Practical Nurse Diploma for Internationally Educated Nurses

What to expect from the program

Nurses are currently in high demand in Canada. With competitive starting salaries, plenty of job opportunities, and the ability to work in a variety of settings, nursing is a fulfilling and sought-after career path.

The Practical Nurse for Internationally Educated Nurses program will prepare you to provide high-quality patient care while helping you strengthen your communication skills and English language proficiency. Students can expect:

• Collaborative classes
• Labs and simulations
• Workshops
• Innovative learning strategies

Through a combination of classroom, hands-on, and practicum experience, you will graduate with the knowledge and skills you need to write the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam and excel in your future nursing career.

Students are more likely to be successful in this program if they:

• are physically and emotionally able to manage workplace demands
• have access to a vehicle to travel to complete their clinical practice
• have access to a computer and Internet, and basic computer skills
• are able to demonstrate professional and ethical behaviour

Refer to the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta website for more information about becoming a licensed practical nurse.

Graduate with experience

During workplace practicums, you’ll gain hands-on training, solve real-world problems, work with an interdisciplinary healthcare team, and achieve valuable experience and employer connections. Work-integrated learning bridges the knowledge you learned in the classroom and labs with on-the-job training.

You’ll graduate with 435 hours of work experience through three practicums.

Clinical placements

You will work full-time during the practicum and provide your own transportation to the facility.

• The instructor-led clinical placement (NPRT 1001) will occur in the Edmonton area for a four-week rotation. Your schedule may include days or evenings on weekdays.
• Your preceptored clinical placement (NPRT 2006 and NPRT 2007 ) may be arranged in or close to your community. Your schedule may include day, evening, or night shifts any day of the week, including weekends and holidays.

Prior Learning Assessment Recognition

NorQuest provides Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (PLAR) for students in this program. Have your skills and knowledge in nursing assessed and, if successful, gain credits without having to take courses in full. PLAR allows you to save money and time as you complete the Practical Nurse Diploma for Internationally Educated Nurses.

Learn more

Program Deliveries

• Blended: The blended option provides lectures and theory components in online real-time, online anytime, in person, and/or hyflex. All courses will be scheduled in the option that best suits the schedule. Labs and clinicals are delivered in person at the Edmonton campus.

Career opportunities

Practical nurses find jobs in acute care hospitals, continuing care centres, community care settings, client homes, clinics, or doctors' offices.

For more information on related careers see:

• ALIS OCCinfo occupational profiles
• ALIS WAGEinfo salary info

What to expect as a practical nurse

Applicants should assess their ability to fulfill the demands of the practical nurse occupation.

As a practical nurse, you must be able to:

• work shifts and weekends
• be on your feet for extended periods of time
• use your knees, back, and arms to move clients who have minimal body strength
• provide care to support people of various diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, gender identities, sexual preferences, and socio-economic status
• function effectively in stressful situations
• perform all skills independently