Access to Practical Nursing Pathway
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Overview
The Access to Practical Nursing program is designed to build upon your existing credentials as a Health Care Assistant.
Advance from Health Care Assistant to Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in under 16 months — faster than the two-year direct-entry program.
Requirements and courses
Upgrade into a health or trades career
Are you missing prerequisites? Not a problem — our access navigators can guide you to a new career.
Get in touchPracticum
Hands-on experience in health agencies is a key part of the Practical Nursing program. You’ll gain real-world skills in a variety of community settings that support different age groups. Things to be aware of:
- Most placements are near NIC campuses, but some may be in other Vancouver Island communities, so be prepared to travel
- Transportation, meals, and accommodation are your responsibility
- During your final preceptorship, you may work 8- or 12-hour shifts, including days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays
Careers
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) work as part of health-care teams, at walk-in clinics, hospitals, health centres and home environments.
$64,654*
Annual estimated earnings for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in BC.
Career profile*Based on WorkBC data
Costs
Check the table below for estimated costs for the full program.
Curious about funding?
Financial support is available. Learn more about financial aid and awards.
How to apply
Apply for this program through EducationPlannerBC. After you’ve applied, you’ll receive an email from NIC with your next steps. Be sure to add @nic.bc.ca to your safe sender list.
Questions? We’re with you along the way. To contact a recruiter, email futurestudents@nic.bc.ca.
"We get lots of one-on-one support from our teachers, one-on-one time in the lab and it’s more personal. The teachers actually know us and we can text them and ask them questions. Even when we’re in practicum, we’re really well directed. You can tell that the teachers trust us."
Marissa Hunter - NIC Practical Nursing alum
“The Indigenous education component of the program was so enriching and I got to be part of cultural and leadership opportunities, which I loved.”
Josh Duncan - NIC Bachelor of Science in Nursing alum
"I had some pretty old ideas of what nurses do and I didn’t think it would be challenging enough. I thought it was taking doctors’ orders, not advocating for patients. Meanwhile, here I am now in the most rewarding and challenging degree ever."
Dawn Tisdale - NIC Bachelor of Science in Nursing alum
Frequently asked questions
