Access to Practical Nursing
Overview
Apply your previous training and experience as a Health Care Assistant (HCA) or Resident Care Attendant (RCA) to accelerate your practical nursing training.
| Tuition | $14,266 |
|---|---|
| Credential | Diploma |
| Length | 13 months |
| Hours | Full-time |
| Delivery | Class-based |
| Campus | Broadway |
| Start Dates |
What to expect
What you will learn
- Apply the Entry Level Competencies for Licensed Practical Nurses (2021) to provide safe, competent, culturally safe and ethical care.
- Practice within relevant legislation, BCCNM Standards of Practice Framework for LPNs: Scope of Practice Standards; Professional Standards; and Practice Standards as set out by the Health Professions Act of British Columbia and the BCCNM.
- Value and engage in continuous learning to maintain and enhance competence.
- Practice in collaboration with other members of the health care team to meet the collective needs of their clients.
- Participate in interprofessional problem solving and decision making processes.
- Advocate for and facilitate change reflecting evidence-informed practice.
- Make systematic practice decisions that are client specific and consider client acuity, complexity, variability, and available resources.
- Use critical thinking, clinical judgment and knowledge of assessment to plan, implement, and evaluate the agreed upon plan of care.
- Develop a collaborative relationship with clients by connecting, sharing and exploring with them in a caring environment.
- Provide culturally safe, person-centered care across the lifespan that recognizes and respects the uniqueness of each individual and is sensitive to cultural safety, cultural humility and diversity.
- Provide leadership, direction, assignment, and supervision of unregulated care providers as appropriate.
- Identify one’s own values, biases, and assumptions on interactions with clients and other members of the health care team.
Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion
The Practical Nursing Access diploma is thirteen (13) months in length. Students must complete the diploma within two (2) years from the initial start date to the completion date.
Admission Requirement
Program-specific
Core minimum standards for admission requirements, including English as an Additional Language standard have been established by the Provincial Practical Nursing Program Curriculum. VCC admission requirements for this program are in addition to those Provincial expectations.
All of these requirements must be met.
-
Grade 12 graduation or equivalent
-
English Studies 12 with a minimum ‘B’ grade, or equivalent
- A BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry number (registration confirmation letter must be provided)
- HCA, RCA, or HS/RCA certificate, or equivalent, from a BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry recognized educational institution (if applicable)
-
Foundations of Math 11 with a minimum ‘C’ grade, or equivalent
-
BIOL 1602 Human Anatomy and Physiology with a grade of 68% or equivalent within the last 3 years
-
600 hours of work experience, within the last two years, in a care facility or individualized home care setting. Work experience must be verified by an official employer letter.
-
English Language Proficiency as specified for the Practical Nursing or Access to Practical Nursing programs
Internationally Trained Nurses:
- Students with transcripts from outside of Canada may be required to submit a comprehensive evaluation form from an educational credential assessment service provider.
Upon Acceptance into the program:
- Criminal Record Check (CRC):
Students in the program are required to complete a CRC. The CRC must be completed according to VCC’s Criminal Record Check instructions. Students whose CRC results indicate they pose a risk to vulnerable populations will not be able to complete the requirements of the program (e.g. practicums) or graduate. - Valid CPR-BLS certification:
Certificate must remain valid throughout the program. - TB skin test:
Students must submit a negative tuberculosis (TB) skin test or chest X-ray dated a maximum of six months prior to the program start date. An additional TB test is required after each potential exposure to TB and/or travel to areas with a known prevalence of TB. - Immunization Record:
A School of Health Sciences Student Immunization Record must be completed. Students may be declined placement in a clinical or practicum site if a completed immunization record is not provided.
- N95 mask:
Regulations stipulate that a properly fitted respiratory mask must be used when providing care to patients with suspected, known, or probable cases of acute respiratory infections. The respiratory mask must be a N95 respirator that is individually fitted by a trained and certified person. This individual mask fitting should be done just prior to beginning your program and is good for one year and must be performed annually. The original certificate must be presented to your program during the first week of classes.
Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.
Recommended Characteristics
- A caring attitude.
- A sincere interest in people of all ages who require all levels of care. This includes individuals who are: mentally or physically disabled, experiencing life threatening situations, confused or requiring rehabilitation.
- Proficiency in the English language (reading/writing/listening/speaking) is essential.
- Basic computer skills: email, word processing and internet searching.
- Good manual dexterity.
- Any supportive courses in human biology, psychology, sociology, first aid or previous related work experience or education would be an asset.
- A basic foundation in mathematical calculations of decimals, fractions, and metric conversions.
- Flexibility to adjust to early morning and evening practicum shifts, to a variety of clinical settings and locations within the Metro Vancouver area.
For information about being a practical nurse, please review Becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse in Canada.
Note: The BCCNM asks each licensure applicant about criminal offences. If you have ever been convicted of a criminal offence (other than a minor traffic violation) you should consider whether your application for licensure would be accepted. Licensing is mandatory in B.C. for Licensed Practical Nurses.
Program Availability
Fall 2026 |
|
|---|---|
| Program Start Date | Sep 2026 |
| Status | Closed |
| Application opens | October 1, 2025 |
| Application Deadline | |
Courses
This program runs Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm with the exception of clinical and practicum placements. Students will be advised of clinical and practicum placements in the program. Clinical/Practium shifts may include morning and/or evening shifts and may include Saturdays.
| Term Two | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| “Term Two” refers to the “Access Level” which combines levels 1 and 2 of the B.C. Practical Nursing Provincial Curriculum. | ||
| NURS 2101 | Professional Communication A | 1.5 |
| NURS 2102 | Professional Practice A | 1.5 |
| NURS 2103 | Health Promotion A | 1 |
| NURS 2104 | Variations in Health A | 2 |
| NURS 2105 | Pharmacology A | 2 |
| NURS 2106 | Integrated Nursing Practice A | 6 |
| NURS 2107 | Consolidated Practice Experience A | 4 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Term Three | ||
| NURS 3001 | Professional Communication 3 | 1 |
| NURS 3002 | Professional Practice 3 | 1 |
| NURS 3003 | Health Promotion 3 | 1 |
| NURS 3004 | Variations in Health 3 | 1.5 |
| NURS 3005 | Integrated Nursing Practice 3 | 4 |
| NURS 3006 | Consolidated Practice Experience 3 | 2 |
| Credits | 10.5 | |
| Term Four | ||
| NURS 4001 | Professional Communication 4 | 1 |
| NURS 4002 | Professional Practice 4 | 1 |
| NURS 4003 | Health Promotion 4 | 1 |
| NURS 4004 | Variations in Health 4 | 2 |
| NURS 4005 | Integrated Nursing Practice 4 | 6 |
| Credits | 11 | |
| Term Five | ||
| NURS 4006 | Consolidated Practice 4 | 6.5 |
| NURS 4007 | Transition to Preceptorship | 1 |
| NURS 4008 | Preceptorship | 6 |
| Credits | 13.5 | |
| Total Credits | 53 | |
This document is intended as a guideline only. The College reserves the right to make changes as appropriate.
This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.
Fees and Costs
| Application fee | $36 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition / Term | $14,266 |
Year 1 - $4,845 Year 2 - $2,827 Year 3 - $6,595 |
| Student union | $217 | |
| College initiative | $160 | |
| Campus resource | $571 | |
| Medical & Dental | $428 | Provided by Student Union |
| U-Pass | $610 | Discounted, unlimited transit pass. Learn more. |
| Graduation | $45 | |
| Total | $16,331 |
Books & Supplies
Textbooks or other supplies may be required for this program. Visit the VCC Bookstore for more information.
* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable. Tuition fees include a non-refundable deposit ($300 or $500, depending on program).
Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit VCC International.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.
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Technical requirement
How to Apply
Do you need equivalencies for English or math admissions requirements?
- Find course and assessment options for meeting English requirements.
- Find course and assessment options for meeting math requirements.
Are you taking university transfer courses at VCC (e.g. BIOL 1602)? You do not need to request to have your VCC transcripts sent to the Admissions office.
Do you need to take BIOL 1602 Human Anatomy and Physiology?
- Apply to the University Transfer Pathway to Health Sciences Certificate. Acceptance into this program will allow you to register in BIOL 1602.
Ready to apply?
Online
You will be directed to EducationPlannerBC.
Fill out a PDF form and mail to:
VCC Registrar's Office
1155 East Broadway
Vancouver, B.C., V5T 4V5
Contact us
Advising services
Phone: 604.871.7000, option 2
Email: studentservice@vcc.ca
Advising services for International students
Do you have any questions?