Program Description

This program prepares students to achieve the professional practice requirements of Licensed Practical Nurse regulatory bodies across Canada, earn a Nunavut Arctic College Practical Nurse Diploma and on recommendation of the faculty, be eligible to write the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE) to become a Licensed Practical Nurse.

Employment Opportunities
This program provides graduates with the theory, knowledge, judgement and skills required to practice as Practical Nurses in a variety of settings including, but not limited to, acute care maternal/child, pediatrics, continuing care, long-term care, mental health, public health, and community agencies.  Practical nurses are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centres, doctors’ offices, clinics, occupational health units, community nursing services and private homes.  The graduates of the program will be prepared to care for stable patients and patients with predictable health/illness outcomes.

Program Eligibility

Applicants wishing to apply to this program must:

• Be 18 years of age or older
• Speak, read and write English
• Speak, read and write Inuit languages or be prepared to begin learning Inuit languages
• Academic grade 12 English 30-1, Applied Math 30, and Science 30; or successful completion of Arctic College foundation program.
• Must pass a criminal record check, completed by the RCMP

Applicant Assessment

Prior to admission applicants must:

• Submit a transcript providing evidence of completion of the required prerequisite courses at the appropriate level.
• Submit a handwritten letter of interest.
• Provide two letters of reference from an employer or other authority and/or a letter of support from a Health Committee or a community health care professional.
• Before students begin any clinical placement in a health facility and through the course of the practical nurse program, students must have CPR and first aid, and current immunization status recommended for health care in Nunavut.  The recommended  immunizations include:
  • DPTP (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio)
  • Tetanus
  • MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
  • Hepatitis B and titre
  • Provide evidence of yearly monitoring for tuberculosis (either a tuberculin skin test, including one 2-step Mantoux test or a chest x-ray and sputums)
  • Learners are encouraged to have immunizations against the seasonal flu and H1N1 as you will be working with the elderly and young children.
• A telephone interview may be required.

Program Admission

Applicants will be admitted to the program based on program eligibility requirements. Admission is subject to space availability and priority is given to eligible beneficiaries of the Nunavut Land Claim.

Prospective students who have successfully completed certificate/diploma health related programs may be eligible to receive transfer credit for courses in the Practical Nurse Program.

Program Information

Successful completion of this diploma program will enable students to develop the competencies required to function as a Practical Nurse. A variety of clinical practice experiences will be arranged throughout the program.

The program will include examination of Inuit culture and values and will be balanced to provide both modern and traditional health care knowledge and skills ensuring graduates meet national practical nurse competencies and standards.  Some courses in the program will be available for credit towards a baccalaureate degree in nursing.

A number of abilities and skills are required to be successful in the Practical Nurse Program. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

• An ability to communicate clearly in English, both spoken and written.
• Basic computer literacy is necessary as students are required to submit word processed essays and papers, and communicate through e-mail as part of their course requirements.
• An interest in caring and providing service to an ethnically and culturally diverse clientele, spanning all age groups.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills in the context of their collaborative relationships with clients, instructors, peers, and multidisciplinary health care team members.
• Critical thinking skills - when providing care to clients the student must demonstrate responsible, safe and ethical behaviour, and make informed, considered judgements.
• An ability to work independently and as a member of a health care team.
• The ability to carry out complex skill sequences of fifteen or more steps that require psychomotor ability. These skills will include but not be limited to the preparation and administration of medication to clients, wound management, and basic and specialized personal care skills and comfort measures.
• The capacity to maintain their own mental, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being while working in a rewarding but often stressful working environment.
• Practice experiences may take place in various communities within and outside of Nunavut.

Program Objectives

Upon successful completion of the program the student will:

• Practice practical nursing care that is safe and responsible.
• Understand the role of the Practical Nurse within Nunavut and in Canada.
• Fulfil their role within the primary health care team.
• Assess, plan, implement and evaluate care for clients with stable conditions in predictable situations.
• Demonstrate in their nursing practice, a commitment to the concepts of primary health care.
• Provide care that is culturally sensitive.
• Carry out complex skills including, but not limited to, medication administration, wound management, personal care skills and comfort measure skills.
• Adhere to the code of ethics, standards of practice, and scope of practice of a practical nurse.
• Make informed, considered judgments related to client care.
• Work independently and as a member of a health care team.
• Communicate effectively with clients, peers and the health care team.
• Know where to locate and access health promotion information related to the practical nurse’s scope of practice.
• Plan, organize and present health promotion information to individuals and groups.
• Advocate for health promotion in their communities and workplaces and contribute as a team member in community development activities.
• Champion healthy lifestyle choices for self and others.
• Demonstrate responsible decision making and accountability for own actions.

Completion Requirements

In order to complete the practical nurse program learners must:

• Successfully complete all classroom, lab and clinical courses including CPRNE prep course.
• Complete the program with a pass mark of 60% in all courses.
• Hold a current certification in Standard First Aid and CPR level C throughout the diploma program.
• Submit and maintain a portfolio, reflecting the knowledge, skills, attitudes and career goals that focus on the competencies gained through the practical nurse program experiences.
• Complete additional certifications as required by clinical agencies.
• Provide a criminal record check to ensure eligibility for employment.
• Graduates are eligible to write the CPNRE and work as a Graduate Practical Nurse upon successful completion of the Nunavut Arctic College program.  Application and fees must be submitted to the appropriate registering body to write the examination and to receive a temporary graduate Practical Nursing License.
• Students are required to adhere to the practical nurse Standards of Practice, and Code of Ethics. Failure to adhere to these standards may result in the student being required to leave the program.

Document of Recognition

Year 1- Certificate, Introduction to Healthcare Principles.
Year 2- Diploma, Practical Nurse.

Core Courses

Total Credits: 77

Course Descriptions

198-160 Introduction to Anatomy
The purpose of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the fundamental principles of human anatomy.  The focus of the course will be to introduce terminology and foundational concepts of gross and surface human anatomy.

198-162 Physiology
This course focuses on providing an understanding of human physiology.  Students will study the functions of the organs and systems of the body. The course will also explore the integration of functions within the body. The course requires an understanding of human anatomy.

500-100 English, Writing and Critical Thinking
The purpose of this course is to enhance reading and writing skills.  Students will explore use of appropriate internet and library resources.  Students will be introduced to scholarly writing and practice editing and proofreading their own and others’ writing. This course will help stimulate critical thinking skills.  This course will help students with the development of portfolio development.

500-103 Mathematics for Medications
This course is designed to assist students to become proficient with the necessary mathematics for safe medication administration.

198-350 Health Promotion and Illness Prevention
The philosophical basis, roles, settings, and functions of health promotion, community health, and community health nursing will be examined within the perspective of current health care issues and future trends in health care delivery and nursing practice.  Emphasis is on assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating a community health promotion project.  The focus is on community assessment and the role of community as partner.

CLC-110 Communications in Relationships
This course will focus on the principles and skills of effective communication in both personal and professional relationships and which form the foundation of the helping process and group dynamics. Emphasis will be placed on increasing awareness of self and others, providing skills for effective self-disclosure, attentive listening, assertive communication and conflict resolution.  The aim of the course is to foster self-understanding and the development of effective communication and relationship skills through a variety of experiential and interactive learning exercises.  All of which enhance a sense of positive self esteem in self and others. Students will examine and explore the unique features of Inuit verbal and nonverbal communication and how culture, ethics and rules of behavior influence interpersonal communication. Emphasis is placed on the ethical responsibility to maintain confidentiality.  Methods of managing conflict, anger and defensiveness are also introduced with a focus on interactions in meaningful relationships with clients, their families, and co-workers.

500-101 Community Nursing Care Clinical
This course will introduce students to the practical nurse's role in a community care setting. Students will experience the role of home care nursing, and visit a variety of community resources available to clients in the community.

500-102 Basic Personal Care Skills
This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to the role of the practical nurse and the development of basic nursing skills. Students will engage in exploring nursing strategies to promote client participation. The classroom and laboratory components will assist the learner in acquiring the basic knowledge and skills of health and environment, promotion of independence, activity, comfort, and personal care skills.

500-104 Pharmacology/Administration of Medications
This course is designed to introduce students to the theory of medication administration. Students will focus on basic pharmacological principles as well as major classifications of drugs, their uses, actions, adverse reactions, special considerations, and relevant assessment skills. Using a Primary Health Care approach, students will apply teaching/learning strategies and assessment techniques to caring for clients receiving medications. The student will prepare and practice safe administration of medications in a simulated setting.

500-105 Gerontology, Mental Health and Nursing Care Skills
This course introduces the learner to the basic concepts of gerontological and mental health nursing with a focus on nursing care skills. This course will introduce new skills and build on the skills learned Basic personal care skills.

500-106 Nursing Care of Childbearing Families: Clinical
The management of care for the post-partum client requires the practical nurse be knowledgeable in assessing, supporting and assisting the client with breast care, perineal care and care of the newborn.  Pediatric care may take place in either the health centre or at a day-care to experience the principles of growth and development.

198-190 Health Assessment
Students develop competencies to perform health assessment on individuals using a systematic approach. Emphasis is on health history, physical and mental status examination as a basis for monitoring health status, planning health promotion activities and clinical interventions.

500-107 Mental Health Clinical
This course will help students develop a greater understanding of the needs of clients in a mental health care setting. Students will have the opportunity to implement appropriate nursing interventions with clients who have mental illness.

500-108 Long-Term Care Clinical
This course emphasizes the development of practical nursing competencies in order to promote health and healing when caring for the Inuit Elders/older adults in a long term care facility. Students will apply the principles of health assessment, personal care skills using proper body mechanics.  Students will also have the opportunity to practice safe administration of medications in this clinical experience with consideration of age related changes when caring for the older adult.

500-200 Medical-Surgical Nursing Concepts
This course explores acute and chronic diseases across the lifespan. The practical nurse must understand the Pathophysiology and clinical manifestations and apply the appropriate nursing interventions to plan and deliver care for clients in medical and surgical nursing.

500-201 Acute Care Medical: Clinical
Building on the theory and practice from previous courses, a nursing process approach to the management of care is reinforced, while integrating new knowledge and technical skills relevant in an acute care setting. The focus is on performing accurate, comprehensive nursing assessments and using the nursing process to determine care for clients requiring acute care across the lifespan.

500-202 Acute Care Surgery: Clinical
Students will apply knowledge and critical thinking skills when caring for clients in an acute care surgical setting. Students will be supervised by a clinical instructor and will be encouraged to increase independence as their competence and confidence increases throughout this clinical experience.

198-320 Culture and Health
This course is designed to promote culturally competent care in nursing. The impact of culture on health beliefs, values and practices, and accessibility to equitable health will be explored throughout this course. An opportunity for the synthesis of self-awareness, theoretical knowledge, experience and skills will be provided to enhance the skills necessary to promote culturally competent care. This course provides students with an opportunity to focus on their knowledge of traditional health care practice centred in Inuit culture and relevant to health education and cultural needs of Nunavut and Canada. Students develop specific strategies for integrating these practices into their nursing with individuals, families and communities. Students are encouraged to share their experiences, engage in dialogue with each other and with guest speakers. The course is designed to enable students to collectively and individually explore, challenge and identify implications for practice to promote culturally competent health care under the umbrella of Primary Health Care.

500-203 Nursing Practice Clinical
This clinical practice experience provides the student with clinical experiences that will build on previously learned material.  This experience will enhance the student’s ability to integrate and build on theory and practice in caring for individuals across the lifespan. .

500-204 Professional Development
This course focuses on ethical and legal principles of practical nurses in various contexts and related to practice/employment settings.  Professional Codes of Ethics, Standards of Practice, and Competencies of practical nurses will be explored.  The importance of demonstrating professional behaviours and the principles of leadership will be emphasized.

500-206 CPNRE Exam Prep (non-credit)
In this exam preparation course, there will be a review of key program content with a focus on the regulatory licensing body for Nunavut LPN’s baseline competencies and the Canadian Practical Nursing Registration Examination (CPNRE) exam blueprint. Exam prep course sessions will be offered prior to the transition to practice clinical, so that you can pinpoint relevant study aids as well as take a CPNRE predictor test. Following the transition to practice clinical experience, additional exam prep course sessions will be offered to review test taking strategies and important course material. At the conclusion of the exam prep, learners will take a 2nd CPNRE predictor test so see your improvement and gauge your preparedness to write the professional registration exam.

500-205 Transition to practice
The intent of this course is to provide transition for the learner from student to graduate. During this time, the students will work closely with a preceptor who will guide the student to gain further insights, awareness and knowledge   through the realities of the work setting. This course builds on previously learned information and addresses additional knowledge and skills required by the student in order to make the transition from the nursing student role to the practicing nurse role.