Diploma in Practical Nurse is a diploma in Nursing programme taught at New Brunswick Community College in Fredericton, Canada. The programme runs for 2 years, delivered in a hybrid format. Tuition is CAD 3,666 per year for local students.
At a glance
Degree:Diploma
Field:Nursing
Duration: 2 years
Delivery: Hybrid
Local tuition: CAD 3,666 / year
Information for the 2027/28 academic year · Last reviewed September 2026 ·
Program details
Overview
This diploma program at New Brunswick Community College prepares students to become Licensed Practical Nurses, with requirements achievable within two academic years of full-time study. Delivery is described as blended, combining theory courses, laboratory practice and clinical practicums across a range of health care settings. Coursework includes anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, geriatric nursing, pharmacology and medication administration, mental health nursing, maternal and newborn care, pediatric nursing, and community nursing, alongside development of nursing skills and assessments for individuals across the lifespan and clinical judgement. The program is offered at Fredericton, Miramichi, Moncton, Saint John, St. Andrews and Woodstock campuses, with start dates in September 2026 or January 2027 and 2028 depending on location. Admission requires a high school diploma and at least one high school science course. Graduates are prepared for roles across hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and community settings, with opportunities to specialize further in areas such as surgical, mental health or palliative nursing. The program suits students seeking a practical, clinically grounded route into regulated nursing practice at multiple campus locations across New Brunswick.
Requirements
Admission Requirements: Admission follows NBCC's Profile H: a High School Diploma, Adult High School Diploma, GED Diploma of High School Equivalency, Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC), or the Essential Skills Achievement Pathway: Post-Secondary Entry High School Diploma, plus one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics at the 112 or 122 level. Applicants must meet NBCC's institution-wide English language requirements: IELTS Academic with a minimum overall score of 6.0 and no band below 5.5, or TOEFL iBT with an overall score of 80 and no section below 18, among other approved tests. Before clinical placements, students must complete NBCC's standardized Immunization and Medical Form, hold current CPR Level HCP with AED certification, and provide a criminal record check and vulnerable sector check from a recognized police service; an unpardoned criminal conviction can bar progression to a placement. International applicants are not currently eligible for this program.
Application Details
Start Date:September and January
Application Deadline:Domestic and permanent-resident applicants apply directly through the NBCC application portal: for the 2027-28 academic year, Fall 2027 applications open 14 September 2026 and close 9 September 2027, Winter 2028 applications open 18 January 2027 and close 13 January 2028, and Spring/Summer 2028 applications open 10 May 2027 and close 4 May 2028, with seats in each campus-specific program filling on a rolling basis throughout that window. International applicants for the Fall 2027 intake may apply starting 13 July 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Atlantic time; NBCC has not published a fixed international closing date and continues evaluating international applications, program by program, until seats are full. Conditional final documents are due 15 July for Fall, 15 November for Winter, or 1 March for Spring/Summer. These are institution-wide dates; this programme publishes no deadline of its own.
