Start Date: January
Location: Summerside Waterfront Campus
Length: 2 Years
Credential: Diploma, Practical Nurse
As a practical nurse, you will provide routine care under the supervision of a registered nurse or a medical doctor to disabled, injured or sick patients. Courses in anatomy and physiology, fundamentals of nursing, and pharmacology are supported through extensive clinical placements. At the end of the program, you will complete 160 hours of practicum in a clinical site with a licensed practical nurse as your preceptor, giving you real-world experience and important exposure to a potential employer.
Practical nurses must be licensed to work in Canada. Upon graduation, you’ll be ready to complete your Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE) to be eligible for initial licensure.
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, P.E.I. | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Graduates with 80% average receive one year of credit toward the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. The following prerequisite university courses prior to entry at UPEI: Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Microbiology or equivalent, Psychology 101 and Psychology 102. |
| Cape Breton University, Nova Scotia | Bachelor of Science, Nursing | Graduates who meet entrance requirements with 1,800 work hours may apply for entry into Year 2 of the three-year Bachelor of Science, Nursing program. |
| University of New Brunswick - Saint John, |
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 student fees are due on the first day of class.
| 1st Year | Canadian | International |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $6,426 | $12,176 |
| Other Costs | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Total | $8,426 | $14,176 |
| 2nd Year | Canadian | International |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $7,158 | $12,176 |
| Other Costs | $1,550 | $1,550 |
| Total | $8,708 | $13,866 |
| Tuition & Fees | 1st Year | 2nd Year |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $5,834 | $6,266 |
| Student Union | $172 | $172 |
| Health Insurance Fee | $420 | $420 |
| Lab Fee | - | $200 |
| Graduation Fee | - | $100 |
| Total | $6,426 | $7,158 |
| 1st installment due January 9 | $3,968 | $4,790 |
| 2nd installment due September 5 | $2,458 | $2,368 |
| Other Program Costs | 1st Year | 2nd Year |
| Books | $1,400 | $600 |
| Materials/Supplies | $250 | – |
| Equipment/Uniforms/Teaching Aids | $350 | $200 |
| Examinations/Memberships | – | $750 |
| Total | $2,000 | $1,550 |
| Tuition and Other Fees | 1st Year | 2nd Year |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $10,834 | $10,666 |
| Student Union | $172 | $172 |
| Health Insurance Fee | $1,170 | $1,170 |
| Lab Fee | - | $200 |
| Graduation Fee | - | $100 |
| Total | $12,176 | $12,308 |
| 1st installment due January 9 | $9,718 | $9,940 |
| 2nd installment due September 5 | $2,458 | $2,368 |
| Other Costs | 1st Year | 2nd Year |
| Books | $1,400 | $600 |
| Materials/Supplies | $250 | – |
| Equipment/Uniforms/Teaching Aids | $350 | $200 |
| Examinations/Memberships | – | $750 |
| Total | $2,000 | $1,550 |
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 Values: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.
Hours: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.
Hours: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.
Hours: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.
Hours: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.
Hours: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.
Hours:0
Course Code:NCPR-1016
Prepare for mathematic calculations required for practical nurses by reviewing mathematical operations, fractions, ratios, and conversions.
Hours: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 in explore nursing strategies that promote client participation in all aspects of their plan of care.
Hours: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.
Hours: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.
Hours: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.
Hours: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.
Hours: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.
Hours: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.
Hours: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.
Hours:4
Course Code:NURS-2010
Students explore mental health illnesses that are common to clients admitted to an acute care and community settings. Students are introduced to the practical nurse's role in the care of clients with mental health conditions.
Hours:2
Course Code:NURS-2020
Students explore leadership styles and develop their leadership skills as a Practical Nurse. Students examine how nursing research relates to the practical nurse role.
Hours: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.
Hours: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.
Hours:4
Course Code:NUTR-1100
An introduction to nutritional requirements of the human body. Students explore various therapeutic diets and feeding techniques.
Hours: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.
Hours:4
Course Code:PRAC-1010
Students observe the role of the nurse and apply their knowledge and skills of community nursing in a variety of settings.
Hours:1
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.
Hours: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, and an understanding of inter-professional collaboration are emphasized in this course.
Hours: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.
Hours:2
Course Code:PRAC-2062
Students demonstrate the ability to administer medications at a beginning level by a variey of routes, with the exception of IV medications, to clients whose health care needs are considered stable.
Hours:2
Course Code:PRAC-2065
Students apply knowledge and critical thinking skills when caring for clients in mental health care settings. Students have the opportunity to implement appropriate nusing interventions with clients who have mental health disorders.
Hours: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 nusing interventions with clients who undergoing surgical procedures.
Hours:3
Course Code:PRAC-2075
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 or surgical conditions. They work with health care professionals while making a positive contribution to the health of individuals and families.
Hours: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 nusing interventions with clients who have acute medical conditions.
Hours: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.
Hours: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.
Hours:2
