Holland College | Practical Nursing

Admissions Requirements Degree Pathways Program Courses

Admissions Requirements
- Grade 12 or equivalent with credits at or above the general level
- Grade 12 academic English, minimum of 70%
- Grade 11 and 12 academic biology, minimum of 70%
- Grade 12 academic math, minimum of 65%
- Grade 12 academic chemistry, minimum of 70%
- Current Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems (WHMIS) Certificate
- Standard First Aid and CPR Level C from a recognized First Aid/CPR provider. This training must be taken in person, NOT online.
- Completion of Immunization Verification Form (required after acceptance) (This is a PDF and will open in a new window)
- Résumé including work and volunteer experience with applicable dates, membership in groups, associations or athletics, awards and distinctions, and any other information about yourself relevant to the program.
NOTES:
- Accepted students are required to complete their immunization form in their home province or country prior to program start. This helps avoid delays and ensures you're fully prepared for clinical placements, as some required vaccines can take time to complete.
  
  If you're unable to complete your immunizations before arrival, you can reach out to the Holland College Health Clinic at 902-566-9392 or npclinic@hollandcollege.com.
- Preference will be given to applicants who have completed university level introductory courses in English, biology or psychology. Clinical experience may be restricted if the student does not have a valid driver’s license.
- Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check:
  Before attending any practicum or clinical portions of the program, a student must submit a criminal record check and a vulnerable sector check. If the check indicates that a record exists, the student may not be able to complete portions of their program that are required for graduation. Any associated costs are the responsibility of the student.
- Don’t have the courses you need to get into this program? Upgrade, earn high school credits, or get your high school equivalency credential through Adult Education. It’s free!
- If your first language is not English, please review our English Language Requirements.

Degree Pathways

This program has degree pathways, giving you the opportunity to receive credit for your Holland College diploma when you continue your education. For a complete list of agreements, visit the Degree Pathways page.

Partner Institution	Credential	Details of Agreement
Cape Breton University	Bachelor of Science, Nursing	Graduates who meet entrance requirements with 1,800 work hours may apply for entry into Year 2 of the three-year Bachelor of Science, Nursing program.
University of New Brunswick - Saint John	Bachelor of Applied Management	Graduates with a 70% average receive two years of credit toward a Bachelor of Applied Management degree.
University of Prince Edward Island	Bachelor of Science in Nursing	Graduates receive 27 credit hours toward an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
University of Prince Edward Island	Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing	Graduates of the Practical Nursing program receive 27 credit hours toward the Accelerated BScN at UPEI.

Program courses

Course Code
Course Name & Description
Credit Values
Course Code:SAFE-1005
PEI Occupational Health and Safety
An overview of the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Prince Edward Island. Students examine the legislation, how PEI employees are protected while on the job and the responsibilities of employees and employers.
Credit Value:0
Course Code:ANAT-1000
Anatomy and Physiology
An introduction to the structure and function of the body in its normal, healthy state. It serves as the basis for understanding pathophysiology and altered body states caused by illness. Students examine individual body organ systems, their components and processes, and how they interrelate.
Credit Value:3
Course Code:COMM-1150
Communication in Health Care
Students explore a variety of verbal and non-verbal communication strategies that can be applied in the health care workplaces including empathy, confidentiality, and interview techniques to meet the needs of clients.
Credit Value:3
Course Code:NCPR-1008
Gentle Persuasive Approach
The Gentle Persuasive Approach (GPA) is an innovative dementia care curriculum based on a person-centered care approach. GPA also includes respectful self-protective and gentle redirection technique for use in situations of risk. Designed for interdisciplinary point of care staff across a variety of sectors, GPA is delivered in an evidence-based, interactive session.
Credit Value:0
Course Code:NCPR-1010
Musculo-Skeletal Injury Prevention for Healthcare Students
This course is an injury prevention program designed to promote healthy lifestyles and safe work practices for anyone associated with moving people and/or objects. Its purpose is to improve how individuals prepare for and accomplish their work and decreases the frequency and severity of lost time related to musculoskeletal injuries.
Credit Value:0
Course Code:NCPR-1016
Math Prep for Health Care
Prepare for mathematic calculations required for practical nurses by reviewing mathematical operations, fractions, ratios, and conversions.
Credit Value:0
Course Code:NURS-1000
Fundamentals of Nursing I
Students are introduced to caring for clients in a professional and holistic manner within the scope of a practical nurse. Students explore nursing strategies that promote client participation in all aspects of their plan of care.
Credit Value:4
Course Code:NURS-1010
Fundamental Nursing Skills Lab
Students acquire personal care skills aimed at maintaining and promoting client comfort, safety, and independence. Students develop competence and confidence in the application of client care skills by practicing the skills in a nursing lab simulating a client care unit.
Credit Value:1
Course Code:NURS-1020
Health Assessment
Students gain the knowledge and skills required for comprehensive health assessment. Students develop health history inteviewing skills and physical examination techniques. Emphasis is placed on identifying normal assessment findings.
Credit Value:3
Course Code:NURS-1025
Community Nursing
Students are introduced to the role of the community health nurse who works with families, communities, and populations. The framework of population health, primary health care and the determinants of health will be discussed.
Credit Value:2
Course Code:NURS-1030
Disease Processes and Therapeutics I
An introduction to chronic illnesses and the nursing care required. Students identify how chronic conditions affect an individual's ability to meet own needs and perform activities of daily living.
Credit Value:4
Course Code:NURS-1100
Fundamentals of Nursing II
Students gain knowledge needed to provide safe and effective care to clients in a long-term care setting. Students develop competence and confidence in clinical skills in a nursing lab that simulates a client-care nursing unit.
Credit Value:3
Course Code:NURS-2000
Fundamentals of Nursing III
Students gain the knowledge needed to provide safe and effective care to clients in an acute care setting. Students develop competence and confidence in client care skills prior to entering the acute care setting.
Credit Value:3
Course Code:NURS-2005
Maternity and Pediatric Nursing
Students examine family-centered care in maternal and pediatric nursing. Students gain knowledge in maternal, newborn, and pediatric nursing, highlighting normal and abnormal conditions.
Credit Value:4
Course Code:NURS-2010
Introduction to Mental Health Nursing
Students explore the concept of mental health and mental illnesses that are common to clients in both acute care and community settings. Students are introduced to the practical nurse's role in the care of clients with mental health conditions.
Credit Value:2
Course Code:NURS-2020
Leadership in Nursing
Students explore leadership styles and develop essential leadership skills that will prepare them to lead effectively, advocate for clients, and contribute positively to health care teams. They will recognize the significance of research and ethics in informing evidence-based practice in complex and diverse health care settings.
Credit Value:3
Course Code:NURS-2030
Disease Processes and Therapeutics II
An overview of cancer and acute disorders of the lower respiratory, cardiovascular, female reproductive, musculoskeletal, neurological systems and the related nursing care. Students learn how these acute conditions affect the individual's ability to meet needs and perform activities of daily living.
Credit Value:4
Course Code:NURS-2035
Disease Processes and Therapeutics III
Students learn acute disorders of the upper respiratory, gastrointestinal, male reproductive, integumentary, immune, sensory, neurological systems, and the related nursing care. Students learn how these acute conditions affect the individual's ability to meet needs and perform activities of daily living. They perform related acute care nursing skills of venipuncture, initiation of peripheral IV therapy, initiation of blood transfusion and IV medications.
Credit Value:4
Course Code:NURS-2060
Maternal Childcare Lab
In this course, students apply knowledge and skills related to maternal and pediatric nursing through simulated lab experiences. Learners conduct newborn and pediatric assessments, practice nursing care procedures, and engage in scenario-based activities that promote safe, effective, and developmentally appropriate care. Emphasis is placed on interprofessional communication, documentation, and adapting care to various client needs. Students demonstrate professional responsibility, critical thinking, and reflective practice while preparing for future clinical application in maternal and child health settings.
Credit Value:1
Course Code:NUTR-1100
Nutrition
An introduction to nutritional requirements of the human body. Students explore various therapeutic diets and feeding techniques.
Credit Value:2
Course Code:PHAR-1100
Introduction to Pharmacology
An introduction to basic pharmacological principles as well as major classifications of drugs, their uses, actions, adverse reactions, special considerations and relevant assessment activities. Client safety issues and relevant client education points are highlighted.
Credit Value:4
Course Code:PRAC-1015
Long Term Care Clinical I
Students are introduced to the role of the practical nurse in a long-term care setting during this first clinical experience. The scope of the practical nurse, personal care skills, the organization of care, the nursing process, and professional communication are emphasized in this course.
Credit Value:3
Course Code:PRAC-1020
Long Term Care Clinical II
Students will work with aging clients and/or those with chronic illnesses in long term clinical settings. Nursing care, organization, health assessment, professional communication, an understanding of inter-professional collaboration, and the principles of medication administration are emphasized in this course.
Credit Value:3
Course Code:PRAC-2065
Acute Care Clinical I
Students apply knowledge and critical thinking skills when caring for clients in acute care settings. Students have the opportunity to implement appropriate nusing interventions with acute care clients.
Credit Value:3
Course Code:PRAC-2070
Acute Care Clinical II
Students apply knowledge and critical thinking skills when caring for clients in an acute care setting. Students have the opportunity to implement appropriate nursing interventions with acute care clients.
Credit Value:3
Course Code:PRAC-2075
Acute Care Clinical III
Students apply knowledge and critical thinking skills when caring for clients in an acute care setting, a homecare placement or a community site. Students have the opportunity to implement appropriate nursing interventions with clients who have acute medical or surgical conditions.
Credit Value:3
Course Code:PRAC-2080
Acute Care Clinical IV
Students apply knowledge and critical thinking skills when caring for clients in an acute care setting. Students have the opportunity to implement appropriate nursing interventions with clients who have acute medical conditions.
Credit Value:3
Course Code:PRAC-2090
Practical Nursing Practicum
Students perform the duties of an entry-to-practice practical nurse in a safe, ethical, and effective manner. Students are encouraged to integrate lifelong learning into their development as a professional practical nurse.
Credit Value:4
Course Code:PSYC-1025
Human Growth and Development
Students develop an understanding of human growth and development across the lifespan. Students explore factors that influence growth and development and the theories that support human growth and development.
Credit Value:2

Other Program Information

Theoretical knowledge and guided lab experiences focus on topics such as anatomy and physiology, fundamentals of nursing, pharmacology, disease processes and therapeutics. You will apply your skills in real-world experiences and be exposed to multiple health care settings. Clinical and practicum placements may occur at various locations across Prince Edward Island and, as nursing is practiced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, you may be scheduled to attend clinical or practicum shifts early mornings, days, evenings, nights, weekends, and/or holidays. All clinical and practicum costs are the responsibility of the student and there are no guarantees students will be placed at a preferred location or with a preferred shift schedule. Transportation to and from clinical sites is the responsibility of the student and public transit may not align with clinical shifts or location schedules.

The skills and abilities that a student in the practical nurse program must be able to perform to successfully complete the program include, but are not limited to:

Cognitive: Ability to remember, synthesize, and manage multiple pieces of information at the same time. Apply critical thinking, problem solving, and mathematical skills.
Communication: Ability to express and receive written, verbal, and non-verbal language, and document on paper and electronic charting systems (legibly and in English).
Interpersonal / Behavioural: Ability to conduct oneself in an ethical and professional manner to create positive relationships with a full range of clients, colleagues, individuals, and groups. Review the Code of Ethics for LPNs here.
Sensory Perceptual: Ability to accurately perceive with each of the following senses, including sight, hearing, smell, and touch.
Physical: Ability to perform and have control over physical actions such as maintaining balance, manual dexterity, complex sequences of hand-eye coordination, performing repetitive movements, bending, lifting, and carrying objects.
Environmental: Ability to function in the presence of commonly encountered and unavoidable environmental factors such as distractions, unpredictable behaviour of others, potentially unpleasant odours, disease agents, noise, and chemicals.

Adapted from LPN in Canada, Requisite Skills and Abilities, 2013 CCPNR

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

Develop collaborative and inclusive workplace relationships with patients, families, and the health care team.
Prioritize patient needs to maximize patient safety and health.
Provide safe, competent, and ethical care based upon the standards of practice, code of ethics, and provincial regulations/legislation.
Demonstrate professionalism and therapeutic communication skills with clients, families, and the health care team.
Adapt to a variety of health care settings and trends.
Practice an evidence-based nursing process when creating, implementing, and evaluating a plan of care.
Participate in lifelong learning and self-care activities that ensure continued competence and professional and personal development.

Practical nurses must be licensed to work in Canada. Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to register for the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE®). This is the entry-to-practice competency-based examination for practical nurses for initial licensure in Prince Edward Island. (CPNRE – CLPNPEI).

This program is located in the Charlottetown Centre. Take a virtual tour.

Financial Support for Island Students

Note for PEI Applicants:

Residents of Prince Edward Island will receive financial assistance, including 100% tuition support to help them complete a post-secondary certificate or diploma and commit to working in Prince Edward Island. The process to apply can be found here: Licensed Practical Nursing and Paramedic Support Program | Government of Prince Edward Island

Tuition & Fees	1st Year	2nd Year
Tuition	$6,159	$6,346
Student Association	$178	$178
Health Insurance Fee	$470	$470
Fitness Centre Fee	$80	$80
Lab Fee	$300	$250
Graduation Fee	-	$100
Total payable to Holland College	$7,187	$7,424

1^stinstallment due first day of first semester (fall semester fees)	$4,035	$3,511
2^ndinstallment due first day of second semester (winter and spring semester fees)	$3,152	$3,913

Other Costs Please note: the cost of books, materials, and supplies are included here for your information only, this amount is not payable to the college. Do not include this amount in your tuition payment.	1st Year	2nd Year
Books	$1,400	$700
Materials/Supplies	$200	$200
Equipment/Uniforms/Teaching Aids	$350	$200
Exam & Registration Fee	-	$1,050
Total	$1,950	$2,150

Grand Total	$9,137	$9,574

Tuition & Fees	1st Year	2nd Year
Tuition*	$12,399	$12,466
Student Association	$178	$178
Health Insurance Fee	$1,220	$1,220
Fitness Centre Fee	$80	$80
Lab Fee	$300	$250
Graduation Fee	-	$100
Total payable to Holland College	$14,177	$14,294

1^stinstallment due first day of first semester (fall semester fees)	$11,025	$10,381
2^ndinstallment due first day of second semester (winter and spring semester fees)	$3,152	$3,913

Other Costs Please note: the cost of books, materials, and supplies are included here for your information only, this amount is not payable to the college. Do not include this amount in your tuition payment.	1st Year	2nd Year
Books	$1,400	$700
Materials/Supplies	$200	$200
Equipment/Uniforms/Teaching Aids	$350	$200
Exam & Registration	-	$1,050
Total	$1,950	$2,150

Grand Total	$16,127	$16,444

Tuition & Fees	2nd Year
Tuition	$6,346
Student Association	$178
Health Insurance Fee	$470
Fitness Centre Fee	$80
Lab Fee	$250
Graduation Fee	$100
Total payable to Holland College	$7,424

1^stinstallment due first day of first semester (winter and spring semester fees)	$4,612
2^ndinstallment due first day of second semester (fall semester fees)	$2,812

Other Costs Please note: the cost of books, materials, and supplies are included here for your information only, this amount is not payable to the college. Do not include this amount in your tuition payment.	2nd Year
Books	$700
Materials/Supplies	$200
Equipment/Uniforms/Teaching Aids	$350
Exam & Registration	$1,050
Total	$2,300

Grand Total	$9,724

Tuition & Fees	2nd Year
Tuition*	$12,466
Student Association	$178
Health Insurance Fee	$1,220
Fitness Centre Fee	$80
Lab Fee	$250
Graduation Fee	$100
Total payable to Holland College	$14,294

1^stinstallment due first day of first semester (winter and spring semester fees)	$11,482
2^ndinstallment due first day of second semester (fall semester fees)	$2,812

Other Costs Please note: the cost of books, materials, and supplies are included here for your information only, this amount is not payable to the college. Do not include this amount in your tuition payment.	2nd Year
Books	$700
Materials/Supplies	$200
Equipment/Uniforms/Teaching Aids	$350
Exam & Registration	$1,050
Total	$2,300

Grand Total	$16,594

Tuition & Fees	1st Year	2nd Year
Tuition	$6,159	$6,346
Student Association	$178	$178
Health Insurance Fee	$470	$470
Lab Fee	$300	$250
Graduation Fee	-	$100
Total payable to Holland College	$7,107	$7,344

1^stinstallment due first day of first semester (winter and spring semester fees)	$4,430	$4,532
2^ndinstallment due first day of second semester (fall semester fees)	$2,677	$2,812

Other Costs Please note: the cost of books, materials, and supplies are included here for your information only, this amount is not payable to the college. Do not include this amount in your tuition payment.	1st Year	2nd Year
Books	$1,400	$700
Materials/Supplies	$200	$200
Equipment/Uniforms/Teaching Aids	$350	$200
Examinations & Registration	–	$1,050
Total	$1,950	$2,150

Grand Total	$9,057	$9,494

Practical Nursing

Admissions Requirements

Degree Pathways

Program courses

PEI Occupational Health and Safety

Anatomy and Physiology

Communication in Health Care

Gentle Persuasive Approach

Musculo-Skeletal Injury Prevention for Healthcare Students

Math Prep for Health Care

Fundamentals of Nursing I

Fundamental Nursing Skills Lab

Health Assessment

Community Nursing

Disease Processes and Therapeutics I

Fundamentals of Nursing II

Fundamentals of Nursing III

Maternity and Pediatric Nursing

Introduction to Mental Health Nursing

Leadership in Nursing

Disease Processes and Therapeutics II

Disease Processes and Therapeutics III

Maternal Childcare Lab

Nutrition

Introduction to Pharmacology

Long Term Care Clinical I

Long Term Care Clinical II

Acute Care Clinical I

Acute Care Clinical II

Acute Care Clinical III

Acute Care Clinical IV

Practical Nursing Practicum

Human Growth and Development

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