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DiplomaRecommended
Diploma of Practical Nurse
- Edmonton, Canada
- 2 years
- English
- On campus
- Diploma
About the program
A diploma preparing graduates to write the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam in Alberta.
Program highlights
- Internship available: yes
- Placement support: yes
- Work during study: yes
- Post-study work rights (3 years): yes
- PR pathway friendly: no
What you will learn
- Develop subject knowledge in Practical Nurse and apply relevant care or professional frameworks
- Communicate effectively
- And evaluate evidence-based practice.
Career outcomes
- Practical nurse in acute care hospitals
- Continuing care centres
- Community care settings
- Client homes
- Clinics and doctors' offices
- Further study toward a registered nurse degree
Curriculum
- Twenty-two courses over five terms on the in-person two-year path: anatomy and physiology
- Health education
- Nursing foundations and basic nursing
- Pharmacotherapy
- Nursing practice courses
- 195 hours of simulation lab practice
- And four practicums totalling 680 hours.
Entry requirements
Academic
- English Language Arts: 60% in English Language Arts 30-1 70% in English Language Arts 30-2 60% in ESLG 1860 70% in ESLG 1898 Mathematics: 60% in Mathematics 20-1 70% in Mathematics 20-2 50% in Mathematics 30-1 60% in Mathematics 30-2 60% in MATH 1524 Biology – this requirement can be met with the following
- Or an equivalent course: 60% in Biology 30 OR free academic assessment accepted instead@norquest.ca to meet wit.
Accepted academic background
Alberta high school diploma or equivalent as assessed by NorQuest, Or the free academic assessment / equivalencies. Typical requirements: English Language Arts 30-1/30-2 at 50-70% (or ESLG 1860/1898 equivalents) plus, For some programmes, Mathematics (50-65%) and Biology 30 (50-60%). Pharmacy Technician also needs the NorQuest arithmetic assessment, Practical Nurse requires ELA 30-1 60% or 30-2 70%, Mathematics and Biology.
Language tests
- IELTS 7.5
- TOEFL iBT 94
Documents you’ll need
- Academic Transcripts.
How to apply
- Review the program-specific admission requirements and current international application dates. Complete the online application to NorQuest College and provide the requested academic documents and identification. Pay the application fee and
- After admission
- The applicable international tuition deposit. Fulfil any remaining admission conditions and arrange the appropriate study permit if required.
Other costs
| Tuition per year | $26,599 CAD |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $155 CAD |
| Deposit | $1,000 CAD |
Program details
| Campus | Edmonton Campus |
|---|---|
| Faculty or school | Health |
| Department | Practical Nurse |
| Teaching language | English |
| Credit value | 60 |
| Study pace | Fixed |
| Post-study stay | 3 years |
| Scholarship note | International students are eligible for NorQuest awards and bursaries (institution-wide scholarships and bursaries page), Not programme-specific |
Intakes and deadlines
Program starts
September 2027
Apply by
9 Jun 2027
208 days leftProgram starts
January 2028
Apply by
15 Oct 2027
336 days left
Frequently asked questions
The program takes 2 years.
The next deadline is 9 Jun 2027. Apply early, because some programs close when places fill up.
Tuition is $26,599 CAD per year. The application fee is $155 CAD. The deposit is $1,000 CAD. The estimated living cost is $23,448 CAD.
Accepted language tests: IELTS 7.5, TOEFL iBT 94.