To begin your journey you will be required to complete these forms and documents as a part of the application process.
Get career ready at one of these three campuses: Cold Lake, Lac La Biche or St. Paul.
Our program emphasizes collaboration, health promotion, and family-centered nursing. You'll be equipped with the skills and knowledge required to work in a wide variety of health care settings, both rural and urban. Our enthusiastic, experienced instructors focus on building your competency in nursing practice through imaginative, innovative classroom and lab experiences. As a graduate, you'll be eligible to write the national licensing examination administered through the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA).
This two-year diploma program is delivered in two formats: onsite and blended delivery. Returning second-year students will be on-site as much as possible to participate in labs. First-year students will take theory classes online and will be on-site in the fall semester.
Because this program is in such high demand, you may wish to begin your studies part-time by taking university courses in the meantime. For more information, use the link to our Info Request Form below.
Learn more about the requisite skills and abilities needed for a career as a Licensed Practical Nurse in Alberta.
This program is available to International Students. Our Designated Learning Institute (DLI) number is 0111010246767.
Domestic Apply
Use this process to apply to Portage College if you are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident (landed immigrant) or a protected person (refugee).
Domestic Funding Options
Browse through funding options available to students at Portage College to see what may be available to you.
Domestic Information Request
If you would like to receive more information about this program please use the Info Request Form linked here.
International Student Apply
International students, once you have chosen your program and checked the admission requirements you are now ready to apply for admission.
International Student Study Permit
Your study permit is the document that allows you to stay in Canada and study. It is different from a student visa, which is the document that allows you to enter Canada.
International Information Request
Our international student representatives are happy to answer your questions about programs, services and any immigration related questions that you may have. Please use the form link provided.
More international students are choosing Portage College to start or complete their studies because of the personal attention they receive and the high standard of instruction.
Career Potential
Graduates will be eligible for jobs in acute care hospitals, continuing care centres, community care settings, client homes or doctor's offices. Practical nurses earn approximately $26.45 to $34.63 per hour.
Credentials
Year 1: N/A
Year 2: Diploma
Admission Requirements
Year 1: A High School Diploma is Recommended:
- Biology 30 with Minimum 60% or equivalency
- English 30-2 with Minimum 70% or equivalency
- Math 20-2 with Minimum 60% or equivalency
- Chemistry 30 is strongly recommended
- NOTE: Those who do not meet admission requirements listed above are encouraged to look into Open Studies
Use this chart to check Provincial high school equivalencies accepted at Portage College. Note: This is just a guide.
Other admission requirements include
- Minimum age of 18 prior to first practicum placement
- Copy of CPR Heart & Stroke BLS for Healthcare Providers Certificate to be completed within 3 weeks prior to program’s August start date to ensure certification remains valid through their first clinical.
- Current Immunization record, signed by a Canadian physician, nurse practitioner, or public health nurse - to be completed before clinical placement.
- Health Status Questionnaire signed by a nurse practitioner or physician
- Police Information Check & Vulnerable Sector Search - To be completed within 90 days of program start date
- Please click the following link for: minimum technical requirements for Moodle site.
- ESL - ALL students whose first language is not English must meet one of the following:
IELTS Academic Format with minimum scores as follows: Listening 7.5; Reading 6.5; Writing 7.0; Speaking 7.0.
TOEFL iBT (internet Based) with minimum test scores as follows: Listening 23; Reading 21; Writing 25; Speaking 22.
CELBAN, with a minimum test score as follows: Listening 10; Reading 8; Writing 7; Speaking 7
Note: Testing must have been completed within two years prior to application to the program
Year 2: Completion of Year 1 nursing courses. Students new to the program must provide a Police Information Check & Vulnerable Sector Search
English Language Proficiency
ALL students whose first language is not English must meet one of the following:
IELTS Academic Format with minimum scores as follows: Listening 7.5; Reading 6.5; Writing 7.0; Speaking 7.0.
TOEFL iBT (internet Based) with minimum test scores as follows: Listening 23; Reading 21; Writing 25; Speaking 22.
CELBAN, with a minimum test score as follows: Listening 10; Reading 8; Writing 7; Speaking 7
Note: Testing must have been completed within two years prior to application to the program.
Transferability:
The Practical Nurse diploma will be considered for admission to Bachelor of Applied Human Service Administration program at MacEwan University. Currently Post LPN degree in nursing programs are available through the following institution: Athabasca University Minimum 25% Residency Requirement for Graduation. The following Portage College courses are transferable to and from University Studies; BIOL230 - Anatomy I, BIOL231/2 - Physiology I/II, COMM135 - Communications for Health Professionals, ENGL102 - Intro Composition, HEED105 - Personal Health & Wellness, PSYC104 - Intro Psychology and SOCI125 - Sociology of Aging.
Think you might have courses similar? Check this site Alberta Government Link for agreements.
Prior Learning Assessments are available for the PN program. If you feel you have prior learning that you would like assessed or have questions about this assessment process, please contact one of our Student Advisors. Our Student Advisors can provide you with the Prior Learning Assessment guideline and related application form.
Program Start/End Dates
Year 1: August 29, 2024 to June 27, 2025 (Fall, Winter and Spring Terms)
Year 2: August 29, 2024 to May 23, 2025 (Fall and Winter Terms)
Locations
Cold Lake Campus
Lac La Biche Campus
St. Paul Campus
Application Deadline
Domestic: February 29, 2024
International Student: February 29, 2024
First Year Students
Long Term Care: Beginning of April (5 weeks)
Second Year Students
Acute Care 1: Third week of November (4 weeks)
Acute Care 2: First week of March (4 weeks)
Preceptor Lead Practicum: First week of April (271 hours)
Domestic Student Fees
Application Fee $53.50
Year 1
Fall Term
Fee payment deadline: August 15, 2023
| Tuition | $2,556.72 |
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $54.57 |
| Total | $2,810.70 |
Winter Term
Fee payment deadline: December 15, 2023
| Tuition | $2,556.72 |
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $54.57 |
| Total | $2,810.70 |
Total tuition & mandatory fees for year: $5,621.40
Part-time Fees
Tuition is calculated using “cost-per-credit” one credit is $170. Calculate the cost by multiplying the number of credits per course by $170.
Year 2
Fall Term
Fee payment deadline: August 15, 2023
| Tuition | $2,556.72 |
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $54.57 |
| Total | $2,810.70 |
Winter Term
Fee payment deadline: December 15, 2023
| Tuition | $2,556.72 |
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $54.57 |
| Total | $2,810.70 |
Total tuition & mandatory fees for year: $5,621.40
Part-time Fees
Tuition is calculated using “cost-per-credit” one credit is $170. Calculate the cost by multiplying the number of credits per course by $170.
Visit Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies
Tuition Deposit: $100 (non-refundable for oversubscribed programs)
Need help funding your education? Check out our funding options.
International Student Fees
Application Fee $160.00
Tuition Deposit $5000.00 (non-refundable)
If you choose to pay the full tuition and mandatory fees, you may still be eligible for a refund of payments above the $5000 deposit, as per the Portage College refund policy.
Year 1
Fall Term
Fee payment deadline: June 1, 2024
| Tuition | $8,272.40 |
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $54.57 |
| Total | $8,526.38 |
Winter Term
Fee payment deadline: October 15, 2024
| Tuition | $7,670.15 |
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $54.57 |
| Total | $7,924.13 |
Total tuition & mandatory fees for year: $16,450.51
Year 2
Fall Term
Fee payment deadline: June 1, 2025
| Tuition | $8,272.40 |
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $54.57 |
| Total | $8,526.38 |
Winter Term
Fee payment deadline: October 15, 2025
| Tuition | $7,670.15 |
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $54.57 |
| Total | $7,924.13 |
Total tuition & mandatory fees for year: $16,450.51
Guaranteed yearly tuition for 2024-25 -Year 2 of program started 2023-24 not including mandatory fees: $16,249.35
Visit Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies
Other purchases may be necessary in order for students to complete their courses/program.
Practical Nurse Diploma
We acknowledge that Portage College’s service region is on the traditional lands of First Nation Peoples, the owners of Treaty 6, 8 and 10, which are also homelands to the Métis people. We honour the history and culture of all people who first lived and gathered in these lands.