Practical Nurse

Become a valued member of the health care team as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and build a rewarding career providing patient care and advocacy. Please Note: The diploma in practical nursing is a competitive entry program. Meeting minimum published admission averages does not guarantee admission.

Offered at our Brooks Campus over two years and five semesters, this program involves classroom learning and laboratory activities, as well as instructor and preceptor supervised clinical experiences which may require travel to other parts of the region.

LPNs are professional nurses and work within their own scope of practice, standards of practice and code of ethics. As an LPN, you will have the skills and abilities to contribute in all phases of the continuum of care from prevention to acute treatment and management, to long term and palliative care.

You will study from the same body of nursing knowledge as registered nurses (RNs) and registered psychiatric nurses (RPNs) with a more focused approach in

• foundational knowledge,
• critical thinking, and
• clinical judgment to suit the LPNs role of today.

MHC's Practical Nurse program utilizes a conceptual framework called the “Concept of Caring”, which provides opportunity for reflection on nursing education and practice. “Caring” is the central concept in which the curriculum is based. Practical Nurses apply the nursing process using health assessments that consider physical, social, emotional, cultural and spiritual needs of clients. Practical Nurses work with clients, families and other members of the health care team to develop a plan of care that will best meet the client’s needs. Practical nurses assist the client with activities of daily living, carryout prescribed procedures and treatments while maintaining a safe and comfortable environment.

Practical Nurse graduates are eligible for licensure through the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta upon payment of a fee and successfully passing the national practical nurse examination (Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam or CPNRE).

Licensed practical nurses provide care to patients and clients in a number of settings, including:

• Hospitals
• Continuing care
• Community
• Industry
• Clinics

Practical nurses work as:

• Staff nurses
• Team leaders or charge nurses

Current employment opportunities are active, with Canadian statistics suggesting a shortage of approximately 110,000 nurses (registered and licensed practical nurses) by the end of this decade.