Nursing Degrees Online

Semester 1
• College Success Skills
• Health Education: Personal Health and Wellness
• English Composition
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Interpersonal Relationships and Communication Skills
• Adult Health Assessment
• Nursing Theory I: Basics
• Nursing Science Lab I: Basics

Semester 2
• Applied Pharmacology
• Pathophysiology
• Nursing Theory II: Intermediate
• Nursing Science Lab II: Intermediate
• Clinical Experience: Continuing Care
• Introduction to e-Portfolio

Semester 3
• Applied Pharmacology
• Pathophysiology
• Nursing Theory II: Intermediate
• Nursing Science Lab II: Intermediate
• Clinical Experience: Continuing Care
• Introduction to e-Portfolio

Semester 4
• Maternity Nursing
• Mental Health Nursing
• Pediatric Nursing
• Introduction to Sociology
• Transition to Graduate Nursing
• Pre-Grad Practicum I: Community and Focus (3 weeks)
• Pre-Grad Practicum II: Comprehensive
• Career Skills Evaluation

100% OF BOW VALLEY COLLEGE PRACTICAL NURSE GRADUATES ARE EMPLOYED IN HEALTH CARE!

Practical Nurse Diploma Program educates you to enter one of the most highly respected and in demand careers in health care today. If you enjoy a challenge and have a desire to work in a dynamic environment a professional career in Practical Nursing is for you.

Practical Nurses work in an inter-professional practice health team assisting clients to meet their physical, emotional and psychological needs. As a member of the health care team you will provide, daily living activities, administer medications, provide medical treatment, perform assessments and create a safe, comfortable environment for their clients.

At Bow Valley College the Practical Nurse Diploma Program can be completed in just 17 months. Upon successful completion of the program and the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE) you are eligible for licensure with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA).

Academic Requirements:
• 60% or better in English 30-1 (30) or 70% or better in English 30-2 (33).
• 60% or better in Pure Math 20, Math 20, Applied Math 30 or Math 33

Or:

70% or better in Applied Math 20 or Math 23.
• 60% or better in Biology 30 or 60% in Bow Valley College’s Anatomy and Physiology/ Microbiology.
• A Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from a recognized Canadian post-secondary institution will be recognized in lieu of the above requirements. Certificates and diplomas from Alberta Advanced Education approved post-secondary institutions will be considered on an individual basis by the Practical Nurse Program Coordinator.
• Applicants whose first language is not English must present a minimum score of 560 written, or 220 on the computer, on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam. An assessment of applicants’ skills in listening and speaking English may also be required. Or complete the Bow Valley College EAP program with a grade of “B”.
• All applicants educated outside of Canada must also demonstrate that they have successfully completed the English Language, Mathematics and Science academic requirements specified above. All foreign transcripts must be assessed by the International Qualifications Assessment Service.
• Up-to-date immunization required.
• Minimum 18 years of age.
• CPR Level C Basic Rescuer.
• Criminal record check.
• The Practical Nurse program is very demanding and requires that you have the mental and physical stamina to succeed. The demands of a job as a Licensed Practical Nurse will require you 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 strength;
• function effectively in stressful situations;
• work unassisted to perform skills.
• It is strongly advised that applicants have computer access with word processing and Internet capabilities.
• Must show certificate of attendance to a medical terminology course – this is also available through Continuing Education in Bow Valley College.

Should you require further information about our admissions policy, please contact Student Services at (403) 410-1400.

If you want to provide high-quality nursing, but you don’t have the time to devote to full-time studies, the part-time Practical Nurse Certificate is for you. Practical Nurses help clients with daily living activities, perform assessments, provide prescribed medical treatments and create safe, comfortable environments for individuals, families and communities.
Our Practical Nurse Certificate educates you to provide high quality nursing care in hospitals, continuing- and community-care facilities and other health-related institutions.

The part-time Practical Nurse Certificate is offered over two and a half years and is designed for individuals who are currently working. The delivery format includes home study, online, classroom and lab study, peer study groups, and clinical work experience in a variety of health care settings.
If you have previous health care experience, you may be able to receive credit for your prior learning. Prior Learning Assessments can be arranged to help you identify and demonstrate your prior learning and receive program credits.

Note: Every effort is made to accommodate students in clinical placements within the time frame of the program. In some cases, students may be required to complete their clinical placements during evening and weekend hours or by traveling to alternative locations. In rare instances, the College may need to delay the date of completion until a clinical placement can be arranged.

Under no circumstances are students allowed to participate in clinical placements without submission of a current security clearance. The existence of a criminal record may prevent clinical placement, program completion, professional licensure and therefore, may affect employment prospects.

If you are a Health Care Aide and are interested in the Practical Nurse
Program, check out the College’s PN Bridge Program. The following
two courses will provide you with the high school English and Math
requirements for entry into the PN Bridge Program, if you don’t currently
possess them.

College Preparation English for PN

College Preparation English for Practical Nurses provides students
with an effective skills base for success in the Practical Nursing
program. It develops proficiency in writing and composition, grammar
and mechanics, studying and utilizing basic medical terminology,
critical thinking, study and time management, research, and source
acknowledgement. Students will read and analyze a range of texts
and will respond to them in a variety of ways, with an emphasis on
functional readings and writings.

College Preparation Math for PN

College Preparation Math for Practical Nurses provides students with
a solid foundation of the mathematical skills required of health care
workers. The course will build skills in whole numbers, fractions,
decimals, ratio, proportion, percent and basic algebraic manipulations
and will facilitate the learning of calculation techniques (manual and
calculator) from a health care perspective. This course will prepare
students for success in the mathematical components of the Practical
Nurse Program.

If you are hoping to become a Practical Nurse, but don’t have all the
entry requirements, these four-month upgrading courses may be for
you. Get the fast track into the Practical Nurse program with immediate
admission upon successful completion of this course. You can also
challenge one or two courses in the Practical Nurse program itself and
earn advanced credits.

Prerequisites:
• English 20-1 (60%), English 20-2 (70%) or English 30-2 (60%)
• Biology 20 (65%) or Biology 30 (50%)
• Pure Math 10 (60%) or Applied Math 10 (70%), Applied Math 20 (60%)

Start dates: Sept. 2, 2008, Jan. 7, 2009 & May 5, 2009

Fees: $1,491.00 per semester/$497.00 per course, plus non-refundable fees
(All students eligible for awards or bursaries)