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Post - LPN Bachelor of Nursing
(120 Credits)
Program Description
Regulations effective September 1, 2008
The Centre for Nursing and Health Studies offers the post-LPN BN program. Before you enrol, please email the program advisor.
The program is designed to provide licensed practical nurses (LPN) with the opportunity to continue their education in nursing in a baccalaureate program that offers flexible modes of course delivery and opportunities to develop a clinical focus. Graduates are eligible to write the Canadian Registered Nurse Examinations and to apply for registration with the Alberta Association of Registered Nurses. Students complete the program regulations in effect at the time of their enrolment.
For additional program information, please email the program advisor.
Counselling Services offers an assessment website, "Mapping Your Future: Your Career and Athabasca University." Athabasca University has also developed program learning outcomes that describe the career options that may be available to you upon graduating.
Your Program Plan Worksheet (Microsoft Word Document)
Admission Requirements
After official transcripts have been accepted, the following admission requirements apply:
- Regulated (practicing) licensed practical nurse (LPN) with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta
- Equivalent of one year full-time work experience (1700 hours) as a Licensed Practical Nurse, submit letter(s) from employers to substantiate
- An overall average of C- (60 percent) and no grade below a D (50 percent) in the following secondary school courses:
- English 30
- 2 science courses at the 30 level
Applicants lacking the above secondary school course requirements may substitute comparable college or university-level courses. Official transcripts required.
Students admitted to the program are expected to maintain current licensure with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta and current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS)
Agencies participating in practicum courses may request that students provide proof of up-to-date immunizations status and a criminal record check, completed at the student's expense.
Program Requirements
| Bachelor of Nursing (BN) degree credit requirements | 120 |
| Credits awarded for Licensed Practical Nurse Certification | 30* |
| Total credits required to complete the post-LPN BN program | 90 |
| Maximum Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) credits | 9 |
The 90 credits required to complete a post--LPN BN degree shall be distributed as follows:
- required nursing credits (63)
- required non-nursing credits (12)
- electives (15)
| * | Additional credit may be awarded for university-level courses completed before admission to the post-LPN BN program or on the basis of Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition |
Residency Requirement
A minimum of 24 nursing credits must be taken through AU.
Course Requirements
Courses listed in Cluster A are prerequisite to those listed in Cluster B, and courses listed in Cluster B are prerequisite to those listed in Cluster C. Pre/co-requisite course requirements are also present within both Cluster B and C. It is recommended that support and option courses be taken throughout the program. Students are responsible for ensuring that prerequisites and co-requisite course requirements are met throughout the program in accordance with the Prerequisite Declaration Form.
Note: Clinical courses will only be offered within Alberta.
| Required Nursing and Non-Nursing Courses (75 credits) | ||
| Cluster A Courses (18 credits) | ||
| ENGL 255 | Introductory Composition (recommended) or junior/senior level university or equivalent ENGL course* |
(3) |
| HLST 320 | Teaching and Learning for Health Professionals | (3) |
| MATH 215 | Introduction to Statistics or |
|
| MATH 216 | Computer-Oriented Approach to Statistics | (3) |
| NURS 250 | Exploration of Professional Nursing Practice | (3) |
| PHIL 152 | Basic Critical Thinking or any 200-level or higher philosophy course |
(3) |
| PSYC 290 | General Psychology | (3) |
|
*English Writing Skills Requirement Students who choose ENGL 255 are strongly encouraged to take it early in their program. The Alberta Universities Writing Competence Test may be used to demonstrate mastery of English writing skills. Upon successful completion of the test, the University will exempt students from completing the English requirement. This course must then be replaced with another course in the Humanities. |
|
| Cluster B Courses (29 credits) | ||
| NURS 322 | Introduction to Nursing Informatics | (3) |
| NURS 324 | Concepts and Theories in Nursing Practice | (3) |
| NURS 328 | Understanding Research | (3) |
| NURS 434 | Community Health Promotion | (4) |
| NURS 435 | Professional Practice in Community Mental Health Promotion | (6) |
| NURS 436 | Family Health Promotion | (4) |
| NURS 437 | Professional Practice in Family Health Promotion | (6) |
| Cluster C Courses (28 credits) | ||
| NURS 400 | Adult Health and Health Alterations |
(3) |
| NURS 401 | Professional Practice with Adults
experiencing Health Alterations |
(6) |
| NURS 432 | Management and Leadership in Nursing Practice | (4) |
| NURS 438 | Trends and Issues in Nursing and Health Systems | (3) |
| NURS 440 | Independent Study | (3) |
| NURS 441 | Consolidated Professional Practice | (9) |
| Support Courses (6 credits) |
||
1. |
Humanities (300 or 400 level) |
(3) |
2. |
Science or Social Science (300 or 400 level) | (3) |
| Options Courses (9 credits) |
||
| May be selected from Applied Studies, Humanities, Science, or Social Science. A maximum of three credits may be at the 100 level; at least three credits must be at the 300 or 400 level. | ||
Computer Requirements
Access to a computer with basic word processing and Internet access is required. Refer to the online glossary.
Specific Regulations
Given the unique and professional nature of the post-LPN BN program, some of the general policies governing academic studies at AU are superseded by the regulations below.
- In order to register in a nursing course with a practicum component, students must present proof of the following:
- Current licensure with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta.
- Current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS).
- Agencies participating in practicum courses may request that students provide proof of up-to-date immunization status and a criminal record check at the student's expense.
- The pass mark for all nursing courses is C- (60 percent).
- Students are not permitted to challenge required nursing theory or clinical courses in the post-LPN BN program.
- Students who have been awarded two failing grades in one or more clinical courses will be automatically withdrawn from the post-LPN BN program, with no opportunity for re-admission.
- Students will permitted a maximum of 7 years to complete all degree program requirements from date of enrolment.
- To be awarded a BN degree, a minimum grade-point average of 2.0 is required in all AU courses used toward the degree.
