Practical Nursing

Do you feel comfortable with others? Are you interested in the science of the human body and the promotion of wellness? Do you think you would enjoy being part of a team dedicated to providing client-centered care? As a practical nurse, you will call upon all of these talents. Today’s health care environments are fluid and fast-paced, and your success as a practical nurse depends upon your willingness to work as a team player, to be flexible and to enjoy working in a variety of settings.

• NSCC offers the only practical nursing program in Nova Scotia. The program is available at campuses throughout the province and is recognized and approved by the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Nova Scotia.


• You’ll learn from experienced instructors who have earned solid reputations in a wide variety of health care areas.


• With low student to teacher ratios, you’ll have good access to your instructors especially at the clinical level.


• NSCC graduates enjoy a notably high rate of success on the national licensing exam as well as an impressive rate of employment. They can be particularly confident in assuming their work duties because they have a firm foundation in the theory and practice of practical nursing, and they know how the health care system works.

Upon completion of this program graduates must write a national exam to become a licensed practical nurse. This exam qualifies graduates to practice in the field or to pursue further studies in health care.

Licensed practical nurses can assume a leadership role on the health care team. Graduates work in long-term care, acute care and community care.

• High School Graduation Diploma or equivalent, including: Grade 12 Academic English and Mathematics; and 2 additional Grade 12 Academic Sciences (Chemistry, Physics or Biology).

Health & Human Service Student Requirements – Additional program requirements are outlined in the Admissions section. Instructions on how to complete these requirements will be provided with your acceptance notification.

• Practical Nursing is available for part-time study. Courses are delivered online and you must attend labs and clinical components. The September 2010 part-time offering is currently full and is accepting waitlist applications.


• If you choose a part-time study option, you must still apply to the program and meet all the admission requirements. Once accepted, you will be referred to a Registrar at one of our campuses to discuss your learning plan and schedule.


• Tuition for part-time study option is calculated on a per course basis and is paid at the beginning of each semester.


• The time to complete a diploma program through part-time study will vary and depend on the schedule you choose and number of courses you complete each semester.

• Additional 2012 Location – This program will also be offered in January 2012 at Lunenburg Campus.


• Shift work is an integral part of this occupation. Physical demands include moving and lifting others as well as spending long periods of time on one's feet. Emotional demands include frequent stressful and occasional emergency situations.


• Application of knowledge and skills during nursing Clinical Placements and Internships may take place in a variety of settings including medical-surgical, geriatric, obstetrics, pediatrics, mental health, public health, community care and home care. Students are required to provide their own transportation to clinical sites and may be required to find accommodation during some portions of clinical placement.


• Students are required to complete the program in 4 years. Pass mark for this program is 70%.


• Graduates are eligible to write the Canadian Practical Nurses Registration Exam (CPNRE) and work as a Graduate Practical Nurse upon successful completion of the NSCC program. Application and fees must be submitted to the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Nova Scotia (CLPNNS) to write the examination and to receive a temporary graduate Practical Nursing License. For further information see www.clpnns.ca.