Offered by University of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, Canada, Practical Nursing Diploma is a diploma in Health Sciences programme. The programme runs for 19 months, delivered on campus. Teaching is in English. Tuition is CAD 208 per credit for local students.
At a glance
Degree:Diploma
Field:Health Sciences
Duration: 19 months
Delivery: On Campus
Language: English
Local tuition: CAD 208 / credit
Information for the 2027/28 academic year · Last reviewed September 2026 ·
Program details
Overview
The Practical Nursing Diploma prepares you to work as a LPN in a variety of health care settings within hospitals, residential care facilities, and the community. The program is comprised of four semesters followed by a preceptorship experience. Program courses are delivered in a variety of formats such as group work, multi-media approaches, lecture, lab simulation, and skill mastery. Once you graduate, you are eligible to write the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE). Upon successful completion, you can be employed as a licensed practical nurse (LPN).
Requirements
Admission Requirements: Limited entry with a heavy documentation load. ACADEMIC: B.C. secondary school graduation or an equivalent such as the GED or an ABE provincial diploma, with Anatomy and Physiology 12, Biology 12 or equivalent (BIO 093) or BIO 111 at C+ taken within the five years before enrolment; one of Principles of Mathematics 11, Foundations of Mathematics 11, Pre-calculus 11 or MATH 085 at C; and English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12, ENGL 081 or ENGL 091 at C+, or ENGL 099 at C, or any other course or score meeting the ENGL 105 prerequisite. You also need a Practical Nursing human anatomy and physiology course (PNUR 147 or an equivalent, transferable from another public post-secondary institution) at C+, again within five years. Applicants whose first language is not English may be required to finish the ELS University Bridge speaking/listening and writing courses. NON-ACADEMIC: at least 30 hours volunteering with adults or children in acute care, long-term care or a community health agency, or paid health-care work, with a written reference; a current Standard First Aid certificate (minimum 16 hours) with Basic Rescuer Level C, kept current throughout the programme; a security clearance check; a health assessment confirming fitness to practise, completed within the 12 months before enrolment; an immunisation programme completed before the start date; attendance at an information session, where you write the application essay questions; an interview with a faculty member covering knowledge of the field, time management, communication, financial and support resources and existing commitments; and a full driving licence - a learner's licence is not accepted, because you supply your own transport to classes, labs and clinical agencies across Fraser Health. DEADLINE: applications are continuous but must be complete, with the programme documents lodged at the Chilliwack campus, by 28 February for that September's intake. Seats are awarded on the applicant rating form. INTERNATIONAL: UFV's programme list marks Practical Nursing as not open to international applicants.
Application Details
Start Date:One entry point a year, the Fall semester (September).
Application Deadline:Continuous application with a hard cut-off for the Fall class. DOMESTIC APPLICANTS: applications are accepted year-round but must be complete by 28 February to be considered for that September's intake, and the programme's own documents - the Practical Nursing application form, the health-care volunteer reference, the Standard First Aid and Basic Rescuer Level C certificates and proof of a full driving licence - are due to the School of Health Studies at the Chilliwack campus by the same date. Applicants with complete files are then invited to an information session and a faculty interview, and seats are awarded on the applicant rating form; those who qualify but miss the class are carried to the following intake. INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS: UFV's programme list marks Practical Nursing as NOT open to international applicants.
