Practical Nurse Professional Diploma
Delivery
Hybrid
(In-Person with Online Components)
Upcoming Intake
May 2026
- Employment Rate (2024-2025) 84%
- Graduation Rate (2024-2025) 92%
Overview
Transform your future with Columbia College’s Practical Nurse Professional Diploma Program, where cutting-edge curriculum meets real-world application. Our program not only lays a solid foundation of theoretical knowledge but also emphasizes practical skills in state-of-the-art labs and diverse clinical settings.
The Practical Nursing Professional Program is nationally accredited and approved by the College of Licensed Practical Nurses (CLPNA). It is designed to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge for a flourishing nursing career, and sets its graduates up to obtain licensure across any province across Canada.
Program Details
Graduating with a Practical Nurse Diploma from Columbia College positions you at the forefront of nursing care. Upon completing this program, you will:
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- Be thoroughly equipped with the skills necessary to perform detailed nursing assessments, provide all-encompassing care, and execute medical treatments effectively.
- Benefit from a program that prides itself on national accreditation and approval by the College of Licensed Practical Nurses (CLPNA). Our curriculum expertly blends classroom theory with hands-on lab skill development, supplemented by real-world practicum experiences across various healthcare settings.
- Be prepared to take Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE), you will be fully qualified for licensure with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta, opening doors to a rewarding nursing career.
- Be ready to obtain licensure in any province across Canada, ensuring your skills and knowledge are recognized nationwide.
Structure & Delivery
Our program offers a unique blend of online and on-site learning experiences, designed to provide comprehensive training in a structured and supportive environment. Important Note: The program cannot be completed entirely online. Students must be present in Calgary for in-person theory classes, all lab classes, and clinical placements.
Theory Classes (Hybrid: In-Person and Online/Virtual Classes)
Our theory classes are delivered via a hybrid distance learning model, combining in-person and online instruction through Microsoft 365 Teams.
Lab Classes (In-Person)
Complementing our theory classes, lab classes are conducted on-site at the college, ensuring you gain practical skills and experience in a controlled and professional setting
Clinical Placements
As part of the program, you will have clinical placements at designated sites. These placements are integral to your learning, allowing you to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world healthcare settings.
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- Students may need to complete clinical placements in various locations. Note that the program completion date may be adjusted based on the availability of these placements.
- The 722 hours of practical experience are scheduled according to the availability of clinical practicum placements provided by cooperating health care employers, which may include day, evening, night, and weekend shifts.
Class Scheduling:
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- Classes typically run from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday. Students should be prepared for potential evening and weekend classes.
- All courses, whether theory, lab, or clinical, follow a regular semester schedule. Online components are designed to mirror the time frame of face-to-face classes, ensuring a comprehensive and immersive learning experience.
- During your studies, you’ll engage in various interactive learning formats, including but not limited to interactive webinars, discussion forums, group work, and daily tests
Curriculum Focus & Facilitator to Student Ratios
To ensure student success, we provide a personalized learning experiences by Maintaining low Facilitator to Student ratios. You’ll experience focused attention and tailored guidance with ratios of:
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- 1:12 in lab settings
- 1:8 in practicum settings
- up to 27 students in Classroom settings
Course List
CPNP 101 Nursing Theory I
Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0
This course will provide the student with an introduction to various nursing theories. Utilizing the Allen/ McGill nursing process framework the student will develop an understanding of holistic nursing care. Prerequisite: None
CPNP 102 Anatomy and Physiology/ Microbiology
Hours: 80 Credits: 6.0
This course will focus on the normal structure and function of the body according to body systems. The role of microorganisms in health and illness are explored. Prerequisite: None
CPNP 103 Health & Wellness
Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0
The physical, social, mental, environmental, and spiritual aspects of personal health and wellness will be explored, within the context of the Canadian Health Care System. Prerequisite: Yr 1 Semesters I-V exception ENGL 110
CPNP 105 Nursing Lab I
Hours: 50 Credits: 4.0
In the nursing skills lab, utilizing the underlying theoretical principles, students will develop psychomotor nursing skills to provide safe competent care. The topics covered will include medical and surgical asepsis, client and personal safety.
Prerequisite: None
CPNP 107 Adult Health Assessment
Hours: 50 Credits: 4.0
The application of the knowledge of anatomy, physiology and microbiology applied to the skill of completing a holistic adult health assessment. Prerequisite: Yr 1 Semesters I-V exception ENGL 110, Corequisite: Anatomy, Physiology and Microbiology
CPNP 108 Clinical Experience: Continuing Care
Hours: 226 Credits: 6.0
Students will have experience in continuing care where they can assist clients with activities of daily living, implementing basic nursing knowledge, safety principles, and adult health assessment. Prerequisite: Yr 1 Semesters I-V exception ENGL 110
CPNP 109 Mental Health Nursing
Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0
Students will be introduced to psychiatric and mental health problems. Nursing assessment, planning, interventions and evaluation will be explored applying the Allen/McGill Nursing Model. Students will investigate opportunities for client teaching and community resource availability. Prerequisite: Yr 1 Semesters I-V exception ENGL 110
ENGL 110 Fundamentals of English Composition
Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0
ENGL 110 focuses on essay writing at the post-secondary level. Students will examine examples of good writing, do short summaries, participate in critical exchanges in an individual and group setting, and complete several short writing assignments covering a spectrum of styles and purposes. Prerequisite: None
CPNP 110 Pathophysiology
Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0
Students will develop a systemic understanding of common health care problems with a focus on the physiological alterations occurring with disease processes. Prerequisite: Yr 1 Semesters I & 2, Co-requisite: Nursing theory II, Nursing Lab II, Pharmacology
PSYC 107 Basic Concepts of Psychology
Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0
In this course, the student will understand the basic psychological principles, theories, applications and methodologies. Topics include the psychological study of human behavior, personality development, biological psychology, social psychology and abnormal psychology. Prerequisite: Yr 1 Semesters I-VII exception ENGL 110
CPNP 112 Nursing Theory II
Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0
Students will be involved in the application of the Allen /McGill Nursing Model to clients requiring medical and surgical interventions. Prerequisite: Yr 1 Semesters 1 and 2 exception ENGL 110, Co-requisite: Pathophysiology, Nursing Lab II, Pharmacology
ADPR 113 Team Building / Conflict Resolution
Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0
This course will focus on how to work cooperatively and communicate effectively with others in successful teams. The student will study group dynamics, explore strategies for forming teams, establishing team goals, using effective team behaviours, and acquiring team leadership. Students will also study various conflict management models. Prerequisite: Yr 1 Semesters I-VII exception ENGL 110
CPNP 113 Nursing Lab II
Hours: 50 Credits: 4.0
Students will develop nursing skills to provide safe competent care for patients requiring medical and surgical interventions.
Prerequisite: Yr 1 Semesters I and 2 exception ENGL 110, Co-requisite Pathophysiology, Nursing Theory II, Pharmacology
CPNP 117 Pharmacology
Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0
The pharmaco-dynamics of medications, the rationale for their use, and the expected results of the therapy are discussed, along with the development of the critical thinking skills to assess the need for and response to medication. Prerequisite: Yr 1 Semesters I and 2 exception ENGL 110, Co-requisite: Pathophysiology, Nursing Theory II, Nursing Lab II
CPNP 118 Nursing Theory III
Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0
Students will be exploring the application of the Allen /McGill Nursing Model with clients as they practice their critical thinking skills in assessment, planning, carrying out of interventions and evaluations in medication administration. Prerequisite: Yr 1 Semesters I-IV exception ENGL 110, Co-requisite Nursing Lab III
CPNP 119 Nursing Lab III
Hours: 50 Credits: 4.0
Students will, in a nursing lab, develop psychomotor nursing skills to provide safe, competent care, and safe medication administration utilizing theory based on the fundamental guidelines. Prerequisite: Yr 1 Semesters I-IV exception ENGL 110, Co-requisite: Nursing Theory III
CPNP 206 Professional Communication
Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0
Students will probe the communication process and professional communication skills. Communicating with clients with special needs, reporting, documenting, and teaching techniques will be discussed. Prerequisite: None
CPNP 213 Professional Ethics
Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0
This course of study permits the student to develop an understanding of what constitutes Professional Ethics. The course is a combination of theory, self-reflection and practical application. Prerequisite: Yr 1 Semesters I-VII exception ENGL 110
CPNP 214 Pediatric Nursing
Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0
Students will be introduced to pediatric health issues. Nursing assessment, planning, interventions and evaluation will be explored applying the Allen/McGill Nursing Model. Students will investigate opportunities for client teaching and community resource availability. Prerequisite: Year 1 (Semesters I-VI), exception ENG & PSYCH
CPNP 215 Maternity Nursing
Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0
Students will be introduced to family-centered needs in the childbearing family. Nursing assessment, planning, interventions and evaluation will be explored applying the Allen/McGill Nursing Model. Students will investigate opportunities for client teaching and community resource availability. Prerequisite: Year 1 (Semesters I-VII), exception ENG & PSYCH
CPNP 216 Community Health Nursing
Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0
Students will concentrate on nursing roles in different settings in the community. Prevention, primary care, influences on health, and nursing strategies will be discussed. Prerequisite: Yr 1 Semesters I-VII exception ENGL 110
CPNP 222 Clinical Experience: Acute Care
Hours: 242 Credits: 6.0
Students will have experience in an acute care setting where they can apply the nursing knowledge, including the application of critical thinking in nursing assessment, planning, carrying out of nursing interventions and evaluation of care, and medication administration for medical and /or surgical clients. Prerequisite: Year 1 (Semesters I-VII), Year 2 (Semesters I-II) Exception ENG & PSYCH
CPNP 223 Nursing Transitions
Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0
Students will explore the transition to the role as a graduate Practical Nurse. Issues such as continuing education, team skills, and leadership in the healthcare setting and community will be addressed. Prerequisite: Yr 1 Semesters I-VII, Yr 2 Semester I exceptions ENGL 110 & PSYC 110
225 Transition to Graduate Role
Hours: 254 Credits: 7.0
This clinical experience will be focused on transition to the graduate role. The practical nurse student will be using nursing and scientific knowledge and critical thinking skills acquired from first and second year courses. Under the supervision of professional health care personnel, the student is given an opportunity to function at a pre-graduate level focusing on graduate nursing practice in accordance with CLPNA scope of practice and agency policy. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Year 1 Semesters I-VIII (excluding ENGL110) and Successful completion of Year 2 Semesters I – VIII (excluding PSYC110)
Mastery of Learning
Mastery Learning in the Practical Nurse Program
Columbia’s Practical Nursing program is unique in Canada as it follows a Mastery Learning Model, providing up to 500 additional hours of free tutorials over 20 months. These tutorials, led by our faculty, help students strengthen competencies and work towards mastery. This resource has proven invaluable to our students. The Mastery of Learning Model is designed for your academic and professional success. Our program’s structure ensures that you receive the attention and support you need, with proactive monitoring of your academic progress and immediate tutorial assistance for students when they need it.
Mastery of Learning in essence: if you don’t achieve mastery level in tests and exams, our tutorials are here to guide you towards excellence.
Practicum Overview
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.
| Requirement | Due |
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Security Clearance
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Copy of Official PIC and VSS must be received prior to start of first clinical placement. |
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Up-to-date Immunization Record
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CPR Certification
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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. |
Career Outcomes
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
Check out the various rewarding careers for LPNs in Alberta here
Explore Program
Program Type
Diploma
Duration
20 Months
Hybrid Delivery
On Campus in Calgary, AB + Online Components
Intake Dates
January, May, September
Need to upgrade your skills to meet entry requirements?
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Connect with an Advisor
403-235-9300
Admission Requirements
For entry into the Practical Nursing Diploma Program, students can qualify through two pathways: Standard Admission or Mature Admission
Prospective students who are 18 years of age and under can apply through Standard Admission, meeting the following criteria:
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- Alberta high school diploma, verified by transcript, or non-Alberta equivalent,
- Minimum 60% in English 30-1 or 70% in English 30-2 or equivalent,
- Minimum 50% in Math 20-1 or 60% in Math 20-2 or equivalent,
- Minimum 60% in Biology 30 or equivalent.
Prospective students who are 19 years of age or older can apply through Mature Admission, meeting the following criteria:
- Have been out of high school for 1 year
- Have met academic English, Math and Biology requirements or successfully meet entry levels on the ACCUPLACER Assessment test or equivalent.
Additional Admission Requirements
Non-Academic Requirements
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- 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.
English Proficiency Requirements
Courses at Columbia College are taught in Canadian English. To qualify for admission, learners must demonstrate their language proficiency, typically through their high school or post-secondary transcripts, or through an academic assessment test.
Important Note: Students submitting transcripts to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements, may still be required to write Columbia’s ACCUPLACER Next-Generation assessment test after an admissions file review and formal interview with the Program Manager.
Pre-Practicum Requirements
The following requirements must be met prior the start of your program and/or practicum:
- Security Clearance
- Up-to-date Immunization Record
- Heart and Stroke BLS
- N95 Mask Fit Test
- Health and Wellness Status
See further details in the Practicum Overview section.
Other Information
Transcripts & Assessments
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 the ACCUPLACER 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
1: Review Program Information
Familiarize yourself with the program information to understand the qualities essential for student success.
2: Confirm Admissions Requirements
Verify that you meet all academic and non-academic admission requirements for the program.
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.
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.
5. Admissions Interview
- Arrange and attend your formal admissions interview as part of the application process.
- 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.
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.
Graduation Requirements
To graduate from this program, students must successfully complete all 26 Practical Nurse Courses with a G.P.A. of 2.3.
Tuition & Fees
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.
Transfer Credits
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.
Course Materials
For a full list of courses and course descriptions for this program
Meet our Faculty
For a full list of courses and course descriptions for this program
Meet our Faculty
Experienced facilitators and instructors that will guide you each step of the way.
Admissions Information
Start your application today! Applying early can improve your chances for admission.
