Practical Nurse Diploma for Internationally Educated Nurses

Program requirements for January 2025

Academic requirements

Diploma or degree in a healthcare field from an accredited institution outside of Canada

English language proficiency requirements

This program is designed for internationally educated healthcare professionals that have a desire to obtain nursing designation in Canada. If English is your second language, you must provide proof of English language proficiency before admission. These results must be no more than two years old when you start your program.

Test scores we accept:

IELTS Academic: no score below 7.5 in listening, 7 in speaking, 6.5 in reading, 7 in writing
TOEFL iBT: 94
CELBAN: no score below 10 in listening, 8 in speaking, 8 in reading, 7 in writing
minimum of 50% in ESLG 1860 and ESLG 1861

If you do not yet meet the English language proficiency requirements of the Practical Nurse for Internationally Educated Nurses program, there is an opportunity to take English language courses in your first term. Test scores we accept for this English language stream of the program are:

IELTS Academic: no score below 6 in listening, speaking, reading, and writing
TOEFL iBT: 71
CELBAN: no score below 7 in listening, speaking, reading, and writing
minimum of 80% in ESLS 7000 or ESLS 7100, and 80% in ESLW 7000 or ESLW 7100
Duolingo: 110

Practicum/work experience requirements

Before you attend your first practicum, you will need:

to successfully complete all prerequisite courses.
the following courses. Certificates will be awarded upon completion:
- WHMIS: XBUS 1017 (current within three years)
- BLS (CPR): XHLT 1200 (current within one year)
- It's Your Move: XHLT 1070 (current within one year)
- HPBE: XHLT 1023 (current within three years)
a clear Police Information Check. A Vulnerable Sector Check is also needed if you are over 18 years of age.
an up-to-date immunization record.
to complete the AHS or Covenant Health information & privacy online learning module.
to complete the HSPNet consent form.
N95 mask fit testing (current within two years).

There may be costs associated with completing these requirements. See Completing work, practicum, and clinical requirements for details and further instructions.

International students: You must get a co-op work permit before beginning the work-integrated learning component of the program. A medical exam may also be needed. See Co-op work permit for more information.

Progression and graduation

Students must receive a passing grade in each course to progress through the program. To remain in good academic standing, a minimum term grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 and a passing grade in all Pass/Fail courses (no WF or F) is required.

The Academic Standing Policy and Procedure provide further details on the categories of academic standing, and the consequences and supports available if a student is not in good academic standing.
A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 in the program’s courses is required to qualify for graduation. The program must be completed within five years of your start date.

Honours criteria

Overall grade point average (GPA) greater than or equal to 3.7
The student must not have failed or repeated any courses

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