Practical Nurse Professional Diploma Program

OR: Successful completion of an Alberta Education English Language Arts course that is consistent with the specified academic admission requirements for the program

OR: Successful completion of three years of full-time secondary education at a school where English was the language of instruction

OR: Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of one year of full-time post-secondary education at a school where English was the language of instruction

OR: Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of a post-secondary level English course with a minimum grade of a C (65%) or equivalent

Note: Students who submit transcripts to meet the English Language Proficiency requirement may still be required to write the Academic Assessment Test as a result of reviewing their admissions file and a formal interview with the Program Manager.

Math Proficiency Requirements

OR: Successful completion of an Alberta Education Math course that is consistent with the specified academic admission requirements for the Career Program

OR: Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of an equivalent Math course in a College Prep or Academic Upgrading program from a recognized and accredited institution

Science Proficiency Requirements

OR: Credit obtained for an Anatomy and Physiology, Biology, or Medical Terminology course at a post-secondary accredited institution (may be through Columbia’s College Prep program)

* In some circumstances, students may be conditionally admitted into the Practical Nurse program provided they successfully complete CPNP102 within their first two semesters.

Travel and Placement Availability

• Students must be prepared to travel to various locations for clinical and practicum placements.
• Placements are provided as available. While every effort is made to accommodate within the program timeframe, delays may occur if a placement isn’t immediately available.

Practicum Requirements:

The following requirements must be met prior the start of your program and/or practicum. Important: Failure to meet these requirements can jeopardize your ability to complete the practicum portion of the program, potentially leading to withdrawal.

• Security Clearance
  • Your Police Information Check (PIC) with Vulnerable Sector Search (VSS) should be applied for at the start of your program.
  • Unclear PIC or VSS may lead to an assessment to determine practicum or program eligibility.
    • Due: Copy of Official PIC and VSS must be received prior to start of first clinical placement.

• Up-to-date Immunization Record: Proof of updated immunization status is required prior to attending practicum.
  • Rubella vaccination is mandatory.
    • Due: Proof of Rubella vaccination must be received prior to completing enrollment contract and attending orientation.
  • Annual influenza vaccinations are mandatory.
    • Due: Proof of vaccination must be received prior to start of first clinical placement.
  • Other immunizations are strongly recommended.
• CPR Certification
  • Current Heart and Stroke Foundation Health Care Provider Level (C) CPR, renewed annually.
  • Only certifications from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada are accepted.
    • Due: Proof of annual CPR certification before beginning practicum placement.
• N95 Mask Fitting
  • To be completed prior to your first clinical placement. Details provided during orientation.
• Health and Wellness Status
  • Students with medical conditions or disabilities that may affect practicum performance should consult with the Program Chair or Admissions Advisor.

Test/Transcript Validity

Obtaining transcripts can sometimes present challenges, and their acceptance may be influenced by various factors. It’s important to be aware that transcripts may not be approved under certain conditions, such as if they are outdated, the grades do not meet the required standards, or if its unclear how they align with our admission requirements. Please consider the following points:

• Test/Transcript results are valid for two years from the day of testing or completion of a course.
• Official results must be submitted.
• Results that expire prior to the start date of the program may not be accepted, but will still be reviewed by the Registrar’s Office for consideration.
• Students with transcripts from an international institution who are looking to apply with their transcripts are encouraged to have their education assessed through the ‘International Qualifications Assessment Service‘ (IQAS).
• For questions regarding transcripts, please contact us at transcripts@columbia.ca

Admissions Assessment Test

• For students uncertain about their transcript eligibility, you have the option to apply by taking Columbia’s ACCUPLACER Next-Generation Assessment Test.
• Opting for this route exempts you from the need to submit transcripts as part of your application, providing a streamlined admission process.

Competitive Entry: Six Step Process

• Step 1: Review Program Information
  • Familiarize yourself with the program information to understand the qualities essential for student success.
• Step 2: Confirm Admissions Requirements
  • Verify that you meet all academic and non-academic admission requirements for the program.
• Step 3: Understand the Selection Process
  • Thoroughly review the selection information to comprehend the process and associated deadlines.
  • Note that submission of applications, proof of admission requirements, and all supporting documents are prerequisites for consideration in the selection process.
  • The selection commences four months before the program start date and continues until all spots are filled.
  • During the selection phase, applicants are evaluated and ranked based on their overall suitability for the program, which includes a review of the complete application and a formal interview. Admission decisions are not solely based on academic achievements. Qualified candidates may be offered a spot in the program or placed on the waitlist. Columbia College retains the discretion to accept or decline any application.
• Step 4: Application Submission
  • Apply to the program and ensure submission of your transcripts and any other required supporting documents.
  • Applicants have the flexibility to initiate their application process either online or in person at the College.
  • Please note that an application fee is required at the time of submission, and processing of the application will commence upon receipt of this fee. 
• Step 5: Admissions Interview
  • Arrange and attend your formal admissions interview as part of the application process.
• Step 6: Monitor Application Status
  • Stay informed about any changes to your application status and fulfill any outstanding admission requirements by maintaining communication with your admissions advisor.

Communication During the Selection Process

• Email serves as the primary communication channel. To ensure you receive all communications, manage your email account properly and consider adding the @columbia.ca domain to your safe sender’s list to prevent missing crucial information.
• Additionally, keeping your phone number updated is highly recommended for instances where email communication may not suffice.

While You Wait

• If you’ve been accepted into the Practical Nurse program and are awaiting its commencement, you have the option to enroll in certain courses.
• Available courses may include ENGL110 Fundamentals of English Composition and PSYC110 Basic Concepts of Psychology.

For a full list of courses and course descriptions for this program, please click here.

Transferring Credits from Columbia to another Post Secondary Institution 

Transfer opportunities are available at numerous degree-granting institutions throughout Alberta, across Canada, and internationally. These opportunities enable graduates to apply credits from completed courses towards a bachelor’s degree, potentially shortening the duration and cost of their further education.

Please note the following:

• The institution to which you intend to transfer has the final say on the acceptance and applicability of transfer credits.
• It’s crucial to consult with your prospective institution before initiating your studies at Columbia College to understand their policies and requirements regarding transfer credits.

Transferring Credits to Columbia’s Practical Nurse Program

For detailed guidance on applying for transfer credits and to understand the specifics of the process, please reach out to an admissions advisor today. We would be happy to answer any questions.

Plan your future with clarity with our transparent tuition and general fees structure, effective from August 1 each year. For detailed information about tuition, fees, and costs associated with the program please visit our Tuition and Fees Page.

Additional Fees

In addition to program tuition and fees, students student may incur additional fees. The below fees are an approximation.

• Uniforms and duty shoes: $300
• Current Heart & Stroke Foundation Health Care Provider Level (C) CPR: $85
• CPNRE: $700
• Immunizations: $240
• N95 Mask Fit: $45

Refund of Tuition Fees

Please refer to the Student Contract of Tuition form for details of tuition refund policy. This form and more details regarding our refund policy are available from your Admissions Advisor. 

Tutoring is available for students. If you require tutoring, please contact your Program Chair or Coordinator.

To graduate from this program, students must successfully complete all 26 Practical Nurse Courses with a G.P.A. of 2.3.

In Alberta, Licensed Practical Nurses can expect to make between $27 to $36 per hour, with opportunities for advancement as they become specialized in their respective fields. Graduates of this program work in a variety of settings which include:

• Acute care centres
• Continuing care facilities
• Assisted living facilities
• Doctors’ offices
• In the community providing Home Care

The following is a list of organizations that have hired graduates of this program:

• Alberta Health Services
• Foothills Medical Centre
• Alberta Children’s Hospital
• Rockyview General Hospital
• Peter Lougheed Hospital
• Carewest
• Revera
• Bayshore
• Wing Kei Centre
• Intercare
• Bethany
• Brylu Staffing
• Nurse Next Door
• The Brenda Strafford Trust