Start Date: January
Location: Summerside Waterfront Campus
Length: 2 Years
Credential: Diploma, Practical Nurse
Program Availability: Winter 2026 Term
Canadian Applicants: Open
International Applicants with a Valid Holland College Study Permit: Open
Other International Applicants: Open
As a practical nurse, you will provide safe, competent, and ethical nursing care to a diverse clientele, with varying degrees and types of illnesses and/or disabilities across the lifespan. You will work collaboratively with the client and the multi-disciplinary team by holistically supporting the client’s physical, psychological, social, cognitive, cultural, and spiritual needs. You will promote and contribute to the optimal health and well-being of the client, family, community, and yourself to support a healthy practice environment.
Theoretical knowledge and guided lab experiences focus on topics such as anatomy and physiology, fundamentals of nursing, pharmacology, disease processes and therapeutics. You will apply your skills in real-world experiences and be exposed to multiple health care settings. Clinical and practicum placements may occur at various locations across Prince Edward Island and, as nursing is practiced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, you may be scheduled to attend clinical or practicum shifts early mornings, days, evenings, nights, weekends, and/or holidays. All clinical and practicum costs are the responsibility of the student and there are no guarantees students will be placed at a preferred location or with a preferred shift schedule. Transportation to and from clinical sites is the responsibility of the student and public transit may not align with clinical shifts or location schedules.
The skills and abilities that a student in the practical nurse program must be able to perform to successfully complete the program include, but are not limited to:
Adapted from LPN in Canada, Requisite Skills and Abilities, 2013 CCPNR
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
Practical nurses must be licensed to work in Canada. Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to register for the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE®). This is the entry-to-practice competency-based examination for practical nurses for initial licensure in Prince Edward Island. (CPNRE – CLPNPEI).
Note for PEI Applicants:
Residents of Prince Edward Island will receive financial assistance, including 100% tuition support to help them complete a post-secondary certificate or diploma and commit to working in Prince Edward Island. The process to apply can be found here: Licensed Practical Nursing and Paramedic Support Program | Government of Prince Edward Island
This program is offered at multiple campus locations. Program fees may vary depending on the start date or location. Choose an option to learn more.
This program has degree pathways, giving you the opportunity to receive credit for your Holland College diploma when you continue your education. For a complete list of agreements, visit the Degree Pathways page.
| Partner Institution | Credential | Details of Agreement |
|---|---|---|
| University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island | Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Graduates of the Practical Nursing program receive 27 credit hours toward the Accelerated BScN at UPEI. |
| University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, P.E.I. | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Graduates receive 27 credit hours toward an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. |
| University of New Brunswick - Saint John, Saint John, N.B. | Bachelor of Applied Management | Graduates with a 70% average receive two years of credit toward a Bachelor of Applied Management degree. |
NOTES:
Tuition, fees, and other costs are listed in Canadian dollars. International tuition includes the International Student Fee.
Fees are Course Based
|
1st Year |
Canadian |
International |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $5,905 | $11,905 |
| Fees | $948 | $1,698 |
| Other Costs | $1,950 | $1,950 |
| Total | $8,803 | $15,553 |
|
2nd Year |
Canadian |
International |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $6,745 | $11,845 |
| Fees | $948 | $1,698 |
| Other Costs | $1,850 | $1,850 |
| Total | 9,543 | $15,393 |
|
Tuition & Fees |
1st Year |
2nd Year |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $5,905 | $6,745 |
| Student Association | $178 | $178 |
| Health Insurance Fee | $470 | $470 |
| Lab Fee | $300 | $200 |
| Graduation Fee | - | $100 |
| Total payable to Holland College | $6,853 | $7,693 |
| 1st installment due first day of first semester (winter and spring semester fees) | $4,284 | $5,031 |
| 2nd installment due first day of second semester (fall semester fees) | $2,569 | $2,662 |
|
Other Costs |
1st Year |
2nd Year |
| Books | $1,400 | $700 |
| Materials/Supplies | $200 | $200 |
| Equipment/Uniforms/Teaching Aids | $350 | $200 |
| Examinations/Memberships | – | $750 |
| Total | $1,950 | $1,850 |
| Grand Total | $8,803 | $9,543 |
|
Tuition & Fees |
1st Year |
2nd Year |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition* | $11,905 | $11,845 |
| Student Association | $178 | $178 |
| Health Insurance Fee | $1,220 | $1,220 |
| Lab Fee | $300 | $200 |
| Graduation Fee | - | $100 |
| Total payable to Holland College | $13,603 | $13,543 |
| 1st installment due first day of first semester (winter and spring semester fees) | $11,034 | $10,881 |
| 2nd installment due first day of second semester (fall semester fees) | $2,569 | $2,662 |
|
Other Costs |
1st Year |
2nd Year |
| Books | $1,400 | $700 |
| Materials/Supplies | $200 | $200 |
| Equipment/Uniforms/Teaching Aids | $350 | $200 |
| Examinations/Memberships | – | $750 |
| Total | $1,950 | $1,850 |
| Grand Total | $15,553 | $15,393 |
*Includes the International Student Fee.
Many Holland College programs have degree pathway agreements with other post-secondary institutions. You can receive credit for your Holland College diploma toward a university degree or other post-graduate credential, saving you time and money! Find out more on the Degree Pathways page.
Course Code:SAFE-1005
An overview of the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Prince Edward Island. Students examine the legislation, how PEI employees are protected while on the job and the responsibilities of employees and employers.
Credit Value:0
Course Code:ANAT-1000
An introduction to the structure and function of the body in its normal, healthy state. It serves as the basis for understanding pathophysiology and altered body states caused by illness. Students examine individual body organ systems, their components and processes, and how they interrelate.
Credit Value:3
Course Code:COMM-1150
Students explore a variety of verbal and non-verbal communication strategies that can be applied in the health care workplaces including empathy, confidentiality, and interview techniques to meet the needs of clients.
Credit Value:3
Course Code:NCPR-1006
Students attain skills on how to prevent a potential crisis from occuring and how to intervene in a crisis situation. Students are introduced to and practice physical skills to use when managing disruptive behaviours.
Credit Value:0
Course Code:NCPR-1007
The goal of the Palliative Care Workshop is to provide students with evidence-based theories on grief and loss and death and dying thereby enabling students' to recognize the needs of all patients with progressive illnesses, implement quality palliative care and improve the care and treatment for dying patients. Students will apply their knowledge of grief and loss to create effective nursing care plans for patients and include their family members in the process offering information on grief counselling as needed. Also, students will be aware of their own need for grief counselling and seek help for stress and burnout.
Credit Value:0
Course Code:NCPR-1008
The Gentle Persuasive Approach (GPA) is an innovative dementia care curriculum based on a person-centered care approach. GPA also includes respectful self-protective and gentle redirection technique for use in situations of risk. Designed for interdisciplinary point of care staff across a variety of sectors, GPA is delivered in an evidence-based, interactive session.
Credit Value:0
Course Code:NCPR-1010
This course is an injury prevention program designed to promote healthy lifestyles and safe work practices for anyone associated with moving people and/or objects. Its purpose is to improve how individuals prepare for and accomplish their work and decreases the frequency and severity of lost time related to musculoskeletal injuries.
Credit Value:0
Course Code:NCPR-1016
Prepare for mathematic calculations required for practical nurses by reviewing mathematical operations, fractions, ratios, and conversions.
Credit Value:0
Course Code:NURS-1000
Students are introduced to caring for clients in a professional and holistic manner within the scope of a practical nurse. Students explore nursing strategies that promote client participation in all aspects of their plan of care.
Credit Value:4
Course Code:NURS-1010
Students acquire personal care skills aimed at maintaining and promoting client comfort, safety, and independence. Students develop competence and confidence in the application of client care skills by practicing the skills in a nursing lab simulating a client care unit.
Credit Value:1
Course Code:NURS-1020
Students gain the knowledge and skills required for comprehensive health assessment. Students develop health history inteviewing skills and physical examination techniques. Emphasis is placed on identifying normal assessment findings.
Credit Value:3
Course Code:NURS-1025
Students are introduced to the role of the community health nurse who works with families, communities, and populations. The framework of population health, primary health care and the determinants of health will be discussed.
Credit Value:2
Course Code:NURS-1030
An introduction to chronic illnesses and the nursing care required. Students identify how chronic conditions affect an individual's ability to meet own needs and perform activities of daily living.
Credit Value:4
Course Code:NURS-1100
Students gain knowledge needed to provide safe and effective care to clients in a long-term care setting. Students develop competence and confidence in clinical skills in a nursing lab that simulates a client-care nursing unit.
Credit Value:3
Course Code:NURS-2000
Students gain the knowledge needed to provide safe and effective care to clients in an acute care setting. Students develop competence and confidence in client care skills prior to entering the acute care setting.
Credit Value:3
Course Code:NURS-2005
Students examine family-centered care in maternal and pediatric nursing. Students gain knowledge in maternal, newborn, and pediatric nursing, highlighting normal and abnormal conditions.
Credit Value:4
Course Code:NURS-2010
Students explore the concept of mental health and mental illnesses that are common to clients in both acute care and community settings. Students are introduced to the practical nurse's role in the care of clients with mental health conditions.
Credit Value:2
Course Code:NURS-2020
Students explore leadership styles and develop essential leadership skills that will prepare them to lead effectively, advocate for clients, and contribute positively to health care teams. They will recognize the significance of research and ethics in informing evidence-based practice in complex and diverse health care settings.
Credit Value:3
Course Code:NURS-2030
An overview of cancer and acute disorders of the lower respiratory, cardiovascular, female reproductive, musculoskeletal, neurological systems and the related nursing care. Students learn how these acute conditions affect the individual's ability to meet needs and perform activities of daily living.
Credit Value:4
Course Code:NURS-2035
Students learn acute disorders of the upper respiratory, gastrointestinal, male reproductive, integumentary, immune, sensory, neurological systems, and the related nursing care. Students learn how these acute conditions affect the individual's ability to meet needs and perform activities of daily living. They perform related acute care nursing skills of venipuncture, initiation of peripheral IV therapy, initiation of blood transfusion and IV medications.
Credit Value:4
Course Code:NUTR-1100
An introduction to nutritional requirements of the human body. Students explore various therapeutic diets and feeding techniques.
Credit Value:2
Course Code:PHAR-1100
An introduction to basic pharmacological principles as well as major classifications of drugs, their uses, actions, adverse reactions, special considerations and relevant assessment activities. Client safety issues and relevant client education points are highlighted.
Credit Value:4
Course Code:PRAC-1015
Students are introduced to the role of the practical nurse in a long-term care setting during this first clinical experience. The scope of the practical nurse, personal care skills, the organization of care, the nursing process, and professional communication are emphasized in this course.
Credit Value:3
Course Code:PRAC-1020
Students will work with aging clients and/or those with chronic illnesses in long term clinical settings. Nursing care, organization, health assessment, professional communication, an understanding of inter-professional collaboration, and the principles of medication administration are emphasized in this course.
Credit Value:3
Course Code:PRAC-2060
Students observe family-centered care and participate in the nursing care of mother-baby, infants, children and families in a variety of settings. These areas may include a maternity unit, a pediatric unit, and a community setting.
Credit Value:2
Course Code:PRAC-2065
Students apply knowledge and critical thinking skills when caring for clients in acute care settings. Students have the opportunity to implement appropriate nusing interventions with acute care clients.
Credit Value:3
Course Code:PRAC-2070
Students apply knowledge and critical thinking skills when caring for clients in an acute care setting. Students have the opportunity to implement appropriate nursing interventions with acute care clients.
Credit Value:3
Course Code:PRAC-2075
Students apply knowledge and critical thinking skills when caring for clients in an acute care setting, a homecare placement or a community site. Students have the opportunity to implement appropriate nursing interventions with clients who have acute medical or surgical conditions.
Credit Value:3
Course Code:PRAC-2080
Students apply knowledge and critical thinking skills when caring for clients in an acute care setting. Students have the opportunity to implement appropriate nursing interventions with clients who have acute medical conditions.
Credit Value:3
Course Code:PRAC-2090
Students perform the duties of an entry-to-practice practical nurse in a safe, ethical, and effective manner. Students are encouraged to integrate lifelong learning into their development as a professional practical nurse.
Credit Value:4
Course Code:PSYC-1025
Students develop an understanding of normal growth and development across the lifespan. Students explore factors that influence growth and development and the theories that support normal growth and development.
Credit Value:2
