Practical Nursing - Diploma

Practical Nursing - Diploma 2024-2025

Overview

Licensed practical nurses are a vital part of today's health care team - in acute hospital care, long-term care and in the community. They provide compassionate, professional nursing care to individuals throughout the human lifespan, infants to seniors. In just two years, offered in cooperation with Saskatchewan Polytechnic, we’ll help you develop into a competent, confident nurse capable of making a positive difference in the health and well-being of individuals, their families and our communities.

For more information, or to apply, please contact the Battlefords Campus: 306-937-5100 

Applications open February 19, 2024

Program dates: February 24, 2025 - February 19, 2027

Admission Requirements

  • Grade 12 with a minimum overall average of 65% in the following five subjects: English Language Arts A30, English Language Arts B30, Foundations of Math 30 or Pre-Calculus 30 or Workplace and Apprenticeship 30*, one of Biology 30, Chemistry 30 or Physics 30 and one of Social Studies 30, History 30 or Native Studies 30                                                                 *Previous Saskatchewan mathematics requirement also accepted: any 30 level Math
  • Applicants may wish to present any UGPA generate from a minimum of 15 to a maximum of 30 credit unit from their most recent post-secondary education if applicable. The score will be compared to their Grade 12, if the post-secondary score is higher than Grade 12 marks, the post-secondary grades will be used as the competitive score.
  • English Language Requirement specific to Practical Nursing

Note

  • Accepted applicants will be required to provide evidence of a Criminal Record Check upon admission into the program. At the discretion of the practicum agency, you may be declined access to a clinical or work placement based on the contents of the Criminal Record Check. 
  • Proof of current Standard First Aid and Heart and Stroke Foundation CPR. The required course for CPR is Basic Life Support – Health Care Provider (BLS-HCP). 
  • Proof of current Transferring, Lifting and Repositioning (TLR) certification is required.
  • Proof of current 2015 WHMIS Globally Harmonized System (GHS) certification.
  • Immunization records and bloodwork lab results, and meet Saskatchewan Polytechnic immunization requirements prior to entry into clinical experiences.
  • Students will be required to have an Electronic Mobile Device (EMD) such as an iTouch, iPhone, Blackberry, Android, Windows Phone, etc. You may already own an appropriate device and do not need to purchase another as long as it has 44 MB memory available. The primary purpose of the EMD will be to download a software program called Nursing Central. The Nursing Central resource is a requirement of the Practical Nursing program and has been included in your tuition costs. The EMD is to be purchased in semester 1 of the program. At the beginning of the program, you will be given instructions on how to download the Nursing Central software.

Admission Method: High Demand. High-demand programs consistently have more applicants than spaces available. High-demand programs have admission requirements plus additional selection criteria. 

Important Notes:

  • International applications are not accepted for Practical Nursing.

Courses

  • CLIN 103 - Health Assessment and Praxis 1

    You will demonstrate, at an introductory level, the assessments and skills associated with the care of adult and geriatric patients. Your experiential learning will provide opportunities to practice your skills and abilities for patients in long term care environments. You will apply the nursing process and principles of patient teaching and practice documentation.

  • NURS 171 - Foundations 1 - Foundations of Health

    You will discuss the metaparadigm of nursing in the context of nursing theories and philosophies. You will describe health determinants, primary health care and health care delivery in Canada. You will discuss law and ethics as they pertain to the nursing profession. You will describe critical thinking and apply key elements of patient safety. You will describe the concepts of culture and ethnicity with a focus on Indigenous and other predominant cultures in Saskatchewan.

  • NURS 172 - Variations in Health 1

    You will begin to apply critical thinking skills, explaining the physiological and psychological health changes of the ageing adult. With guidance, you will apply the nursing process and describe evidence informed practice related to the ageing adult patient. You will describe specific health variations using a systems approach and recognize health promotion strategies in gerontological care.

  • NURS 163 - Professional Practice and Communication 1

    You will explore the concept of self in relation to others. You will illustrate the role of caring in the practice of nursing and begin to develop reflective practice and critical thinking skills. You will demonstrate principles of verbal and non-verbal professional communication and explore the professional image of nursing.

  • PHAR 101 - Pharmacology 1

    You will identify Canadian medication systems, medication classifications and names. You will identify the principles and nursing responsibilities for competent medication calculation and administration. You will demonstrate evidenced informed care and knowledge of medication actions, differentiating medication actions and effects in the body, and examining strategies for safe administration. Your theoretical learning will focus on vitamins, complementary medications, antihistamines and drugs affecting the gastrointestinal system.

  • BIOL 102 - Anatomy and Physiology 1

    In the first of a two-course sequence, you will explore the human body focusing on the interaction between structure and function and the regulation of physiological functions involved in maintaining homeostasis. You will learn how the levels of organization of the body and the components of cells, tissues and organs impact form and function. You will examine the following body systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous and special senses.

  • CLIN 104 - Health Assessment and Praxis 2

    You will practice assessments and skills associated with rehabilitative and supportive care. Your experiential learning will provide opportunities for assessment and care of adults with chronic health challenges. You will demonstrate the concepts of patient safety, critical thinking, and evidence informed practice in the delivery of patient care and teaching.
    Prerequisites(s): BIOL 100, CLIN 103, NURS 163, NURS 171, NURS 172, PHAR 101

  • NURS 176 - Foundations 2- Mental Health

    You will describe mental health concepts, legal and ethical considerations, and social stigmas related to mental health disorders. You will examine the role of nursing in relation to mental health and describe evidence informed nursing practice for patients and their families. You will promote mental health for patients and their families using the metaparadigm of nursing, demonstrating critical thinking and inquiry in your application of the nursing process. You will examine specific mental health disorders and examine strategies to promote safety in the context of mental health.
    Prerequisites(s): BIOL 100, CLIN 103, NURS 163, NURS 171, NURS 172, PHAR 101

  • NURS 293 - Variations in Health 2

    You will examine variations in health and common chronic conditions diagnosed in the adult population. You will apply knowledge of anatomy and pathophysiology to explore health challenges affecting body systems. You will examine the diagnostic findings, nursing interventions and treatments associated with specific health challenges. With guidance, you will apply the nursing process, promote safety, and use critical thinking and evidence informed practice to deliver holistic nursing care.
    Prerequisites(s): BIOL 100, CLIN 103, NURS 163, NURS 171, NURS 172, PHAR 101

  • PHAR 102 - Pharmacology 2

    You will demonstrate skills and abilities required for medication administration to pediatric and adult populations. You will prepare and administer medications through enteral, percutaneous and parenteral routes. You will examine medication classifications for the cardiovascular, endocrine, immune, and central nervous and autonomic nervous systems, and demonstrate evidenced informed practice in applying principles of safe medication administration.
    Prerequisites(s): BIOL 100, CLIN 103, NURS 163, NURS 171, NURS 172, PHAR 101

  • NURS 240 - Professional Practice and Communication 2

    You will examine therapeutic relationships with an emphasis on caring, advocacy, diversity, and managing ethical dilemmas. You will examine trends and issues in Canadian nursing practice and identify the scope of professional practice for the practical nurse.
    Prerequisites(s): BIOL 100, CLIN 103, NURS 163, NURS 171, NURS 172, PHAR 101

  • BIOL 103 - Anatomy and Physiology 2

    In the second of a two-course sequence, you will continue to explore the human body focusing on the interaction between structure and function and the regulation of physiological functions involved in maintaining homeostasis. You will examine how the levels of organization of the body and the components of cells, tissues and organs impact the form and function for the following body systems: endocrine, blood, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, fluid, electrolyte and acid-base balance and reproductive.
    Prerequisites(s): BIOL 102

  • CLIN 105 - Integrated Clinical Practice 1

    You will apply your knowledge and skills related to holistic nursing care of patients. Your experiential learning will focus on rehabilitative and supportive care for patients experiencing a variety of health challenges. With faculty guidance, you will demonstrate the principles of health teaching and perform complete and focused health assessments. You will demonstrate professional behaviour and practice collaborative relationships with patients and the interprofessional team to deliver safe, competent, and ethical patient care.
    Prerequisites(s): BIOL 101, CLIN 104, NURS 176, NURS 240, NURS 293, PHAR 102

  • SOCI 160 - Foundations of Sociology

    Using your sociological imagination, you will examine how to practice sociology, and learn about the importance of culture, socialization, and the family. You will discuss social inequality in Canada, as well as explore the concepts of social control and deviance. Your studies will also include issues related to the power of mass media, the dualism of sex and gender, and race and ethnicity. You will have an opportunity to examine collective behavior, social movements, social change, and globalization.

  • YEAR 2

  • CLIN 240 - Health Assessment and Praxis 3

    You will apply knowledge and skills associated with curative and restorative care and perform focused health assessments. Your experiential learning will include organizing care for adult patients with acute health challenges in the context of medical and surgical environments. You will plan patient-centred care, prepare patient teaching, and apply concepts of patient safety and critical thinking supported by your use of evidence informed practice.

    Prerequisites: CLIN 105

  • NRSG 257 - Professional Practice and Communications 3

    You will examine the professional roles, ethical responsibilities and relationships of the practical nurse. You will explore nursing standards of practice, and concepts of professional development and reflective practice in the context of life-long learning. You will analyze conflict resolution in relation to personal and professional relationships, and examine nursing informatics and skills for professional employment.

    Prerequisites: CLIN 105

  • NRSG 258 - Addictions

    You will examine substance abuse and the physiological and psychological risks related to addiction. You will describe the processes of withdrawal and detoxification and examine the principles and application of the harm reduction model. You will examine addictions treatment models and describe the challenges of addictions treatment for patients with concurrent disorders. You will apply critical thinking and inquiry throughout the nursing process in addictions care.

    Prerequisites: CLIN 105, SOCI 160

  • NURS 294 - Variations in Health 3

    You will examine the concepts of holistic nursing care related to acute variations in health for the adult patient. You will interpret laboratory and diagnostic findings in the context of acute health challenges. You will interdependently use the nursing process to deliver competent care; applying concepts of safety, critical thinking, and evidence informed practice. You will compare specific surgical treatments and apply concepts related to preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative nursing care.

    Prerequisites: CLIN 105

  • SOCI 201 - Culture and Diversity in Health Sciences

    You will explore the cultural diversity of Canadian society. You will discuss immigration trends, cultural values and the implications to the provision of health services. Cultural safety in healthcare and the role of the health care professional will be discussed in context.

    Prerequisites: SOCI 160

  • CLIN 241 - Health Assessment and Praxis 4

    You will perform assessments and skills with increasing proficiency for adult patients requiring curative and restorative medical and surgical care. You will plan holistic nursing care supported by evidence informed practice and critical thinking. Your experiential learning will provide opportunities to demonstrate knowledge and skills related to maternal, newborn and pediatric patients. You will examine medical emergencies and plan care with increased interdependence in collaboration with the health care team.

    Prerequisites: CLIN 240, NURS 294, NRSG 257, NRSG 258, SOCI 201

  • NRSG 298 - Foundations 4 - Community Health

    You will examine the role of the practical nurse in the context of patient care in the community with a focus on Indigenous health. You will examine the health promotion model and apply the determinants of health through experiential learning with community agencies. You will examine the leadership role of the practical nurse and prepare for the transition from the role of student to that of a graduate practitioner. You will examine interprofessional collaboration and apply critical thinking and inquiry in the context of community health nursing.

    Prerequisites: CLIN 240, NURS 294, NRSG 257, NRSG 258, SOCI 201

  • NURS 299 - Variations in Health 4

    You will examine the complex nursing care of patients with multi-system challenges and medical emergencies. You will plan ethical and competent holistic nursing care related to acute variations in health. You will apply concepts of safety critical thinking, and evidence informed practice in the delivery of patient care.

    Prerequisites: CLIN 240, NURS 294(concurrent), NRSG 257, NRSG 258, SOCI 201

  • NURS 292 - Foundations 3 - Maternal Child Health

    You will examine foundational assessments in the context of maternal, newborn and pediatric patient populations. You will identify growth and development milestones from newborn to adolescence with a focus on family-centred care. You will apply critical thinking and inquiry to examine common medical, surgical, nutritional, and mental health issues common in childhood and adolescents. You will examine health promotion, teaching and safety of these populations in a variety of contexts.

    Prerequisites: CLIN 240, NURS 294, NRSG 257, NRSG 258, SOCI 201

  • PHAR 215 - Pharmacology 3

    You will demonstrate skills and abilities required to safely prepare and administer medications through the intravenous route. You will interpret diagnostic tests and provide evidence informed patient care related to medication administration. You will recognize medications used in emergency patient care and examine traditional and alternative medications. You will identify the purpose and schedule for specific immunizations and plan patient teaching related to medication administration.

    Prerequisites: CLIN 240, NURS 294, NRSG 257, NRSG 258, SOCI 201

  • CLIN 242 - Integrated Clinical Practice 2

    You will plan safe, competent patient care working in partnership with a licensed practical nurse. You will manage patient care with increased interdependence and confidence, demonstrating enhanced organization, decision-making, and critical thinking abilities. You will examine the leadership role of the practical nurse in the context of the health care team. You will examine the value of reflective practice in relation to lifelong learning. You will establish collaborative relationships, using professional communication, and demonstrate respect for diversity and ethical practice.

    Prerequisites: CLIN 241, NURS 292, NRSG 298, NRSG 299, PHAR 215

Contact Us