Post-LPN Bachelor of Nursing

Admission requirements

1. Graduation from a College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA) approved practical nursing diploma program.
2. Regulated (practicing) LPN with the CLPNA. Proof of active registration, in good standing and without conditions, submitted at time of application and maintained while completing the program.
3. Minimum equivalent of 1 year of full-time work experience (1,700 hours) as an LPN in Alberta at the time of application (submit letter(s) from employers on official letterhead with contact information to substantiate).
4. Minimum of 75% average in the most recent 30 credits of post-secondary study.
5. Proof of Alberta residency (Government of Alberta-issued identification).

Students with non-Canadian/non-United States education

Students presenting non-Canadian/non-United States (US) diplomas must present one of the following for admission and/or possible transfer credit:

• official transcript showing completion of a recognized Canadian Practical Nurse Diploma, or bridging program; or
• a basic assessment* that compare the credential completed to Practical Nurse education in Canada from an international assessment agency, for example, the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS); or
• if seeking additional transfer credits, a specialized or course-by-course evaluation of post-secondary course work from an international assessment agency, for example, the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS).

Official transcripts for any completed Canadian or US courses or programs in nursing, taken to obtain licensure in Canada, must be submitted.

* Students who leave the Post-LPN Bachelor of Nursing program for another program at AU will be required to provide a specialized or course-by-course assessment.

For more information, see the Evaluations and Transfer Credit section of the Calendar that explains the foreign transcript evaluation process for international students.

Further information on applying to the Post-LPN BN program, can be found on the FHD's program page.

Program requirements

Learners are required to follow the degree regulations in effect at the time of admission to the program. This also includes being responsible for ensuring that prerequisites and co-requisite course requirements and the timelines associated with practice (clinical) courses are met, as outlined in the current Post-LPN BN Practice Guide. Learners who become inactive (have not registered for a course within 12 months from their last course contract end date) must re-apply.

Learners must complete multiple courses per year to meet the externally regulated requirements of 7 years for program completion. The 7-year timeline aligns with admission to the program, not the start date of the first course(s). 

Professional conduct and program standards

Learners are responsible for familiarizing themselves with AU policies and procedures, the Post-LPN BN website content, the program's specific regulations (below), the current version of the Post-LPN Bachelor of Nursing Practice Guide, and the FHD Clinical Placement Misconduct Policy.

Learners must adhere to the current Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses, Entry-Level Competencies for the Practice of Registered Nurses in Alberta, and all agreements between AU and external healthcare partners.

Learners must meet the physical and mental health attributes required for success in a baccalaureate nursing program, as outlined in the Requisite Skills and Abilities for Becoming a Registered Nurse in Alberta. This also includes the ability to maintain fitness to practice during practice (clinical) requirements. CRNA, through CNA (2017) defines "fitness to practice" as "all the qualities and capabilities of an individual relevant to their capacity to practice as a registered nurse (or nursing student), including, but not limited to, freedom from any cognitive, physical, psychological or emotional condition and dependence on alcohol or drugs that impairs his or her ability to practice nursing" (p. 22).

The provision of reasonable accommodation(s) shall not require the program to lower standards, academic or otherwise, nor shall it relieve learners of their responsibility to develop and demonstrate the essential skills and competencies as per the Alberta Human Rights Commission. This includes avoiding undue hardship in the provision of safe, competent, ethical nursing care at our healthcare partner sites during practice (clinical) courses.

Please connect with AU's Accessibility Services before application and at any time during the program, should you have questions, or need support.