The Post Graduate Diploma in Nursing Practice is a program for Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) that provides the IEN with the skills and knowledge required to meet the Canadian standards and language requirements in preparation of achieving nursing licensing. The program assists IEN’s in the preparation to write the NCLEX exam and completing the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS)*. The program is based on the BC College of Nursing Professions (BCCNP) Practice Standards for Nurses and the BCCNP Entry-Level Competencies for Nurses. The program will focus on the development of knowledge, critical thinking and communication skills through engaging learning activities (i.e., laboratory, case studies, etc.). Completion of the Post Graduate Diploma in Nursing Practice does NOT guarantee passing grade for the NCLEX-RN exam.
*NNAS – As part of becoming a Registered Nurse in Canada, all IEN’s must complete a competency assessment upon completion of the Post Graduate Diploma in Nursing Practice. The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate if the IEN is safe, ethical and competent to practice in Canada. This is a mandatory pre-requisite to writing the NCLEX exam. See the NNAS Handbook for detailed application process.
Upon successful completion of the BCCNP registration process, possible nursing career pathway options:
Graduates of the program who obtain a nursing license can make up to $50 per hour
* The BCCNP English Language Proficiency requirements are higher than the admission requirements for this program. For more details about the BCCNP English Language Proficiency requirements see this.
Students attending this program will be required to complete another language proficiency test if their admission score is below the required level for registration. WCC provides English language proficiency support during the program and assists with the rewriting of the exam. Though the English language proficiency score for admission to WCC is lower, WCC believes this score is sufficient for the IEN student to complete this program successfully and improve their language proficiency along the way. It is extremely important for students work on their English communication and comprehension skills. This is best achieved by speaking in English at all times while on the WCC campus and even outside schools setting.
Prior to Clinical Experience Requirements
2080 hours
The following courses are listed in the order they will be delivered.
Course No. |
Name |
Hours |
NURS 400 |
Medical Terminology |
30 |
NURS 100 |
Introduction to Canadian Health Practice |
100 |
NURS 200 |
Communication in Nursing |
90 |
NURS 300 |
Nursing Leadership, Management &Research |
100 |
NURS 500 |
Safe and Effective Care Theory & Lab |
60 |
NURS 410 |
CELBAN Preparation |
60 |
NURS 550 |
Pharmacology Theory & Lab |
100 |
NURS 510 |
Medical-Surgical Nursing Theory & Lab |
150 |
NURS 520 |
Mental Health Nursing Theory & Lab |
90 |
NURS 540 |
Maternity and Newborn Nursing Theory & Lab |
100 |
NURS 530 |
Pediatric Nursing Theory & Lab |
100 |
NURS 600 |
NCAS RN Preparation (with Lab) |
100 |
NURS 700 |
NCLEX Examination Preparation with practice exams |
200 |
NURS 800 |
Clinical Experience |
800 |
# | PARTICULARS | FEE | REMARKS |
1 | Registration Fee | $250 | Domestic Students |
2 | Material Fee | $700 | |
3 | Book Fee | $500 | |
4 | Tuition Fee | $11500 | |
Total | $12950 | ||
1 | Registration Fee | $250 | International Students |
2 | Course Material Fee | $700 | |
3 | Book Fee | $500 | |
4 | Tuition Fee | $16500 | |
Total | $17950 |
This program has been approved by the registrar of the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training.