practice 4	6.5
NURS 4007	Transition to Preceptorship	1
NURS 4008	Preceptorship	6
	Credits	24.5
	Total Credits	63.5

This guide is intended as a guideline only. The College reserves the right to make changes as appropriate.

Evaluation of Student Learning

Students’ progress in the classroom, nursing lab and clinical setting will be evaluated. Theoretical concepts may be evaluated through multiple choice exams, case studies and written assignments. Assessment of clinical practice will be based on mid-term and final evaluations.

The passing grade for all courses is 68% with exception of Pharmacology Theory at 80%; Math at 100%, and Integrated Nursing Practice theory at 75% and all practical components Satisfactory (S).

If a student fails a course, there is an opportunity to write one comprehensive supplemental exam per level (term) for a passing grade of 68%. Students are only eligible to write a supplemental exam if they are within 4% of the passing grade (i.e. If the passing grade is 68% then failing grades between 64-67% are eligible to write a supplemental.) No supplemental exam is allowed for a grade of lower than 64%.

If a course is not completed satisfactorily, a student may apply to repeat the course the next time it is offered, providing there is space available and the Department Head's approval is granted. Prior to returning, the student may be required by the PN Progressions Committee to complete and successfully pass one of the Success in Practical Nursing courses.

If a student is transferring into the PN program from another institution, the student will be required to complete and successfully pass one of the Success in Practical Nursing courses.

In the Practical Nursing Diploma program, a student may repeat only one course throughout the entire program. If a student fails two courses, they will exit the program. If there are extenuating circumstances, a nursing student may appeal to have this policy waived to allow for a second registration.

Note: All of the above is monitored by the Practical Nursing Department.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)

Prior learning assessment and recognition is not available for this program.

Transcript of Achievement

The evaluation of learning outcomes for each student is prepared by the instructor and reported to the Student Records Department at the completion of semesters.

The transcript typically shows a letter grade for each course. The grade point equivalent for a course is obtained from letter grades as follows:

Grading Standard

Transcript of Achievement
Grade	Percentage	Description	Grade Point Equivalency
A+	90-100		4.33
A	85-89		4.00
A-	80-84		3.67
B+	76-79		3.33
B	72-75		3.00
B-	68-71	Minimum Pass 68%	2.67
C+	64-67		2.33
C	60-63		2.00
C-	55-59		1.67
D	50-54		1.00
F	0-49		0.00
S		Satisfactory – student has met and mastered a clearly defined body of skills and performances to required standards	N/A
U		Unsatisfactory – student has not met and mastered a clearly defined body of skills and performances to required standards	N/A
I		Incomplete	N/A
IP		Course in Progress	N/A
W		Withdrawal	N/A
Course Standings
R		Audit. No Credits	N/A
EX		Exempt. Credit Granted	N/A
TC		Transfer Credit	N/A

Grade Point Average (GPA)

The course grade points shall be calculated as the product of the course credit value and the grade value.
The GPA shall be calculated by dividing the total number of achieved course grade points by the total number of assigned course credit values. This cumulative GPA shall be determined and stated on the Transcript at the end of each Program level or semester.
Grades shall be assigned to repeated courses in the same manner as courses taken only once. For the purpose of GPA calculation of grades for repeated courses, they will be included in the calculation of the cumulative GPA.

Academic Calendar