Post-LPN Bachelor of Nursing

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Admission to this program is paused due to high enrolments. Please refer to the Future Post-LPN Bachelor of Nursing Program for further information.

At a glance

Credential: degree
Credits: 120
Next start: monthly

Athabasca University’s Post-LPN Bachelor of Nursing is designed to meet the specific education needs of current licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and registered practical nurses (RPNs) who are registered in Alberta.

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Source: 2024 AU institutional data and 2024 Graduate Outcomes Survey (GOS)

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About Post-LPN Bachelor of Nursing

The Post-LPN Bachelor of Nursing program at Athabasca University is tailor-made for current Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) in Alberta, aiming to elevate their skills and career opportunities. This comprehensive program not only builds upon your existing medical knowledge but also prepares you for the NCLEX-RN exam, ensuring you're well-equipped to register as a Registered Nurse in Alberta. With an average completion time of 5 years, the program offers the flexibility of online coursework along with essential on-site practical components, all mapped to the latest entry-to-practice competencies and guidelines.

Why take the Post-LPN Bachelor of Nursing?

The Post-LPN Bachelor of Nursing program is designed specifically for practicing LPNs. You'll complete your Bachelor of Nursing degree, get hands-on clinical experience and prepare for the NCLEX-RN exam. Successfully completing this exam enables you to apply for registration with The College of Registered Nurses of Alberta, which is required in order to become a registered nurse.

Admission requirements

You must have completed an approved practical nurse (LPN; RPN) program in order to apply to the Post-LPN Bachelor of Nursing program. You must also meet the following requirements:

regulated (practicing) licensed practical nurse with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (submit proof of registration at time of application), which must be maintained while you complete the program.
equivalent to 1 year full-time work experience (1,700 hours) as a licensed practical nurse (submit verification letter(s) from employer(s) at time of application).

Program details

Overview

Athabasca University's Post-LPN Bachelor of Nursing is designed to meet the specific education needs of current LPNs and RPNs who are registered in Alberta.

The program builds on your current knowledge and practice skills, and prepares you for the NCLEX-RN exam. Your studies will include:

medical surgical nursing
mental health care
nursing informatics
nursing research
primary health care
leadership
management
family and community health promotion

You will also have the opportunity to develop a clinical focus in the final Consolidated Professional Practice course.

All AU nursing courses are mapped to the most current entry-to-practice competencies as determined by the CRNA and to the NCLEX-RN detailed test plan as determined by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).

The Post-LPN Bachelor of Nursing is approved by the Nursing Education Program Approval Board Committee. It is also a solid foundation for future graduate study in many health disciplines.

AU offers a broad liberal university education and the flexibility to continue with your work and family commitments while you learn. All non-clinical courses are delivered via online education. You will also need to complete on-site practical components in order to complete the program.

Registered nurses skills and abilities

Understanding the general demands and performance expectations on registered nurses is key to making the right decision to advance your career. The College of Registered Nurses of

References

Canadian Nurses Association. (2017). Code of ethics for registered nurses.

College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (2019). Entry-level competencies for the practice of Registered Nurses.

College of Registered Nurses of Alberta. (2013). Practice standards for regulated members.

College of Registered Nurses of Alberta. (2021). Requisite skills and abilities for becoming a Registered Nurse in Alberta.

Council of Ministers of Education (2007). Ministerial statement on quality assurance of degree education in Canada: Canadian degree qualifications framework.

Completion times

On average, students complete this program in about 5 years of study You can work at your own pace to complete your requirements, but you have to finish all program requirements within 7 years of your enrolment into the program. The program may be completed faster if transfer credit is applied toward your degree.

Admission requirements

You must have completed an approved practical nurse (LPN; RPN) program in order to apply to the Post-LPN Bachelor of Nursing program. You must also meet the following requirements:

regulated (practicing) licensed practical nurse with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (submit proof of registration at time of application), which must be maintained while you complete the program.
equivalent to 1 year full-time work experience (1,700 hours) as a licensed practical nurse (submit verification letter(s) from employer(s) at time of application).

How to apply

Admission to the Post-LPN Bachelor of Nursing program is currently paused, and when it reopens, admission will be restricted to applicants who reside in Alberta. New admissions criteria will be introduced, and seats will be limited. Admissions will take place once per year, and the process will be competitive.

It has not been determined when admission will reopen. More information will be posted online once new program regulations have come into effect.

Please note: Because seats will be limited, admission to the program cannot be guaranteed, even for applicants who meet the minimum enrolment requirements.

We strongly advise future applicants to not enroll in any courses until they have been admitted to the program. Because admission will be limited and competitive, and because students will need to satisfy the program regulations that are in place at the time of their admission to the program, it is risky to take courses before being admitted to the program. If you choose to take non-nursing courses prior to formal admission to the program, you do so at your own risk and discretion.

Please speak with an academic advisor before enrolling in any courses to make sure you that you have the best information for your situation.

Transfer and advanced credit

You may receive additional transfer credit for courses taken as part of your previous nursing program. You may also be eligible for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). We don't grant PLAR for nursing courses.

Learn more about transfer and advanced credit at AU

Transfer credit will not be granted for:

nursing clinical courses that are more than 5 years old
nursing theory courses that are more than 7 years old
non-nursing courses that are more than 10 years old

To meet the residency requirements for the Post-LPN Bachelor of Nursing program, you must complete the following from AU:

45 nursing credits
BIOL 235

Request and send your transcripts if you want us to consider your previous post-secondary education for transfer credit.

Learn more about MyCreds

Tuition and fees

Once you have paid the initial application fee, tuition is pay-as-you-go for each course registration. Course fees vary depending on your location and other factors.

Estimated program costs are available in the Calendar.

Financial aid and awards

We're dedicated to supporting your academic goals and committed to helping you overcome financial barriers by providing many funding and award options.

Explore financial aid and awards

0 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 0-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$657	$657	$609	$609
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
0 credit total	$906	$906	$844	$844

1 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 1-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$219	$219	$203	$203
Students' Union Fee ($4.50)	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50
1 credit total	$223.50	$223.50	$207.50	$207.50

3 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 3-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$657	$657	$609	$609
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($13.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50
3 credit total	$921.50	$921.50	$859.50	$859.50

4 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 4-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$876	$876	$812	$812
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($18) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$20	$20	$20	$20
4 credit total	$1,145	$1,145	$1,067	$1,067

6 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 6-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$1,314	$1,314	$1,218	$1,218
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee ( *exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($27) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$29	$29	$29	$29
6 credit total	$1,592	$1,592	$1,482	$1,482

9 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 9-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$1,971	$1,971	$1,827	$1,827
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($40.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50
9 credit total	$2,262.50	$2,262.50	$2,104.50	$2,104.50

0 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 0-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$657	$657	$609	$609
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Out of Province Fee	$187	$187	$187	$187
0 credit total	$1,093	$1,093	$1,031	$1,031

1 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 1-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$219	$219	$203	$203
Students' Union Fee ($4.50)	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50
1 credit total	$223.50	$223.50	$207.50	$207.50

3 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 3-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$657	$657	$609	$609
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($13.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50
Out of Province Fee	$187	$187	$187	$187
3 credit total	$1,108.50	$1,108.50	$1,046.50	$1,046.50

4 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 4-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$876	$876	$812	$812
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($18) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$20	$20	$20	$20
Out of Province Fee	$187	$187	$187	$187
4 credit total	$1,332	$1,332	$1,254	$1,254

6 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 6-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$1,314	$1,314	$1,218	$1,218
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($27) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$29	$29	$29	$29
Out of Province Fee	$187	$187	$187	$187
6 credit total	$1,779	$1,779	$1,669	$1,669

9 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 9-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$1,971	$1,971	$1,827	$1,827
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($40.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50
Out of Province Fee	$187	$187	$187	$187
9 credit total	$2,449.50	$2,449.50	$2,291.50	$2,291.50

0 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 0-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$657	$657	$609	$609
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee ( *exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Out of country fee	$784	$784	$784	$784
0 credit total	$1,690	$1,690	$1,628	$1,628

1 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 1-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$219	$219	$203	$203
Students' Union Fee ($4.50)	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50
Out of country fee	$261	$261	$261	$261
1 credit total	$484.50	$484.50	$468.50	$468.50

3 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 3-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$657	$657	$609	$609
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee ( *exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($13.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50
Out of country fee	$784	$784	$784	$784
3 credit total	$1,705.50	$1,705.50	$1,643.50	$1,643.50

4 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 4-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$876	$876	$812	$812
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee ( *exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($18) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$20	$20	$20	$20
Out of country fee	$784	$784	$784	$784
4 credit total	$1,929	$1,929	$1,851	$1,851

6 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 6-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$1,314	$1,314	$1,218	$1,218
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee ( *exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($27) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$29	$29	$29	$29
Out of country fee	$784	$784	$784	$784
6 credit total	$2,376	$2,376	$2,266	$2,266

9 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 9-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$1,971	$1,971	$1,827	$1,827
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee ( *exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($40.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50
Out of country fee	$784	$784	$784	$784
9 credit total	$3,046.50	$3,046.50	$2,888.50	$2,888.50

Courses

In Athabasca University's Post-LPN Bachelor of Nursing program, you'll engage in a well-rounded curriculum that includes courses in three clusters. Cluster A covers foundational subjects like anatomy, ethics, and psychology, while Cluster B delves deeper into specialized nursing topics such as informatics, community health promotion, and management. These courses equip you with the comprehensive skills you'll need to excel in your nursing career.

To complete the program you will need to fulfill all the general requirements of the Post-LPN Bachelor of Nursing, plus those specific to your profession.

Our program course plans can give you an idea of what courses you need to finish this program, and how to plan the order you'll take them in. If you're feeling stuck, our academic advisors can help.

Program requirements

Please note: Most clinical courses must be taken in Alberta. You can take NURS 441 in your home province if a clinical placement can be found.

Calculate course fees

Resources and links

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