Access to Practical Nursing Diploma is a diploma in Health Sciences programme taught at Nicola Valley Institute of Technology in Merritt, Canada. The programme runs for 72 weeks, delivered on campus. Teaching is in English. Tuition is CAD 102 per credit for local students.
At a glance
Degree:Diploma
Field:Health Sciences
Duration: 72 weeks
Delivery: On Campus
Language: English
Local tuition: CAD 102 / credit
Information for the 2027/28 academic year · Last reviewed September 2026 ·
Program details
Overview
The Access to Practical Nursing Diploma prepares you with the knowledge, skills, judgments, and attitudes to perform to the full range of competencies as identified by the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of British Columbia (CLPNBC). 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 by extension, families of individuals) at multiple life stages and in a variety of practice settings. Consistent with the CLPNBC Entry to Practice Competencies for Licensed Practical Nurses, the focus for beginner's practice is care of clients with less complex and more predictable outcomes. Additionally, upon successful completion of the program, graduates will possess the competencies to successfully complete the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE).
Requirements
Admission Requirements: Successful completion of an HCA, RCA, or HS/RCA certificate; minimum 600 hours of health-care-assistant work experience within the last 2 years in acute care, complex care, or home care (verified by an employer letter); Grade 12 completion or equivalent; English 12 at C+ or a passing English assessment; Math 11 at C or better within 4 years (or equivalent ABE course, with an assessment option); and Human Anatomy & Physiology for Practical Nurses (or equivalent) at C+. Before practice education: Standard First Aid/CPR Level C, required immunizations, a criminal record check for vulnerable-sector work, and a negative TB test.
Application Details
Start Date:Fall
Application Deadline:NVIT accepts domestic applications on a rolling basis: general Fall-term applications are targeted by 31 July and Spring-term applications by 30 November each year, with offers issued in the order applications are completed and, if seats remain, continued acceptance up to the program start date. NVIT does not currently admit new international students for most programs: its Provincial Attestation Letter allocation was set at zero for 2025-2026, so new international applications are accepted only from Indigenous Peoples (per UNDRIP), Jay Treaty applicants, and permanent residents, who apply through EducationPlannerBC. NVIT publishes no international application deadline for these routes, and whether the zero-allocation restriction still holds for 2026-2027 was not confirmed on a page carrying that year. These are institution-wide dates; this programme publishes no deadline of its own.
