Practical Nursing

The UCFV Practical Nursing program is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills and professional values necessary to function within the scope of practice of a Licensed Practical Nurse. The program will prepare graduates for employment in selected health care settings within hospitals, long-term care facilities, and the community.

This certificate program has been approved by the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of B.C. (CLPNBC). Graduates will be eligible to write the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam. The UCFV Practical Nursing program is based on the provincial Practical Nursing (PN) curriculum. The PN curriculum provides students with experiences that promote the development of holistic nursing care with a particular focus on the care of individuals with disabilities, the elderly, and adults experiencing acute and chronic illness.

The UCFV Practical Nursing program is a 12-month full-time program. The program is comprised of three semesters followed by a preceptorship experience. Program courses are delivered in a variety of formats such as group work, multi-media approaches, lecture, lab simulation, and skill mastery. Clinical experiences include placements in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and selected community agencies. The clinical experiences encompass supervised practica, preceptorship, and observational experiences.

Classroom experiences will include evening scheduling. Clinical experiences may include extended work days, evening and night shifts, and weekends.

The Practical Nursing program is very demanding. Students will not have time to work either full-time or part-time. Effective time-management skills, computer skills, and study skills are critical to success.

Location

All Practical Nursing classes are located on the Chilliwack campus. Clinical experiences occur at a variety of agencies throughout the Fraser Valley.

Dates

The program will commence each September and is completed in the first week of the following September.

Entrance requirements

1. B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent (GED or ABE provincial diploma) with:

a. Completion of Biology 12 or equivalent (UCFV BIO 093) or UCFV BIO 111 with a minimum of C+ grade within five years prior to enrolment.

b. Math 11 (Principles) or equivalent (UCFV MATH 085) with a minimum of C grade.

c. English 12 or equivalent (UCFV ENGL 091 or ENGL 099) with a minimum of C+ grade.

2. Successful completion of ESL Advanced Speaking/Listening and Writing course sequence may be required for applicants for whom English is not a first language.

3. Volunteer experience in a health care setting or employment in a health care field. Volunteer experience will consist of a minimum of 30 hours of volunteer work with adults or children in an acute care, long-term care, or community health care agency. You will be asked to submit a written reference that reflects the length and nature of the volunteer experience or employment in a health care field.

4. Current Standard First Aid certificate (16 hrs. minimum) at time of application.

5. Basic Rescuer — Level C certificate. Currency must be maintained throughout the program.

6. Identification documents — birth certificate, marriage certificate, verification of change of name, landed immigrant status.

7. Successful completion of a security clearance check. Criminal record check forms will be included with the letter of notification regarding an interview.

8. A health assessment, completed by a physician, indicating physical fitness and emotional stability. The assessment must be completed within 12 months prior to enrolment. Health questionnaire forms will be included with the letter of notification regarding an interview.

9. Completion of an immunization program prior to the program start date. Immunization forms will be distributed at the time of the interview and must be received by the date specified. A Hepatitis B immunization will be provided upon entry into the program. Applicants who have completed the Hepatitis B immunization prior to entry to the program must submit proof of immunization.

10. Attendance at an information session in preparation for entry in to the program.

11. Interview with a faculty member to assess the following:

• Basic knowledge of the field
• Time management skills
• Communication skills: ability to listen and articulate ideas
• Financial resources and support systems
• Personal and work commitments in relation to assuming the demands of an applied academic program of studies.

12. Valid driver’s licence: You are responsible for arranging your own transportation to class, labs, and clinical agencies throughout the Fraser Valley.

How to apply

1. The following documents must be submitted to the Admissions and Records office, along with the application fee, in order to process your application:

• UCFV application form
• Practical Nursing program application form
• Proof of B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent (except for high school students, who may apply once they are registered in Grade 12).
• Prerequisite course(s) — submit an official transcript showing final grades in all prerequisite courses (except for Grade 12 students who will be required to submit an official transcript showing final grades in all prerequisite courses and proof of graduation in early August).

Once all these documents have been received by the Admissions & Records office, an application date will be recorded and your application will be forwarded to the Practical Nursing program.

2. Submit all remaining documents to the Health Sciences Centre, Chilliwack campus. Applicants will be considered for the program based on:

• Complete applicant status
• Date of application

Documents required in order to achieve “complete applicant” status:

• Practical Nursing program application form
• Proof of B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent
• Official transcript(s) showing completion of academic requirements as per Entrance Requirements.
• Volunteer health care experience reference(s)
• Official identity documents
• Valid Standard First Aid certificate
• Basic Rescuer — Level C certificate
• Completion of ESL Advanced Speaking, Listening and Writing course sequence as necessary
• Proof of valid driver’s licence

3. Attendance at a program information session and interview with the program faculty is required for all applicants. Preference will be given to those with “complete applicant” status. You will be contacted when dates and times have been established.

4. You will be notified in writing regarding your acceptance. Upon acceptance to the program, you will be provided with registration information. A deposit is required by a specified date in order to reserve a seat in the program. This deposit will be applied to the tuition fees and is not refundable. If you do not register for courses and pay the deposit, your seat will no longer be held for you.

Fees and expenses

See the Fees and Other Costs section for tuition fees for the Practical Nursing program. Program textbooks are estimated at $1500. Uniforms, instruments, supplies, and parking will total approximately $800.

Financial assistance

UCFV has a comprehensive financial assistance program including scholarships, loans and bursaries. Details are available from Student Financial Aid Services.

Program policies

The Practical Nursing courses for each semester are prerequisites for the coursework in the next semester. Due to the integrated nature of the nursing courses, progression from one semester to the next requires concurrent completion of the nursing courses.

Each program student will receive a UCFV Practical Nursing Program Student Guideline and Policies manual, which further explains requirements of the program.

Continuance and graduation requirement s for the Practical Nursing program is a GPA of 2.33 (C+).

Program outline

Semester I

Semester II

Semester III

Semester IV

Faculty

TBA

Support Staff

Janice Corbeil, Program Assistant
Joanna Hirnschall, RN, Lab Coordinator
Christine Sawatzky, Department Assistant

Advisory Committee

Evelyn Brown, Menno Hospital
Barbara Greenlaw, Education Consultant
Deb McGimpsey, Chilliwack General Hospital
Sandi McGladdery, UCFV HS/RCA  Program
Cora McRae, Organizational Development, Fraser Health Authority
Denise Moore, Home Support Services, Fraser Valley Health Authority
Linda Parker, Chilliwack General Hospital
Sybille Stegmueller, UCFV Educational Advisor
Shellie Steidle, Fraser Valley Cancer Centre
Debra Wilson, Surgical Programs, Fraser Valley Health Authority

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