Practical nurse
Learn more about job duties and employment prospects, including job openings and salary expectations.
Explore program options in nursing and learn how you can get the education and training needed.
Interested in working in B.C.'s healthcare field as a Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Nurse, or Registered Psychiatric Nurse? As the province's population grows and ages, the demand for nurses is increasing.
Some nursing programs allow for direct entry from high schools while some require additional certification and experience.
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) provide nursing care usually under the direction of medical practitioners, registered nurses, or other health team members. LPNs may work as Operating Room Technicians to prepare patients and provide assistance to medical practitioners prior to and during surgery.
Visit the Licensed practical nurse career page to explore more about this career such as job duties, annual salary, job openings, and more.
A LPN completes a two-year nursing program either by Direct Entry to Practical Nursing (from high school) or by Access to Practical Nursing.
The Access to Practical Nursing program is designed to build on the Health Care Assistant (HCA) Certificate. Students who complete or hold an HCA Certificate (or equivalent) may access/bridge-in to the second year of Practical Nursing Diploma.
Registered nurses (RNs) and registered psychiatric nurses (RPNs) provide nursing care to patients, clients and those in long-term care.
Visit the Registered nurse career page, and the Registered psychiatric nurse career page to explore more about this career such as job duties, annual salary, job openings, and more.
To become a RN, you typically must complete a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) or equivalent, however, there are different entry options for BScN programs in B.C.: Basic Entry to Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Licensed Practical Nurse Access to Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
These programs allow Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) to access/bridge-in to the second or third year of a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program. Among other program-specific requirements, you must be currently registered and licensed as a full scope LPN in B.C.
Licensed Practical Nurses are employed in:
Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses are employed in:
Licensed practical nursing job titles:
Registered nursing job titles:
Registered psychiatric nursing job titles:
and many more!
Learn more about job duties and employment prospects, including job openings and salary expectations.
Learn more about job duties and employment prospects, including job openings and salary expectations.
Learn more about job duties and employment prospects, including job openings and salary expectations.
WATCH VIDEO
Find Your Path is a personalized, interactive education and career planning tool that allows users to choose an area of interest, and easily navigate different paths that connect post-secondary programs, skills training, and careers.
Check out this video to learn more about the practical nursing path, then further explore on your own:
Both high school and post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
High school graduation or equivalent
English 12 (C+) or equivalent
Math 11 (C) or equivalent
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Biology: PNUR 101 (C+) or equivalent*
*Note: Anatomy and Physiology 12 (C) is a pre-requisite for PNUR 101.
Both high school and post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Additional admission requirements:
Both high school and post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
* Recommended to take:
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
* Recommended to take:
Additional admission requirements:
Both high school and post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
*Note: This is necessary to be permitted to progress in to Variations in Health 1, Health Promotion 1, Pharmacology 1, Integrated Nursing Practice 1 and Consolidated Nursing Practice 1.
Additional admission requirements:
Both high school and post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Additional admission requirements
Both high school and post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable)
Additional admission requirements
Both high school and post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
*Note: Biology 12 is a pre-requisite for PNUR 113
Additional admission requirements:
High school requirements are needed to apply to this program.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Additional admission requirements:
Both high school and post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
*Note: Anatomy and Physiology 12 (60%) is a pre-requisite for PNUR 1300.
Both high school and post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Additional admission requirements:
Both high school and post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Additional admission requirements:
Both high school and post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
*Recommended to have:
Additional admission requirements:
Access to Practical Nursing Diploma
Both high school and post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Additional admission requirements:
Access to Practical Nursing Pathway
Both high school and post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Additional admission requirements:
*Note: Applicants with 600 hours of experience in a Home Care setting may be admitted with an agreement to complete an additional day of education focusing on specific skills
Access to Practical Nursing Diploma
Both high school and post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Additional admission requirements:
*Note: Working in a home care environment where one person is cared for at a time does not meet the requirement
Access to Practical Nursing Diploma
Both high school and post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Additional admission requirements:
Access to Practical Nursing Diploma
Both high school and post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
*Note: Biology 12 is a prerequisite for PNUR 113.
Additional admission requirements:
Access to Practical Nursing Diploma
High school requirements and post-secondary are needed to apply to this program.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Additional admission requirements:
Practical Nursing Diploma – Access Option
High school requirements and post-secondary are needed to apply to this program.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
*Recommended to take:
Additional admission requirements:
Nursing: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Both high school and post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Additional admission requirements:
Nursing: Bachelor of Science Degree (BSN)
Either high school requirements or post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program. You will complete the first 2.5 years at Camosun College, then transfer to UVic for the final 1.5 years.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Nursing: Bachelor of Science Degree (Northern Collaborative Baccalaureate Nursing Program)
High school requirements are needed to apply to this program. You will complete the first two years at Coast Mountain College, then transfer to UNBC for the final two years.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Additional admission requirements:
High school requirements are needed to apply to this program. This program contains first year courses that may be used toward Bachelor of Nursing Degree programs.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Nursing: Bachelor of Science Degree (Northern Collaborative Baccalaureate Nursing Program)
High school requirements are needed to apply to this program.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Additional admission requirements:
Nursing: Bachelor of Science Degree (Bridge to UVic)
High school requirements are needed to apply to this program. You may take the full degree at College of the Rockies, or transfer to UVic after 2.5 years to finish your degree.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Additional admission requirements:
Academic Foundations for Potential Nursing Applicants Certificate
High school requirements are needed to apply to this program. This program contains first year courses that may be used toward Bachelor of Nursing Degree programs.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Nursing: Bachelor of Science Degree (BSN)
Post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program. These requirements are met by completing the Academic Foundations for Potential Nursing Applicants Certificate at Douglas College.
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Additional admission requirements:
Nursing: Bachelor of Science Degree (BSN)
Post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Additional admission requirements:
Nursing: Bachelor of Science Advanced Entry
Post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets):
Additional admission requirements:
Nursing: Bachelor of Science Degree (BSN)
Post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Additional admission requirements:
Nursing: Bachelor of Science Degree (BSN) (NIC)
High school requirements are needed to apply to this program.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Additional admission requirements:
Associate of Arts Degree (Health Studies)
High school requirements are needed to apply to this program. To apply to the Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program at NLC, you must first apply to the Associate of Arts Degree (Health Studies).
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
* Recommended to take:
Nursing: Bachelor of Science Degree (BSN)
High school requirements are needed to apply to this program.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Additional admission requirements:
Nursing: Bachelor of Science Degree (BScN)
Either high school requirements or post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Additional admission requirements:
Nursing: Bachelor of Science Degree (BSN) (UBCO)
High school requirements are needed to apply to this program. This program is taken at UBC’s Okanagan campus.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
*Recommended to take:
Nursing: Bachelor of Science Degree (BSN) (UBCV)
Post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program. This program is taken at UBC’s Vancouver campus.
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Nursing Bachelor of Science Degree (BScN)
High school requirements are needed to apply to this program.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Additional admission requirements:
Nursing: Bachelor of Science Degree (Northern Collaborative Baccalaureate Nursing Program)
Post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets. if applicable):
Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program
Post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
*Note: lab components are highly recommended
Additional admission requirements:
Nursing: Bachelor of Science Degree (BSN)
Post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Nursing: Bachelor of Science Degree (BScN) Year 1 Entry Program
Post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Additional admission requirements:
Nursing: Bachelor of Science Degree (BSN)
High school requirements are needed to apply to this program
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Additional admission requirements:
Practical Nurse to Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing Bridge
High school and post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Additional admission requirements:
Post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Additional admission requirements:
LPN Access to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree
High school and post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Math – one of:
Additional admission requirements:
LPN Access to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree
Post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
Post secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
*Note: If an applicant has not fulfilled these requirements, the program prerequisites must be satisfied at the high school level
Additional admission requirements:
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Access Program Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Additional admission requirements:
Nursing: Bachelor of Science Degree (Northern Collaborative Baccalaureate Nursing Program) LPN Access
High school and post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Post-secondary requirements:
Additional admission requirements:
Nursing: Bachelor of Science Degree (BScN) Advanced Entry Program
Post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Additional admission requirements:
Nursing: Bachelor of Science Degree (BSN)
High school and post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Additional admission requirements:
Academic Foundations for Potential Psychiatric Nursing Applicants Certificate
High school requirements are needed to apply to this program. This program contains first year courses that may be used toward Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing Degree programs.
High school requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Psychiatric Nursing: Bachelor of Science Degree (BSN)
Post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program. These requirements are met by completing the Academic Foundations for Potential Psychiatric Nursing Applicants Certificate at Douglas College.
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Additional admission requirements:
Psychiatric Nursing: Bachelor of Science Degree (BSN)
Post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Additional admission requirements:
Graduate Nurse, Internationally Education Re-entry Certificate
Post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable):
Additional admission requirements:
Return to Registered Nurse Practice Certificate
Post-secondary requirements are needed to apply to this program.
Post-secondary requirements (minimum grade in brackets if applicable)
For all applicants:
Additional admission requirements:
For all applicants:
Additional documentation required for Canadian trained nurses:
Applications are reviewed and considered after all documentation is received.
Additional documentation required for internationally trained nurses:
Applications are reviewed and considered after all documentation is received.