Practical Nurse Professional Diploma Program

Columbia’s Practical Nurse Professional Program students have consistently achieved some of the best results in Canada. Our reputation for graduating highly competent professionals is something we are very proud of. This program is one of the few in North America that follows a Mastery Learning Model.

• This is a full-time, 2 year diploma program that is completed in 80 weeks (approximately 20 months).
• Classes are normally scheduled to run between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. During the program, students should be prepared to attend classes that may be scheduled in the evenings and on weekends.
• Designed to give students Practical Nursing theory and clinical experience in continuing care and acute care
• Practicums (clinical) will be scheduled according to the co-operating health care employer’s availability of clinical practicum placements. This means that the 722 hours of practical experience may be scheduled during the day, evening, night and/or weekends.
• Clinical placements will need to be scheduled in alternative locations. The College may be required to delay the date of completion until a clinical placement can be arranged.
• In the lab, the facilitator to student ratio is 1:12. In the practicum, the facilitator to student ratio is 1:8. In the classroom, the class sizes may be up to 27 students.

Mastery Learning in the Practical Nurse Program

Columbia’s Practical Nurse Diploma Program students have consistently achieved some of the best results in Canada. Our reputation for graduating highly competent professionals is something we are very proud of. This program is the only one we have found in Canada that follows a Mastery Learning Model.

Columbia’s Mastery Learning Model provides students with up to 500 additional hours of free Mastery Learning tutorials over the course of the 20 month program. The tutorials provide learners with support from faculty, who work with them on strengthening competencies and skills and working towards mastery. Our free tutorials have proven to be an excellent resource for the students.

Practical Nurse Olympic Games

Columbia College follows an Olympic Games approach in the delivery of 4 hour Gamification sessions once a week when required. The sessions are delivered using a fun-based approach to support student learning, by using a series of nursing-related activities to build and consolidate the knowledge and skills they have acquired in their regular courses throughout the preceding week.

The Olympic Games sessions were added to the nursing program to help ensure that students moving into field-based practicums are able to recall information learned earlier in the program. This strategy and delivery is aimed to greatly increase their confidence, ability to perform in a nursing role, and successfully complete the program.

Theory and lab classes will be delivered through a hybrid distance learning model, which includes a combination of in-person and online instruction using the Microsoft 365 Teams platform. Please note that this program cannot be completed entirely online. Students must be physically present in Calgary for the in-person portion of the theory classes, all lab classes, and clinical placements.

Every effort is being made to ensure that each course will continue to be offered during its regular semester and to be delivered within the same timeframe as a traditional in-person class.

Classes may consist of, but are not limited to:

• Interactive webinars
• Discussion forums
• Group work
• Daily tests

Upcoming Semester:
Columbia College remains committed to enrolling students for the upcoming intake. In line with the recommendations of Alberta Health Services, certain aspects of the program may be delivered via distance learning. If you have any inquiries regarding the next intake, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are looking forward to hearing from you.

Students can apply for admission into the Practical Nurse Professional program through either Standard Admission or through Mature Admission. Please review the two types of admission below to see which type fits your circumstances.

Mature Admission

Students who do not meet the academic requirements listed below (either fully or partially) can apply through academic assessment.  Academic assessment students must meet the following:

• Be 19 years old of age or older
• Out of high school for 1 year
• Successfully meet the entry levels on Columbia College’s Accuplacer assessment test or equivalent (See Academic Proficiency Requirements)

OR

Standard Admission

• Alberta high school diploma, verified by transcript, or non-Alberta equivalent,
• English 30-1 with minimum final mark of 60% or 70% in English 30-2 or equivalent
• Credit in Math 20-1 or 60% in Math 20-2 or equivalent
• Biology 30 with minimum final mark of 60% or equivalent

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

Additional Admission Requirements (for both Standard and Mature Admissions)

• Attend Columbia College’s Practical Nurse Professional Program Orientation prior to the start of the program.
• Admissions interview(s) to determine suitability for the profession and opportunity for success in the program.
• Meet all non-academic requirements.

Do I need to submit a transcript? Or take the Assessment Test?

Transcripts can be difficult to obtain, and may not always be approved if they are old, if the grades are low, or if it’s unclear how the courses align with the admission requirements. Please note the following:

• Courses / Tests completed older than 2 years may not be accepted;
• Unofficial transcripts can be submitted, but official transcripts may be requested by the Office of the Registrar to have on file in order for program registration to be official;
• 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).

Applicants should direct any transcript questions they may have to transcripts@columbia.ca.

Please note that students who are uncertain about their transcripts can choose to apply by taking the Columbia College Admission Assessment test. Students who enter through the admission assessment test are not required to submit transcripts as part of their admission application.

Important Note: Transcripts can be difficult to obtain, and may not always be approved if they are old, if the grades are low, or if it’s unclear how the courses align with the admission requirements. Please note the following:

• Courses / Tests completed older than 2 years may not be accepted;
• Unofficial transcripts can be submitted, but official transcripts may be requested by the Office of the Registrar prior to a final decision being made;
• 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).

Applicants should direct any transcript questions they may have to transcripts@columbia.ca.

Please note that students who are uncertain about their transcripts can choose to apply by taking the Columbia College Admission Assessment test. Students who enter through the admission assessment test are not required to submit transcripts as part of their admission application.

English Proficiency Requirements

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

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 their 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.

Competitive Entry: Six Step Process

Step 1: Read the program information to see the qualities needed for student success.

Step 2: Ensure that you meet all of the academic and non-academic admission requirements.

Step 3: Review the selection information to understand the process and deadlines

• Applications and proof of the admission requirements along with all supporting documents must be submitted to be included in selection.
• Selection will begin four months prior to the start date of the program and will done on a continuous basis until the program is full.
• In the selection process, qualified applicants will be ranked according to their program suitability following a review of the entire application (including the formal interview). Selection is ‘not’ based strictly on prior academic achievement. Applicants will be offered admission or placed on the waitlist. Columbia College reserves the right to grant or refuse admission to any applicant.

Step 4: Apply to the program and submit your transcripts and other supporting documentation (ie. transcripts if applicable).

Step 5: Schedule and complete your formal admissions interview.

Step 6: Continue to monitor changes to your application status and any outstanding admission requirements through correspondence with your admissions advisor.

Communication during selection

Email is the primary source of communication during the selection process. Ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications. We recommend you add the Columbia.ca domain to your safe senders list or you risk missing critical email messages. An up-to-date phone number is also strongly recommended for times when email correspondence is unsuccessful.

While you wait

If you’ve been accepted into the Practical Nurse program, you can complete some courses (if available) while you wait for your program to begin. These include:

• ENGL110 Fundamentals of English Composition
• PSYC110 Basic Concepts of Psychology