The Health Care Aide Bridging to Practical Nurse Diploma program will prepare learners to enter the second year of the Practical Nurse program using knowledge and skills obtained in the Health Care Aide program and subsequent work experience. The aim is to decrease the amount of time it takes the Health Care Aide to complete the Practical Nurse program by giving credit for prior learning and experience. Bridging courses have been custom designed to build on content already covered in the HCA program. Clinical practicums will be shortened as the learner will enter the program with the knowledge and skills to provide activities of daily living.

 

Learners will be required to attend labs and workshops at the Calgary Campus, as well as complete three weeks of full-time clinical practicum in the Calgary Area.

 

Learners who complete the Health Care Aide Bridging to Practical Nurse Diploma courses will join Semester Three of the Practical Nurse Program. At that time the student may need to become a full-time student at the Calgary Campus.

 

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Courses in program (Subject to change)

SEMESTER 1

• Anatomy/Physiology/Pathophysiology Bridge
• Health Education and Communication Bridge
• Nursing Theory Bridge
• Nursing Science Lab Bridge

 

SEMESTER 2

• Adult Health Assessment Bridge
• English Composition
• Pharmacology
• Clinical Experience: Continuing Care Bridge (Full-Time, 3 weeks)

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Academic Requirements

• Successful completion of a recognized (provincial curriculum) Health Care Aide Certificate. (Applicants may be required to demonstrate proof of completion of the following courses: Vital Signs, Medication Administration and Communications.)
• Minimum final mark of 60% in English 30-1 or 70% in English 30-2 or equivalent
• Credit in Pure Math 20 or a minimum final mark of 60% in Applied Math 20 or equivalent

Applicants who do not meet the Math and/or English admission requirements for the program may take the following BVC courses prior to acceptance into the program:

• College Preparation English for Practical Nurses (ACF0014)
• Preparation Mathematics for Practical Nurses (ACF0015)

Pre-Program Requirements
The criteria listed below must be completed prior to the first day of classes:

• A current valid immunization report required and must be approved by BVC Health Services
• Current Police Information Check (PIC)
• Current CPR Healthcare Provider Level Certificate

Note: Students who have not submitted their documents by the start of the program may have their Letter of Admission withdrawn.

English Language Proficiency Requirement
Applicants whose first language is NOT English must demonstrate ONE of the following:

• Achievement of a valid TOEFL score of 557 - 560 on the paper-based test or a score of 83 on the internet-based test (iBT)
• Achievement of a valid Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with an overall band score of 6.0
• Complete the Bow Valley College EAP program with a grade of “B”
• Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of three years of full-time secondary education at a school where English was the language of instruction
• Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of one year of full-time post-secondary education at a school where English was the language of instruction
• Where applicable, a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) standard as determined by the Career program
• Successful completion of an Alberta Education English Language Arts (ELA) course that is consistent with the specified academic admission requirements for the program
• Satisfactory results on the BVC Admissions test

Transferability
Following successful completion of the Health Care Aide Bridging to Practical Nurse Diploma courses, students will continue with Semesters 3 and 4 of the Practical Nurse Diploma program. Upon successful completion of the program and the Canadian Practical Nurse
Registration Exam (CPNRE), students will be eligible for licensure with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA).

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Fees & Dates

Dates: Aug. 30, 2010, & Jan. 5, 2011
Program length: Two Semesters (Part-Time)
Fees: For a complete list of full- and parttime fees online, please visit www.bowvalleycollege.ca/fees or follow this link to the fees page.