Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

To work as a licensed practical nurse in B.C., you need to register with the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives. Eligibility is achieved by completing a recognized practical nursing education program and successfully writing the Rex-PN regulatory exam.

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

To work as a licensed practical nurse in B.C., you may choose to become certified with the Canadian Nurses Association. Eligibility is achieved by being a registered nurse, psychiatric nurse, or nurse practitioner, work experience, and/or specialty education.

Licensed practical nurses

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

To work as a cardiopulmonary technologist in B.C., you may choose to be certified through the Canadian Association of Cardio-pulmonary Technologists. Eligibility is achieved by completing a Bachelor of Science degree, or by being a Registered Nurse, or holding a recognized Medical Technologies Registration, in addition to a minimum of 1800 hours in the field of pulmonary technology at a recognized institution.

Cardiopulmonary technologists

This instructional program class comprises any program not listed above that relates to Practical nursing, vocational nursing, and nursing assistants.

Practical nursing, vocational nursing and nursing assistants, other

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

To practice as a health care manager in B.C., you may need to register with the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM). Eligibility is achieved by completing a nursing program at a qualified institution, and sitting and passing the NCLEX-RN exam.

Employment as a manager in health care may require several years of related work experience, including supervisory experience.

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

To practice as a nurse in B.C., you must register with the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM). Eligibility is achieved by completing a nursing program at a qualified institution, and sitting and passing the NCLEX-RN exam.

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

To work as a health care manager in B.C., you may choose to become certified with the Canadian Nurses Association. Eligibility is achieved by being a registered nurse, psychiatric nurse, or nurse practitioner, work experience, and/or specialty education.

Employment as a manager in health care may require several years of related work experience, including supervisory experience.

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

To work as a registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse in B.C., you may choose to become certified with the Canadian Nurses Association. Eligibility is achieved by being a registered nurse, psychiatric nurse, or nurse practitioner, work experience, and/or specialty education.

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

To practice as a health care manager in B.C., you may need to complete the certifying examinations of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Eligibility is achieved through successful completion of a recognized program and the certifying examinations.

Employment as a manager in health care may require several years of related work experience, including supervisory experience.

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

To practice as a specialist in clinical and laboratory medicine, you must complete the certifying examinations of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Eligibility is achieved through successful completion of a recognized program and the certifying examinations.

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

To practice as a specialist in surgery, you must complete the certifying examinations of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Eligibility is achieved through successful completion of a recognized program and the certifying examinations.

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

To work as a health care manager in B.C., you may need to be registered with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC. Eligibility for dietitians is achieved by graduating from an approved program and examination.

Employment as a manager in health care may require several years of related work experience, including supervisory experience.

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

To practice as a physical therapist in B.C., you must register with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC. Eligibility is achieved through completion of an approved post-secondary program, successful writing of the Physiotherapy Competency Examination, and a clinical assessment.

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

To work as a health care manager in B.C., you may need to be registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia. Eligibility is achieved by graduating from an accredited medical school, writing the Medical Council of Canada qualifying exams, and completing a residency program.

Employment as a manager in health care may require several years of related work experience, including supervisory experience.

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

To practice as a clinical specialist in B.C., you must register with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia. Eligibility is achieved by graduating from an accredited medical school, writing the Medical Council of Canada qualifying exams, and completing a residency program.

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

To practice as a specialist in surgery in B.C., you must be registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia. Eligibility is achieved through enrolment in the UBC Faculty of Medicine.

Managers in health care

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

To practice as a nurse in B.C., you must register with the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM). Eligibility is achieved by completing a nursing program at a qualified institution, and sitting and passing the NCLEX-RN exam.

Employment as a nursing co-ordinator or supervisor requires related work experience.

Nursing coordinators and supervisors

Registered nurses

Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse Bachelor's Degrees

Access To Practical Nursing Diplomas

Licensed practical nurses provide nursing care usually under the direction of medical practitioners, registered nurses or other health team members. Operating room technicians prepare patients and provide assistance to medical practitioners prior to and during surgery. Licensed practical nurses are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centres, doctors' offices, clinics, companies, private homes and community health centres. Operating room technicians are employed in hospitals.

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

To work as a Health Care Assistant in B.C., you must register with the B.C. Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry. Eligibility is achieved by successfully completing a recognized HCA program.

Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates

Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations

Health Care Assistant Programs

The Access to Practical Nursing (APN) program is a bridging program that recognizes the completion of the Health Care Assistant Program and related work experience. Graduates of the program can apply to write the Canadian Practical Nurse Examination (CPNRE) for licensure as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). The CMTN Practical Nursing Access program meets or exceeds all Provincial education competencies required for Licensed Practical Nurse graduates and is accredited through British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).

Access to Practical Nursing Diploma

The Access to Practical Nursing Diploma prepares you with the knowledge, skills, judgments, and attitudes to perform to the full range of competencies as identified by the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of British Columbia (CLPNBC). The curriculum provides a learning experience that is integrated, professional, collaborative, and culturally sensitive with an aim to prepare graduates to care for individuals (and by extension, families of individuals) at multiple life stages and in a variety of practice settings. Consistent with the CLPNBC Entry to Practice Competencies for Licensed Practical Nurses, the focus for beginner's practice is care of clients with less complex and more predictable outcomes. Additionally, upon successful completion of the program, graduates will possess the competencies to successfully complete the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE).

The Access to the Practical Nursing program provides health care assistants with the bridging courses and training to enter the second year of NIC’s Practical Nursing program. Upon completion, you will begin level 3 of the Practical Nursing program. You will be able to earn their diploma in Practical Nursing in under 16 months. 

Access to Practical Nursing Pathway

The Access to Practical Nursing program prepares you to provide professional nursing care to individuals and families in a range of settings. Graduates of the program can apply to write the Regulatory Exam - Practical Nurse (REx-PN) for licensure as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). LPNs are hired in the community, continuing care and acute care hospital settings. The program is designed to build on the Health Care Assistant Certificate (HCA). If you complete or hold an HCA certificate, you may complete the APN program in 16 months rather than the direct entry Practical Nursing (PN) program which is 22 months.

The Access to Practical Nursing Diploma will allow you to gain skills, attitudes and judgment needed to perform in a career in health care, with learning experiences that are integrated, professional, collaborative and culturally sensitive.

Apply your previous training and experience as a Health Care Assistant (HCA) or Resident Care Attendant (RCA) to accelerate your practical nursing training with the Access to Practical Nursing diploma. Level Access provides the foundation for the development of nursing practice and introduces you to the healthy adult, the older adult and concepts related to aging and chronic illness in various settings. Level three examines a continuum of care in the community health setting and applies concepts from level one, two and three in the management of stable clients across the lifespan. Level four integrates knowledge from previous levels and examines concepts related to the care of the medical/surgical client. Each level is supported by a Consolidated Practice Experience (CPE) which reinforces the learning that has taken place within each level.

The Practical Nurse (PN) Diploma provides you with the theory and skills required to practice safe, competent and ethical nursing care that contributes to the comfort and well-being of others. You'll gain the theory and skills required to practice as a Practical Nurse within acute care, extended care, intermediate care, and community care settings. The two-year program includes four consolidated practice experiences and one preceptorship.

Educational Path

Access To Practical Nursing Diplomas

Programs

Careers