Practical Nursing - Mi’kmaw and Indigenous Offering

Overview

Clinical placement

• This program includes mandatory clinical placements that may take place in a variety of settings, including medical-surgical, geriatric, obstetrics, pediatrics, mental health, public health, community care, home care and NSCC labs.
  • Clinical placements can include weekday, evening, weekend and / or holiday shifts. Shifts range from 6-12 hours and start times vary, with some beginning at 7 am and 11 pm.
  • Clinical placements are mandatory credit courses. They provide you with the opportunity to integrate theory with practice and understand the everyday challenges of a work environment.
  • Placement opportunities are typically unpaid.
• Transportation, living accommodations and other costs related to clinical placements are your responsibility.
• For more information visit work experience opportunities.

Study options

• Blended Flex delivery consists of a combination of online (synchronous and/or asynchronous) hybrid and in-person classes, in-person skill labs and clinical placements. It involves approximately 3 hours of study time per 1 hour of class time and takes 2.5 years to complete.
• This cohort will be based out of Pictou Campus. To facilitate student experience and incorporate cultural teachings, in-person sessions may be held at various locations throughout the province. 
• Mandatory skills labs are held in person, on campus and may occur during weekends.  
  • Theory classes may be delivered through synchronous and/or asynchronous, online and/or in person delivery.
  • This program does not follow the regular academic schedule. The program begins in September 2024 and will complete in July 2027. There will be holiday breaks and a 2-3 week summer break each year.

Choose NSCC

• This program is approved by Nova Scotia College of Nursing (NSCN).
• Learn from experienced instructors who have earned solid reputations in a wide variety of healthcare areas.
• This program has low student-to-teacher ratios.
• NSCC graduates enjoy a notably high rate of success on the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE). Graduates can be confident in assuming their work responsibilities because they have a firm foundation in the theory and practice of practical nursing, and they understand the Canadian healthcare system.

Other info

• NSCN requires a criminal record check prior to licensing. A conviction may impact your ability to obtain a license.
• Many employers in this sector require one or all of the following as part of the hiring process: current, official criminal record check, vulnerable sector check and/or child abuse register search. A conviction or finding may impact your ability to secure employment.
• Shift work is an integral part of this occupation. Physical demands include moving and lifting people, as well as spending long periods of time on your feet. Emotional demands include frequent stressful and occasional emergency situations.
• Students are required to complete the program within five years. Pass mark for this program is 65%.
• Graduates are eligible to write the Canadian Practical Nurses Registration Exam (CPNRE) and work as a Graduate Practical Nurse upon successful completion of the NSCC program. Application and fees must be submitted to the Nova Scotia College of Nursing to write the examination and to receive a temporary graduate Practical Nursing License. Successful completion of the examination qualifies you to apply for a license to practice as a LPN. This exam is recognized nationally and qualifies you to license in any province or territory.
• The Nova Scotia College of Nursing provides information to candidates about the requisite skills and abilities (PDF 554KB) needed to work as an LPN in Canada.

Admission requirements

• High School Graduation Diploma or equivalent, including Grade 12 Academic English and Math and two additional Grade 12 Academic Sciences (Biology, Chemistry or Physics). 
• All applications received will be reviewed by the Mawkina’masultinej (Let’s learn together) Committee. Applicants that meet the above requirements will receive an email from the committee to complete a Self Identification Declaration form.
• If you do not have the required academic credits, NSCC offers a variety of credit courses through the Academic and Career Connections program. Supports will be provided to assist you in meeting the Admission requirements. Please reach out to lnunursing@nscc.ca if you have questions.
  

Program requirements

• A current, official criminal record check and vulnerable sector check are required to complete work placements in many programs. A conviction may impact your ability to complete program requirements.
• The Practical Nursing program in the school of Health and Human Services requires the completion of First Aid/CPR Level C. For specific program requirements, view additional Health and Human Services program requirements
• Additional requirements in the Practical Nursing program includes the completion of immunizations. You must submit proof that you've completed these requirements by the date provided to you at the beginning of your program. View additional Health and Human Services program requirements
  • Receiving immunizations may take up to 10 months to complete.
  • Failure to complete immunizations can result in a delayed  clinical placement, which will impact your ability to complete program and graduation requirements.
• Portfolio development – As part of your studies at NSCC, you develop a portfolio of your work; the portfolio captures your achievements and profiles your skills to employers.
• Pass mark for this program is 65%.

Tuition

Tuition amounts are for the 2025-26 academic year. Program costs and fees (textbooks, supplies, etc.) are additional.

Tuition, fees and program costs

In addition to annual tuition, there are program costs (books, tools, etc.) and student fees for college services, health and dental plans, your student association and parking.

View detailed program fees page(s). Please note that amounts on these pages are meant for planning purposes only. They don't represent final amounts owing.

• Practical Nursing - Mi’kmaw and Indigenous Offering - Blended Flex 3-Year Option - Year 1
• Practical Nursing - Mi’kmaw and Indigenous Offering - Blended Flex 3-Year Option - Year 2
• Practical Nursing - Mi’kmaw and Indigenous Offering - Blended Flex 3-Year Option - Year 3

Career options

• LPNs play a significant role on healthcare teams. Graduates work in long-term care, acute care, community care and mental health care.

Future study options

• Continue your studies at university – This program includes courses that count towards a university degree.  Learn more about having your diploma count towards a university degree

Courses may include

These are some of the courses offered in this program. It is not a complete list and courses are subject to change in advance of the academic year.

Recognizing prior learning / transfer credits
If you have previous learning (course, employment, etc...) that's relevant to your program, you may be able to apply to earn credit. Not all programs are eligible. Learn about our recognizing prior learning (RPL) process.

CONC 1200 - Dementia: Understanding the Journey
This course prepares the student to work with persons experiencing Alzheimer Disease or other dementias in facility and/or community settings. Students will develop an understanding of dementia and the impact on both the individual and families. Strategies based on the philosophy of providing person-centred care to persons as well as support to family caregivers will be explored. The course will be delivered through completion of the provincial standard Dementia: Understanding the Journey Course. Students must attend all sessions and complete the final project of the course to meet the requirements.

GDEV 1010 - Growth and Development
Upon completion, the student will acquire an understanding of the physical, cognitive, psychosocial processes of growth and development, including developmental tasks across the lifespan.

PNUM 1000 - Anatomy and Physiology / Alterations I
Through the lens of metuaptmumk, this course introduces the sciences of anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology. Upon completion of this course the student will understand the body’s structure, function and common disorders affecting the body systems and their care.

PNUM 1001 - Anatomy and Physiology - Alterations II
Through the lens of Metuaptmumk, this course introduces the sciences of anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology. Upon completion of this course the student will understand the body’s structure, function and common disorders affecting the body systems and their care.

PNUM 1002 - Nursing Skills I
Upon completion of this course the student will be able to perform basic nursing skills that are commonly required in the care of clients. These skills are required in acute, long term and community settings. In addition to classroom theory, the student will have an opportunity to practice and perform skills in the demonstration lab. The student must be successful in both the theory and all lab components of this course. Students will demonstrate professional conduct competencies at all times in the lab setting.

PNUM 1020 - Introduction to Nursing Profession
Upon completion of this course the student will have a foundation in the nursing profession including its history, scope of practice, legal considerations including ethics and communication skills. The student will be able to utilize nursing theory to understand the legal and ethical aspects of their role and scope of practice in the Canadian healthcare delivery system. The student will be able to employ therapeutic communication skills in all interactions with clients, families and communities.

PNUM 1050 - Nursing Clinical I
Upon completion the student will be able to provide basic care to a stable client using the nursing process. The student will function as a member of the Health Care Team while providing a safe environment utilizing the principles of infection control. The student will function within the legal and ethical parameters of their role.

PNUM 2002 - Nursing Skills II
Upon completion of this course the student will have the ability to perform the skills required in the care of clients in acute/long term care facilities and community care. In conjunction with classroom theory, the student will have the opportunity to practice and perform skills in the demonstration lab and various clinical settings. The student must be successful in both the theory and all lab components of this course. Students will demonstrate professional conduct competencies at all times in the lab setting.

PNUM 2003 - Pharmacology/Administration of Medications
This course teaches, in a simulated setting, the basic concepts of pharmacological theory and the skills necessary to safely administer medications, and provides awareness of responsibilities and legal implications.

PNUM 2004 - Health Assessment of the Adult
This course provides the student with the opportunity to develop health assessment skills. It includes an introduction to a health assessment, components of health interview and guidelines to performing a head-to-toe physical examination. It also encompasses a review of anatomy as it pertains to the physical examination.

PNUM 2014 - Oncology Nursing and Palliative Care
This course describes the concepts of oncology nursing and the role of the Practical Nurse in assisting the client and family to deal with loss and death. Students will also develop an understanding of the concepts related to palliative care based on Learning Essentials for Palliative Care (LEAP).

PNUM 2017 - Maternal Child Nursing
This course provides the student with an introduction to the role of the Practical Nurse in maternal and child care, emphasizing evidenced based practice. Employing nursing theory, the student will be able to explore the concept of family development. The student will develop an understanding of families as social systems within a community.

PNUM 2018 - Health Promotion and Community Nursing
This course is designed to prepare the student with an understanding of the factors that affect health and wellness both on an individual and community level. The student will examine risk factors to health, safety issues and the effect of stress and adaptation. The student will explore the role of the Practical Nurse in community health.

PNUM 2022 - Mental Health Nursing
This course will provide the student with the opportunity to explore various types of mental health issues, abuse, crisis, and related challenging behaviours. The course is designed to allow the student to explore the role of the Practical Nurse in supporting individuals and families experiencing alterations in mental health and social wellbeing. The course will include a community based applied learning project.

PNUM 2051 - Nursing Clinical II
This course provides selected, supervised learning experiences allowing the student the opportunity to apply the nursing process and health promotion strategies. The student will perform health assessments and nursing skills for clients with alterations in health.

PNUM 2062 - Clinical Intercession Preceptorship
This course provides the student with the opportunity to apply the nursing process and health promotion strategies during a preceptored experience. The student will perform health assessments and nursing skills for clients with alterations in health.

PNUM 3020 - Professional Practice
Upon completion of this course, the student will be familiar with concepts related to the professional role of the practical nurse. This will include, but is not limited to, an understanding of accountability, leadership, administration, research and evidenced-based practice. The students will also have an opportunity to review and debate current issues in health care. The students will complete a week of license preparation at the end of this course.

PNUM 3055 - Family and Community Innovative Learning
This course provides the student with the opportunity to become familiar with the role of the Practical Nurse in family-centred and community nursing. The outcomes for this course can be met through a combination of clinical experience, guest lecturers, and student presentations.

PNUM 3060 - Pharmacology Clinical
This course provides the student with the opportunity to apply the nursing process during the administration of medications in the clinical setting. Students will not be permitted to use calculators in this course.

PNUM 4052 - Nursing Clinical III
The clinical experience is a time for students to integrate their knowledge, skills, ability and judgment in the provision of nursing care. Using nursing theory, the student will demonstrate safe, ethical and competent practice to clients and families requiring increasingly complex care.

PNUM 4058 - Mental Health Innovative Learning
This course provides the student with opportunities to continue to explore types of mental health issues, abuse, crisis, and related challenging behaviours. The student will apply the nursing process in alterations in mental health. The outcomes may be achieved through symposiums, guest speakers, student presentations, and/or community placements.

PNUM 4060 - Internship
The clinical experience is a time for students to consolidate their skills and knowledge. This will be a time in which the student can actively apply the NSCC conceptual framework and learned skills. It will be a transitional period where the student will gradually move into the role of a beginning practitioner.

PNUM 4062 - Integrated Clinical Skills
The purpose of this course is to provide the student with the opportunity to integrate the skills and competencies required for safe clinical practice. The student will participate in Lab demonstrations and simulated learning while applying clinical judgement and critical thinking skills.

SAFE 1000 - Introduction to WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems)
This course offers learners basic overview of WHMIS principles and establishes a solid foundation to support workplace-specific training on the safe storage and handling of controlled/hazardous products. Upon successful completion of the course, students receive basic WHMIS certification.

SAFE 1001 - Introduction to NS OH&S Act
This course offers students an introduction to the Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Act of Nova Scotia, which is required by any person employed in a Nova Scotia workplace. This is a generic, introductory course that provides basic knowledge of the Act for students and is considered to be the basis from which more specific training can be given.