Practical Nurse

New applicants are accepted into this program for the Fall (September) term only.

General Admissions Requirements

All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Lethbridge Polytechnic programs, as indicated in the Admission section of this calendar.

Academic Requirements

In addition to meeting the general admission requirements indicated in the Admission section of this calendar, applicants to this program must also satisfy the following specific course requirements (or equivalencies):

•   60 percent minimum in English Language Arts (ELA) 30-1 or 70 percent in ELA 30-2;

•   60 percent minimum in Math 20-1 or a higher level Math;

•   60 percent minimum in Biology 30 or C- in BIO-1160 (Anatomy and Physiology I) at Lethbridge Polytechnic, or equivalent.

Note: Admission is competitive and is based on a point system for percentages in Biology, Math and English. More points will be awarded for higher grades and for the higher levels of Math and English (i.e. 30-1). The points are then cumulative to determine placement for competitive entry.

Point Chart

English Language Proficiency Requirements for Practical Nurse Program

In addition to the academic requirements, if English is not your first language, English Language Proficiency (ELP) must be demonstrated within the last two (2) years prior to the application. Acceptable evidence of ELP may be one of the following:

• IELTS Academic with a minimum band score of 6.5 in speaking, 6.5 in listening, 6.0 in reading, and 6.5 in writing
• TOEFL Internet-based test score with a minimum score of 22 in speaking, 23 in listening, 21 in reading, and 25 in writing
• Duolingo with a minimum overall score of 115
• Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of three (3) years of full-time secondary education at a school where English was the principal language of instruction
• Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of one (1) year of full-time post-secondary education at a school where English was the principal language of instruction

Note: Meeting the English Language Proficiency requirement does NOT exempt the applicant from meeting the English academic admission requirement for entry to this program.

Health Care Aide - Prior Learning Assessment Opportunity

Note: Applicants must still meet admission and competitive academic requirements.

This opportunity is designed to recognize the prior learning and experience of individuals who have successfully completed a recognized Health Care Aide certificate program. Applicants will be granted prior learning credit for PNG-1146 and PNG-1147 based on the following requirements:

• Successful completion of a recognized Alberta provincial standard Health Care Aide certificate program within the last five (5) years; OR
• Have documented evidence of a minimum of 1,000 hours working as a paid Health Care Aide within the last two (2) years in a health-care facility.

Note: Starting in Fall 2026 this prior learning assessment option will require BOTH successful completion of a recognized Alberta provincial standard Health Care Aide certificate program within the last five (5) years AND documented evidence of a minimum of 1,000 hours working as a paid Health Care Aide within the last two (2) years in a health-care facility.

To be eligible to graduate, students must attain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in all Arts and Science courses and a minimum grade point average of 2.3 in all PNG (nursing) courses.

All PNG-specific courses within the Practical Nurse diploma MUST be completed within five (5) years of the first PNG course taken. However, the support courses (i.e. SOC, PSY) have a 10-year completion date. 

Upon successful completion of all program requirements, students are awarded a Practical Nurse diploma.

Graduates are eligible for licensure through the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta upon payment of a fee and successfully passing the Canadian Practical Nursing Registration Exam