About Practical Nursing in Northern Lights College

The Diploma in Practical Nursing at Northern Lights College follows the new provincial curriculum as revised in 2017. The program is designed to provide learners with the knowledge, skills, judgments, and attitudes to perform to the full range of competencies as endorsed by the British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals (BCCNP).
The curriculum provides a learning experience that is integrated, professional, collaborative, and culturally sensitive, with an aim to prepare graduates to care for individuals (and families of individuals) at multiple life stages and in a variety of practice settings.
Consistent with the CLPNBC Scope of Practice: Standards, Limits and Conditions (2017), the focus for beginners' practice is “promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health, with a focus on clients with stable and predictable states of health."
Upon successful completion of the program, learners will possess the competencies to successfully complete the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE).

To gain an understanding of the requisite skills and abilities associated with Licensed Practical Nursing in Canada, please see Becoming a Practical Nurse in Canada: Requisite Skills and Abilities. 

Career Prospects

Licensed Practical Nurses work with other interprofessional, health care team members in a variety of settings and play an increasingly wide role in primary health care focusing on health promotion, illness and injury prevention, and health protection and restoration.

Academic qualification equivalents

• Completion of All India or State Board HSC (XII): 55% or higher in relevant subjects.

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS: 6.0 with no band lower than 5.5
• TOEFL: 78 IBT

Northern Lights College Highlights

International Students - Program Tuition/Costs

International applicants are responsible for all program and living costs while studying at Mount Royal University.

Here are the estimated costs you can expect:

Student Services Fees Table

Student services fees are assessed for each semester or equivalent instructional period in which a student is enrolled. Full-time students are student enrolled in 9 or more credits per semester, or 18 or more contact hours per week. For programs that do not follow a semester, Student Services Fees cover up to five months (20 weeks).

Other Fees and Charges

The following fees and charges are in effect from 01 September 2019 to 31 August 2020. For Testing/Assessment Service fees, see