<p>This program leads to a Red Seal certification. Visit our <a href="/go/plan/trades">Trades page</a>.</p>

The Access to Practical Nursing (APN) program is a bridging program that recognizes the completion of the Health Care Assistant Program and related work experience. Graduates of the program can apply to write the Canadian Practical Nurse Examination (CPNRE) for licensure as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). The CMTN Practical Nursing Access program meets or exceeds all Provincial education competencies required for Licensed Practical Nurse graduates and is accredited through British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).

Access to Practical Nursing Diploma

Coast Mountain College

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1. High school graduation or equivalent

2. English 12 (65%) or equivalent

3. Foundations of Math 11 (60%) or equivalent

4. Biology 12 (60%) or equivalent

5. PNUR 103 (65%) or equivalent, completed within the last 5 years

6. One of:
    - Health Care Assistant Certificate
    - Resident Care Attendant Certificate
    - A combined Home Support/Resident Care Attendant Certificate

Academic Admission Requirement


1. Minimum 600 hours of work experience (within the last 2 years), in a hospital or residential care facility where care is provided to a group of clients. Work experience must be verified by an official employer letter. Working in a home care environment where you are caring for one person at a time will not meet the 600 hour requirement.


Additional Academic Admission Requirement



1. If English is your second language and you have taken upgrading English course to meet the English requirement, you must also demonstrate three years of full-time, face-to-face secondary or post-secondary education at an accredited institution where English is the medium of instruction and is also one of the country’s official languages. 

2. If PNUR 103 is not offered at Coast Mountain College, please use BC Transfer Guide to find equivalent courses available through other institutions.   

3. After acceptance into the program, the following will be required to participate in practice education experiences: 
    - CPR Level C certification (see Practice Education Guidelines) 
    - Criminal Record Check
    - Current immunizations (diphtheria and tetanus, polio, hepatitis B, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), varicella and influenza); Failure to meet the immunization requirements may be prohibited from attending practicums
    - Negative TB skin test or chest x-ray

4. See the Criminal Record Check Instruction and Consent to Criminal Record Check form. 

Admission Advice

Applications should be submitted as early as possible. Qualified applicants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Coast Mountain College

Access to Practical Nursing Diploma

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