What Makes This Program Different

Learn to care for patients in a fast-paced and complex medical environment in this partnership program with Red Deer Polytechnic.

Our nursing program is where your faith meets your career. The program combines an accredited biblical/theological foundation from Prairie College with accredited practical nurse training.

Learners will graduate in two years (23 full months) with a Diploma in Ministry (from Prairie College) and a Practical Nurse Diploma (from Red Deer Polytechnic) and are prepared to write the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam.

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Our on-campus program allows you the benefit of community life including chapel, small group, athletics and other co-curricular activities.

Smaller class sizes ensure all learners are known by the Practical Nurse faculty and have regular access to our fully functional 16 bed hospital lab and simulation lab.  

Do you have questions? Let's chat...

Cinnamon_Jan

Jan Cinnamon

Lead PN Instructor

A highlight for many of our students is the international preceptorship. In past years our students have travelled to Mozambique and India. Students may apply for the international preceptorship in their second year of study. The preceptorship is offered based on the interest of the students and international partnership availability. The cost of the international preceptorship is not included in the tuition or program fees.

Graduates of this program receive a Diploma in Ministry from Prairie College and a Practical Nurse Diploma from Red Deer Polytechnic.

Practical Nurse Schedule: (Year 1 & 2)

  • Fall Semester: September – December
  • Winter Semester: January – April
  • Spring Semester: May – July

To view this years schedule please see the course timetables on the Registrars page.

Two-Year Diploma

  • Fall Semester: September – December
  • Winter Semester: January – April
  • Spring Semester: May – July 

 

Diploma in Ministry (61 credits)

All courses are three credits unless shown otherwise.

Bible and Theology Core (12 credits)

NT 112 Reading the Gospels and Acts
OT 112 Reading the Torah
ST 100 The Christian Life
TH 100 Introduction to Christian Theology

Arts and Sciences Core (6 credits)

HF 110 Written Composition
SS 311 Lifespan Development

Intercultural Studies Courses (4 credits)

CM 367 Cross-cultural Practicum
IS 151 Preparation for Intercultural Ministry (1 credit)

For course descriptions, see our catalogue here.

Red Deer Polytechnic PN Program Requirements

NURS 215 Anatomy
NURS 230 Human Physiology and Pathophysiology I
PN 278 Leadership
PN 252 Nursing Foundations I
PN 235 Health Promotion I (2 credits)
PN 276 Foundations for Success in Nursing (4 credits)
PN 259 Nursing Foundations II (5 credits)
PN 260 Health Promotion II (2 credits)
PN 277 Pharmacology
NURS 231 Human Physiology and Pathophysiology II
PN 263 Practical Experience: Residential Care (4 credits)

PN 265 Nursing Foundations III (5 credits)
PN 266 Health Promotion III
PN 267 Advanced Pharmacology (1 credit)
PN 268 Practical Experience III: Acute Care (6 credits)
PN 270 Nursing Foundations IV (5 credits)
PN 271 Health Promotion IV (4 credits)
PN 275 Practical Experience V: Comprehensive Practicum (6 credits)
PN 279 Inter-professional Leadership

You may want visit RDP’s PN program page for additional information.

  1. Practice safe, respectful, holistic and competent nursing care using evidence based creative problem solving, critical thinking skills and clinical judgement when planning appropriate client care. 
  2. Demonstrate competence within current legislation for Licensed Practical Nurses based on the current Competency Profile, Standards of Practice, Policies and Practice Guidelines and the Code of Ethics. 
  3. Provide safe, culturally sensitive, patient centered care to diverse populations across the lifespan. 
  4. Engage in continuous learning and reflection to meet and maintain one’s own personal and professional accountability to safe practice. 
  5. Provide leadership and supervision when working with unregulated health care providers as appropriate. 
  6. Practice interprofessional collaboration and teamwork to meet the collective needs of client care. 
  7. Employ therapeutic communication techniques to develp therapeutic relationships that support client care. 
  8. Practice safe and ethical technology use when providing client care.

Upon successful completion of the Practical Nurse Diploma program students are eligible to write the national licensing exam. The Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE) is offered in each province/territory. 100% of our graduates in the last five years have passed the national exam.

Graduates are prepared to provide high-quality nursing care in the areas of medical, surgical, pediatric, maternity, mental health, and geriatric care. Trained LPNs are able to work in hospitals, physician’s offices, nursing facilities, home health care services, camp ministry and/or missions/overseas.

Graduates may transfer into one of Prairie’s 4-year programs. Those who have completed both the Diploma in Ministry and Practical Nurse diploma can earn the Bachelor of Marketplace Ministries degree with an additional 33 credits (11 courses). These courses are available via Prairie Online Education.

In addition to our regular Admissions requirements, students must meet the following Red Deer Polytechnic requirements: 

  • 60% in ELA 30-1
  • 60% in Biology 30
  • 50% in Math 30-1 or 30-2 OR 60% in Math 30 Applied or 20-1 OR 70% in Math 20-2
  • Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency in addition to the program admission requirements.


Non-Academic Post- Acceptance Requirements

  • CPR Healthcare Provider Level Certificate. This must be the course provided by the Heart and Stroke Foundation and it must be updated every 12 months. It is available for students in the spring.
  • Police Information Check (PIC) with a Vulnerable Sector Search. PICs are valid for the duration of the PN Program, however, students are responsible to inform faculty of any changes to their PICs during the PN program. The PIC must be dated no earlier than ninety (90) days prior to the start of the PN Program.
  • Immunization Records need to be submitted in the students first semester of studies.
  • The Practical Nurse program is very demanding and requires that you have the mental and physical stamina to: work shifts and weekends; be on your feet for extended periods of time; use your knees, back and arms to move clients who have minimal strength; function effectively in stressful situations; work unassisted to perform skills.
  • Students should ensure that they have a laptop computer that is compatible with the Respondus LockDown browser. This browser is only compatible with Windows and Mac computers and Apple iPads. It is not compatible with smartphones, Chromebooks, or Android tablets. For more information on this browser, click here.
 

Transfer Credit Request

If you have already completed college or university courses you may apply for transfer credit. Any nursing courses that were completed more than four years ago will not qualify. For complete details please contact the Admissions Office.

For our Tuition & Fee rates as well as Room and Board please see Fees & Financial Aid

Program Specific Costs:

  • Practical Nurse students are charged program fees each semester of the program.
  • PN Year 1 $781 ($182 charged Winter semester, $599 charged Spring semester)
  • PN Year 2 $1061 ($131 charged Fall semester, $585 charged Winter semester, $345 charged Spring semester)

Canada & United States Application

Fall 2024 (September start), Winter 2025 (January start), and Online Education (start anytime) applications are open. 

** Applications are free for the month of March. Use code MARCHFREE **

International Student Application

Prairie welcomes applications from individuals all around the world! To begin the International Student Application please click the link below. 

Master's Application

If you are applying for the Master of Christian Ministry Leadership or the Master of Global Christian Educational Leadership please click the link below. 

Information Request

Tell us a bit about yourself and an admissions representative will be in touch shortly!

Here are key opportunities you can partner with Prairie

We have launched our Campaign for Greater Impact to provide students with the very best learning opportunities and campus facilities for the decades ahead. 

In Phase One of this Campaign, we plan to invest in much-needed campus renewal, including: upgraded Infrastructure, a new Student Residence, Cafeteria, Worship Auditorium, and expanded Aviation Training Centre. A modern campus requires an investment that is bold, and even expensive, but each Campaign Project is strategic, and designed to enhance Prairie’s campus and student life experience.

Expansion of Prairie Aviation Training Centre

This expansion of PATC’s facility is a key project of Prairie’s Campaign for Greater Impact. It will increase the College’s capacity to train a new generation of Christian aviators to serve God in missions, and also address the growing need for trained pilots in the commercial aviation sector.

Scholarships & Education Fund

Invest in the next generation of missional professionals. Each year Prairie College distributes over $500,000 in scholarships and bursaries to students. We are grateful for each gift that reduces the burden of students’ tuition and allows students to fulfill their God-given professions.

Prison Bible Encounter Program

Encourage inmates in five institutions across Alberta to discover or reconnect with Jesus Christ. This fund assists the students studying the Certificate in Bible program with scholarships, resources for classes, and instruction. 

General Ministries

Prairie College is educating students to pursue a Biblical foundation for life and career.  Your contribution to this fund assists in minimizing the College’s general operating expenses.  

To allocate your gift, please select one of the donation buttons below.