Program_Practical Nurse Diploma

Practical Nurse Diploma

The Practical Nurse Diploma program will prepare you to be an integral part of the health care system, providing high quality nursing care across the lifespan of patients. Our graduates are highly sought after and find employment in hospitals, continuing care agencies, community settings and other health-related areas.
Domestic Status:
Open
International Status:
Open
Next Start date:
Diploma
2 Years
Accepting International Students
Full-Time Part-Time Blended

About the Practical Nurse Diploma

Pursue a future that allows you to be enthusiastic and compassionate while making an impact in people’s lives. Enter this highly sought-after profession that provides holistic care to patients.  

In this program, you will learn to perform the knowledge and skills required to care for clients.

Inside the classroom, you will enjoy learning in high-fidelity simulation lab facilities that replicate real work environments. Outside the classroom, you will benefit from partnerships that promote enhanced practicum and learning experiences. Graduate ready for a career that will allow you to truly make a difference in the lives of others.   

This program prepares you to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) following graduation and successful completion of the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam.

In partnership with Campus Alberta Central (CAC), we offer the Practical Nurse program in several communities across Central Alberta utilizing hyflex, online, and face-to-face delivery methods. Please see the admissions tab for details regarding the next available community intake.  Additionally, the Practical Nurse program has partnered with Prairie College to offer our program in Three Hills. 

Work-integrated Learning

A variety of work-integrated learning experiences are available to students.  Learn more about the many types of experiential learning opportunities available at Red Deer Polytechnic through the Career Education and Experience Development Centre

Students in the Practical Nurse Diploma will participate in a practicum in a healthcare setting. 

Study Abroad

Make a world of difference. The RDP Abroad Practical Nursing Experience will provide students an opportunity to develop their skills abroad supporting local communities and organizations on the Caribbean Island of St. Lucia.  

Students attending this experience will develop general health promotion and educational material for local communities that meet localized individual needs. Through collaboration with local partners students will be immersed in a cultural educational experience during this experience. 

Intakes

Fall (Domestic) - Start Date: Sep 04, 2024
  • Application window:
    -
  • Registration start date:
  • Fee payment deadline:
  • First day of classes:
Fall (International) - Start Date: Sep 04, 2024
  • Application window:
    -
  • Registration start date:
  • Fee payment deadline:
  • First day of classes:

NOTES:  

  • International students have to pay their tuition deposit to receive their letters of acceptance
  • Important dates may change 

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for specific programs will often refer to Alberta Grade 12 course groups. Visit the Admission Requirements page for detailed group descriptions.   

International Students: If you are an international student or have completed your high school education outside of Alberta, please refer to our International Course Equivalencies page for information on how your coursework may align with our admission requirements. 

Eligibility for admission to the Practical Nurse program at Red Deer Polytechnic requires applicants to meet minimum academic requirements. Qualified applicants who meet all minimum requirements will be offered admission on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Academic Requirements  

Students applying to Practical Nurse must have a minimum of 60% in:    

  • ELA 30-1 

  • Biology 30 

And a minimum of 50% in:    

  • Math 30-1 or 30-2  

OR  

A minimum of 60% in: 

  • Math 30 Applied or 20-1  

OR 

A minimum of 70% in: 

  • Math 20-2 

Additional Requirements

Technology

Applicants are required to have either a MAC or a PC laptop that meet the following specifications: 

Laptop requirements: 

Apple Laptop 

Minimum requirement 

  • MacBook Air with 1.6 GHz dual-core Intel i5 processor, 128 Gb storage solid state, 4 Gb memory 

  • Web camera (built in or as peripheral) 

  • Microphone 

Windows Laptop 

Minimum requirement 

  • Laptop with 2.6 GHz dual-core Intel i5 processor, 128 Gb storage, 4 Gb memory and Windows 10 operating system 

  • Web camera (built in or as peripheral) 

  • Microphone 

 Software 

  • Latest version of Adobe Flash 

  • Google Chrome browser 

  • Microsoft Word * 

Other 

  • USB memory stick (Flash drive) 

  • 2 Micro SD cards and SD card reader 

 * Microsoft Word is used for several purposes. Students can either purchase and install the Microsoft Word application or install the free software client to use a Red Deer Polytechnic virtual desktop with the full Microsoft Office Suite of applications. 

English Language Proficiency

Applicants who declare English as a first language are exempt from ELP requirements. Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English Language Proficiency (ELP) for admission to credit programs by providing official documentation to the Office of the Registrar after an online application has been submitted. All ELP tests must have been obtained within two years of the date their program starts. ELP requirements are in addition to the other admission requirements noted above.  

Study Permits

Students with Study Permits that are admitted to a program that has a practicum or clinical placement in childcare, primary/secondary school teaching or health service field occupations must complete their Medical Authorization as required by Citizenship and Immigration Canada one month prior to the start of classes. 

Practicum

Practicum Travel - While every effort is made to consider student preferences for practicum location due to practicum availability students may be required to travel to locations outside of their preferences in the province of Alberta to complete the practicum requirements. These locations are located throughout the province of Alberta and students are required to provide their own transportation. (Please note practicum refers to either clinical or preceptorship courses). 

Health & Safety

Health workers are responsible to attain and maintain required health and safety certifications and maintain recommended immunization standards. 

For clinical and practicum placements, as a student of a Health program, you also are required to meet these standards of practice

These health and safety requirements do not need to be submitted as part of your application. However, failure to submit the required documents will affect your progression in your chosen program. 

View details about health & safety requirements for work-integrated learning (clinical or practicum) placements, including document submission deadlines.  

Prior Learning and Transfer

Nursing courses from other programs will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for prior learning. Students who are transferring into the program or students who have been out of the clinical area for an extended period of time may be required to pass a competency screen prior to admission to the program. 

Indigenous Learners

Designated Seats for Qualified Indigenous Applicants

The Practical Nurse Diploma program at Red Deer Polytechnic recognizes the need to facilitate access to post-secondary education for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners. In order to facilitate greater participation of Indigenous learners the Practical Nurse program has designated two seats per campus for applicants who are Status Indian/First Nations, Non-status Indian/First Nations, Metis or Inuit. Should no Indigenous applicants apply and meet the admission requirements for the designated seats, they will be released after June 1 for the Fall (September) term and October 1 for the Winter (January) term of each year to qualified applicants on the waitlist if one exists for the program. 

In accordance with the Constitution Act, 1982, Part II, Section 35(2) the applicant must meet the definition of Indigenous as an Indian, Inuit, or Métis person of Canada, or a person who is accepted by one of the Indigenous peoples of Canada as a member of their community. 

Indigenous applicants must meet the admission requirements for the program as outlined in the Academic Calendar and qualify for a designated seat by: 

  • Self-identifying as an Indigenous applicant on the Application for Admission. 

  • Providing proof of Indigenous ancestry. 

Proof of Indigenous ancestry (one of the following): 

  • Certified copy of a Status or Treaty card, Metis membership card, Nunavut Trust Certificate card, roll number or any other proof accepted by Inuit communities. 

  • Proof that an ancestor’s name has been entered in the Indian Register according to the Indian Act, band list of an individual band or the Inuit roll. 

  • Written confirmation of Indigenous ancestry from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. 

  • Statutory Declaration by an applicant attesting to Indigenous ancestry with supporting documentation. 

Other forms of proof may also be considered at the discretion of the Registrar. 

Program Cost

Students from Canada
Year 1
$6,016.50
Year 2
$9,339.50

These costs are an estimate of tuition and fees based on the recommended course load per year.       

NOTE: Additional fees apply. View here for a detailed, estimated breakdown of tuition, non-instructional mandatory fees, health and dental plan costs, and estimated textbooks and supplies costs.    

International Students
Year 1
$13,311.50
Year 2
$20,760.00

These costs are an estimate of tuition and fees based on the recommended course load per year.      

NOTE: Additional fees apply. View here for a detailed, estimated breakdown of tuition, non-instructional mandatory fees, health and dental plan costs, and estimated textbooks and supplies costs.     

Program Content

This program delivered over two academic years prepares the graduate to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) following graduation and successful completion of the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam. As a LPN, the graduate will provide nursing care in a variety of health care settings, such as hospitals, the community and other health care agencies. 

Graduation Requirements

You must pass all required courses and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. 

Continuation Requirements

Students who withdraw or fail a clinical course in the Practical Nurse program (PN 263, PN 268 and PN 275) will be required to complete INTP 303 prior to the next attempt of the clinical course.