Program at a glance
Credential
Diploma
Work experience
Clinical/fieldwork placement
Study options
Full-time
Open to International
Yes
Area of study
Length
20 months
Show you care
Start in September
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 to 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 to 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.
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 valuable members of the health care team.
After graduation
After successful completion of the program, you will be eligible to write the Regulatory Exam-Practical Nursing (REx-PN) to apply for licensure to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in British Columbia.
Indigenous Limited Priority Admissions
The School of Health & Human Services (HHS) offers Priority Seating for Indigenous students in all Health related programs.
Visit Eyēʔ Sqȃ’lewen - Centre for Indigenous Education & Community Connections (IECC) for information on how to apply.
Any questions about the application process, please contact hhsindigenoussupport@camosun.ca
The Indigenous Limited Priority Admissions process, approved by the Board of Governors, supported by the Education Council, and approved by the BC Human Rights Tribunal, welcomes applications from all qualified Indigenous applicants.
What you'll learn
Current students wanting information about your program, go to student planning in myCamosun.
Program outline
For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the academic calendar.
What you'll learn
This full time diploma program 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 Regulatory Exam-Practical Nursing (REx-PN) to apply for licensure to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in British Columbia.
What to expect
The Practical Nursing Program is delivered over 20 consecutive months at Camosun’s Interurban campus. In each of the four theory terms you will take 5-6 courses each term. Class time and nursing practice hours are scheduled for a maximum of 25 hours per week. You will be expected to spend at least 3 to 4 hours on preparation, review, and studying per day.
Clinical placement locations and hours vary, but most are located within Greater Victoria and may include evenings and weekends.
PN program handbooks
Find current student information in the School of Health and Human Services and PN program handbooks.
Tuition and fees
Effective from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025
Estimated tuition
Tuition estimates are for the entire program.
Practical Nursing, Diploma
$16,453 (domestic)
$39,725 (international)
Domestic tuition fees vary depending on the individual course fees for the classes you select.
For International students visit: International Tuition & Fees.
Student fees
In addition to tuition estimates, student fees are calculated based on your enrolment. Refer to: Student Fees.
Financial assistance
You may need to find more than one source of funding to help pay for your education and living costs while attending college. Check out sources of money you don't need to pay back as well as those that need to be repaid.
Admission requirements
One of: One of: And all of: * Note: a C or higher in Anatomy and Physiology 12 is a pre-requisite for English Language Competency Requirements As English is the language of study in BC, students must meet English language proficiency at an appropriate level to be accepted into the provincial Practical Nursing program. These requirements can be satisfied through three years of full-time, face-to-face secondary or post-secondary education at an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction and is also one of the country's official languages. English as a Second Language/Additional Language courses are not included in this three-year calculation. Those not meeting this requirement must achieve scores identified in one of the two tests below: NOTE: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, students who are unable to complete an IELTS or CELBAN assessment may demonstrate English-language proficiency for the purpose of satisfying the entrance requirements for PN programs by achieving the following scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test: Home Edition (TOEFL Home):
When you apply you will need to submit proof that you meet the program admission requirements listed above. Where a letter grade is specified, you must have proof of that grade or higher.
For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar: Loading...
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Need help applying?
Find out more on How to Apply or speak to an Admissions Advisor.
Contact us
If you have admissions questions contact us today!
If you have any questions about what you can expect to learn in your Practical Nursing classes contact hhsinfo@camosun.ca
Faculty/staff profile
Ros Giles-Pereira
Chair, Continuing Care Department
pereira@camosun.ca
250-370-4767
Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness (CHW)
Full bio
Faculty/staff profile
Mercedes Schmidt
Program Leader
schmidtm@camosun.ca
250-370-4675
Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness
Full bio
Faculty/staff profile
Tona Andresen
Instructor
andresent@camosun.ca
250-370-4676
Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness
Full bio
Faculty/staff profile
Tracy Atkinson
Instructor
atkinsont@camosun.ca
250-370-4752
Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness
Full bio
Faculty/staff profile
Caitlan Gau
Instructor, Continuing Care
gauc@camosun.ca
250-370-4247
Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness (CHW)
Full bio
Faculty/staff profile
Vara Hagreen
Simulation Education Coordinator
hagreenv@camosun.ca
250-370-4253
Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness
Full bio
Faculty/staff profile
Cathy Josephson
Instructor
josephsonc@camosun.ca
250-370-4677
Aex and Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness (CHW)
Full bio
Faculty/staff profile
Learn more
For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the academic calendar.
Contact information
School of Health and Human Services
Campus location
Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness building (CHW), room 207
Location link
Admissions questions: