The Practical Nurse IEN program is designed for internationally educated Registered Nurses who received their health care education and experience outside of Canada. It provides opportunities to update knowledge and skills to meet the current practice standards and licensure requirements for Practical Nurses in Alberta. This four-stage program includes a Challenge Exam, online study, workshops, and a seven-week preceptored clinical practicum.

Admission requirements

Academic Requirements

• Graduate of a recognized Registered Nurse Program (Transcripts outlining grade achieved, and courses are required)
• Minimum final mark of 60% in English 30-1 or 70% in English 30-2 or equivalent
• Proof of RN licensure
• Credit in Math 20 Pure or a minimum final mark of 60% in Math 20 Applied or equivalent
• Minimum final mark of 60% in Biology 30 or a minimum final mark of 60% in Anatomy and Physiology (ANPH 150) at Bow Valley College or equivalent
• Credit in Medical Terminology at Bow Valley College or equivalent

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

• A current valid immunization report
• 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Note: Students who have not submitted their documents by the start of the program will have their Letter of Admission withdrawn.

Instruction is provided in classroom and nursing skills laboratory settings, plus clinical experience in a variety of care settings including urban and rural hospitals, continuing care facilities, community and other health related institutions.

NOTE 1: Every effort is made to accommodate students in clinical placements within the time frame of the program. Students may be required to complete clinical placements during evening and weekend hours and may also need to travel to alternative locations. In rare instances, the College may need to delay the date of completion until a clinical placement can be arranged. Under no circumstances are students allowed to participate in clinical placements without submission of a current valid immunization report on admission, current CPR Health Care Provider Level certificate (updated every year) and a Current Police Information Check (PIC) (updated every six months). Alberta Health Services requires students to have a valid Police Information Check completed before starting, and throughout the duration of the clinical. Students are responsible for ensuring these documents are current throughout the program. The existence of a criminal record may prevent clinical placement, program completion, or professional licensure and therefore, may affect employment opportunities.

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

• Achievement of a valid TOEFL score of 527 - 530 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 English for Academic Purposes (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
Graduates of this program may be accepted into:

• Athabasca University – Bachelor of Nursing Program 30 block credits

Some transfer credit is available from:

• Grant MacEwan University
• Medicine Hat College
• Mount Royal University
• Prairie College of Applied Arts and Technology
• Red Deer College
• Athabasca University
• Aurora College
• College of the Rockies
• Columbia College
• Lethbridge College
• NorQuest College
• University of Calgary
• Portage College
• Red River College

Fees & Dates

Dates: Aug. 30, 2010 & Jan. 5, 2011
Program length: Eight semesters (two and a half years)
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.